The paparazzi outside my grandfather’s estate spiral into a frenzy when Joe and I walk outside hand in hand. They are a good distance away, but that doesn’t stop them from snapping photos and barking questions at us through the metal gate.
I smile and wave at them, no longer concerned in the slightest about what they might post about our family. My protective streak has been appeased, since my grandfather was behind the release of the story. He’s right… It’s much better to face the scandal head-on and as a tight-knit, cohesive group, than to worry about how it might tear us apart later.
Suddenly remembering the detail that has been niggling just beneath the surface of my mind, I turn to look up at Joe. “What about the thumb drive? Did you steal it, but then change your mind about releasing the information yourself?”
He freezes and stares down at me. His face twists in confusion. In a sincere tone, he says, “Alex, I didn’t take the thumb drive. I didn’t even consider it. Now that I know and love you, I would never do something like that to you or your family.”
“Well, who did take it then?” I wonder aloud. The only other person who could have had access to it is Brinkley, but my assistant has proven his unwavering loyalty over the years.
“Maybe it fell out in the limo?” Joe suggests.
It’s doubtful, but I climb into the back seat of the car, hoping to find an explanation for what happened to the missing memory stick. Joe circles the car, opens the back door on the driver’s side, and joins the search.
We check under the floor mats and run our fingers along the crack at the back of the seat, but come up empty-handed.
I let out a frustrated sigh, knowing that this mystery will drive me crazy until we figure out what happened.
Brightening with an idea, Joe asks, “Where is your laptop bag? Maybe it fell out inside it.”
I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. I’d purposely left my computer at the office tonight because I knew there would be too much family drama for me to get any real work done.
Brinkley picks up my call before I even hear the tone to indicate it’s ringing. I’m not surprised to discover that he’s still at the office. The man is as much of a workaholic as I am. After resolving to make sure we both change that bad habit going forward, I ask him to check the bottom of my laptop bag.
Within moments, he comes back on the line and says that he found the missing memory stick.
I breathe out a deep sigh of relief. After thanking my assistant, I say, “You need to go home right now.”
“What? Why?” Brinkley sounds completely perplexed by my out-of-character demand.
Smiling at Joe, I say into the phone’s speaker, “There is so much more to life than work. You and I are going to start having fun and living life to the fullest. Those will be our top priorities––with work somewhere far down the list.”
“What have you done with my overachieving boss? Your voice sounds like hers, but you’re saying words that would never fall from her luscious lips,” Brinkley jokes.
I chuckle at the silly man before answering. “It’s me, and I really mean it. We work hard, so we should play hard, too––with playing being the priority.”
“Wow, I’m loving this new you,” Brinkley weighs in. “Does this fabulous change of heart have anything to do with the tasty treat of a man you’ve been hanging around with lately?”
“Perhaps,” I answer before the wide smile spreads across my face when the idea strikes. Deciding to go all-in with my new attitude, I say, “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Let’s get to the office around ten.”
“Ten?!?” Brinkley screeches.
I hold the phone out away from my ear, until he tempers his tone to say, “Girl, you won’t believe how gorgeous I am when I get plenty of beauty rest.”
Chuckling and shaking my head, even though he can’t see me, I say, “Can’t wait.”
After we hang up, Joe and I emerge from the back of the limo.
“I’m glad that mystery is solved,” he says as he opens his arms for me.
Without hesitating a moment, I relax into his embrace and lean my head on his wide shoulder with a happy sigh.
“How about if we send the limo driver home, so you can ride with me tonight?” he murmurs before pressing a sweet kiss to the top of my head.
My spine stiffens as I admit, “I’ve never ridden on one of those death traps before.”
“Death traps?!?” Joe teases me, pretending to be insulted. “If you truly want to live life to the fullest, there’s no better way than to let the wind whip over you on a motorcycle.”
“I don’t know…” I say slowly as I search my mind for a valid excuse not to ride with him on the terrifying two-wheeled machine.
“I promise that I’ll take good care of you.” he tells me in a sincere tone.
Realizing that there isn’t any arguing with that, I let the limo driver know that he is done working for the night. The man tips his hat and quickly leaves––likely not wanting to give me the chance to change my mind.
Joe carefully places his helmet on my head and adjusts the strap under my chin. Concerned for his safety, I ask, “What about you? You need a helmet, too.”
“I’m going to be super careful,” he promises.
There’s no denying the tiny thrill that shivers down my spine at the realization that he doesn’t carry a second helmet with him. That’s proof that he doesn’t often bring anyone with him on his bike. From now on, I intend to be the only woman he even considers letting snuggle up behind him as he rides.
After we’re situated on the bike and it rumbles to life, Joe pulls my arms around his waist and turns back to say, “You can hold on to me as tight as you like.”
I squeal and grip ahold of his middle as we take off down my grandfather’s driveway. After the gate opens, Joe carefully maneuvers us through the mob of aggressive paparazzi.
Once we’re clear of them, he takes off. When I glance back, I’m surprised to find that none of the pests are following us.
Suddenly enjoying more freedom and happiness than I ever remember feeling, I lift my arms up, tip my head back, and savor riding into the night with my dreamy Georgia guy.