The Millionaire's Intriguing Offer

More Than A Weekend

"I don't understand," Bailey said. "It's already Friday evening."

"What's to understand? I'm asking if you want to spend the weekend in Key West with me."

"Doesn't it take most of the day to sail from here to Key West? And I have to be back at work on Monday, so . . . or were you thinking about a night sail?" The notion was intriguing, sailing with Jack under the stars. But when would they sleep if they sailed all night? Jack answered her unspoken question.

"We will do that sometime, but not tonight. If I'm just catching naps while you stand watch, we'd both be too tired tomorrow to enjoy the Keys."

Jack refilled both their glasses form the ice tea pitcher, and leaned back. "We'll just do a charter tomorrow morning. We can be there in 90 minutes and start the day with breakfast at Ricky's Blue Heaven. It's an experience you won't forget."

Bailey was trying to catch up. "But if we charter a . . oh, wait, you don't mean charter a boat, do you? You mean charter a plane?"

"Yeah, it's not a big deal."

Maybe not for you, Bailey thought. But it was just one more example of how the lives she and Jack lived were worlds apart. A trip by plane was something she budgeted for, and planned in advance. Like vacations. Which was why she didn't make it home to see her parents at their farm in the Midwest nearly as often as she would like.

For Jack, it was just a whim. Hey, let's spend the weekend in Key West. I'll just charter a plane for tomorrow morning.

She guessed their pretend relationship had some pretty fun benefits, in addition to giving her access to important contacts for OFC, and she might as well enjoy it.

But it would be a mistake to get too used to it. Being with someone like her was a novelty to him. But novelties wore off. And when this game they were playing ended, Bailey had no intention of being left with a broken heart. As long as she kept things in perspective, what harm was there?

"You know," she said finally, while Jack studied her across the table with an amused smile on his face, "that sounds completely crazy to me. But I can't think of a reason to say no so, I guess, yes?"

His grin broadened. "Let me just make a call."

* * *

"You were right," Bailey said as she settled into her seat at Ricky's and looked around. She laughed when several roosters strolled casually past their table, and watching her eyes sparkle with pure delight made him slide a little deeper into the feelings he wasn't ready to let her see.

"This place is amazing, and I love it!" Her smile was contagious.

"It's a Key West landmark," Jonathon said. They were sitting at a table in a courtyard shaded by lush tropical leaves and sailcloth strung between the trees. There was a definite Caribbean vibe mixed with old Florida, and he decided it had been the perfect place to kick off their getaway weekend.

Their private charter flight had left at 6:00 a.m., and now - at 8:30 - they were already about to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with the rest of the day stretching out in front of them.

"What do you recommend?" she asked him, looking up from the menu.

"They're known for their Benedicts. But you also can't go wrong with the pancakes."

"Hmm. I don't really eat bacon."

Jonathon set his menu down. "You don't drink alcohol, you don't eat bacon - I'm starting to think you don't have any vices."

"Oh, I have one," she said, with a mischievous smile.

He raised an eyebrow.

"You," she said. "You're the one thing I can't resist, even though it's bad for me."