of it right away, Mr. Fallon.”
Mr. Fallon. He turned to her as the attendant walked away. Rita blinked and did a double take as his deep brown eyes met hers. Recognition dawned with a sinking sensation as she realized exactly who he was—the dark hair, the familiar coloring and features.
“I didn’t mean to insult you,” he told her. “It’s just that I happened to have witnessed that particular employee’s pettiness before. I might have to initiate some sort of formal complaint about her with the airport actually.”
Oh, no. That wasn’t what she wanted at all. “Please don’t do that. I don’t want to think about someone losing their job because of me.”
He quirked an eyebrow in question. “No matter how badly they had it coming?”
She shook her head. “And it’s not that I feel insulted.”
“No?”
“No, not really.” She blew out a breath. “I’m just a bit embarrassed. I wish I’d never walked in here in the first place.”
His eyes narrowed on her. Rita couldn’t quite read the expression on his face. “I’m actually really glad you did.”
A small sensation tingled at the base of her spine. Was he trying to flirt with her now? Yep, definitely the most mortifying thing to ever happen to her. To make the whole thing so much worse, Clinton Fallon had no clue who she was. He didn’t even remember her.
* * *
Clint wanted to tell the young lady he could relate. It hadn’t been that long ago that people like Sheila had talked down to him in the same manner he’d just witnessed her being subjected to. Her embarrassed expression and obviously flustered state when he’d walked in had touched a nerve within him that he’d long since thought was dormant. Apparently, the universe decided he was due for a periodic reminder.
He was glad for it, as he’d just told her. He didn’t want to get too complacent or take anything for granted.
“I guess I owe you a thank-you,” she was saying.
Guessed? “Uh...you’re welcome.”
She reached for her carry-on. “I think I’ll leave.”
Clint stepped in front of her before she got far. Was she confused? He’d just taken care of the matter so that she could stay. “You no longer have to.”
Something flashed behind her eyes. It didn’t strike him as gratitude. Far from it. He had offended her. Well, what was he supposed to have done? Let her get tossed out on her behind?
“Nevertheless. I’m not sure I want to stay in here any longer.”
“You mentioned your flight was delayed. At least finish your breakfast.”
“I’m sure it’s cold now,” she muttered, then blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. It’s just—I’ve really been looking forward to this trip. And so far it hasn’t exactly started off on the most positive note.”
“I understand,” he told her, a feeling of empathy settling deep within his chest. He did understand. More than she knew.
* * *
Rita adjusted her collar and tried to quell the shaking in her stomach. Clinton Fallon was standing before her without any clue as to who she was. Apparently, she hadn’t made much of an impression on him all those years ago when she’d been at university with his sister. First, he’d witnessed her abject humiliation by the suite attendant. And now she was going to have to find a way to introduce herself.
Or reintroduce herself as the case may be. By contrast, she couldn’t count the number of times she’d thought about him over the years. As if she hadn’t felt silly enough about that small fact until this encounter.
She was trying to figure out a way to tell him exactly who she was when he extended his hand. “I’m Clinton—”
“I know who you are,” she blurted out without really thinking.
He blinked. “You do?”
A small lump of disappointment settled in her gut. He really had no inkling, no recollection whatsoever. Why was she surprised? Or even disappointed? People like him didn’t take much note of ladies like her.
And exactly what kind of lady was she now? How would she begin to describe herself? Perhaps she could use the term recent divorcée. Or unemployed veterinarian. Or failed daughter. Unfortunately, any one of those could apply.
“Here. Let’s give this a try.” She removed a hair band from her wrist and quickly tied her thick dark hair in a loose ponytail. Then she removed a pair of thick glasses from her pocket and perched them on her nose.
Clint’s only response was a completely blank look. Still nothing.
Rita sighed. Now she was just humiliating herself even more. He had no idea who she was. How often had she thought about him over the years? How often had she wondered where he was and what he was doing?
While he hadn’t even given her a second thought, it seemed.
“I went to school with Lizzie,” she told him. “You and I met in passing a few times at various school-sponsored family events.” She extended her hand. “Rita Paul. I’m actually on my way to your sister’s wedding myself.”
His smile grew wide as he took it. “I’m sorry. I’m just so bad with faces.”
“No need to apologize.” Though she did appreciate the effort. An awkward moment passed as they limply shook hands. As if neither could decide who should let go first. Why was she behaving so loopily around this man? Finally, Rita pulled out of his grasp.
“It should have occurred to me that at least one or two of Lizzie’s friends would be on this flight,” Clint continued. “I’m not used to flying with the airlines. My private aircraft is undergoing some repairs.”
“Did you really just say that your jet is in the shop?”
He gave her an embarrassed smile. “I guess I did.”
He’d certainly come far. Though again, she wasn’t surprised. The man she’d met all those years ago was clearly driven and talented. “You were just starting out in the construction business back when Lizzie and I were in school.”
He nodded. “That’s correct.”
“You’ve just acquired a company, I believe.”
“Correct again. The man I worked for was ready to retire. Said he trusted me more than anyone else to take over. Gave me quite a deal when he sold me the business.”
“A deal you clearly made the most of then took to new astronomical heights.”
He studied her. “I guess you could say that. Along with some well-placed investments, things have gone pretty well.”
What an understatement. The man owned a private jet. She knew he’d single-handedly put his sister through school. No doubt, he was the one paying for this lavish destination wedding.
Clint Fallon represented the epitome of a self-made success story. She’d followed his life for a while in the local papers and news sites after graduating from school. Everyone was fascinated by a self-made man. But then her own life had gone completely awry. Unlike Clint and his string of successes, she’d only managed to accumulate one failure after another. Though heaven knew he’d been handed a much worse set of circumstances.
Well, this was her chance to get away from all that and try to forget. For the next few days anyway. This trip was all about Lizzie and her future husband and the love they shared.
She was trying to come up with a response when the airline announced they were finally boarding. “I should head out to the lobby,” she told him. “I’m seated toward the back. I’ll be one of the first they call.”
But