Hot Coffee (The Hollens) novel Chapter 20

Emma's POV

The Miami weekend was just one day away. Halley and I decided to take our half day together to do a quick shopping before leaving. Luis drove us to the mall where we bought clothing, including a formal dress to wear to the auction fundraiser event, and Halley insisted on getting our hair done.

When we got home late that afternoon we packed. I was extremely excited to be going on this trip with the two people I was getting accustomed to. I had never been on a trip before. I had never even stepped foot out of New York, so going to Miami was like a dream come true. I was overjoyed!

I went to the chambers when I was through packing and sat on Halley's bed. I watched her scan the room, putting things she thought she'd need in Miami.

"My toothbrush, dress, hairdryer..." she went on, moving like she was trying to prevent herself from forgetting something important.

I laughed just watching at her. It wasn't her first time in Miami; it was just her first time going along with Mr. Hollen. When she was finished, we headed to the kitchen as she described her first time on a trip to Miami with her friends.

It was about 7:00 pm when Mr. Hollen got home. He checked on us in the kitchen and, I must say, it had been a relief to have Sharon gone to Italy for a fashion show she had to host there. She had been gone since Tuesday and wouldn't return until the next weekend.

"I've arranged everything for us, including the house," said Mr. Hollen.

"We're not staying at a hotel?" Halley asked, surprised.

She was always bolder to ask straight forward questions than I was. I had to work on that.

"Why stay at a hotel when I've got a lovely beach house there?" he asked, raising an eyebrow with a smirk on his lips.

She gasped in surprise. "Oh my gosh! I have to get my swimsuit!" she shouted in glee as she ran out of the kitchen.

Mr. Hollen laughed then turned to me and took my hands into his. "You're awfully quiet; you're not excited?"

"Yes I am, sir," I said shyly.

"Why don't you call me Ethan when we're alone," he kindly insisted.

"Um, sir, that wouldn't sound right."

He let out a frustrated sigh.

"Oh, um, I cooked dinner for you." I felt I sounded awkward, but I'd taken the liberty of cooking him a meal when Halley and I came back from shopping-- a chicken soup.

"Okay. I'll go shower and change then come back for my dinner," he said, getting up from the table. "Oh, don't forget to pack your swimsuit too," he added as he left.

My face fell. I didn't own a swimsuit or a bikini and forgot to get one at the mall earlier.

"You do have one right?" Halley asked as she came back, having overheard Mr. Hollen's statement about the swimsuit.

"No," I answered quietly.

"Okay. It's late now, so we'll get you one when we reach there." She lit up and did little jumps like a kid. "Emma, we're going to Miami."

I could only smile.

__________

We arrived at an airport and boarded a private jet. Silly me for thinking that we would have a long drive. I forgot my boss was a billionaire; he had it all.

"Buckle up," Halley said to me as she did hers.

I struggled with the seat belt for a bit utnil Mr. Hollen leaned in and did it correctly.

"Thanks," I said coldly, feeling like a complete fool. I couldn't even put on a seat belt.

I hope I don't embarrass myself or Mr. Hollen at his company's auction this weekend. I was so inexperienced with such things. Do you go around greeting people? Do you bring them drinks? Do you shake hands with everyone there? What do you do?

"Are you okay?" Mr. Hollen asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, I'm fine." 

Then it dawned on me also that I was in a freaking plane. I had never been in a plane. I remembered how panicked I was in the elevator when I went for the interview at his company; now I was in his plane. If I was so scared of the elevator, shouldn't I be even more scared of the plane? I held my chest and swallowed hard as fright took over my body.

Halley noticed and smirked at me. "First time flying Emma?" she asked in a teasing voice.

I nodded.

Mr. Hollen looked at me with what seemed like concern or confusion, I wasn't sure.

Thanks a lot Halley. She just had to put me on the spot again. But wasn't it obvious enough when I couldn't even put on the seat belt?

"Please fasten your seat belts and prepare for take off," a voice spoke smoothly through the plane's intercom.