The Exception Read online

  Drew Westbrook seemed like a really nice guy. A really hot and sexy nice guy. His six-foot stature, dark hair, smoldering brown eyes to match, the stubble he sported on his face, and overall demeanor was refreshing. A little panty soaking but refreshing. Was he hitting on me? Probably, but it didn’t matter. Guys were off limits to me and would be for a very long time. Not until I found me, would I even consider finding a guy.

  “Sure. Why not.” I smiled.

  “Great. Is there anything in particular you’re in the mood for?”

  “A nice thick juicy burger and a plate full of French fries.”

  He narrowed his right eye. “Really? I wouldn’t have thought you ate stuff like that, considering how fit you look.”

  “I normally don’t, but today calls for comfort food.”

  “I see. Okay. A nice thick juicy burger and a plate full of French fries it is.”

  As we headed in the direction of our gate, we stopped and took a seat at Umami Burger.

  “What can I get you?” the waitress asked.

  “I’ll have the LAX burger, please.”

  “Everything on it?” she asked.

  “Yes. And whatever you have on tap.” I smiled.

  “And for you, sir?”

  “I’ll have the veggie burger and whatever you have on tap.”

  “The veggie burger?” I smirked.

  “Is something wrong with a veggie burger?” He cocked his head.

  “No. Nothing at all.” I snickered.

  “I didn’t take you for a beer kind of girl.”

  “Oh really? And what kind of girl did you take me for?”

  “The kind of girl who drinks fine wines, fruity cocktails, and expensive champagne.”

  I looked down as I ran my finger and thumb along where my ring once sat.

  “I like a beer every now and again.”

  He was right about me. I did drink fine wines, fruity cocktails, and expensive champagne. Ever since I could remember, my mother used to tell me that beer was for the lower class; that it was a cheap man’s drink and I had an image to uphold. I could never drink a beer around my parents or Grant. He was just as bad as they were, only drinking his scotch or bourbon on the rocks and holding his glass in such a prissy manner as to alert everyone he was the upper class and not to be fucked with.

  “Earth to Jillian.” Drew waved his hand in front of my face.

  I looked up at him and lightly shook my head. “Sorry. What were you saying?”

  “You seemed lost in thought. Care to talk about it?”

  The waitress set down our beers in front of us and I quickly took a large sip.

  “No.” I smiled as I set down my glass.

  His eyes narrowed at me as he studied me for a moment.

  “Who are you, Jillian Bell?”

  Tilting my head to the side and giving a light shrug, I spoke, “I have no clue.”

  A confused look swept over his face, and before he had a chance to say anything, the waitress set our burgers in front of us.

  “How’s that veggie burger?” I asked.

  “It’s good. How’s that grease-dripping burger you’re eating?”

  “Fantastic,” I spoke with a mouthful of food.

  Drew let out a light chuckle. Once we finished eating, I leaned back in my chair and puffed out my cheeks.

  “Oh my God. I’m so full.”

  Did I care that I had just scarfed down a burger, a plate of fries, and a beer in front of a sexy man that I had just met a couple of hours ago? No. I didn’t even give it a second thought. I was over what anybody thought of me.

  “We better get to our gate,” Drew spoke as he pulled out his wallet and threw some cash on the table.

  Reaching into my purse, I pulled out some money.

  “I got it, Jillian.” He smiled.

  “No. No. I’m paying for my own.” I set the dollar bills on the table.

  Drew picked them up and placed them back in my hand.

  “I said I got it. See? Now I’ve once again made your shitty day a little less shitty.” He grinned.

  I couldn’t help but smile as I stared into his deep dark brown eyes. He was a really nice guy. Or was he just trying to get into my pants? Either way, I let him pay. He could be nice all he wanted but he wouldn’t get a piece of me, even though the thought of his muscular strong body on top of mine was enticing. Shit. I needed to stop thinking that.

  As we boarded the plane for Hawaii, I took my seat next to an older woman who was dripping in gold and diamonds. She wore a Donna Karan suit, and when I looked down at her feet, I couldn’t help but notice her Jimmy Choo’s. Her hair was secured in a perfect bun and her makeup was immaculate. She reminded me too much of my mother. Drew’s seat was two rows behind me and I admit that I was a little disappointed he wasn’t sitting next to me.

  “Excuse me, ma’am?” Drew spoke as he stood in the aisle. “Would you mind switching seats with me? I have a lovely window seat two rows back.”

  “I’m fine where I’m at,” she spoke with an attitude, not looking up from her magazine.

  I looked up at Drew, gave him a wink, and motioned for him to go sit back in his seat. Suddenly, I began to cough loudly until the woman looked over.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  “No.” I coughed in her face.

  She leaned to the side of her seat, away from me as I kept coughing.

  “Can you please cover your mouth?”

  “Oh sorry. It happens so much that sometimes I forget.”

  As I coughed in my hand, I placed it on her arm.

  “I’m sorry, but once I start, it could go on for hours. So I want to apologize in advance for the disruption it may cause you during our six-hour flight.”

  She looked down at my hand, which was touching the fabric of her suit, and then back up at me. Grabbing her purse, she got up from her seat and, before I knew it, Drew was sitting next to me.

  “Well played, Jillian.” He winked.

  “Thank you.” I smiled. “I didn’t want to sit next to her anyway. She reminds me of my mother.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” His brow arched.

  “Yeah. It is.” I looked away.

  Chapter Four

  Jillian

  Once the plane took off, the flight attendant took our dinner order, which consisted of either a chicken enchilada or a salmon salad. Drew opted for the salmon salad and I declined both. Not only was I still full from that ginormous burger, I didn’t like enchiladas and there was no way I was eating salmon from an airplane.

  “I thought plane food revolted you?” I smirked.

  “It does, but that veggie burger didn’t seem to fill me up and the salmon salad doesn’t sound too bad.”

  “You should have had the big thick greasy burger like me.”

  “Yeah. Maybe I should have.” He winked.

  “What do you do for work?” I asked with curiosity.

  “I own and run a technology company.”

  I knew he was in corporate just by the suit he was wearing. He had “corporate man” written all over him. One thing that caught me by surprise was the fact that he owned the company.

  “Nice. How old are you?” I cocked my head.

  He laughed. “I don’t think it’s polite to ask someone their age.”

  “Wrong. It’s not polite to ask a woman her age, but for a man, it’s no holds barred.”

  “So why is it wrong to ask a woman?” His brow raised.

  “Because women are more sensitive to the age question than men. It’s in our genes.”

  “Ah. I see. Well, to answer your question, I’m thirty. And now, you’ll answer my question, impolite or not. How old are you?”

  “I’m twenty-four.”

  “Really?” He frowned. “You don’t look a day over eighteen.” His lips gave way to a small smile.

  Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t help but laugh. “Is that why you’re being so nice to me, because you thought I was a naïve eighte
en-year-old who just blossomed into a legal adult with no baggage that you could manipulate in the palm of your hand?” I smirked.

  “First of all, eighteen year olds aren’t my thing. They are way too immature, legal adult or not, and second of all, I’m just a nice guy all the way around.” He winked.

  “That you are, Mr. Westbrook.” My lips gave way to a small smile.

  The flight attendant set Drew’s salmon salad down in front of him. I took one look at it and sighed.

  “You’re really going to eat that?”

  “Of course.” He stabbed his fork into the salad and took a bite. “It’s delicious.”

  “It is not! I can tell by the look on your face and the way you’re trying to choke it down.”

  He shrugged. “Okay. It’s not very appetizing.”

  “Oh. Is that cheesecake?” I asked as I pointed to the small plate on his tray.

  “It looks like it. Do you want it?”

  “Don’t you?” I asked.

  “I’m not a big cheesecake kind of person. So, please, be my guest. I’ll have to ask the attendant for another fork.”

  “No need.” I smiled as I reached over, picked it up with my hands, and took a bite.

  Drew’s face twisted as he watched me.

  “What? It’s not a big piece. It’s bite size.” I finished it off with one more bite. “Thank you for once again making my shitty day a little less shitty.” I grinned.

  “You’re welcome.” He nodded. “I’m surprised you’re still hungry after that large burger, a beer, your fries, and mine.”

  Without even thinking, I spoke, “Well, after starving myself for the last six months to make sure I didn’t gain an ounce so I could fit into my wedding—” I paused and then turned my head towards the window.

  Drew didn’t say a word, which was a good thing because I wasn’t about to get into something so personal about myself with a stranger.

  “So, what do you do for a living?” he asked to change the subject.

  “I’m a lawyer. Well, not technically yet. I still have to take the bar.” Which I had no plans to ever do.

  “Impressive. Where did you attend law school?”

  “Yale.”

  “Wow. Now I’m really impressed.” He smiled. “Did you just graduate?”

  “Yep. Two weeks ago and at the top of my class.”

  “Your parents must be very proud of you. That’s quite an accomplishment.”

  “They are.” Not now they aren’t, I thought to myself.

  The flight attendant walked over and took Drew’s tray from him as I pulled out the headphones from my purse.

  “I think I’ll watch a movie now,” I spoke.

  “All right. I have some work to do.” He pulled out his iPad.

  ****

  Drew

  A lawyer. Wow, not only was she beautiful but extremely smart. I caught the part about her wedding dress, which piqued my curiosity, but I could tell after she slipped that she was upset, so I didn’t ask her any more about it. I got the impression that her fiancé broke it off with her and that was why she was so broken. As for Hawaii, she was probably trying to escape the pain. I found her refreshing and funny. She had a wit about her that captivated me. Who would ever break up with someone like her? If she were mine, I would have held on to her forever.

  As I was doing some work on my iPad, the plane hit some bad turbulence. Jillian reached over and grabbed my arm.

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Sorry. Turbulence just freaks me the fuck out.” She inhaled deeply and laid her head back.

  “Don’t apologize. My arm is here for you whenever you need it.” I smiled.

  The plane leveled out and it seemed we were in the clear. Letting go of my arm, Jillian continued to watch her movie and I went back to work.

  ****

  Jillian

  Just as I started to relax again, the plane abruptly dropped and the pilot announced that we were heading into some severe storms and turbulence was going to a problem for a short while. The seatbelt light went on and all the flight attendants were commanded to sit in their seats until we got through it. I wasn’t sure if I could get through it. As I felt the plane going up and down, I grabbed on to Drew’s arm again. For now, he was my safety and there was no way I was letting go. Anxiety had started to kick in and I found it difficult to breathe.

  “Hey. Relax. It’s going to okay,” Drew said as he placed his hand on mine. “Let’s talk. Tell me something. Anything.”

  He was trying to distract me and I appreciated him for it. He could see I was struggling to calm the fuck down.

  “Breathe, Jillian.” His eyes burnt into mine.

  My heart was pounding out of my chest and I was sweating.

  “Talk to me,” he spoke with seriousness.

  “I left my fiancé at the altar today. I didn’t even tell him that I couldn’t marry him. I just up and left without anyone noticing a couple of minutes before I was to walk down the aisle. I couldn’t marry him. I don’t love him. I never did. It was too much. Between my parents and him, I just couldn’t take it anymore,” I blurted out. “And now, this is my punishment. We’re going to crash and I’m going to die and go to Hell for it.”

  Drew stared at me with a shocked expression on his face. He didn’t know what to say because I was sure his whole perception of me had just changed in that moment.

  “We aren’t going to crash, you’re not going to die, and you certainly aren’t going to Hell because you left your fiancé.”

  After he spoke those words, the plane leveled out and once again became steady. The pilot came on the overhead and said we were in the clear and thanked us for our cooperation. Letting out a sigh of relief, I began to calm down and regain my breath.

  “See. It was just a little turbulence. It’s over now.” He smiled.

  “I’m sorry for just blurting that out.”

  “It’s okay. You thought you were going to die, so you had to tell someone. Do you want to talk about it?” he asked in a soothing voice.

  “That’s basically it. Today was my wedding day and I ran.”

  “If you never loved him, why did you accept his proposal?”

  “Because I had no choice. He was my fiancé since I was a child. Planned by my parents and his. He was the one I had to marry.”

  “Wait a minute.” He shook his head. “Was this an arranged marriage?”

  I laughed. “If you really stop to think about it, I guess it was. His parents and my parents have been best friends since they were teenagers. He is the heir to his father’s law firm and I am the daughter of the prestigious Donald Bell of DB Simpson & Co.”

  “You mean one of the largest global financial firms, DB Simpson & Co?”

  “Yep. That’s the one.”

  “Wow. Oh boy. Wow.”

  “See. You’re speechless.”

  “Not really. I mean, why would you marry someone you’re not in love with? I just don’t understand why you didn’t say something before the wedding.”

  “Because I never had any control over my own life. From the day I was born, my life had already been planned out. Where I would go to school, who my friends would be, who I could and could not socialize with, and my career. Shit. I don’t even want to be a lawyer.”

  “I take it you’re an only child?”

  “Yeah. Well, sort of. That’s another story.” I shook my head.

  Drew looked at his watch. “We have a couple of hours left.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t really want to talk about it. It’s just that I never was allowed to make my own decisions. My mom and Grant’s mom planned the entire wedding. I didn’t have a say in anything, not even my wedding dress. The one I wanted wasn’t expensive enough and my mother said it made me look fat. So she picked the dress she liked and I just agreed to it. I didn’t care and I didn’t have any fight in me. Going against my parents was a losing battle.”

  “And now?” he asked.

  �
�I guess you could say I snapped.” I gave a small smile. “I don’t know who I am, Drew. Every time I look in a mirror, I see a total stranger staring back at me.”

  “So you’re going to Hawaii. Why?” He cocked his head.

  “I needed to escape and what better place than Hawaii. I’m starting my life over and, little by little, I’m going to find out who Jillian Bell really is.”

  The corners of his mouth curved upwards. “Good for you.”

  “Thanks. It’s really liberating.”

  “So what about your parents and Grant?”

  “Who knows and who cares? I don’t think he even loved me anyway. He was a cheater and a liar. Hell, his bachelor party was last weekend in Vegas and he slept with two strippers at the same time.” I looked down.

  “Ouch. What a dick. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m not. I’m feeling really tired from that whole turbulence experience. I’m going to try and get some sleep. So, would you wake me if I’m still sleeping when the plane lands?” I bit down on my bottom lip.

  “Of course I will, and if you need my shoulder to lie on, it’s available.”

  “Thanks, but the window is fine.”

  I propped the pillow against the window and laid my head down against it.

  Chapter Five

  Drew

  Wow, her story really hit a spot in my heart and I felt sorry for her. I could feel her pain as she talked about leaving her fiancé at the altar, and her parents, shit, I couldn’t imagine growing up like that. Just as we were about to land, Jillian opened her eyes and looked around.

  “We’ll be landing in a couple of minutes. I can’t believe I’m landing in Hawaii in the dark.” I smirked.

  “You had to have known when you booked the flight,” she spoke.

  “This wasn’t my original flight. My other flight was delayed due to mechanical issues and then it got cancelled. This is the flight they put me on. I was supposed to arrive around three thirty pm, not nine fifty pm.”

  “This was the only flight that had first class available when I booked it.”

  “And when did you book this flight?” I asked.