Bridger was grateful for that, but he had to know. “And Ramsey?”
“They’ll take good care of him. They’re taking him to a private island that he loved. As soon as he passes, they’ll bury him there.” Mike offered a grim smile, then pushed his door open and stepped out to get their door.
Bridger slid out and helped Avalyn. Luckily, his nose had stopped bleeding, and he figured he had wiped off most of the blood. He looked at Avalyn. “Think FAA is going to let me into the airport?”
She wiped at his cheek. “You’re kind of a mess.”
Mike met them on the sidewalk with Avalyn’s suitcase and Bridger’s bag. He handed them each a passport.
“Where’d you get these?” Bridger asked.
Mike laughed. “You should know by now Ramsey is all-powerful.”
Bridger laughed too. He stuck out his hand.
Mike gave him a firm shake, then backed away. He nodded to Avalyn. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know both of you.”
“Where are you going to go?” Bridger asked.
Mike smiled, rubbing at his bald head. “I’ve been hankering to open a little sandwich and ice cream shop somewhere in the Caribbean. Maybe I’ll find me a local beauty to help me.”
Bridger nodded. “Put lots of sunscreen on that head.”
“Yes, sir.” Mike smiled, tipped his head to them, then strode around to the driver’s side. He slid in, and within seconds he was gone.
Avalyn wrapped her arms around herself. “Ramsey was completely insane, wasn’t he?”
Bridger nodded. He felt a strange letdown that it was over. Competing with Ramsey over the years had been challenging and exhilarating. Now that his friend was gone, what would he do? He glanced down at Avalyn. His first order of business was to convince her that he’d be there for her.
He zipped open his bag, found a T-shirt, and shrugged it on. Straightening, he grabbed Avalyn’s suitcase and his bag. “Ready to go home, Ava Baby?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Bridger had a lot more questions for her, but he’d save them until they were safely in her plane and he’d showered. He needed to smell and look his best if he was going to talk her into his future plans.
ChapterNineteen
Avalyn reclined into the leather seat. What a relief to be on her own plane and flying toward Long Island. She wanted to hug her family members for a long time.
The sound of water running in the bathroom reached her ears. She longed to hug Bridger again. What was going to happen between them now that they weren’t thrust together in this insane challenge?
Bridger came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, looking handsome in a gray Henley and deep blue chinos. His dark hair was wet and his face was clean of blood. She winced when she noticed his nose looked a little bent.
Avalyn gestured to the chair next to her. It would be much better to have this conversation without him pulling her close. She needed to remain levelheaded. Somehow. As his musky scent washed over her, she knew levelheaded was a lot to ask of herself.
“You look … nice,” she said.
Bridger grinned. “I’m like ranch.”
“What?”
“Dressing done right—smooth and creamy.”
She laughed, loving that he could always find a way to tease. He definitely was smooth. “You and your overconfidence.”
He winked, sat, and angled his body toward her. “You doing all right?”
Avalyn’s heart squeezed. How like him to be concerned about her. “I’m tired and emotional and angry and grateful.” She nodded to him. “Confused.”