"Felix, you're awfully quiet." Jacob sipped the water from his glass.
The private jet was nothing like the plane Felix had flown in during the military. The seats reclined, the cabin was air-conditioned, and there was enough legroom to forget, for a second, that flying could be miserable.
"Just thinking," Felix said.
Jacob's mouth curved. "Let me guess. Fawn?"
"I was thinking about Nova. If I got the job at the grocery store, maybe we would be together-"
"Do you not like working for me?" Jacob's facial's expression turned sour.
"It's not that. I'm grateful. More than grateful." Felix looked out the window. "I'm just resentful she's with Jared. He's rude as hell; must be because he's from Cascadia."
Jacob gave a short, dry laugh. "I don't judge people by their passports. You're from Intermarium. Technate must still feel like another planet."
Felix glanced over at the window. "Where's this flight taking us, anyway?"
"Off the coast of Sumer. That's where the summit cruise is. It's hosted there because the water's supposedly calmly because the water is supposedly a lot calmer compared to Intermarium."
"Right." Felix straightened his tie, the fabric suddenly feeling too tight against his collar. "Are you sure I'm the right guy for this? I don't even know protocol for a room full of rulers. Besides... Fawn really had her heart set on seeing Sumer."
"Well, unless you want to try parachuting out over the Atlantic, it's a bit late to turn around and pick her up." Jacob set his empty glass on the armrest of his leather seat. "Relax, Felix. Everyone's nervous on their first day. You'll survive."
"I went parachuting once for the military; it was terrifying," Felix muttered. "Fawn resents me for going with you—"
"Oh, please. The only thing Fawn resents is that you're miles away. Trust me, she's got a soft spot for you."
"How would you know that?" Felix gasped.
"Because I can see it in her eyes when she looks at you. She won't say it to you."
Jacob's phone rang in the pocket of his navy-blue jacket. "Excuse me, I have to take this. Yesmin is calling."