6. Cord #2
“Then don’t stand there looking so sexy,” I tease before the bell rings again. I peel myself away from my wife and hurry to answer it. Tonight, I’m going to show her all the ways her husband loves taking care of her.
“Isn’t this just the most romantic place you’ve ever been?” Mira looks around with a happy little sigh.
I think the place must be nice. I don’t know though because I haven’t been able to tear my gaze away from her.
She’s a sight to behold in her sapphire blue dress that clings to her body like a second skin.
I thought she was stunning on our hike in her tight little yoga pants and thin tank top.
But I like this version of her too. Seems I like my wife no matter what she wears—or doesn’t wear. “It’s stunning.”
“It is,” she agrees, not realizing it’s her I’m focused on. “I love jazz music. So romantic and soft. It’s my favorite.”
There’s a live band playing love songs, a dance floor and soft, romantic candle lighting throughout the restaurant. Fred was even kind enough to sit us next to the picturesque window that overlooks the seaside. Waves crash gently onto the sandy shores, and the smell of salt hangs heavy in the air.
The waiter appears to take our orders, and Mira orders for both of us.
I don’t even know what she gets. I’m too distracted by her perfect mouth and remembering how it felt when she used it on me in the shower.
Maybe she ordered me stale, crusty bread.
Don’t know. Don’t care. Eating anything next to Mira automatically makes it a feast in my book.
Her phone dings in her bag, and I see the tension in her shoulders.
“Check it,” I encourage, knowing she won’t be able to relax until she does.
She taps the screen then smiles. “Just Ronnie, checking in with my babies.”
I smile when she shows me the picture of her two dogs cheesing for the camera. “You named your company after them, right?”
She nods. “I came up with the idea in college. I was already making them special meals to treat their eczema. The FDA doesn’t require manufacturers to disclose if there are allergens in pet food, and I decided that was unacceptable.
So, my dog food brand focuses on identifying pet allergens in a clear, obvious way.
It shouldn’t be hard to feed our fur babies healthy foods. ”
“And how does your father figure into the company?” I ask, remembering from the business profile I read that he’s the CEO.
She shrugs. “I asked him to be my CEO the moment I realized I wanted to start my company. He’s spent years in management, and he was willing to take the leap with me.
I get to focus on the product creation and marketing, not being the face of everything.
Plus, my dad had a big business network, so it’s worked out really well for us. ”
“Where does being a lawyer figure into all of this?”
She smiles. “You’ve researched me. Do I intimidate you?”
“It’s the opposite. You fascinate me.”
She takes a sip of her drink. When she speaks now, her voice is softer, “My mom was one, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps. My experience in law has come in handy for the company, and it’s given me the opportunity to mentor other women in business.
Many of them rely on their lawyers to tell them about their contracts rather than understanding them.
It puts them in a dangerous position and makes them easy to take advantage of.
That’s why it’s so important to me that I help them.
What about you, cowboy? I want to hear about this ranch you’re always on. ”
“I met Bronco in the service, he shared his idea for Valor Ranch and told me that when I finished with my last deployment, I should look him up. I’m glad I did. Ended up building my own cabin on the land and spend my days working around men who get it.”
Our food appears and we keep talking, the conversation going easily as we ask each other questions about our lives. While we wait for dessert to be delivered, I head for a quick bathroom break.
It only takes me a couple of minutes, but when I return, I see Mira placing my phone back on the table. She does it subtly, and my heart twists for her. I remember those days, distrusting everything and everyone.
“Find anything interesting?” I take a seat across from her, wondering if she saw the message from the debt collector.
I’m trying to keep my head above water these days, but I’m not about to complain to her.
The way her ex talked made it obvious he saw her as nothing more than a bank account.
I force myself not to think about him as anger fills me all over again.
I should have done more than just help him trip a few times.
She flushes, a guilty expression crossing her face. “I was curious about you.”
I nod. “My ex said I was being crazy, that he was just a friend from work. Then she started guarding her phone. Before that, she didn’t care if I’d grab it to order food or check an app.”
Understanding crosses her features, and she sends me a look of shared sympathy. “You know what it’s like.”
I lean across the table, so close our faces nearly meet. “I will be patient with you in your doubts and fears, but I will never give you a reason to see them validated.”
She draws in a breath, her pupils dilated. “Let’s take dessert back to the villa.”