Chapter 31 #2
“Yes, you do.” She peeks up at me. “I wasn’t just saying I promised to never leave you. When I was waiting for you to wake up in the hospital, all my answers were clear. I’m not going to live a life without you in it. Not if I have any say in the matter.”
“Good. I feel the same.”
“Now that we have that settled, can I entice you back to the bedroom?”
“Is that your way of saying you want to kiss and make up?”
She shrugs with a look of seduction flowing from her eyes. “Maybe.”
“In that case, lead the way.”
The following two weeks consist of me trying to wrap everything up here in town. I visit Chuck and get him set up with a handyman to help him out. He assures me he’ll keep in touch, and I do the same.
I make love to Dori whenever there’s an opportunity, talk her through her sadness and anxiety about Aiden not speaking to either of us, and try to keep the news that she has her job back a secret.
I hate that I’m withholding this information from her. I’ve almost told her numerous times, but I have to trust the plan Aiden and Hunter have put in place.
If I do something that makes Dori lose her cool, her life could be in danger. It’s the only reason I’ve gone back on my promise to talk to her about everything I’m dealing with.
As I come out of the bedroom, I find her on the sofa, talking to her landlord. She holds a finger up while she finishes her call, so I turn and mosey into the kitchen. She has an omelet waiting for me on the counter.
This woman .
Everything about her has me falling in love with her more than the day before. I sit with that thought and eat my breakfast.
She hangs up and joins me in the kitchen, standing on the opposite side of the island. “Well, it looks like everything is organized.”
“I wish you were coming with me. I don’t want to wait two weeks to have you in my arms.”
“Babe, you need to get to Miami. Mateo’s already calling you every day, twice a day, needing things from you. Besides, I have nothing better to do than help movers box up our belongings and get your place ready for you to sell.”
I roll my eyes. “We could’ve hired someone to do that for us.”
“I know, but since I rent, I want to be there when everything is packed and moved out. They could damage something, and I wouldn’t know until my landlord charged me for it.”
“I understand, but I hate it.”
She laughs. “You’re pouting.”
I shove some food in my mouth to stop myself from arguing. I am pouting, and I don’t care.
She glances at a to-do list she has written on a piece of paper. “Is there anything else you can think of that I’m missing?”
She spins the pad of paper my way. I skim over the list.
Move bank accounts.
Complete a change of address with the post office.
Cancel electric and cable.
Make sure the cars are ready to be loaded and transported across the country.
The list is a mile long and more than I would ever think to do.
“It looks like you’ve covered all our bases and about ten more.”
She brings the pad back to her. “I feel like I’m missing something.”
“You’re not missing anything. And even if you are, we can always figure it out as we go.”
She blows out a heavy breath. “Are you sure you want me to move in with you? It’s kind of sudden, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, sixteen years is sudden,” I say dryly.
Her posture softens. “When you say it like that, I see your point.”
“I want you with me. I need you with me.”
“You don’t need me as much as before.” She gestures to my shirt.
I give myself a pat on the back. “I got my shirt on by myself today. That’s quite an accomplishment, but I had to do it. I can’t have Mateo doing it for me.”
She saunters to me, turns my stool her way, and works herself between my legs. “You look extremely handsome. Women are going to be chasing after you the second you step off that plane today.”
I raise my brows. “Do I detect a hint of jealousy?”
“Maybe. Have you seen the women in Miami? They’re like the most gorgeous women on the planet.” Her head lowers. “I’ll try to be there soon, but I don’t see it happening until next week at the earliest.”
I lift her chin to find her gaze. “None of them have anything on you. I love you and only want you. I only see you. Everyone else is invisible.”
“Great. That just means you’re going to be bumping into a lot of attractive women.”
I laugh at her strange wit. “Who’s this woman who took over my confident girlfriend? ”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been this worried about things like this before. Sure, I have a jealous streak, but this is downright possessive as fuck. It’s messing with my head.”
“You have nothing to worry about. There’s nothing that will come between us.” I run my fingertips along the side of her naked thighs.
She nods as she stares into my eyes. Hers turn red and gloss over.
Shit.
“Sweetness, don’t cry.” I pull her into my arms. “We’ll be back together in two weeks at most. Time will fly with all the work you have to coordinate, and I’ll be busy getting things ready at our new place so you can move in without any worries.”
She holds me but doesn’t say anything. It hits me this likely isn’t about any of that. Her sadness is most likely about saying goodbye to a life she loved here. My stomach twists.
“Dori, tell me what’s really bothering you.”
She steps back. “Once you leave today, I’m here all alone. I don’t like how I feel.”
I tuck a strand of her hair that’s fallen out of her messy bun behind her ear. “What can I do to make you feel better?”
“Stay with me.” She glances down. “I’m only half joking. It’s going to be hard being here without you. We’ve been inseparable, and now you’re going to be gone.”
“Hey. We can talk as often as you want. I’ll make sure you have my attention whenever you need it.”
She peeks at me through slightly swollen eyelids. “I know, but it won’t be the same.”
“True.” I take a deep breath and offer something I hate, but whatever. She needs this.
“Dori, why don’t you set up a time to spend with Jonah and Hunter before you go? They were a part of your life. I’m wondering if some of this sadness has to do with your time here coming to an end. ”
“That’s part of it, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
My gut tightens. “Why don’t you want to say goodbye to them? What are you afraid will happen?”