Chapter 51
51
The weekend was over before Keith knew it, and he was standing at Michelle’s back door, saying goodbye.
“I enjoyed the weekend. Thank you for including me in your family celebrations.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I can’t begin to explain what making love with you meant to me.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you, Michelle.” He gently kissed her.
“You’re killing me. This is killing me, Keith. I hate goodbyes.”
“No, honey. Not goodbye, it’s see you soon.” A half smile formed on his lips. “Think of it as a business trip. You get your business taken care of, and I’ll get mine, and then we’ll meet in Vegas for Jackie’s wedding. We’ll fly to the ranch, and you’ll have my undivided attention for as long as you want to stay.”
“I like the sound of that.” She cupped the sides of his face. “I want to be back for Christmas.”
“We’ll come back whenever you want.”
She smiled. “We? I really like the sound of that. It’s been a long time since I was part of a we .”
He pulled her closer for a proper kiss. When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. “I really must go. The plane will be waiting for me.”
“Call me when you land?”
“Of course, honey. I’ll talk with you tonight.”
When he walked out the door, their hands slid apart as her bottom lip quivered.
As soon as the plane’s door opened, Keith saw Chip leaning against the SUV with a wide grin. “Welcome home,” Chip said as he walked toward Keith.
“How was your vacation? Get plenty of rest?”
“What vacation?” Chip laughed. “I’ve handled deliveries. You have an appointment with Cartier in California later this week. The boys are set to arrive the day after you and Michelle get here. The only thing missing is a menu for a food delivery.”
Keith slung his bag in the backseat before getting in. “If I’m going to LA, is there anything else I need to handle while I’m there?”
“You could record the interview with Entertainment Tonight for the movie promo. They’re on standby to see if you could squeeze it in.”
“Yeah, let’s get that done this week. That’ll free up more time for me to spend with Michelle. I guess I need to go check on the house too. Maybe I’ll spend the night there.” Keith stared out the window. “It may be my last time,” he mumbled to himself.
“Did you say something?” Chip looked into the rearview mirror.
“No.”
“What’s Michelle doing while you’re gone?”
“The final read through on her book before sending it to her agent. I don’t know what else. I’m sure hitting the gym and Christmas shopping are somewhere in there too.”
“Are you spending Christmas here or with her?”
“With her. Being with family is important to her. I’ll ask the boys if they want to come out, but I imagine Samatha has already booked them somewhere in Hawaii.”
Chip cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“Why?”
“The word on the street is that she’s blowing through cash and wants to reconcile.”
“Not happening.”
“Just thought you’d want to know.”
“Thanks for the warning.”