Chapter 55
Daniela
I’m emotionally drained, and I miss him.
I pour myself a second glass of white wine—Dex’s favorite—and kick myself for not asking him to come.
After my long shower and my first glass of wine, I started regretting it more and more.
He would have come, in a heartbeat. I know that.
But I felt guilty making him drive all that way for me.
I’m a big girl and I can handle this. Like I always do.
It's been a few hours since I called him. I know he planned to be at the restaurant all night, so I don’t text. He’s probably busy.
But then I hear a knock at the door.
Could it be ?
With hesitation in every step, I make my way to the front door and peek through the hole. And then I rip the door open.
My six-foot-four bronzed knight in shining armor is standing in the doorway with his arms crossed, wearing a sexy frown. I can’t help but smile as I leap into his arms.
“You came,” I murmur into his chest.
“Of course I did.” He grabs onto me, kissing the top of my head. “I couldn’t stand the thought of you sitting here all alone when you’re down like this.”
My brief burst of happiness dims a little. I pull back and give him a sad smile. “Thank you. I’m…glad you came.” I motion for him to step inside.
He does, and he has no bags with him. My heart sinks a little.
“I thought back to January…when you were here all alone, going through what you went through,” he says. “I know you’re independent, and fine on your own, but…you also don’t have to be. Not all the time.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” I muster a sad sort of smile.
He pulls me into a tight embrace again. It feels like home. Like comfort.
“No bag for the weekend?” I ask.
“In the truck. I’ll get it later.”
“Oh. Okay.”
The relief on my face must be apparent. “What, you thought I just showed up for a quick day trip? ”
“I don’t know. But I’ll take you for however long you can be here.”
He grins like he knows a secret. I tilt my head at him but don’t ask.
I pull him inside and offer him a glass of his favorite wine, which he takes. Then he sits on a tall chair at the kitchen counter, and I wedge my way between his long thighs, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him gently. I missed his scent, the feeling of his arms around me.
“I missed you,” I whisper.
“Missed you too,” he breathes back, before capturing my mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. His hands explore the rest of my body.
But then he pulls away.
“Before we go there,” he begins, his voice soft. “Do you want to talk about it at all?”
I shrug. “There’s not much to say. If he wants to be contacted, he’ll let someone know.
He’s not in a dire situation…that I know of.
He’s just a grown man who wants to be left alone right now.
I’ve just been going back and forth all day between blaming myself, and feeling angry at him, my parents, everyone.
And it brought back…memories. Of Miles.” I pause.
The words catching in my throat. “I blamed myself for a long time for not trying harder to help him.”
“Hey,” Dex says gently. “It’s not your fault. It’s like you said—he’s going to make his own choices.” He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. “But if you want me to make some calls, see what I can try to do…I will. Just say the word.”
“No. I’m just…glad you’re here. There’s not much we can do at the moment.” I exhale slowly. “Do you want to watch a happy movie with me?”
“Sure. But don’t you have to work tomorrow? It’s already late…”
“I won’t be able to sleep right now anyway,” I admit.
“Can you take the day off?”
I shake my head immediately. “No. I’ve used a lot of days already this year, sorry. Besides, it’ll be good for me to go. Keep my mind busy.”
“I could keep your mind busy…”
I laugh. “I really wish I could spend all day in bed with you, forgetting about the world and all of its problems, but…I can’t. Not tomorrow, anyway. This weekend, though? I’m wide open for you.”
He lets out a deep laugh, then nods in understanding. “Okay. A happy movie. You go ahead and pick.”
“I’m on it.”
We settle onto the couch, my legs draped over his lap, getting lost in a silly rom-com world for an hour or two. We laugh, trade commentary, and have a good time. I don’t know if he’s pretending to enjoy it for my sake, but I’ll take it. I needed this distraction. Needed him .
When the movie is over, I turn the TV off and glance over at him.
“What?” he asks.
“It’s only Thursday night and I’m already sad about you leaving later this weekend.”
He leans back, those familiar eyes locking with mine, that intense look of his settling in. “I know,” he says, standing. “I think I’ll go grab my stuff really quick?”
“I can help you.”
“Nah. It’s not much.” He pats my leg. “Hang tight.”
“Okay.”
When he returns a few minutes later, I freeze at the sight of him hauling in two suitcases and a massive duffle bag.
“Uhh…that’s a lot of stuff for one weekend.” My gaze flicks through all of the bags in confusion.
He smirks and carries it all straight to the bedroom. “I figured I’d stay a while…if you’ll have me?”
“How long is a while?” I ask, trying and failing to fight the smile creeping in.
He shrugs. “I don’t know…the school year?”
My mouth drops open. He stands there, arms crossed, a smug expression on his face.
“It’s October…”
“Yeah…”
“Don’t you have to work? At the restaurant? ”
“Not really.” He’s still grinning. “I’m leaving it in more than capable hands. And we can go back for Thanksgiving or Christmas break or…whatever.”
“Well, we definitely have to go back for Thanksgiving and keep up our annual tradition in Liam’s guest bedroom,” I grin.
“Oh, I think I could get on board with that.” His smile grows bigger. “So…is that a yes? We can figure out all the rest later. Right now, I just want to be here…with you.”
I launch myself at him again, and he lifts me effortlessly as I wrap my legs around his hips.
“Yes. Duh.”
He places a firm kiss on my lips. “Want to show me our new bedroom?”
“You’ve seen it,” I giggle.
“I know. I just wanted to say ‘our.’”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“You love it,” he responds.
“I do.”