Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Dash, this is too fancy and we’re on a budget.” I did my best to remind him gently.
“We’re in a better financial place now, and I miss you. I can’t believe how hard it was to leave you again. I think it’s easier if I just take a cab to the airport next time. I’m a big crybaby. Now say it back,” he explained. He had turned on the waterworks this morning when I dropped him off, but outside of that, I sensed the positivity, relief, and happiness in his tone. The first day of school had to have started off great.
“You’re a big crybaby,” I repeated, staring at the ceiling tiles that always drew my attention. They were pretty and mind occupying while following their paths.
“Ha. You’re not very good with the jokes. You need to leave that to me. Now say it back,” he teased. I could hear the smile in his tone.
“I love you. Is that it? Do I add I miss you?” I said.
“No, you did real good. I’ve learned more about my father’s practices. What happened in Sea Springs is my father’s normal business habit. Every time he builds, the trajectory of his business dealings end with the community’s destruction. It’s only gotten worse over time.” It was hard to believe that Jack Richmond’s company could be meaner than what he did to my grandparents’ lives and livelihood.
I didn’t voice my thoughts aloud. It’d bring Dash’s happy mood too low. Best to let him sift through the ugliness on his own. “Hmm, that’s too bad.”
“Joy says my dad heard about UC Law and Carter’s help. His face turned bright red. I guess all this worked out for Carter.” Again, another loop into a conversation we didn’t need to have now, or ever again for that matter. “Let’s change the subject. I’ve decided to come home Friday night to finish my to do list and talk to Amelia’s family about her moving into the house. And I’m coming home because I miss you,” he added, sounding like an afterthought. I could almost hear the cogwheels turning inside his head. “Did you find out about a transfer with work?”
“No, I only put in the request on Friday,” I said. “It’ll take a minute.”
“Can you go to my desktop computer in my office?” he asked. “We can Skype. I wanna see you. This is truly a beautiful home. The city has so much to do. I think I may want to live here forever, but the sparkle in my life is sitting at home in Dallas. I need you here with me.”
“Can I eat before we Skype?” I asked, stunned that those words left my lips. I liked my time with him too. “It’s just that Amelia made her tacos and tamales. They’re still warm, smell great, and look even better.”
“Oh, man, I’ll miss those things. We’ll have to request she make them when we come home to visit. It appears the only real flavoring they use here is butter,” Dash said with a chuckle. “Give me twenty minutes. I’m starving too, and I need to see what restaurants are around me. We can have dinner together. When we’re away from each other, I want us to keep our routines. Eat together, unwind from the day together, sleep with the phones on together. It’ll be what makes our separation bearable.”
“That sounds good. I need to put some clothes on and dry my hair…” I said, but he interrupted me.
“Don’t. I like you all natural and rugged,” Dash said. I guessed we were the same then. I liked him a little mussed-up, which he refused to be most of the time.
“Only if you do the same,” I said, knowing full well that was never going to happen. Dash gave a sudden bark of loud laughter as my answer.
“Twenty minutes. I’ll call you, or call me, I guess.” The humor was still in his voice. “I don’t want you to be lonely while I’m gone.”
“It feels like you’re here except I’ll go to bed earlier. Might actually get a full eight hours of sleep,” I said. Four-thirty in the morning came early when staying up late on the computer at his desk..
“Good. Can’t have you forgetting me while I’m gone,” Dash said, quietly, with meaning.
“You’re unforgettable,” I said to his tiny amount of insecurity. “Nineteen minutes now. Get moving.”
“On it,” he said and abruptly disconnected the call. I loved that silly man, and I was getting homemade tacos. I’d have the first plate gone by the time he called me back. Then the second plate would become my first, and we’d eat that together. Screw portion control.
My happiness was full-fledged back. My guy was being well taken care of, which mattered. I lifted off the bed and took the phone with me. We were going to be okay.