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 apologized so often that I did believe his sincerity, making my next words painful to say. “We decided on a year apart. I’ve undergone some significant changes to my life. You may not appreciate the new version of me,” I confessed.
“That’s impossible.” He shook his head sweetly as if I was absurd. “Show everyone that you’re taken,” he pleaded, placing the ring on the table. “Please. You’re too handsome. I can’t take another moment like the one I just stumbled upon.”
He carried my ring around with him. His love for me remained unchanged. My heart connected then ached at the worry on Dash’s face, and I tightened my grip on his hand. With my other hand, I instinctively reached for the ring. It felt as right in my palm as the handhold did.
“Hold on to it. For some reason, sticking to our time apart matters to me. This way, there won’t be any doubts about us rushing back into each other’s lives. It wasn’t only you that grew apart, I did too.”
Tears welled in his eyes. Not quite enough to spill over, but they were there, nonetheless. “I love you, Beau. I miss you. Nothing’s changed. What if you meet someone and want to replace me? I don’t like it.”
What did I say? Dash’s special scent and striking face tugged at my heart strings. I didn’t want to lie to him, yet wasn’t ready to speak my truth. It almost killed me to lose him. The only way I survived was to stick with the calendar and move myself forward systematically through life. Dash began to nod at me, swallowing a lump in his throat. His attention went to the papers below our hands. “I know you want us together as much as I do. I’ll wait the six weeks.”
The handhold continued, now on the table, as he read the first few pages. His ability to speed read and retain information always impressed me.
“You’re buying your grandparents’ land?” Dash asked. Bewilderment crossed his expression. “That brings you closer to the resort.”
“My goal’s to create a replica of their house that feels less like a B & B and more like the home it was intended to be. The purchase includes a swath of land in front of the house, my grandparents owned that too. It’s sort of in front of the house, you cross the parkway to get there. The city bought the land for the road. The part on the other side is zoned for commercial use and leads directly into the bay with easy access to the ocean. If it works out, I can build a dock and start my charter service.” I explained a plan that I hadn’t said aloud to another person. Insecurity messed with me. What if I couldn’t handle the project?
“Allow me to make a few changes to the contract. I want to guarantee your privacy. I doubt my father’s company will sell to you if he has any idea it’s you.”
“I agree,” I said, nodding. “They’re selling a lot of land around here. Ford said they were liquidating assets.”
Oh, there it was, Dash’s satisfied grin. Whatever he had in motion, must be working.
“I heard the same thing,” Dash said, flipping through the pages. His stare jerked to mine. “You’re giving Scott five hundred thousand dollars?” Dash asked, surprised. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Each of the four girls will have two hundred thousand dollars in an annuity. Scott’s will be an annuity too, I guess. The bank told me they could live off the interest,” I explained, reciting some of what the bank manager outlined, or what I remember he said. “Maybe it wasn’t an annuity? A high yield…something or other?”
Dash chuckled at my confusion. “Some things don’t change,” he teased.
“All right, now. I want the girls’ funds secured until they reach twenty-five, but I want Scott to have access to all the money. I guess. He’s been a good friend. Like a brother to me.”
“Is he aware of this?”
I only shook my head. Dash’s expression turned doe-eyed. “You’re a good man.”
“I’m not,” I replied. “I don’t want the money, and you won’t reclaim it. Scott carries a heavy burden, and he protected me when I couldn’t protect myself,” I explained my reasoning. “And he had my back when I came out. I might not have gone to find you without his interference.”
“I’ve never seen anyone more selfless in my entire life,” Dash said. “I’ve often felt the same way about Scott. I owe him.”
I kept my thoughts to myself, particularly regarding Dash’s selflessness toward me. Dash was the best man I knew… Wow, a positive thought. Clearly, I’d let go of what had torn us apart. I couldn’t tell where this current sweet smile landed. He either sensed my feelings or simply valued my generosity, but he lifted our joined hands and placed a kiss on my knuckles.