“Dawson Law Firm, this is McKenna,” I say into the receiver.
“Yes, I need to speak to McKenna Dawson,” my best friend says. She’s trying to disguise her voice, but it doesn’t work. I know it’s her.
“She’s not here. She’s having lunch with her best friend.”
“What the hell, Mac?” Laramie laughs.
“Got ya. What’s up?” I ask with a chuckle.
“We still on for girls’ night tomorrow tonight?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, well, how about we just hang out at my place? Colby said he would get Corbin and Rip to meet up at the Silver Star for dinner and a few beers.”
“Sure. What can I bring?”
“I figured we’d just order pizza.”
“Sure. Same time?”
“Yes, around seven. I think the guys are meeting at our place at seven, so I figured that’s easiest if you and Sara want to ride with them.”
“That works for me. I’ll see you then.”
“See you.” I end the call and go back to the court brief I’m reading when the phone rings again.
I don’t know how Gramps gets anything done when Mary’s not here. She went to high school with my mom and has worked for Gramps for years. She’s on vacation with her family this week, and her absence is apparent.
“Dawson Law Firm,” I greet the caller.
“Even your professional phone voice is sexy.”
Rip.
“Hey,” I say, feeling my face flush.
“Miss you.”
“You do?”
“Always. Are you sure you want to do girls’ night tomorrow tonight?”
“I am. Your sister just called. Change of plans. We’re hanging out at their place.”
“Perfect.”
“I mean, the girls are hanging out at her place. Colby is supposed to call you and Corbin for dinner and beers at the Silver Star.”
“I liked the first plan better,” he confesses. “That must be why Colbs called.”
“Did you not call him back?”
“No. I will. I was missing you and needed to hear your voice.”
I sigh a happy sigh into the phone. “What am I going to do with you, Rip Callahan?”
“Love me, baby. That’s all I want is for you to love me.”
“Done.”
“Good. You staying with me tonight?”
“I should probably stay at Gram and Gramps.”
“We’ll spend the day with them tomorrow before we have to leave, or Sunday. Just… please stay with me. It’s been a long day, and I need to feel your skin next to mine.”
How can I say no to that? “Okay.”
“I guess I need to call Colby back. You want me to pick you up?”
“I think I can drive that quarter of a mile to get to your place on my own,” I tease.
“Don’t fault a man for wanting to take care of the woman he loves,” he counters.
“I need to get back to work.”
“Me too. See you soon,” he says, and the line goes dead.
I have four more hours until this workweek is finished. Glancing at the calendar on my desk, I have it marked that my results from the bar exam could come in as early as next week. I’ve been checking the website for my grades religiously, even though I know it could take anywhere from eight to twelve weeks. Next week is eight weeks. I’m anxious to hear my results and hopefully begin working as an attorney.
Everything I’ve ever wanted seems to be falling into place. I can’t help but be skeptical of when the other shoe is going to drop. I’m trying really hard to not let my insecurities come between me and what I want for my future. Surely, it can’t be this easy to live your dream.
“Where are you going?” I ask Rip when I feel him climb out of bed.
“I’m going to go feed the animals. I gave Thomas the day off. I should be back around noon.”
“You want me to make you some breakfast?” I ask, sitting up, making sure to hold the sheet over my naked breasts.
“No, baby. Go back to sleep. It’s still early.” He sits next to me on the bed.
I look to the window and see that it’s still dark outside. “What time is it?”
“Five. Chores are never done on a farm,” he says, pressing a kiss to my forehead. He stands and makes his way to the door.
“Be safe,” I call after him.
He stops and turns to look at me over his shoulder. “Always, baby.”
Dropping back to the bed, I snuggle under the blankets that smell like him and drift off to sleep. A few hours later, I wake to the sun high in the sky. The alarm clock tells me that it’s just after eight. I debate on going over to visit my grandparents, and then I remember that Gramps said they were going to visit friends today. So, instead, I take my time in the shower and getting ready for the day.
Forty-five minutes later, I’m in the kitchen toasting a bagel when my cell rings. “Hello.”
“Hey,” Laramie greets me. “What are you getting into today?”
“Nothing. Rip is working. He gave Thomas the day off,” I explain. “I was going to clean house a little since it’s something we usually do on the weekends. I figured I could get it done while he’s working, and we can spend the day together tomorrow. What about you?”
“Nothing much. Colbs is working. You want some company?”
“Sure. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Of course. I’m fine. Why?” She’s quick to ask.
“You just sound funny.”
“Nope. I’m perfect. I’m going to head over now if that’s okay. I need to run an errand, but I should be there in say, half an hour?”
“That works for me.”
“Do you need anything?”
“Nope. We’re all good. I’ll see you soon.”
Placing my phone back on the counter, I eat my bagel while unloading and reloading the dishwasher. We were both too tired to bother with doing it last night. By the time I’m finished, I’ve eaten the rest of my bagel and wiped down the counters. Next, I sweep the floor and move on to the living room. I’ve just finished dusting and sweeping the living room when Laramie knocks.
“Come in!” I call out, placing the cordless sweeper back on the charging stand in the closet.
“Hey, hey.” She smiles.
“It’s weird that I just invited you to enter your brother’s house.”
“Why? You might as well say you live here too.”
“No.” I shake my head. “No. I don’t live here. I do stay here frequently at his request, but I don’t live here.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too soon.”
“You know that’s bullshit, right?”
“Can we not talk about this?” I ask. “Come sit down, tell me what’s up with you.”
She follows me to the couch and takes a seat, turning to face me. “What’s in the bag?” I ask, looking at the reusable shopping bag with our local pharmacy’s logo on the side.
“That’s part of why I’m here.”
“Okay.”