I lean over to kiss the words off her sweet lips. “It’s not nothing. It’s fantastic, and you’re going to be the best general manager in the history of GMs.”
She rolls her eyes. “If you say so.”
“I say so. There’s no way your aunt and uncle would’ve asked you if they weren’t as sure as I am that you’ll be great at it. They have a lot on the line entrusting their very successful business to someone. You can bet they gave it a ton of thought before they asked you.”
“I’m sure they did.”
“They asked the best person for the job. No question.”
“As I’ve told you before, you’re very good for my ego.”
“If you knew how often I thought of you this last week, your ego would be too big to fit in this vehicle.”
“Is that right? So how many times are we talking?”
“You want, like, a number?”
“A number would be good.”
She’s been here fifteen minutes, and already everything is better. The sun is brighter, the sky is bluer, and my heart is lighter than air. “Maybe, like, a thousand?”
“Hmm.”
“What? Is that too low?”
Her laughter delights me. “Of course not. Were you thinking of me when you were doing surgery?”
“Yep.”
“Is that safe?”
“For who?”
“The patient!”
I lose it laughing. “Some of these surgeries I do so often, I could do them in my sleep, even if every one of them is different in some way or another. It’s safe for my mind to wander to thoughts about my favorite person.”
“I’m your favorite person?”
“Hell yes, and you were before last weekend. I’ve never thought more about another person in my life than I have about you since the day we met. The whole time I was on the flight to Miami, I was telling myself to stay far away from you, because if I saw you again…”
“What?” she asks, sounding breathless.
“I was afraid I wouldn’t have the willpower to do what was best for you, and it turns out I was right about that.”
“No, you weren’t. What’s best for me is more time with you, as much as I can get for as long as I can.”
“And you wonder why you’re my favorite person.”
“You’re mine, too.”
“You don’t have to say that. You’ve got a lot of people in your life.”
“But there’s only one you, and you’re my new favorite. I thought of you nonstop this last week, too. I thought Sunday would never get here.”
I push on the accelerator, dying to get her home so we can spend the rest of the day in bed.
“Is there a reason you’re speeding?”
“Yep.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“I’d rather show you.”
Chapter 19
DEE
I’ve never felt anything even close to what happens when I’m with him. During the long week apart, I had a few moments of concern about whether I’m doing the right thing, diving into this thing with him without any of the usual care and concern I’d typically put into such a big decision. The sense of urgency attached to his situation has caused me to skip right over the due diligence my accountant dad taught me.
Due diligence is about doing my research, making sure the decision is sound and practical, that it makes sense in the context of the rest of my life.
Dad and I did a cost-benefit analysis before college in New York and then another when I decided to stay after graduation. We made a list of all my expenses and came up with a salary range I needed to live there independently. He says I have the mind of an accountant with the way I analyze everything to death.
This is what makes my behavior with Wyatt so out of character.
I don’t care about due diligence. I haven’t spent one minute trying to track down a social media presence for him or looking beyond the initial google searches I did before I knew his whole story. I don’t care about who he’s dated before or who his Facebook friends are.
I only care about being with him.
Nothing else matters, except my new job and my family, but even they suddenly matter less than he does.
I ought to be scared out of my mind. I ought to be questioning everything. I ought to be panicking.
I’m not. I’m too busy feeling fully alive for the first time in my life to worry about things such as due diligence.
As I take in the desert topography out the window, I just want him.
My belly is full of butterflies. The giddy anticipation reminds me of Christmas morning as a child when the excitement threatened to consume me. This is just like that, only better. So much better.
By the time he pulls into his condo complex, I’m practically bouncing in my seat.
While he grabs my bag, I wait for him in the blistering sun that feels so much hotter than it does in Florida, even though the temperature is comparable. He takes my hand and leads me up the stairs to the front door of a white townhouse with a blue door.
“Just a heads-up that my mom and sister helped pick out the furniture, and anything that’s even kind of nice is thanks to them.”
“Good to know before I give you credit for your lovely home.”
“I don’t deserve any credit.”
While the furnishings are mostly neutral colors, it’s the artwork that catches my attention. “I love the art.”
“It’s from a local artist who specializes in desert landscapes.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it. We’ll pick a few favorites to bring to Miami.”
“I want to see your artwork, too.”
“I’ll show you everything.” He drops my suitcase by the stairs and puts his arms around me. Staring down at me, he smiles and says, “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Welcome to my place.”
I curl my arms around his neck and go up on tiptoes to kiss him. “Thanks for having me.”
“Definitely my pleasure. Can I get you anything? I got some of that iced tea you like.”
“That’s very sweet of you. I’ll have some later.” I look to the stairs. “What’s up there?”
“Bedrooms.”
“Show me.”
“Happy to.” He keeps one arm around me and picks up my suitcase with his free hand as we go up the stairs. “To the right.”
We pass two other bedrooms and a bathroom on the way to the master, including an en suite bathroom.
“Nice crib, Doc.”
“I liked it a lot until I saw that house in Miami, and now I can’t wait to live there with you.”
“I’m still trying to believe this is happening. You’re moving to Miami, and we’re buying a house together. Someone, please pinch me. I must be dreaming.”
His hand slides down my back before he pinches my ass. “Not dreaming, although it feels like a dream in some ways. How could something this amazing be real? But it’s so real, and you were right. It would’ve been tragic to miss out on this, so thanks for making me fall in love with you. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”