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I faltered, afraid to voice what I wanted to say, relieved that he couldn’t see my face as my cheeks stained pink. I peeked over my shoulder to see him smirking, his equilibrium apparently restored.
“It’s okay. I get it. I feel the same way.”
I exhaled in a rush, moving to the other side of the bath so I could see him.
“Truth be told,” he continued, “I’ve always wanted to go as well. Going with you is an added bonus.”
He was beaming now, and it was because he was going with me. I hugged myself a little, overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude, and still wondering how I got so lucky.
Chapter Twenty-four
Sunday morning we did the obligatory carriage ride and then toured the Mercer House as well as some other heritage houses. We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the streets and taking pictures. Savannah had such a rich feel. Artists in our own right, both Dallon and I could appreciate its history and beauty.
When it was time to head to the airport, I dragged my feet, unwilling to admit that our time together in this magical city was coming to an end.
“We’ll come back,” Dallon promised. “It’s only a two hour flight, remember?”
I spent most of the flight home reading the information I’d collected on J. Houston Oilfield and playing with the Adobe software on my laptop. Dallon kept his arm around me the entire flight, the other on his e-reader.
When we landed, I turned on my phone and cringed at the texts and voicemails I’d missed from my parents. I’d forgotten to call during the last week. I cringed even harder when I heard my mom’s voicemail reprimanding me for not telling her about my new job.
“What’s wrong?” Dallon asked, reading my expression.
“It’s my parents. They’re upset I haven’t called.”
He pressed a chaste kiss to my lips. “Call now. I’ll pick up our bag and meet you at the doors.”
I sent a quick text to my mom letting her know I was starting tomorrow and that I would call her in a second, and then I went to the bathroom. By the time I was finished, I’d already missed a call, and my phone began to ring in my hand.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Why did I have to hear about your new job through Helen?” she demanded.
“I’m sorry. I’ve just been so preoccupied.”
“Sam told her you might get a promotion into Graphic Design.”
“Yeah, they enrolled me in courses with the idea that I move into another position.” I began walking toward Baggage Claim in search for Dallon. “I’m still planning to pursue my own art on the side.”
“Honey, I’m so proud of you.”
I halted in my tracks momentarily. “Wow, thanks, Mom. That’s… really nice to hear.”
She sniffed. “I just wish you’d told us. It’s exciting news.”
“It is. I’m sorry.”
I spotted Dallon lifting our bag off the carousel and heading toward the door, so I changed course.
“I have to go, though. Can I call you tomorrow?”
“Your father wants to speak with you. It will be quick,” Mom said, and then my dad was on the line.
“Hey, sweetheart. Congrats. We’re both very proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it.”
I sighed as Dallon paused mid-step to answer his phone. He’d only just gotten home and people were already on him.
“Graphic Design huh,” Dad continued, grunting a little. “Who would have thought of that? I guess you knew what you were doing all along. We should have trusted you.”
Whoa. My eyes misted and I turned away. “Thanks, Daddy. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but it seems like everything is finally working out.”
“It does seem that way. We still miss you, sweetheart, but we’re glad that you’re happy.”
“I am happy.” I peeked over my shoulder at Dallon. “Things couldn’t be better.”
“Well we’ll let you go. Love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you too. Talk soon.”
Shaking my head, I hung up the phone. Who would have known that talking to my parents could actually lift my spirits?
Dallon had finished his call and was shoving his phone into his back pocket. As I cut toward him, he glanced up as if hearing his name… and his eyes hardened. I stopped in my tracks. It was his dominant look, but it wasn’t aimed at me; he was looking at a woman a few feet in front of him.
I froze. He hadn’t seen me yet. Ducking, I darted around a man pushing baggage carts, and my view changed. I could see both of their profiles as she approached him. I hid behind a column, putting a hand against it to steady myself. It was obvious that they knew each other, and intimately. Even from my vantage point there was no denying the tension between them.
“Ruri,” I heard him say with an exhale.
Ruri was thin as a reed, with a pointy chin and black hair cut in bangs across her forehead and tied up in a high ponytail. She was wearing a sailor dress and red heels that made her stick legs look sky high, even though she was as petite as me. But it was the manner in which she greeted Dallon that set me on edge.
“Hello, Sir.”
There was no mistaking the reaction her greeting invoked in Dallon; his jaw tightened and as his eyes bore into her, the atmosphere changed. As I watched, his demeanor changed subtly, so that he seemed larger, stronger, colder... and Ruri responded, dipping her head as her cheeks flushed pink. Glancing up at him through her bangs, she toyed with her hair, smiling coyly.
Dallon took a step closer. My stomach twisted painfully. He was looking at her the way I’d often caught him looking at me—like he wanted to devour her.
“Where is he?” There was no mistaking the bitterness in his voice.
“He’ll be back.”
Dallon reached out and tenderly stroked her cheek. “Leave him.”
Her head lifted and they stared at each other, Dallon imploring her with his eyes, and I saw it. Love. He was asking her to leave whomever she was with because he was still in love with her.
No! Feeling like I might throw up, I moved completely behind the column, leaning my back against it. It was torture to listen to the conversation, but I had to. I needed to know who she was to him.
Ruri giggled—a musical sound like that of a schoolgirl. “You’re still trying to save me.”
“Where are you coming from?” Dallon’s tone had changed, and I imagined he didn’t like that she wasn’t listening to him.
“He took me to Key West on vacation.”
“Are you back in New York?”
“For now. How is your sub?”
My heart clenched as I realized she must be referring to me, that that is how he must see me.
“Ruri, I…” Dallon began, but she cut him off.
“I should go. He’ll be angry if he sees me talking to you.”
Dallon cursed under his breath, but the conversation was over.
I waited a minute or two to compose myself before stepping out from around the column, though I doubted Dallon would have noticed anything was wrong. He was facing the door, his hands deep in his pockets, face stoic. When I approached, he glanced at me with vacant eyes before exiting to the waiting cabs.
We rode home in silence. Dallon was staring out the window, looking pensive and rubbing his temples with his right hand. It ate me up inside knowing he was still thinking about her—Ruri. I desperately wanted to confront him, to let him know what I’d seen, but I didn’t know how to proceed after last night’s conversation.
I was also terrified of what I’d discover.
I followed Dallon into our home, feeling further neglected as he walked ahead of me without holding my hand. He went straight into his bedroom and dropped off the bag, and then returned a moment later, heading straight for the bar. Poured himself a glass of scotch and tossed it back. Filled it again. Lumbered over to the breakfast bar and sat heavily on a stool.
He was still elsewhere, still lost in the memory of his exchange a
t the airport. I stood in the living room, unsure how to proceed. It was like he’d completely forgotten I was there. As the seconds passed, I felt him moving further and further away from me, retreating into himself.
“Dallon, what’s wrong?”
His face turned to mine and he blinked a few times before responding. “Amy. Is there something you need?”
I sat down on the couch, patted the spot beside me. “Please come here. Sit with me.”
He frowned and looked into his drink, twirling the contents. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why?” My voice was so quiet, I was surprised he even heard me.
“You should stay away from me.” He tossed back his drink and immediately filled it again.
My scalp prickled, and I braced myself for the worst.
“It’s not your fault—you tried, but I didn’t let you. And now I’ve turned you into what you are.”
His words sliced me like a knife. I stood up, teetering on shaky legs. “What do you mean, you turned me into what I am?”
“I’m the bad guy, Amy,” he bit out, his voice rising. “I do bad things to good people. I’m surprised you haven’t figured that out already.”
I shook my head. “No, you’re not. Something is going on. Just tell me. Please.”
In response, Dallon jumped to his feet, threw his glass against the kitchen cupboard. I jumped, covering my face. When I dropped my hands, he was staring at me with a dark expression.
