“Yes, sir,” Dash said, his gaze locked on mine.
“Aaa…” Carter’s admonishment made me laugh. Dash was trained so well that he only murmured a quiet contrite apology.
“I’m sorry. I’ll touch base first thing in the morning. We appreciate this offer. My situation was turning more dire than I anticipated. Thank you for the lifeline.”
“Truly, it’s a win/win for both of us,” Carter said, and the call ended abruptly.
My beautiful guy broke his composed demeanor, placing his hands over his face. I watched his chest give a slight shudder and reached for a napkin, tucking it inside the bottom of his palms.
“This has been a difficult time for him,” I offered to Dr. Harris, pushing over in the seat to wrap my arm around Dash.
“I assumed so. I’ve been in the circle of Richmond children attending SMU for most of my tenure. I had figured I’d have to pass him due to the financial help his father gives the college.” Dr. Harris tsked his disapproval of that action. With a nod toward the man wrapped securely in my arm, he added, “His siblings have nothing on Dash.”
Dash dropped his hands, but kept his face downturned, dabbing the napkin at his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to continue law school.” He released a shaky breath and stood. “Excuse me.” He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he headed toward the small bathroom off the foyer. His eyes were red, his composure struggling.
“I’m going to leave,” Dr. Harris said, rising and starting toward the front door. “Tell Dash I’ll email him Carter’s details tonight. Once his father makes his official move, we’ll work together to secure this property. Unfortunately, he’ll have to make these decisions quickly. Classes begin in Chicago a week before Dedman.”
At the front door, I extended my right hand to shake his. Dr. Harris obliged. He seemed like a very down to earth guy. In a lowered voice, he said, “I’m uncertain if he’ll go without you, and he’ll need a good support system in Chicago. It’s adifferent world there. Make your decisions quickly. If given the opportunity, Dash has a tremendous future, but he needs to be decisive either way.”
I appreciated how direct Dr. Harris gave his advice and nodded my understanding. Of course, I’d go if Dash needed to move. I’d never abandon him. Those decisions were made. Perhaps I could transfer with FedEx. If not, I’d find some place to work. I was employable even if only for a pack mule position.
“I understand, and I’m committed. Thank you for comin’.”
“Good night,” Dr. Harris, he left without looking back when I opened the door. When he made it to his car parked on the street, I shut the door and twisted the lock. Dash emerged from the bathroom within seconds. He had been crying, pretty significantly, based on the flushed cheeks and glassy eyes. My heart twisted. Dash had been so loyal to the ones he loved and was barely given that back in return. I lifted my thumb over my shoulder to the front door.
“He said he’ll send the information to you tonight through email.”
My guy came to me, arms spread. The simple embrace we gave one another all the time had more meaning now. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen Dash tearful before.
“Everything that happened tonight is good, right?” I asked, squeezing him tightly.
“I’m nervous. It seems too good to be true on such a shitty week,” he said, releasing me with one arm, the other guiding us toward the living room. “When I lost you, I was determined to see you again. With my parents, they’ve made choices that I can’t forgive, and they continue to ensure I never will. I didn’t share with you all the rejections and non-answers I was getting from my transfer requests.”
Dash let me go to clean the paperwork off the coffee table. I started with the coffee cups and saucers, adding them to the serving tray he’d brought out. “I’ll eat the snacks.”
His grin softened his expression. “Keeping you fed will cost us quite a bit of money.”
“Untrue. The beanie-weenies you missed last night only cost a couple bucks,” I countered, deciding those weren’t near as good as I remembered them being. Dash fed me too well these days.
“I regret missing such a delicious meal,” Dash said, stacking the pages together.
“I’ve never seen you sleep so deeply before.” I took the tray to the sink. “I knew it was rough for you.”
I filled the sink with soapy water. These dainty cups had to be china. Dash placed the three-tiered snack serving tray beside me.
“I decided last night that I’m not into secrets,” I said, turning enough to give him a wink. Dash needed no extra pressure right now, but he also had to learn to keep things real.
“I slept so hard because you’re a god in the bedroom,” Dash said and turned to lean against the counter, arms crossing over his chest, facing me.
I executed a dramatic eye roll and began washing the dishes.
“If it works out, how do you feel about moving to Chicago?”
“If that’s where you are, then I’ll figure it out,” I said. “I don’t want to be without you, but if you need me to stay in the house, I will.”
“I guess you’re right.” Dash reached for a hand towel, encouraging me to give him each rinsed dish. In the lull of conversation, I could almost hear the cogwheels turning in his head.
