One month later
Having no real idea what I was doing, I sat across the booth from the town’s top realtor/financial advisor, Ford Johnson, a guy I’d met while delivering packages. Between us were several sheets of paper scattered across the table, two cocktails were pushed to the side, making sure any condensation from the glasses didn’t alter the contracts I was about to sign.
I stared down at the sheets of paper, having no idea what I was doing. Dash always handled our finances. Funny how after all this time, I still thought about Dash and me as a couple. Another realization was that I’d taken much of what Dash offered me for granted.
It didn’t help that my thoughts were consumed with the emotional side of what I intended to do with my grandparents’ old property.
A whirlwind of questions lapped around my mind. Did I possess the skills necessary to rebuild their home? One of the spec pages was a rough illustration of their old home drawn by a local architectural firm. If I signed off on these contracts, they’d draw up blueprints to rebuild the house.
Although I didn’t understand how to read a blueprint, I hoped to learn sooner rather than later. Ford planned to hook me up with a company to help guide me on city permits, and how to find the various trades that I was unfamiliar with, such as electrical, plumbing, and the newest safety equipment andfeatures that the city now required. I planned to put together the framing of the home by myself.
My goal was to craft an exact replica of the previous home, all three stories, to pass down to future generations. Pass down to whom? Well, I guess that would be my little sister, Kailey. If she has children…
“Have I overwhelmed you?” Ford asked, gathering the pages in front of me and placing them in a neat stack.
I smiled, embracing the reality of the situation. “Completely overwhelmed, but in a good way.”
As I stared at him, my mind lingered on my life here in Sea Springs. How would Dash feel about what I planned to do with my money? I guessed I was making Sea Springs my permanent home.
“Remember, the property’s been rezoned. It’s only residential. You can no longer run a B&B or list as a short-term rental property. The patch of land on the other side of the road, can be used as a commercial property, just not the area where the home is placed.”
I nodded, secretly thankful that the house would be a home and nothing more. The only other person who mattered in the design was likely Dash. I wanted him comfortable there, even if it wasn’t his permanent residence. I didn’t understand the changes inside me. For ten or so months, my thoughts on Dash were of us being separated. Now, in the final stretch of my imposed hiatus to find myself, I was beginning to see us as a couple. At the year mark, I was more than willing to date him again.
My guy brought a smile to my lips. He was beating me down like a sledgehammer through the carefully erected walls I had put in place. For some reason, I believed his constant apologies and his explanation. I always had. He wasn’t a cheater. Arrogant,absolutely. Most times when he trapped me in one way or another, I experienced solid rock-hard arousals.
Maybe what changed my mind in the last ten or so months was that I’d never considered dating another guy. I hadn’t even swiped right on an app. I only wanted Dash. The way I plumped in my blue jeans at just the mere suggestion said it all.
“I lost you again.”
This time I laughed at myself. “I’m lost to it all. So what’s the offer we’re making?”
“Between you and me, the company that owns the land has been liquidating assets. Something happened there. I think we go ten percent below asking price and see what happens.”
Hmm. Did Dash know that his father’s company was selling properties off? “What about the property next to it with all the trees?”
“I haven’t heard back from the owners. I’ll reach out again,” he said, nodding.
Wow. Expanding on what my grandparents owned had to make them proud, my mom too. “Okay. We’re doing this. And you remember they aren’t to know it’s me buying the property. Right? A hundred percent they won’t sell…” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dash outside, staring into the café, smiling and lifting a hand in a wave. Talk about wearing me down, how did he always know where to find me? Instead of ignoring him like I normally did, I lifted a hand in return. His face lit up in a bright grin as his gaze moved to Ford. His expression morphed into a deep frown. His brows dropped into a hard V as his accusing stare landed back on me. A mix of anger and disbelief had him backtracking for the café’s door that he had already passed by.
I had no understanding of what triggered his disapproval, but suddenly, the front doors banged open, the bells on the knob rattling like crazy. Every diner turned Dash’s way, but his gaze fixed solely on my table. Not on me, only Ford.
“I’ve also arranged high-yield annuities for the four girls. The paperwork is here.” Ford lifted additional paperwork to put in front of me. “Also, I’ve arranged for Scott Lee…”
“Who the fuck is this?” Dash asked, sliding into the bench seat next to me. I’d never seen him like this. He was hot and bothered and hip-bumped me to scoot my ass over to give him more room. When his left hand landed firmly on the table, I couldn’t help but notice that he still wore his commitment ring. Realization dawned as he wiggled his fingers to make sure it was seen. My guy was jealous.
“Dash, what’re you doing?” I asked.
He hardly cast a glance at me. His eyes shot daggers at Ford.
“Who’s this?” Dash asked, tossing out his right hand. “You know he’s my husband, right? You’re spending time with a married man.”
Gauging Ford’s response, I wasn’t quite sure where he stood. I picked up an emotional range somewhere between alarm and humor.
“Dash, this is Ford Johnson. He’s my financial advisor and realtor.”
Dash kept a close watch on the guy, clearly skeptical. “Jack of all trades, huh? How does one become an expert in two different fields?”
“Dash, hold on. He’s helping me with purchasing some land…”
