Page 157 of I Choose You

His reply stunned me.

“I kind of figured,” he said calmly and glanced at Kaden. “When you dropped her off at work yesterday and yelled out the window to her that there was no point to make your bed when you’d just mess it up all over again.”

My cheeks heated at the memory of that conversation.

It was such a silly little quarrel, my nitpicking him to make his bed and him roguishly teasing me that it was pointless. The topic only came up because he seemed to hint at living together since we spent so many nights as a couple.

It had outed us as a pair, though, and Todd hadn’t seen an issue with it.

Todd: Shouldn’t you be out at a rehearsal dinner?

Brooke: Nah. They skipped it. Not the first time around. So I’m catching up on some things tonight.

Todd: I thought you said getting ahead.

Brooke: Whichever.

Todd: You never need to catch up on anything. You’re always ahead of the game

I replied with a curtsy GIF.

Todd: Because you’re a workaholic.

I smiled, knowing that part of me would never change. Having a purpose, having a meaningful career, meant so much to me.

Brooke: I have been thinking about taking a vacation

Todd: Go. Do it. Sandra and I can cover your workload while you’re out.

Todd: You deserve it

“Thanks,” I murmured.

Todd: Just so long as you or your friend never brings a souvenir home that resembles a small clapping cymbal ever again.

I winced. “Whoops.”

Brooke: I believe it’s a flamenco castanet.

He shot back a GIF of a guy shaking his head.

I was surprised by his support and encouragement to take time off. That wasn’t to say he was an awful boss or anything. He was a great guy. It was more a matter of me struggling to let go and feeling like I was abandoning anyone at work, anyone who might need me since I was such an involved person in the daily running of Halden Inc.

I closed out my email and went to the browser to look up a Contiki tour. Rena had yet to stop gushing about her trip, and I knew her praise was a solid recommendation. If she had a good time, then damned good times were to be had.

The internet connection on my laptop was slower than my phone, so I gave up and searched on my phone. I settled back against my pillows and browsed. Photos of beaches and bistro eateries excited me, and I lost track of time scrolling.

When my phone buzzed with another text, I glanced at the time.

Shit. So much for getting ahead.

Kaden: I hope you’re having a relaxing night. Stuck in traffic.

Brooke: I am. Sorry about the traffic.

Brooke: I thought I’d do a little research. What would you think about something like this someday?

I sent one of the screenshots I’d snapped. Idyllic beaches and warm sunsets suggested tropical utopia. I sighed.