Page 22 of Surrender to Love

“That you went along with,” I remind him.

“I would have agreed to whatever you wanted just to be with you. You know that but we past that. Dinner tonight. I’ll be at your place at seven.”

“And I’ll be waiting,” I say before kissing him lovingly.

He steps back, allowing me to walk out as he walks in. While I put my skirt and shirt back on, he uses the bathroom, brushes his teeth, and puts on a pair of briefs. After he exits the bathroom, he walks me downstairs. I slide into my heels, grab the mocha iced coffee from the fridge and my tote, and he grabs my work bag before we head out to the garage.

After kissing my senses away, he opens the door and I get into my X5. I immediately notice the floor mats are immaculate. A small amount of dirt from the small plants in the new faculty baskets spilled on my passenger side and I’ve been meaning to clean it up but I don’t have to now, because of him.

He vacuumed.

God, this man is everything.

The garage door remains open until I back out onto the street. My commute to Crescent Falls seems lighter, easier, thanks to waking up in his arms and his thoughtfulness. I park in my reserved space fifteen minutes before eight and walk into my office right on time. Lexie greets me as I pass her area right outside of my office.

“Happy Monday, Dean Morris.”

“It’s definitely a happy Monday.”

“Once you’re settled, I have a blank signature plate. President Johnson is asking all deans to re-sign. He wants to make sure it’s updated before the next ceremony.”

“You can bring it now and I’ll sign it. I have a video conference in thirty with department chairs and I need to look over last semester’s student outcomes.”

Lexie follows me in, and after putting my bags down, I carefully sign the plate. This signature will be printed on all business diplomas, so it matters. When she walks out, she closes my door for privacy.

After using the bathroom and washing my hands, I grab a breakfast protein pack from the fridge then log in. The first email I see is from Lexie. She’s prepared all the outcomes in pivot tables, making my morning extremely easy. This is why I love her. I expeditiously send her a thank you. Then I eat my boiled egg, yogurt with chia seeds, and blueberries as I review the tables, preparing for my meeting.

Normally, department chair meetings are a little intense. Reviewing student satisfaction surveys, faculty surveys, grade distribution, and dropout rates they are ultimately responsible for isn’t the best feeling. Many get defensive and offer excuses instead of solutions. I’m solution-based, so those moments are unacceptable to me. However, this morning, all five of them come prepared and with action plans for any lacking areas, which makes the two hours pass with ease.

When the meeting is over, I dispose of my protein pack container, wash my hands, then check my phone. I have a few text messages, one from Shiro and several unread messages in our sister circle group. I check Shiro’s first.

Him : I guess u made it to work.

Me: I did. Sorry I didn’t text. Walked right in. Did you make it?

Him: Yes. Got here at 8. Came in early. My crib felt lonely after u left.

Me: Aww You miss me already?

Him: I miss u every time u not with me.

This man… My God!

Me: Missing you too. I can’t wait for dinner tonight. I’ll reserve us a table.

Him: Already done. I remembered the name. We have a table at 7:45.

Me: Look at you handling things for our first official date.

Him : How you handled me this morning, I had to.

Me:

Me: You handled me last night then took care of me this morning, so we’re even.

Him: Nah. Not even.

Him: Gotta go. Don’t work too hard. Love your sexy ass.