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I sigh and breathe in his spicy, Dare scent. I’m being a little unfair and I know it. Since Henry stepped out of my life, I’ve been getting closer and closer with the farmhouse ladies. But they’ve gone MIA lately.
Even Deej doesn’t have time to hang out anymore.
I was feeling like a survivor stranded on an island all alone but, earlier this week, I ran into June again. Since most of my deaf friends are near the agency where I quit working last month, I hadn’t yet settled back into the deaf community here.
Fortunately, June invited me to a Beethoven’s Nightmare concert with her friends from painting class. Dare got us all VIP tickets since he thinks that splurging money is ‘spoiling me’. I rocked out with everyone in the room and made a ton of new connections. I look forward to hanging with June and my new friends again.
But no matter how many new friends I make, they can’t replace my boyfriend.
My very handsome, attentive boyfriend… who is somehow never around anymore.
Dare runs a finger over my lips. “Clear your schedule. I’ll take you somewhere tomorrow.”
“I have an interview booked.” I’m actually really excited about it. I’m meeting with an urban designer that up-cycles fashion to save the planet. It’s a story I’m sure my subscribers will be interested in.
Thanks to my boyfriend being Dare Sullivan, I don’thaveto worry about subscribers or work in general, but I have my own goals and ambitions. I want to grow a media empire like Kenya did with her publishing house. But I wantmyfocus to be on fashion and current events.
I’ll never stop modeling and I’ll keep posting my photoshoots, behind the scenes and, eventually, my runway Versace walk (that day will come!), but I also want to post about worthy charity causes, environmentally-friendly fashion tips, and so much more.
Dare takes my answer in stride. “After your meeting then.”
I agree and we fall asleep.
In the middle of the night, I feel that something’s missing and open my eyes. Dare’s out of bed. His outline is in the bathroom and he’s on the phone.
Who is he talking to at this hour?
I want to believe it’s Mosely, but little doubts start niggling in my head. Did he find a hearing woman? Is he cheating on me right in front of my face because I’m deaf? Are all my worst fears about loving a hearing person coming true?
Dare patters back to bed and I squeeze my eyes shut, pretending to be asleep. The next morning, he leaves early and I get dressed and follow him.
José is a good sport about tailing his boss and I’m grateful for the millionth time that Dare hired him back. Jenny is in the car too and she’s less convinced about this plan.
“Are you sure you should be doing this?” she signs.
“If it makes you feel any better, you’re only here as backup. I don’t think I’ll actually need an interpreter.”
I peer out the window at Dare’s truck.
Huh. He goes to his company and stays right there.
So… does that mean he’s cheating on mewitha girl from the office?
I text Deej to talk about it and, hopefully, to have my sister talkmeout of my crazy thoughts. Except for the long business trips, everything is perfect with me and Dare. Too perfect. But I can’t just ignore him talking to someone in the middle of the night.
If it was Mosely, he would have waited until morning. Mosely has a way better appreciation for work-life balance than Dare.
After wasting an hour in front of Dare’s building, I head to my interview and Jenny goes back to work.
José doesn’t say anything about the spy mission, but I know he’s judging me.
In the evening, I get enough of my crazy thoughts, so I ask Lucy if I can pick Talia up after school. We both let out some steam killing zombies on the screen and dancing our hearts out on the DANCE MOTION game.
Talia gets a text and then glances up at me. “Can you take me to the farmhouse instead of back home?”
“Is your mom okay with that?”
She shows me a text from Lucy that gave permission.
