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“Exactly. So what’s next?”
He lay back with her in the crook of his arm.
“I get my own place. I spoke with my in-laws, and as soon as I have a rental agreement, I get to see Grace for a long weekend. My parents will drive up to get her since I won’t be eligible for any time off for a while. They’ll have to supervise the first visit.”
“So you have a lot going on,” she said, anxiety building as she wondered what she could do to facilitate the process.
“Is that going to be a problem for you?”
“Not at all. As long as I have a book to read or one to write, I’ll occupy myself. And I feel driven to do what I can to help you get Grace back. It’s almost a compulsion.”
“I’m pretty lucky, then.”
She crawled on top to kiss him, running her hands over his body. “You’re lucky alright, but for more reasons than that.”
The next morning, she was in the kitchen making coffee when he came in, dressed, his hair over his forehead like it had been the first time she saw him.
“How are you?” she asked, stretching to kiss him.
“Okay, considering I only got about an hour of sleep,” he answered, chuckling.
“Yeah, well, I’m sorry. It’s been a long time for me,” she replied, reaching into the cabinet to get mugs for their coffee.
“I’m sure it’s been longer for me,” he said. “And I’m not complaining.”
“What’s going on today?”
“I have some legal stuff to do, and then later, if you can get away, we can go to look at the apartment I was telling you about.”
“I can get away. I’ll go into the office this morning. I’m looking forward to seeing the apartment. I want to ask you to stay here, but I know getting your own place is important in the recovery process.”
“Yeah, that’s what they’re telling me.” He took the mug. “I like it here. But one step at a time.”
“Yes, one step at a time.”
“I hate to leave you,” he said.
“I know, I hate to have you go, but we both have things to do today. Send me a text when it’s apartment-hunting time.”
Setting the mug down, she threaded her arms around his shoulders, her ear to his chest so she could hear the beating of his heart. Wanting to be with him every second was a good thing, wasn’t it?
“I’ll call you later,” he said, kissing her.
She kissed him goodbye back and, after he left, returned to her bedroom to dress for work.
Beach Newswas gearing up for the winter holidays. The new ad executive was so busy he asked Sofia to help with some of the inquiries, which she was happy to do. More ads meant more revenue for the paper. She was at the front desk when the phone rang.
“Beach News, Sofia speaking.”
“Sof, it’s Dad. Can you talk for a bit?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“My brother John tells me he intervened for your friend Ryan.”
“He did, Dad. I really appreciate it. I hope he didn’t do it just for me though. It sounds like Ryan’s recovery is successful, and he’s doing great.”
“He had only positive things to say. I guess you’re seeing him again if you know.”
