“What would be best for you and Sarah? I’m here all day. I ran my errands yesterday. I must pack, but mostly, I have calls to make with clients and companies setting up some sponsorships.”
“It would be easiest to just eat at the office since I know Sarah has a meeting around 2 p.m. with the site supervisor. Meeting there will allow more time to get to know each other.”
“Sounds good. What time?”
“Can you get there around 11:30 a.m. I can get us Dave’s burgers. If that works for you?” I could never get over him checking on me to make sure I was satisfied with whatever was happening.
“Eleven-thirty is fine. I would enjoy eating another burger from Dave’s, so it sounds like we have a plan. I can’t lie. I am a little nervous.” I could feel the blush and looked down at my feet.
“Nothing to worry about. Sarah is going to adore you as much as I do. I am glad you are finally getting to meet properly. I realize I have been remiss in telling you about each other. She does know how much I like you and can see how your entering my life is nothing but a positive thing. She is just a little protective of her little brother.”
He stood up and kissed me. “It will be fun. I’m taking Daisy today. Charlie being alone for two or three hours will be good training for him. Plus, tomorrow, he will be away from Daisy for multiple nights. He needs to adapt.” He kissed me again. “I need to go. I will see you in a few hours.”
I watched his fine ass enter the elevator and leave. I sighed. I wondered how protective his sister was. I got dressed and then tried to get some work done. I got a text. I really shouldn’t, but I hoped it was from Aaron. It had only been hours since we were in the shower, but still, I had all the feelings.
Mr. Timberland: Do you know how sexy you are?
Someone told me that this morning.
Mr. Timberland: Who? I will kill them.
That sounds like jealousy to me. Claiming me much?
Mr. Timberland: You are mine. All mine.
You should take extra time to mark me tonight since I am leaving town.
Mr. Timberland: Don’t remind me you are leaving. Yes, I plan to ensure you remember me the whole time you are gone.
I like that idea.
Mr. Timberland: What do you want for lunch? You better fuel up. You will need it for this evening.
You pick. Youknow what I like. I’m sure whatever you get will be wonderful.
Mr. Timberland: Sounds good. Miss you. I’ll talk to you in a few hours. I need to get on the phone with people about some marble. xoxoxo
xoxoxo
I loved that he wouldn’t just leave me hanging when texting. We would send little notes now and then during our days apart, but usually, it was a conversation.
I returned to work and had to talk to some people about shoes, sandwiches, and software. I laughed at the alliteration. I realized it took about five minutes to cross the street to the parking lot where Gentry Construction’s office was. Which meant I could work right until it was time to go.
At 11:00 a.m., I just sat there and started to worry. I made lunch for Charlie and found myself with fifteen minutes to kill. Even with Aaron's reassurances, I was nervous Sarah wouldn’t like me. She and Rodney were the most important people in his life. If she didn’t like me, would he leave me? Were we close enough now that he would still be with me despite her dislike of me?
I started to spiral and had to come out of it. Charlie came to me immediately, sensing my distress. He landed on my shoulder and rubbed his head on my cheeks. He made little chirping noises and wrapped his tail around my neck. I reached up, and he pushed against my hand. I took a deep breath. Charlie calmed me so much that I wondered how I managed without him.
I putmy forearm down as Aaron does for Daisy. He scooted around, and I held him in the crook of my arm. He cuddled against my chest and rubbed his head against my shirt. I could feel my heartbeat normalize. I was feeling better about lunch. I picked up Charlie and put him up so his nose touched mine. He held his wings close against his body, and his legs hung down.
“You, sir, will be alone for at most three hours. You have had your drops, so you can’t burn the place down. I have left you tons of vegetables in case you get hungry and water. Dad will return before you know it, and your dad’s favorite person will be here this evening with Daisy. You be a good boy, okay?” I kissed his snout. I took him over to the box in the living room, and he crawled in. I headed to the elevator. “Let’s do this,” I said to nobody but myself.
I saw Aaron’s truck parked in the lot with several other cars. I assumed one of them was Sarah’s. The sites were all within walking distance, so it could be anybody’s. I knocked and then opened the trailer door.
Aaron stood before a desk talking to the woman who had dropped off the items at the apartment on the first day. I could see a crinkle around his eyes as he smiled, reaching for me; the door thumped loudly behind me.
“Sarah, this is my boyfriend, River. River, this is my lovely sister Sarah.” He seemed excited to be making this introduction.
She stood up and came around the desk. “I’m a hugger, unlike my prickly brother. I like people.” She hugged me. She leaned back with both hands on my upper arms and looked me up and down. “Oddly, Aaron never mentioned to me how hot you were.”
