Page 44 of Uproot

I feel relief flood through me, and I smile down at her, “Thank you so much, angel. I wish I could hug you right now,” I say, my eyes moving down to her lips.

She shifts in her seat, and my cock stirs in my shorts. “I wish we could too,” she whispers.

I step back from her, running a hand through my hair to try to calm down. “I’ll be back Saturday morning. I wanted to just fly back tomorrow right after the meeting, but Bobby asked me to go to dinner, and I need to take care of some things at my apartment,” I explain.

“I hope you have a safe flight, and I’m sure the meeting will go well,” she says, standing up to walk me to the door.

She hesitates for a moment, before meeting my eyes. “Would you mind if I came over and spent time with Dragana and Edi after school tomorrow while you’re gone? Edi has been asking me to teach him to bake the chocolate chip cookies I made you all last time. That way Dragana can have some more help to entertain him too.”

I smile down at her, “Of course you can, sweetheart. Dragana would be thrilled, and Edison too. You’re so thoughtful, angel,” I coo, squeezing her hand, and she smiles shyly.

An idea comes to me that makes me smile, “Why don’t you just stay over Friday night, angel? That way you can hang out and you won’t have to worry about driving back home. I’ll be back early Saturday and then we can just spend the day together once I’m there.”

Her eyes widen in surprise, “I- are you sure? You wouldn’t feel weird about that?”

“I’m more than sure. Edison would be ecstatic. You two could have another movie night,” I assure her. I look around before leaning down in her ear. “And you can sleep in the primary bedroom. Keep the bed warm while I’m away.”

Her mouth falls open and she blinks at me for a moment before nodding. “Ok then,” she squeaks.

I smile at her, satisfied with our plan. “Good. It’s settled then,” I say, giving Edison one more wave goodbye. “I’ll see you at pick up, beautiful.”

???

Early Friday morning, Helen and I take off in one of our SUV’s to go to the private airport in Redland.

I spent Thursday evening hanging out with Edison playing every board game, and outdoor activity he wanted to until it was time for him to go to bed. He gave me an extra-long hug goodbye before he went to sleep, his little arms holding on to be tighter than normal.

He was nervous about me being gone until I explained to him that Selah would not only be driving him today, but also hanging out with him all weekend too.

Of course I only told Selah that we would spend Saturday together, but once I have her in our cabin, I obviously won’t be letting her go anywhere.

I spoke to her last night for an hour before I went to sleep feeling oddly melancholy knowing I wouldn’t be able to see her today.

I’m not one to get quickly attached to a person, or even honestly miss them when I’m away, especially if it’s only for a day. There were times when I wouldn’t see my ex-girlfriends for an entire week if my schedule was busy enough.

But it seems like the feelings I have for Selah defy everything I am used to.

I try to focus on the road as we make our way down the mountain and navigate to the main freeway. I glance at Helen as she works on her phone, realizing how uncommonly quiet she is.

“Helen, you can just stay in New York once we wrap up the meeting. There’s no need for you to fly back with me tomorrow morning. I’ll tell the pilot you will need a flight on Monday morning. I’m sure that Erin wants more time with you than just one day,” I say.

She lowers her phone and gives me a grateful smile. “Thank you, Sir! That would be really great,” she says. Her smile fades and she twists her mouth.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, furrowing my eyebrows.

“I’m just wondering, Sir, when will we be moving back permanently to New York? I know Edison just has a little more time until he’s done with school. So will we be leaving right after his last day?” she asks timidly. “I just really need to be able to be home with my wife more. This was all very unexpected and she’s not taking my absence well.”

I put my head back on the headrest, exhaling a breath. I’ve gone back and forth with this same question over the past week more than I’d like to admit.

I know that the most logical thing is to move back to Manhattan right after school ends, but I still can’t come to a decision. And obviously it is not just the changes for Edison that I’m worried about at this point, even though he’s still my main concern.

“I’m not sure,” I respond, even though I think my mind is made up. “But I will give you an answer by Monday for sure, ok?”

She gives me a weak smile, “Ok Sir. Thank you.”

We both fall silent again and I go back to being in my head about a million different decisions I need to make. I know Edison, Dragana, and I can’t stay past summer, but maybe a little more time in Upwood would be good for all of us.

24

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