Page 24 of Dash to Me
Ryan’s gaze lingers on the lake a moment longer before he finally shifts it toward me. “Enough about my sister. This is supposed to be friend time. I’m good with just drinking a beer and not talking about our feelings. You in?”
“Alright.”
Maybe it’s the nerves of her moving in tomorrow. Is that why I’m so worried? No, it can’t be. Having Eva at my house is going to take our relationship to the next level. I have always wanted her. It’s not doubt on my part. Fishing is a great hobby, but I forgot how in your head it makes you. The quiet and tranquility. Yet, I’m not going to let it screw with my brain. The love of my life is moving in with me tomorrow. And every day after that, I get to go to sleep and wake up to her. My version of the perfect paradise.
“You and Jenna seem rock-solid. Got any tips for me?”
Ryan pauses, his reel clicking. “It’s about the little things listening, even when it feels like there’s nothing to hear. It’s about saying what you mean, meaning what you say, but not saying it mean.”
I absorb the words. He makes a good point. Men always say we have no idea how to understand women, but if we pay attention, truly pay attention, you pick up on clues. “Communication and trust, huh?”
“Trust is the foundation, but you build it up with honesty. And patience—don’t forget about that.”
Ryan might technically be six months younger than me, but he has been in more successful long-term relationships than I have. So his advice is good. And every single girlfriend has broke it off with me because they didn’t want to commit. He’s always been looking for his future, even since we were teenagers.
His hand lands on my shoulder. “You’re doing fine. Eva’s got that light back in her eyes, and I assume that’s your doing.”
“Seriously?” She has been extra perky lately.
“Dead serious. She’s been walking around with this little smile, humming tunes under her breath. It’s been ages since she’s been this upbeat.”
A smile breaks out across my face. She is happy. We are happy. It means the world to hear that, especially coming from him.
Ryan settles into a more comfortable position, watching his bobber dance on the lake’s surface. “I trust you, man. Don’t make me regret it.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
The sun is setting soon, so I reel in my line. Beside me, Ryan does the same.
“Guess it’s time to pack it up.”
“Yep,” Ryan agrees, securing his rod before we gather the tackle boxes and bait.
With everything packed, we trudge back to the truck, boots crunching on the gravel path.
“Good talk today, man,” Ryan says, breaking the quiet as we reach the truck and load the equipment into the bed.
“I needed it.”
We climb into the cab and pull onto the road leading back to Lawson Ridge. Ryan’s trust is a gift, one that I don’t take lightly. Eva hesitations with past relationships; I’ve seen the walls she built, and I marveled at how they crumbled.
I will be the man Eva deserves.
EVA
Today’s the day.And of course, he hires a moving company to take care of it. He wants us to enjoy today, and not be sore by the end. Good thinking considering we have dinner at his parents tonight. While he was out fishing with Ryan, I finished packing and made the cake I promised to take his mom.
It’s only seven a.m., and I’m already over the moon. I’m someone who always thought I might not get my happily ever after. I’m a simple girl. Not one seeks out, but Atlas is my prince charming. He has never asked me to change, and embraces my OCD and type A personality.
I make a pot of coffee, because no matter what, that is the last thing to pack. Without caffeine, he might call it off. I can be scary in the mornings without it.
The doorbell rings, and I almost drop the coffee. The movers are early. “Coming!” I call out, smoothing my hair and checking my reflection in the microwave door. Not that the movers care about how I look, but today feels like a day to be put together.
I open the door to find two men in navy uniforms, clipboards in hand. “Morning, ma’am. We’re here for the Lockwood move?”
“That’s us,” I say, stepping aside to let them in. “The boxes are all labeled, and the furniture that’s coming with us has green stickers.”
The taller mover nods. “Makes our job easier. You wouldn’t believe how many people aren’t ready when we arrive.”
