Page 78 of Until Next Time
I’m wrapping up for the day so I can head home and take an everything shower and get packed up. I’m stuffing my laptop into my purse when I hear my phone vibrate against the desk.
Casey: I met a guy.
Me: Shut up. Spill. Tell me everything!
Casey: He’s a bull rider. 6’2” and you’ll be meeting him tomorrow.
Me: OH MY GOSH. He sounds hot. What’s his name?
Casey: He’s very hot. Carter’s his name.
Me: Can’t wait to meet him and can’t wait to drink wine by the fire with my bestie!
Casey: Same! Your brother is on one today too, by the way. Being really fucking annoying.
Me: What’s new! Ha Ha Ha! Love you, good luck!
I hike my bag up on my shoulder, switch off my lamp and close my office door behind me. Dawsen had a special name plate made for me that he put on my office door that saysBirdie Banks, Author & Artist.When I saw it the first time, my heart did little somersaults.
Before heading out the front door, I leave a sticky note on the fridge where I know Dawsen will see it.
I love that life with you feels like it’s not real life.
* * *
My alarm sounds off way too early for my liking, but River insisted that we get to the cabin rental as early as possible so we can squeeze the most out of our trip. Between me and my brother, he’s definitely the more adventurous one. I love him, but he’s also the type who likes to workout while he’s on vacation, and truthfully—that’s only what psychopaths do.
I roll over and grab my phone off my bedside table to snooze the alarm. I peek over at my window and the faintest bit of sunlight peers in through the curtains. I grab my kindle off the table as well and click it open to finish the chapter of the book I fell asleep reading last night night. I get two sentences in and my bedroom door clicks open.
“Damn it. I was hoping to get here before you woke up.” Dawsen slides in and gently pads over to the bed. He sits down on the mattress and sets two coffees on my nightstand.
He leans down and kisses my lips.
“Do you not sleep at all?! You’ve already went for coffee this morning?”
He let’s out a throaty chuckle. “I’ve already went on a run too. Impressed?”
“Very. Now gimme.” I say, reaching for the latte.
“I’ve also filled my truck up with fuel, packed my bags, grabbed road trip snacks and answered some emails.” He rattles off, as he reaches over and brushes my hair behind my ear.
“Like I said before, Dawsen Jones.The man that you are.” I say with a wink, then I sip my coffee which tastes like heaven.
There’s a knock on my door, to which Dawsen stands up and strides over to open it.
My parents are on the other side, in their robes, holding their mugs of coffee with big smiles on their faces.
“Good Morning!” They say in almost unison.
“Eww, what are you guys acting like that for?” I say, eyeing them suspiciously because why are they looking so chipper this early in the morning.
“What? We just wanted to see y’all before you take off.” Mom pads in and sits on the end of my bed, and dad comes in and sits at my desk.
“Seriously, what the hell is going on right now?” I say, straightening in my bed.
“We’re just really happy that you’re found a man who loves you in all your morning glory.” Dad says sarcastically while waving his hand in my direction. Most definitely making fun of my bed head and the sleep lines all over my face.
I sleep like a dead person, okay? I cannot control that.
