The Dream - Whitney Dineen Page 0,66

you calling?”

“I think we should go out to dinner tonight—just the two of us,” I clarify.

“Sounds good to me. Where do you want to go?”

“Surprise me,” I tell him. “But make sure it’s a nice place. I want to wear the dress Sammy gave to me. It’s a real knockout.” I hope I’m not overselling myself too much.

“Done. I’ll pick you up at six. That should give you plenty of time to look at Davis’s place and still make yourself gorgeous for me.” Is he teasing or flirting? I can’t tell.

Just you wait and see how gorgeous I am, I think. A wall of anticipation washes over me. Come hell or high water, I’m going to kiss Buck tonight and figure out once and for all what my real feelings are toward him.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

March 14, 2014

Dear Molly,

My mom has been gone for over a year. It’s weird having spent three years taking care of someone then suddenly only having myself to worry about. I’ve decided to start taking classes at the community college this summer to become a certified nursing assistant. I’m still working toward getting my bachelor’s degree, but I’ve also realized I want a career helping people.

I saw Davis Frothingham this afternoon. He was walking down Main Street by himself. I recognized him immediately, but at the same time, it was like I was seeing him for the first time. It was like the past and the future converging into one.

The boy who used to mean so much to me has become a different animal entirely. I don’t know him at all anymore, but I sure would like to.

Beau comes out of his office and announces, “I’m ready.” He smiles at Jessica. “I think you’re really going to love the new places that just came on the market.”

“I hope so.”

Beau looks in my direction. “Davis should be here any minute. Make yourself comfortable.”

I watch them walk away before picking up a decorating magazine. I flip through it for several minutes until Davis walks in. “Hi.” He seems happy and reticent at the same time.

“Hi, back,” I say.

“Beau says you want to see the condo that’s for sale.”

“I do.” Then I tease, “Are you moonlighting as a real estate agent?”

He shakes his head. “Not even close. Beau wants you to see my place so that when you see the vacant unit you’ll have an idea how things might look. He sold the model home last month, so he’s relying on my help.” He offers me his arm like we’re an old-fashioned couple about to go for a stroll around the promenade. “You ready?”

“You bet.” I take his proffered appendage and feel a surge of joy spread through me. Davis is single, which means aside from that business of him needing to make amends to somebody, he’s free game. He’s the object of hundreds of my adolescent fantasies, which makes taking a tour of his condo fifty notches north of exhilarating.

In the elevator, he says, “I eventually want a real house with a yard and enough room for a couple of animals and kids to play.”

“That sounds nice,” I reply as I spontaneously ovulate at the thought of Davis Frothingham’s children. “I want to look at houses, too, but I don’t want more than I can manage on my own.”

Davis pulls me the tiniest bit closer and I can feel the heat radiate off him. I wonder if he’d notice if I crawled into his arms and built a nest.

As we exit the elevator, I try to imagine myself coming home to this building. It’s totally different from what I’m used to, but I like how it makes me feel. Like a world of possibility is just around the corner.

Davis puts his key in the lock and warns, “It might be a little messy; I didn’t know I was having company.”

I’m immediately blown away by the open space. The kitchen is on the right and the living/dining room is straight ahead, but I don’t focus on the rooms, I’m drawn to the wall of windows in front of me.

The view is staggeringly gorgeous, all blue river and sky with wispy white clouds floating about. “Wow.” It’s the only word I can think of to say.

“It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?”

“It’s insane.” I look up and discover the ceiling is vaulted, taking up two entire stories. I finally look around and begin to absorb the interior. Davis’s aesthetic is very masculine. The furniture is black leather, but there’s a lot of dark