to get the words out, because my throat chokes up. “Is this what happiness really feels like?”
He nods. “Yeah. Get used to it, baby. It’s about damned time all the ghosts are banished for good. We don’t need them haunting our lives any longer.”
Chapter Eleven
I wish I could say I was full of regret about resigning from the firm with no notice.
But I’d be lying, because I’m absolutely not.
However, I tell them a slightly altered version of the truth, because then I don’t have to keep my story straight—a very old and dear friend offered me the opportunity to go into partnership with him, and after the death of my father, and my divorce, I’m burned out and desperately need a change of scenery.
Apologies for the timing, but…
Sorry, not sorry.
Sure, I’ll let everyone else think my father’s death took way more out of me than it really did. He spent so much time playing super dad that no one realizes what a shit-bag he was to me and Mom in private.
In this case, I don’t mind the deception.
With my calls completed, the moving truck and supplies arranged, and once Daniel has our tickets purchased…
We spend the entire day in bed together.
Not going to apologize for that, either.
We make love, nap, watch TV, and order food so we don’t have to leave the room.
We call Liam and talk to him.
We talk, just the two of us.
A lot.
We do more talking than anything else on Saturday and Sunday. I had been planning on attending church on Sunday, because it was the one bright spot in my life lately, but I even let that fall to the side.
I’m happier right here, in Daniel’s arms. Now that I’m with him again, I realize exactly how much I missed him, and Liam.
When Monday morning arrives, we have to arise early so we can take a shower together before he checks out to catch his flight. Since I have my car, I’m driving him to the airport. I offer to take his luggage with me because I’ll be picking him up this afternoon.
His easy smile warms my heart. “I appreciate that, baby.” He kisses me. “Have fun cleaning out your office.”
I laugh. “There won’t be too much to do. I work from home quite a bit.” I’ll be doing a lot of remote work over the next week, too. Nearly all our files are electronic now, when it comes to things like case notes, so I can hand off what hard copies I have and then add to the case file from Daniel and Liam’s house in DC.
I wish I could walk him inside and kiss him good-bye before he goes through TSA, but we can’t risk that yet. He’s married, and I’m…not.
If all three of us were together, we could possibly get away with a PDA like that and chalk it up to us being old friends. Which is fudging the facts a little, but who gives a shit?
But when I pull up outside the departures area so he can go check in, he leans over and gives me a quick kiss. “I’ll text you when I’m boarding this afternoon, so you’ll know how to time picking me up. And I’ll text you once I’m on the ground here.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He lingers for a moment, cupping my cheek. “I do love you. It took me a long time to finally feel safe admitting it, but I think I fell in love with you during the first few weeks you were back. Thank you for waiting me out and putting up with my tortures.”
I smile. “I love you, too. Thank you for torturing me. I’ve loved every minute of it.”
That makes him smile. I love that I can make him smile. One last kiss, and then he’s gone.
Traffic isn’t too bad yet this morning. I make my way to my condo and take his luggage inside. That’ll give me more room in my car for the stuff from my office. I need a shave, and when I reach for a suit I realize I don’t need one.
I grab jeans and a pull-over instead.
At least the day goes by quickly. After quick conferences with the other attorneys, and after sending out e-mails to clients to tell them I’m handing their cases off to others, and why, I waste no time cleaning out my office.
It feels very freeing pulling out of the office’s small parking lot for the last time and returning to my condo. And I have enough