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MARLIE

I’d like to say that I was lucky yesterday in the ‘persuade Tanner to stay’ department, but that didn’t happen, and to be honest, I didn’t try my hardest because I knew he was spending dinner with his family.

Sure, I could have gone with him, but that was one thing I wasn’t ready for yet.

It also sucked that when we got to the shelter—and yes, we made it even after the way I practically humped Tanners fingers; okay, I did, in fact, do that, but he also kind of demanded it, and I’ve found that I’m quite greedy when it comes to anything with Tanner—I couldn’t find the right dog that would be a good fit for me.

It really was shitty. Some weren’t good with other dogs, which was nixed by Tanner because hello, Tim.

Another few were said not to be good with kids.

Well, that was a major no-no on my list, so we left empty-handed.

I wasn’t going to settle, and while my heart hurt for those dogs, I knew it wasn’t meant to be, so instead, I left a donation for the time being.

Now, it’s Monday, and I’m walking into my studio, and I’m doing it without this overwhelming feeling.

In fact, it’s refreshing even though I’m going to walk into a pile of messages and emails.

I had my assistant come in and handle the stuff we were working on and fielding appointments, but all of the other things we just let lie.

She worked the past couple of weeks, relentlessly.

So, since she’s part time and asked for this week off, I couldn’t tell her no.

Mara saved my life, and now it’s time to repay the favor, with pay, of course.

In the text she sent me this morning, she told me what needed to be taken care of.

Mara: Hey, Marlie, don’t forget to check the saved voicemails, and the emails you need to respond to are flagged.

See what I mean? Life saver. I go about unlocking the front door.

The few display dresses are up, which reminds me that we need fresh looks with tourist season upon us.

Everything is as clean as it was when I left it, if not cleaner.

I turn off the alarm, turn on a few lights, and since Mara isn’t here this week, I’ll be keeping the showroom closed.

We’re lucky right now because we’re in a lull for shoppers.

Sometimes it’s too cold, and sometimes it’s hot with what Florida weather is notorious for.

I head into my office and kick my shoes off, flip on the switch for the overhead chandelier, turn on the coffee pot, and then light a candle.

If I’m going to be stuck doing some administration work before the creativity can shine through, I’m going to do it in comfort.

Heck, there was a thought in my head today to wear a hoodie and joggers along with house slippers.

I figured I’d better not, just in case a video conference was involved.

Once that’s done, well, not really; my coffee isn’t brewing yet, but that’s because I’m not sure if I want a third cup of the day or not.

It’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty.

The first order of business is emails. It’s still too early in my book for people, and let’s be honest, people don’t respond as quickly with messages as they do with phone calls.

I fire up my computer. Emails are pouring in as soon as the screen comes up. I plant my head on the desk.

“Okay, I wasn’t dreading this, and now look at me.

Maybe I’ll have more coffee after all.” Procrastination and a caffeine junkie at its best. I will say the highlight of my morning was the good-morning call I received from Tanner.

It was short and to the point, but what else could I expect he was between job sites?

The fact that I was even a thought in his busy-as-heck schedule.

Tanner mentioned their company is so slammed he’s pulling in the extras in the form of his parents, and they’re thriving because of it.

The one day he’ll for sure get off early is on Wednesdays when he picks up his nephew, Jace.

I don’t know how he does it. I barely make it, and my business isn’t as big.

My family isn’t either. I’m telling you he’s from Mars.

I go through the motions, frothing my creamer while the cup of coffee is brewing, wanting it all steaming hot instead of my hot cup of joe becoming cold.

Once that’s made, there’s no reason to not sit down and take care of business.

I mean, sure, I could call my dad or my brother, but those two are working on the farm, which means I’ve got to get down to brass tacks.

I’m sitting in my nice and cozy office chair, scrolling down all the way to the bottom. It’s my habit to work from the oldest to the newest messages first. That way, those that have waited longer don’t have to be left in a lurch.

“Holy fuck,” I breathe out. I place the cup of coffee I was holding up to my mouth on the mug rug next to my desktop, and that’s when I see the emails.

Each day last week until Taylor and Ridge got home, he left me one.

There are three, all filled with apologies, attempting to get through to me, which was, of course, when I felt like the world was caving in on me and I had all kinds of issues that were driving me up the freaking wall.

I abandon those, remembering what Tanner said about trying to get ahold of me.

The phone is staring at me, messages blinking, and the shitty thing is, I’ll have to work from the most recent backwards.

I ring into the answering service with pen and paper at the ready, putting the phone on speaker to make my life easier.

“You have twenty-one new messages in your mailbox,” the robotic message tells me.

“Dear God, don’t people have anything better to do on the weekends besides eat, sleep, and breathe work?

” Not that I have much room to talk. That was me up until I crashed, burning into a fiery flame, which is why I’m turning over a new leaf.

Absolutely no working weekends unless it’s an event, and even then, it’s going to have to be a big one.

I’m definitely learning my limits and want to enjoy living my life a little more than I have for the past few years.

I jot down notes, taking in who needs the most attention and what.

Some are marketing calls, some spammy. Until I hear Tanner’s voice, the sound of forlornness reaching through my office in waves.

I hate that I have to listen to these backwards, the defeat in his tone working its way back to where I can hear the excitement even as he’s apologizing about his fat fingers hitting the wrong numbers.

It pulls at my heartstrings, and I know what needs to happen next.

I hang up the phone, reach for my purse, and grab my cell phone.

I already know that he probably won’t answer, but I don’t care.

Tanner deserves to know that there was never a doubt in my mind about his apology and that I want this with him.

“Tanner, honey. I’m just now going through the emails and messages at the office.

They mean everything to me, that you’d go to such great lengths, to not give up on the relationship we’re building.

It’s everything. And, Tanner, so are you.

” I hate that I can’t say this to him in person, but at the same time, he needs to know that I’m all in when it comes to us, and if he asks me to a family dinner again, I’m going to pull my big girl panties up and go with him.

My next order of business after returning calls and emails is to talk to Taylor.

This past weekend, we didn’t do girls’ night out, which I knew wouldn’t happen.

That doesn’t mean I don’t need to gab my girl’s ear off, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.