Page 48

ASH

O livia is wrapped around me like a vise, but that’s okay. I still hold her to me just as tight.

I’m not an impulsive person, but when I finished the Dallas job earlier than expected, I didn’t want to go back to Raleigh; I wanted to be here for Olivia. I hated the thought of her arriving home all alone.

And I got done earlier than I let on because once the idea came to me about surprising her here in Seattle, I had to do everything possible to keep from giving myself away.

Clearly it worked because she’s completely surprised.

She breaks the kiss and stares at me in wonder. “You’re here!”

“I’m here,” I confirm. There’s a group of people surrounding us, clapping, and we smile at them as I slowly lower her to her feet. Fortunately, they move away quickly.

“I don’t understand. You said you still had several days left in Dallas.”

“I lied.”

Those beautiful green eyes go wide. “Normally, that would be an issue, but in this case, it’s kind of awesome.” She’s watching me with the biggest smile. “When did you get here? Do you have any luggage? Are we leaving now? How long are you staying?”

I kiss her softly before walking over and grabbing her luggage. “I rented a car, and my luggage is already in it. So if this is everything, we can leave now.”

“Ash, you didn’t have to rent a car. I have one at my place and…”

She pauses and I turn to find her frowning. “What’s the matter?”

“I drove from Alaska to Washington. I didn’t even think about how I was going to get my car from Washington to North Carolina.”

“And you don’t need to have that worked out right now either. It’s just one of the many things that will have to be worked out soon. Now, let’s go home.”

I take the larger of the suitcases and her carry-on as she walks beside me with the smaller one.

She tells me all about her flights as we make our way out to the car.

There’s a lot more traffic than I would have expected, and it takes us almost thirty minutes before we’re out on the highway.

Liv gives me the directions and points out little areas of interest as we drive.

“You know that there is going to literally be nothing to eat or drink when we get home, right?” she asks. “I threw everything away before I left.”

“Can you do an online grocery order? It probably won’t be there by the time we arrive, but hopefully it will be within the hour.”

“Good idea!”

Her place is forty-five minutes away, and by the time we arrive, we’re both more than ready to be out of the car.

Her condo is in a very nice community, and I can see why she chose it. “This looks amazing, Liv! Very new.”

She nods. “I was kind of a stickler about wanting new construction even though I’m just renting. I didn’t want to have to deal with any maintenance issues.”

“Smart.” We work together to get all of our luggage inside. It takes two trips, but I do most of the work so she can walk around and get everything turned on. It’s definitely a bit stuffy in here, but I know it will all be normal in just a little while.

As she’s fluttering about, I get up and just walk around, taking it all in.

There are two bedrooms—but one is set up as an office—and two bathrooms. There are hardwood floors, all stainless-steel appliances, and it almost doesn’t look like anyone lives here.

It looks staged for photographs, and I almost can’t believe this vibrant woman has been living like this.

Then I remember how many times she described her lifestyle as nomadic, so I’m not sure exactly why I’m surprised.

“Okay, groceries will be here in fifteen minutes,” she announces. “And dinner should arrive five minutes after that.”

“When did we order dinner?”

“Right after I ordered the groceries,” she says with a wink. “I know I ate on the plane and I’m sure you did too, but I figured a little Chinese food wouldn’t hurt either.”

“Good call.” I walk over, wrap her in my arms, and kiss her softly.

After humming softly, she lifts her head. “This is the best surprise ever.” She reaches up and touches my face. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

“Well, believe it.” I kiss her again.

“You never said how long you’re staying. Please say it’s more than just a day or two.”

“Um…it’s definitely more than a day or two, but exactly how long depends on you.”

“On me? How come?”

Taking her by the hand, I lead her over to the couch so we can sit. “My next assignment is someplace that I really wanted you to be with me. So if we can get the ball rolling with your move, I was hoping maybe you’d be willing to travel with me.”

“Oh, uh…I don’t know about that. I mean…I really need to get this book figured out. I’m supposed to talk to my agent this week and I won’t get an advance until I have an actual synopsis planned.”

I was expecting a little pushback, but I’m not deterred.

“I think I have a solution that will help.”

She gives me an uncertain smile. “Go on.”

“You were partly uncertain about this new book because you’ve typically lived in the place you’re writing about. Right?”

“Right…”

“Then I have a proposition for you that will hopefully help with your creativity,” I begin carefully. “I have an extensive travel schedule starting soon. I was going to turn it down, but when this idea came to me, I thought it could be the answer to everything.”

The look on Liv’s face is still skeptical, so I continue.

“In ten days, I need to be in San Diego. Well, technically Carlsbad, and I’ll be there for at least a week.

After that, it’s on to San Francisco, Denver, Kansas City, Chicago, and Boston.

I’ll be at each of those places for only a week doing updates on systems—no troubleshooting or repair issues—but it’s a pretty eclectic trip geography wise. ”

She just blinks at me.

“Liv, think about it. You’d get to explore fresh places without making an enormous time commitment.

You can spend your days exploring the cities and seeing if any of them…

I don’t know…trigger something in you!” I say excitedly, and I can’t believe she’s not jumping at this opportunity. “I just thought…”

Finally, she moves, holding up a hand to stop me.

That’s when I notice the tears in her eyes.

“I don’t even know what to say,” she whispers before gently clearing her throat.

“I swear…every time I think you can’t be any more amazing…

you are. How it’s possible, I don’t even know.

Most people think I’m crazy for the way my writing process is, and to be honest, I think it sometimes too.

Especially after this last month when I see all the things I’ve sacrificed for the sake of these books. ”

“Liv, you’ve told me yourself how every author’s process is different. Who cares what anyone else thinks?”

She visibly relaxes, and I can see a hint of a smile. “I don’t. That wasn’t what I meant. I meant…rather than trying to fix my process or even change it, you’ve found a way to embrace it.”

I feel my ears heating a bit. “Well, I’m trying to change it a little bit. I’m basically asking you to speed date with several cities.”

“Oh my God! I love that!” she gushes before lunging at me and hugging me. We stay like that for several long moments before she pulls back and cups my jaw. “I must have done something good in a former life to be rewarded like this.”

That’s such a powerful statement and I don’t even know how to respond.

“Honestly, Ash, I just…you’re so good to me—literally everything I need and want. It sometimes makes me feel inferior because…”

I know exactly where she’s going with this and instantly place a finger to her lips. “We’re not going there again. It’s not a competition and you are everything to me, okay? There is nothing inferior about you.”

“But…come on. Even you have to admit we’re a little unbalanced. You show up here to surprise me and then have this phenomenal idea to help me with this next book! And that’s on top of all the crazy plot ideas you’ve come up with!”

Smiling, I nod. “Yeah, I know. I’m awesome,” I tease. “But do you know what you’ve done for me?”

“Other than make you crazy?” she murmurs.

Grabbing her hand, I place it firmly over my heart.

“Olivia Ashley, you have reminded me that there is more to life than work. You came into my world in the most casual and quiet of ways, and yet you turned it all upside down. This last month I have laughed and smiled and felt more alive than I ever have. You make my heart happy,” I tell her as I press her hand more firmly against my chest. “I was merely existing before I met you. You brought color and life and laughter into my very dull and quiet world.”

Her shoulders sag. “Really?”

“Really. The thought of traveling with you has given me so much to look forward to! And when it’s all over, we can rest in Raleigh for a while. By then, your stuff will be there, and we can set up your new apartment.”

“How will my stuff get there?”

I glance around her place. “Um, I hate to break it to you, but we can have this entire place packed up in a day. We can call one of those moving pod companies and they can have it all shipped to Raleigh in no time, and they’ll hold it until you have a place.”

I watch her look around, frowning. “I guess there really isn’t a lot. And I don’t mind breaking the lease. I’ve been on a month-to-month basis for the last six months, so I won’t lose a lot of money.”

“That’s awesome!”

She nods.

“Look, I’m not trying to pressure you or rush you.

If this isn’t the way you want to do things, I will totally understand.

The whole idea just came to me, and I didn’t want to text you about it; I wanted to be here with you.

” Reaching up, I caress her cheek. “I’ve missed you.

A lot. I miss going to sleep and waking up looking at this face. ”

“Oh, Ash…”