Page 38 of Semi Sweet (Working For Love #1)

T he Mizunos had their final dinner together Sunday night, before Sean had to go back to Denver.

It was the summation of a busy and eventful day.

He had me take the Saab around so I could get used to it, making me drive to the apartment and various stores and back so I would know the way without him or a GPS.

We’d also found the Rocky Mountain Press’ satellite office since I was headed there in the morning.

The small kitchen was stocked, as were the bathroom cabinets and a small storage closet.

Bear had a new bed and I’d bought a new fuzzy blanket so I could be bundled up in front of the electric fireplace.

The bags I’d been keeping my things in since I ran from Evan’s townhouse were unpacked in several drawers in the room that had once been Sean’s. Now we would share it.

Dan had the other room set up as a bedroom, but I had plans of transforming it into an office.

It would put the one at my old place to shame mostly because I wouldn’t have to hide my passion anymore.

I had visions of hanging up things having to do with my fandoms as well as things to inspire me.

I had lots of writing to do to make up for all those partial manuscripts that had been destroyed.

“Olivia, please know you are welcome anytime,” Mr. Mizuno said as he helped his wife clear the table.

They’d made enchiladas, which I’d found interesting as there were so many other cultures in their home, but apparently Sean’s mother could eat tacos every day. I guessed I probably could, too.

“I will probably take you up on that,” I agreed. “I’m an introvert, but I can see myself getting lonely if I don’t leave the house beyond work. Not to mention Bear needs to see his grandparents.”

“You’re not one of those people that treats their pet like a human child, are you?” Sean asked, scratching the dog in question behind the ears. “That might be a deal breaker.”

I gave him a look. Having a dangerous ex should have been grounds for that, not personifying an animal. “I’ve never had the opportunity to do so. I’ve never had a pet.”

Sean strode over and pulled me into a hug. “I’m just messing with you.” He turned his attention back to his parents. “If I need you to do anything for the bank or the realtor–”

“Just fax us the form,” Mrs. Mizuno replied.

“And if there are any repairs–”

“Between your landlord and myself, we can sort it out,” Sean’s father explained.

“I offered to help, too, you know,” I chimed in.

“Do you have time for coffee?” Sean’s mother asked.

He glanced over at the clock on the kitchen stove. It was getting close to seven and he had a three and a half hour ride ahead of him. “I have time for exactly one cup. No dessert.”

Far too soon, he was standing in their entrance way, hands in his pockets as he said his goodbyes.

“Please Sean, for all that is good, call me. I’d settle for weekly if it can’t be every day,” his mother reminded him.

“I’ll be better about calling, Mama,” he promised.

“I’ll be able to snitch on him if he isn’t,” I added.

Sean embraced his father first.

“Safe travels Sean-kun.” his father said softly.

When he got to his mother, he hugged her tightly before he held onto her shoulders and said, “Arigatōgozaimashita. Anata ga shiru ijō no mono no tame ni.”

It was meant to be a private moment, but I knew enough Japanese to understand what he was saying.

Thank you. For more than you will ever know.

I said my own goodbyes before I went out to the driveway and over to the Saab. We would have to figure out what I’d do about a car once he returned to Aspen, but until then, it was mine to use.

“Can I call you once I get there?” he asked.

“I’d be upset if you didn’t.”

“I hope tomorrow is everything you want it to be and more,” he said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

“I’d say the same for you, but you're going back to Cash Value Market.” When silence fell between us, I knew it was probably time for him to leave and I pulled him into a hug. “Please come back.”

“I promise,” he replied, holding me tightly. “Maybe now is the perfect time to work on one of your books. Plenty of quiet time.”

I looked up at him, another thing I never thought I would hear a significant other say to me. “I like how you think.”

We kissed goodbye far longer than we needed to, with promises of all the things we would do once he returned.

Before I knew it, Sean was telling me he had to get home to sleep and I was watching the rental car drive away.

I was standing in the Mizunos driveway alone.

Well, not exactly. Bear was patiently waiting for me in the Saab.

I tentatively drove to the apartment, not as comfortable with Aspen at night, but eventually I found my way and parked the car on the street just as I’d seen Sean do when we’d come previously.

A television in Dan’s living room glowed as I headed towards the gate.

I was thankful to have someone around in this new place, even though it sounded like I might be hearing him more than I would be seeing him.

When I let Bear and myself in, the animal trotted over to his bed and got comfortable. I slid the door shut, locking it and putting a wooden dowel in so that the door couldn’t be moved. When I turned back towards the dog, he looked like he was aware someone was missing.

“Sean’s not going to be with us for a while,” I said sadly. “It’s just you and me for now.”

Bear put his head down like he wasn’t thrilled about that development.

I agreed completely. Just as I was thinking I should probably take a shower and prepare for work in the morning, I noticed something on one of the bookshelves that hadn’t been there before.

As I got closer, I realized it was a cupcake–chocolate cake with mint chip frosting, with a note tucked underneath it.

I felt my heart wanting to burst at the sight of it.

I wouldn’t have been here if he hadn’t sent me that first cupcake all those months ago. I had no idea where I’d be now.

Out of habit, I took a photo. I didn’t know if I would post it on the off chance it would give away where I was, but I wanted to remember it. It was like remembering Sean’s face or his laugh. This was a part of him. As I took a bite of the cupcake, I opened the note.

One more

For old times’ sake.

Maybe I’ll see you in my dreams

And I’ll think of you when I’m awake.

Thanks for letting me in,

Taking me along for the ride.

Someday this will all be easier;

We won’t have to hide.

Soon it won’t matter.

Life can officially start.

You can have it all–

You already have my heart.

Don’t worry,

Don’t shed a tear.

I’m coming back,

Have no fear.

I still marveled at the fact he could make rhymes work so easily. At the bottom of the page was his sloppy handwriting. My eyes went wide at the lewd suggestions. I finished the cupcake as I dialed his number, knowing he was driving, but his fancy rental car had bluetooth.

“Hello?” I could hear in his voice that he must have known why I was calling.

“So you’re just dropping the gentleman act completely?” I asked as I flopped onto the couch.

“A gentleman on the streets,” he replied.

“DO NOT finish that sentence,” I ordered.

Sean laughed. “What did you think of the cupcake?”

“One for the Semi Sweet Bakery case for sure.”

We ended up talking the remainder of his ride back to Denver and I got to bed later than I was planning. I fell asleep, hopeful for my future and praying thirty days went by quickly.