by Layla Hagen
"Mel, these came for you," Shauna said at noon. I had back-to-back training sessions all morning and only now made it to the reception desk. There was a huge bouquet of red roses on it.
"They also have a card," she said with a dreamy smile. “Thought you might want to know."
I smelled the roses, picking up the card. It was from Dylan.
"I will miss you, Mel. Have a great day."
Oh, Dylan. I was in a great mood all morning, smiling at my clients and being more patient than usual. I was on cloud nine, and every time I passed reception, I smiled even bigger, looking at my beautiful flowers.
After work, I met Charlotte for a cocktail.
Ever since she opened the dog shelter, we met there, catching up while doing chores, but she insisted on going out for an actual cocktail today, and I was all for it. I loved girl time.
We met near the gym at a small bar that had just opened. They were known for their tapas more than their cocktails, but their margaritas were terrific.
Charlotte was wearing a beautiful white dress with a generous cleavage and huge hoop earrings. Her hair was styled in curls. She grinned when I arrived, eying my flowers.
“Are these from Dylan?” she asked as I sat down.
“Yes. He sent them today to the gym.”
“My God, this man is something else. I didn’t even think men in this century knew how to send flowers anymore.”
“You and me both.” We ordered a selection of tapas and margaritas and received our drinks in no time. I kept eyeing the roses while sipping my beverage. At lunch I’d sent Dylan a message thanking him, but he hadn’t replied. He hadn’t been exaggerating when he said he wouldn’t have free time at all. And he’d still sent me flowers.
“So you and Dylan are getting pretty serious, right?” Charlotte asked.
I grinned, sipping some more of my margarita. Oops, I was going a bit fast.
“Well, we talked about not seeing other people,” I informed her. “I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when he went to D.C.”
“He sent you flowers, so I think it’s safe to say he’s really into you.”
I clasped my fingers tighter around the stem of the glass, pouting. “And I’m really into him. I’m afraid of how much, honestly.”
“Why?”
“We made it pretty clear in the beginning that it’s a casual thing.”
Her eyes widened. I hadn’t shared this with her.
“You don’t do casual.”
“I know, but I like him a lot, and one thing led to another....”
Charlotte grinned, clinking her glass to mine. “You wouldn’t be the first ones to move from casual to serious.”
I grinned too but immediately toned it down because my right temple started to throb. Damn, why was I getting tipsy so fast? I only ate breakfast and a protein bar today, so that explained it.
When the waiter brought our tapas, I immediately devoured patatas bravas, chorizo, and olives stuffed with almonds.
We spoke a bit about the shelter while eating.
“It’s going better than I was hoping for,” Charlotte said. “I’m thinking about offering training courses too.”
“Do you have time?”
She was also working part-time as a dance teacher for young kids. She had enough on her plate.
“I’ll figure it out.”
Charlotte was such a kick-ass woman, and I was proud of her. We ordered a second round of margaritas, and by the time we downed them, I was drunk, and so was she.
She put both hands on the table, eying me intently. “Okay, now that you’re inebriated, it’s time to fess up. How exactly do you feel about Dylan?”
I sighed, tugging at my bottom lip with my teeth. “I’m falling for him, but I’m trying not to. I know it’s going to end eventually.”
“Hmm... or maybe not. Have you told him how you feel?”
I shook my head, which made me dizzy. I massaged my temples, but it wasn’t helping.
“This margarita is kicking my ass,” I said.
“Mine too.”
“Should we call it a night?”
“Ha! A convenient excuse not to talk about Mr. Hottie, huh?”
I laughed. “I love talking about him. I can do it all day long. But my head weighs a ton.”
“Mine too. Let’s go.”
We paid quickly and parted ways in front of the restaurant. I dozed off in my Uber, but I still had a headache when I arrived home. There was a bit of the sunset left, so I went to the balcony with a glass of water, phone, and earbuds.
Just as I was about to start my audiobook, Dylan called.
I answered with a grin. “Hey.”
“Am I interrupting your audiobook already?”
“No, I didn’t start it yet. How did you know?”
“It’s almost sunset.”
“Thanks so much for the flowers. They’re gorgeous.”
“I forgot to reply to your message today. It was crazy busy.”
“I figured it might be.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Why?”
“You sound a bit different.”
I licked my lips, deciding to fess up. “I went with drinks for Charlotte.”
He burst out laughing. “You mean you went for drinks with Charlotte, right?”
“That’s what I said. I think. Anyway, I didn’t eat much before dinner, so I got pretty drunk. Charlotte got a kick out of it, kept asking how I feel about you.”
I relaxed on my lounger, smiling at the flowers.
“What did you tell her?”
Oh shit. My pulse sped up. “Oops. I didn’t mean to say that to you.”
“But now you did.”
I shifted in my seat, licking my lips. “Maybe we can talk about this when you’re back?” My voice sounded small, but I felt oddly vulnerable.
“You bet we will. I miss you.”
“I miss you too,” I said, meaning it with all my heart. “It’s a bit lonely, watching the sunset without you.”
“Your audiobook isn’t a good enough replacement?” he teased.
“Not even close.”
“Good to know. I keep thinking about all the things we could be doing right now.”
“Like what?” Even though it was a warm summer day, a shiver of anticipation ran through me.
“Having dinner, giving you a massage, or visiting your dad. You’ve been on my mind all day.”
The shiver turned into a shot of warmth, coiling through me. “You know how to get through my defenses,” I whispered. Damn. I spoke too much again.
“Good. That’s what I want.”
He did? Why? I sat up straighter, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart was beating fast. I gathered the courage to ask him more about it, but I heard someone call his name in the background.
“I have to go. I’m having dinner with the client. I just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes.”
“Have fun.”
“Thanks. You too.”
I lay back down on the lounger with a grin the size of Texas while I plugged in my earbuds and pressed Play in the audiobook app.
I was the luckiest woman on the planet.
***
The next morning, though, I was feeling everything but lucky. I barely got to the gym when I received a phone call from Dad. Elliot had gone to his house to take back the TV and a freaking coffee table he’d bought. Dad hadn’t wanted to let him in, so Elliot broke down the door. I couldn’t believe it.
Dad was in quite a state when I arrived at his house. He wasn’t just scared. He’d also hurt himself, trying to prevent Elliot from coming into the house. He had a few wood fragments in his right hand from the broken door, and he’d hurt his left elbow when he accidentally wheeled his chair against a corner of the bookshelf. Buddy had been sleeping in the backyard when Elliot came and missed the whole thing. Not that him being awake would have made a difference. He was a huge teddy bear.
“Dad, everythi
ng is going to be fine,” I said. My voice was shaky, even though I was trying to be strong for him. He was already scared and worried.
“He kept saying he was the one who bought them, so he had a right to take them back.”
My blood was boiling. I had indeed been too permissive with Elliot. I always figured if I didn’t pay him any mind, he’d eventually go away. I was wrong.
“Dad, I don’t think your injuries are serious, but we’ll go to Dr. Denver anyway, okay?”
Dr. Denver was his GP, and her practice was only a few streets away.
“We’ll leave the door like this?” he asked.
I glanced behind my shoulder at the broken door. “I’m going to tie it so it’s not hanging loose, and I’ll also notify the police. Hopefully no one will notice it’s open while we’re at the doctor’s. I want to get you to Dr Denver first, then deal with the police.”
“Okay.”
Dad was such a strong man, and now he was shaking.
Before propping the door, I wheeled his chair out of the house, feeling completely overwhelmed. I didn’t want to leave the house unlocked, but I wasn’t sure how to handle this any better.
Putting my earbuds in, I dialed 911. I kept my hands firmly on Dad’s wheelchair.
“Hello. What is your emergency?” a friendly woman answered.
“I would like to report a break-in,” I said. A cold shudder ran through me. She asked for details, and I realized I didn’t have too many since I hadn’t witnessed it. I told her I was getting Dad checked out right now, so we weren’t home.
“We’ll have someone police the area to make sure the perp isn’t doing more damage. We can also send an officer by your house once you’re back,” she offered.
“Thank you. That’s the best, I think. I’ll call again once we’re out of the doctor’s office.”
After ending the call, I focused 100 percent on Dad, trying to distract and reassure him. The GP’s waiting room was empty when we arrived, so Dr. Denver took Dad in right away.
“I’ll take the splinters out quickly,” she said, first applying a numbing gel. Dr. Denver was around Dad’s age and divorced. I always thought they’d hit it off, especially after Dad’s stroke, when she came by the house a couple times a week to check on him. It hadn’t happened, though, but they had a beautiful friendship, and I was more grateful than ever for that today. She was putting Dad at ease.
While Dr. Denver removed the wood fragments, I messaged Shauna to let her know I couldn’t come today.
Shauna: Ok, I’ll call all your clients and ask if they’re okay working with other trainers today. By the way, these arrived.
She sent me a photo of yet another bouquet. Roses again, this time pink ones. I hugged the phone to my chest before messaging Dylan.
Mel: Thank you for the flowers. I’m not going to Genesis today because I’m looking after Dad. Elliot broke into his house. I’ll take them home tomorrow, though.
I barely put my phone back in my bag when it rang. Dylan was calling. I stepped into the waiting room to answer.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Are you okay? Is your dad okay? What happened?”
I told him everything in a few words. He swore loudly.
“That idiot. That fucking idiot.”
“I know,” I said.
“Are you sure your dad is okay?”
I warmed up all over at the concern in his voice. “He’s a bit scared, but he’s not physically hurt—just a few scratches and splinters. We’re going back to the house once the doctor’s done, and we’ll talk to the police. I’m going to have to move him into my place for a few days while I get the door fixed and install a top-notch alarm system. I can ask someone to help me carry him up the stairs, because there’s no elevator.”
I paced the room, trying to coordinate everything.
“But your place isn’t big enough, especially for his chair. It won’t work for Buddy either, will it?”
“I know. No, it’s not the best solution, but it’s temporary anyway.”
“Why don’t you both go to my place?”
I stopped pacing, pressing the phone tighter to my ear. My stomach somersaulted. “Your apartment? Do you mean it?”
“Yes. There are enough bedrooms, and it’s big enough for Buddy too. The elevator is handicap accessible, and Martin will have an easier time wheeling about, okay?”
Wow. I couldn’t believe this. I pressed a hand to my chest. My smile was wobbly.
“Are you sure you don’t mind? It would be more convenient for Dad at your place, but—”
“Take him there, Mel. I’ll talk to Isabelle or Ian about getting you a key.”
“Thank you, Dylan. This is great. You’re great. How are you?”
“I excused myself from a shitty meeting.”
“Oh no! Go back to it. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”
“Anything you need, tell me, okay?”
“I will. Thanks.”
I was still stunned as I hung up. Dylan wanted me to take Dad to his place. Oh my God.
I poked my head inside the office. Dr. Denver had finished removing the splinters. Now she was disinfecting the elbow, which only had some scratches.
“Okay, that’s it,” she exclaimed, straightening up. “I’ll prescribe something for inflammation, and then you’re good to go.”
“Thank you, Dr. Denver,” I said, stroking Dad’s shoulder as she wrote the prescription. Once she handed it to me, I tucked it in my bag and wheeled Dad out on the street. There was a pharmacy right across from her office, so we stopped by to get the pills. Dad was unusually quiet. He was always a stoic man, so I knew he didn’t want to dissect everything.
I also knew he wasn’t a big hugger, but he needed it. Once we came out of the pharmacy, I wrapped both arms around him, holding him to me.
“Daddy, it’s all going to be okay.”
He patted my arms, drawing in a deep breath. I straightened up, arranging his hair. I’d messed it up a bit with the hug.
“I think you should move out of the house for a couple days until we fix the door. I spoke to Dylan, and he invited us both to stay at his apartment. He’s in D.C for two weeks. His place is much bigger than mine, and his building has an elevator that’s equipped for wheelchairs too.”
Dad beamed widely. “Dylan is a good man.”
“He is. So, what do you say?”
“Is he okay with Buddy coming with us?”
“Yes. He even asked if he was doing all right.” I smiled just thinking how thoughtful that man of mine was.
“Great.” Dad looked a tad forlorn, then said, “I think getting away is a good idea.”
On the way home, I texted Dylan.
Mel: Dad wants to stay at your place.
Dylan: I’ve talked to Ian and Isabelle. They’ll take care of everything.
My heart fluttered, and I smiled from ear to ear despite the shitty day. In fact, I was in a great mood even when we got home to the broken door. I called the police station, and they promised to send someone in an hour maximum. They had a unit patrolling the neighborhood, but those weren’t the officers in charge of taking statements. Dad said he wanted to lie down until the officer came, so he went to his bedroom.
I started packing his medical supplies and laptop. He’d tell me which clothes to add once he was up.
There was a knock at the door a while later. The officer is early!
I’d blocked the door by putting a chair in front of it, and it almost toppled over me when I opened it.
“I’ve got it,” Ian exclaimed, startling me. Isabelle was next to him with Tess.
"What are you all doing here?" I asked.
"Dylan told us to come help you move your dad," Isabelle replied.
“Isabelle was at the store when Dylan called, so I decided to tag along for moral support,” Tess said, inspecting the door.
Their kindness and warmth took me entirely by surprise.
"Thank you, I appreciate it
. It's all a bit nerve-racking. Come on in. We’re still waiting for the police officer to come, so it’ll take a while. How much time do you have?”
“We’re flexible,” Ian said. He kept looking over his shoulder to the street. “I want to stick around in case that moron shows up again. He needs his face punched.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Is that Dylan’s initiative or yours?”
Ian trained his eyes on me. “Dylan just said to look out for the guy. But I’m more hotheaded.”
“Yes you are,” Isabelle said. “No one’s punching anyone. Mel, tell us what you need.”
“I was in the process of packing a few things for Dad. We also need to take Buddy’s crate, his water and food bowls, and a bag of dried dog treats.”
Ian and Isabelle exchanged a glance, then quickly looked away from each other, both trying to suppress smiles.
“What?” I asked.
Tess laughed. “These two were gossiping on the way here about how much Dylan’s changed, because he told them about Buddy.”
Ian pulled me in for a half hug. “You’re a terrific influence on him.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Mel
The next few hours were intensive. The police officer stopped by, taking Dad’s statement. It was unclear if we could accuse Elliot of theft since he’d bought the TV and coffee table. It was also unclear if we could press charges for trespassing, breaking, and entering. The door was off the hinges, but Elliot could always counter that the door was old and it gave in when he opened it, falling on Dad’s arm. Since Dad didn’t have any security cameras, it would be his word against Elliot’s.
I was fuming.
After the police officer left, we all went to Dylan’s apartment. Ian, Tess, and Isabelle helped me carry Dad’s and Buddy’s things. I belatedly realized I didn’t have any clothes at all, so I headed to my place to get a few things right after Dad lay down for another nap.
To my astonishment, all three of them were still at the apartment when I returned.
Tess was playing with Buddy, Isabelle was playing cards with Dad, and Ian was cooking. Dad smiled when he noticed me, and I could see the surprise in his eyes. He’d been shell-shocked when I’d introduced him to the group back at the house. We were used to relying on each other, and that was it. Now we were surrounded by these amazing people who went above and beyond.
