Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“That almost looks like a muscle recovery bathroom. There’s gotta be an ice machine in there. Is he fit?”
“In the pictures I found, he was always in a suit. But I agree, it’s the perfect place for relaxing.” I went back through the closet to the windows. “You can’t see it, but we’re close to the top floor, the view of the lake is spectacular, and from the other side of the living room, we can see the front of the building and the parking garage. The pool’s on the seventh floor, so we shouldn’t have too much noise. We’re one of two residents on this floor. Each suite is accessed separately. It’s gorgeous here. Everything we need is within walking distance. My school’s pretty close. A UPS facility is nearby, and the FedEx facility’s a decent drive, but not too far.”
“Cool.” The doorbell rang on Beau’s end.
Seconds later, Carter’s name appeared on my cell phone screen. I didn’t immediately answer. “Who’s at the door? Check before you open it.”
“To Amelia’s frustration, I ordered a pizza. It’s them.” Beau’s sudden grin spoke of how angry Amelia truly was. “She wanted to spend the night, so I didn’t get lonely.”
“Babe, Carter’s calling,” I said and lifted a hand to wave goodbye. “I’ll call you back.”
“Give me a few minutes,” Beau said. My desktop computer in Dallas instantly clicked off without even a goodbye.
“I love you too. I miss you,” I teased the blank screen and answered Carter’s call. I plopped my ass in the first available chair I found.
“I hear you’ve accepted the UC Law offer,” Carter said. “You got a full scholarship out of them.” He sounded proud, and I definitely was.
“What kind of law student would I be if I couldn’t handle a simple negotiation of who was paying for my education?” I quipped. “They’ve accepted my fast track needs, making an exception that allows for summer school classes to help me finish by December. I enrolled in the program and spent about an hour in the bursar’s office. Beau’s good with it, so I locked myself in.”
Carter barked out a loud, boisterous laugh. The chatter on his end silenced for a couple of long seconds. He didn’t seem to notice. “Good job.”
“I’ve been to Chicago many times over my life, but I haven’t ever seen it like this before,” I said. “What an eclectic part of town. I’m truly in debt to you.”
“No, you aren’t. But I wouldn’t mind getting under your father’s skin now. Post pictures on whatever social sites you’re on. My team will pick ’em up and run with it in a positive light.”
I nodded, my grin turning as devious as his. Since I’d gotten a guarantee from the school, my father couldn’t ruin this for me. I too was ready to show dear ole Dad that I was still standing, maybe even better than before.
“Deal. I have a friend who can also drop the news,” I said, thinking about Chandler’s parents. If I spoke to Chandler, it wouldn’t take more than a couple of hours before my mom found out, she’d handle spreading it throughout the family.
“All right, you’ve got your marching orders. I’ve got to go, but I wanted to add, I have a vehicle there in the garage. Use it,” Carter offered.
This deal just got sweeter and sweeter. “Thank you,” I said.
“Stop saying that.” Carter disconnected without waiting for a reply. I ended the call. The quiet allowed me a moment to consider everything. What I didn’t know was how long this good fortune might last. It didn’t matter. My target was set, and I could achieve it. I only needed the opportunity.
7: The Check, Check
Beau
Dallas, Texas
The to-do list that Dash and I created for ourselves was longer than I realized. A full page each, single spaced. We’d put pen to paper after he returned home. The list just kept growing as we talked about the future and moving across country. Currently, I watched from my perch at the kitchen table as he paced the living room, landline phone to his ear. The open floorplan of our Dallas home let me see and hear it all. He spoke to Dr. Harris. A lengthy conversation, much like the one a few days ago that lost my attention completely.
I palmed his cell phone, spending way too much of my free time playing games. The same thing happened this time that did the last. I tuned everything out as my thumbs worked the keypad until Dash’s shadow broke my tunnel vision.
“Video games while I’m talking to Dr. Harris. I’m beginning to see the pattern,” Dash said, grinning like the Cheshire cat. The call with Dr. Harris must have gone his way. He took my list and rapidly scanned the page. “Let’s call your mom together. That’ll remove something off both our lists. Then call Scott to see if he can ride with you.”