The Lineup(53)

Dottie: Why don’t you ever listen?





Jason: Picking you up in twenty. I have your suitcase. Lindsay is all set with the plants for the weekend.

Dottie: I still can’t believe you forced your way into this trip.

Jason: See what consistent nagging and selfies in flannel can do?

Dottie: If you send me one more picture of you looking down at the camera to see how many chins you can form, I’m going to physically hurt you.

Jason: Those are classic. You should be saving them.

Dottie: Yes, to remind me how annoying you are.

Jason: I like that we’re back to our old repartee, I missed it. Can’t wait to squeeze your cheek when you get in the car.

Dottie: Why the hell would you do that?

Jason: Seems like the thing to do. You get in the car, I squeeze your cheeks, ask how your day was, and then hand you one of the many snacks I packed for our trip.

Dottie: You packed snacks?

Jason: What kind of lady of the house would I be if I didn’t?





Chapter Fifteen





DOTTIE





“Going somewhere?”

“Dad.” I startle, turning around to see him leaning against my doorjamb. It’s past seven, the office is cleared out, I let Jessica leave early today, and I was just finishing some work. I changed into a pair of leggings and a loose-fitting sweater so I’m comfortable on the drive. “I thought you were already home.”

“Nope. I had some phone calls to make.” He points at my outfit. “You weren’t wearing that earlier, were you?”

“No. I changed. Heading to the cabin for the weekend. Need a little R and R.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear it. One of the things I wish I did more when I was younger was take a breather. I don’t want you running yourself ragged.”

“Yeah, I’ve been feeling it lately.”

Having worked until eight or nine at night all this week, I’m starting to drag, and it’s showing in my work, in my meetings, in my whole life. I made the decision quickly and was going to ask Jason to watch the plants for me, but of course, he found a way to include himself in the trip. When Lindsay started texting me like a madwoman, asking me what was happening and why she’s uprooting her child so I can go north with Jason Orson, I knew his ticket to the cabin was stamped.

I told her we’re friends, and we are . . . we’re friends who like to annoy each other. I’ve been trying to find an easy way to start dating this man, maybe ask him out to dinner, but for the life of me I can’t get up the nerve. How reminiscent of college days when I couldn’t find the courage to even talk to him. Plus, odd as it might sound, I like how things are right now. I have some time with the Carltons while they’re away on vacation.

I got an email from them Tuesday night saying they were going to take a small trip to Vermont. They wanted to sit down, relax, and consider their options now that they’re aware I have someone serious in my life—but when did business deals revolve around personal lives? And I can’t help but wonder, if I were a guy, would this be a factor?

Either way, after I got their email I started wondering when I last went to our cabin. It had been a mini vacation after an intense infrastructure summit in California. Considering how overworked I felt, and also how hard I’d been working Jessica, I knew getting a small rest away from the office was a wise choice. Although, it won’t be as quiet as I’d anticipated . . .

“Did you have Anderson clear out the cabin and stock it up?”

“Yes. He was very sweet and even sent pictures to make sure everything was in order.”

“He’s a good man.” My dad steps away from the door and walks over to me. He pulls me into a hug and presses a kiss to my forehead. “You sure you know what you’re doing? I’m afraid you got yourself into a pickle with this Jason thing.”

I can understand his nerves over the situation, because I’m feeling the same concern. Not only because I lied to the Carltons, but because I like Jason.

“I know, but if it makes you feel better, he’s about to pick me up… we’re going to the cabin together.”

My dad steps back. “Really? Well, who says I want my daughter going to a cabin with a man for the weekend? I don’t even know him. He’s coming to pick you up?”

“Yes, but—”

“Perfect.” He buttons up his suit coat. “I’ll go down and meet him.”

“Dad, no. That’s not necessary.”

“The hell it isn’t. I need to make sure he’s a man of integrity.”

“Dad, I promise you—”

But before I can finish, he’s headed out of my office and toward the elevators just as I get a text from Jason.

Jason: Honk, honk. I’m here, sweet cheeks. I’m parked where you told me to park. Luggage is in the back, snacks are ready, playlist is warmed up, time for a road trip.

Oh God.





“He’s parked in your spot?” my dad asks, walking faster than I’ve ever seen him walk.

“Yes, I had Mark pick me up this morning.” I catch up to him, thankful for my tennis shoes, rather than my heels I went to work in. “Dad, please be nice. He’s just a friend right now, has no idea—”