The Wrong Right Man(35)
“It was good, but there is nothing like having seafood while looking out at the bay. Have you ever heard of Fisherman’s Wharf?”
“I went to San Francisco once with my ex and he took me there, though we didn’t have the clam chowder. We went to some fancy restaurant with his father. Honestly, I don’t even remember the meal. I think I slept through most of it.”
She cracks a smile then gets a faraway look in her eyes. “Every time I go back home to visit my family, I make them take me there to eat as soon as I land.”
“What made you choose Seattle if your family is in California?” I know I could never be that far away from Jamie.
“I wanted to prove to myself and my family that I could survive on my own. So far, I’m doing okay, but I don’t know if I will stay here after my contract is up with IMG. My sister just had a kid, and I feel like I’m missing out on all the fun aunt stuff.” She pulls out her phone and shows me a photo of an adorable baby with chubby cheeks.
“He’s cute.”
“Right?” She looks at the photo herself then tucks it away in her pocket. “Do you have family here in Seattle?”
“My brother’s here.”
“That’s cool. Are you two close?”
“Yeah, very.” I smile. “He’s annoying, but he’s also my best friend.”
“I have a brother, so I get it.” She grins, and I grin back.
“Actually, he has a show this Friday and I promised him I’d show for a little while. Do you have plans?” I ask, hoping she says she doesn’t.
“My only plans involved me lying on the couch in my pajamas, eating junk food, and watching reality TV, so no.”
“Well, there won’t be junk food but there will be alcohol, and the groupies who show up when he and his band perform are more entertaining than any reality TV show you might watch, so you’re night will be the same minus the pajamas.”
“Sounds like a good time to me,” she says, checking her watch. “Darn, it’s already time to get back. I’m going to use the restroom really quick.”
“I’ll wait here.” Once she’s gone, I pull out my cell and notice I have a couple messages from Braxton and one from Troy. I let out an annoyed breath as I read Troy’s message explaining he didn’t see the point of mailing my box like he said he would a week ago, because he will be in the city tomorrow evening and wants to meet up to give it to me. Even though I have no desire to see his face, I tell him that I can meet him at the coffee shop near my building.
I exit his message and go to Braxton’s text next, chewing the inside of my cheek as I try not to smile as I read.
Braxton: I wish I could have taken you on this trip with me. I thought about kidnapping you more than once but didn’t think it would go over well. Call me when you get home tonight, I should be in my hotel by then.
I shake my head. I don’t know how I can be annoyed and enamored with him at the same time. I message him back, letting him know I will call but that he might not want me to, since I mostly want to yell at him about the watch I’m currently wearing. As soon as I press Send, he messages back.
Braxton: I like when you’re angry with me. I like it more when you let me have my way with you.
I message back, ignoring the way my spine tingles.
Me: I’m serious, Braxton. You really need to learn about boundaries.
Again, his response is immediate.
Braxton: We don’t have boundaries between us.
Gah, he really makes me want to scream. Instead of texting him back, I shove my phone into my bag then get up. I take Samantha’s and my trash to the garbage across the room then wait for her near the front door, ignoring my watch as it seems to buzz nonstop, laughing to myself. He might have been able to force me to wear it, but he can’t force me to use it, and I know that is really going to annoy him.
________________
I sit in the middle of my bed with a smile on my face after hanging up the phone. Sawyer Markel was more than willing to help me find a kid who could use the college money and told me that she knew the perfect recipient, a young guy who had lost his mother to cancer but still has managed to get almost straight A’s. He had a scholarship for Boulder University but still needed money to pay for room and board along with other necessities. After she told me about him I couldn’t have agreed more with her choice. I send Hanna an email with Sawyer’s information and explain the situation. Then with a smile still on my face I dial Braxton’s number. Once the phone starts to ring, I set it down next to my laptop.
“Dakota,” he answers, sounding tired. Not like he just woke up but just exhausted, like he’s been going nonstop.
“Have you stopped going since you left here?” I ask him, concern filling my chest.
“I’m in bed now, I’ve had meetings since my flight touched down.”
“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.
“I’m all right… and better now that I hear your voice.”
“Don’t be sweet when I want to be mad at you.”
“You don’t have to be mad at me. You can just tell me how much you miss me so I can tell you how much I miss you. And how pissed I am that I’m not going to be back until Sunday.”