Because I Can (Necklace Trilogy 2)

I text him again: I’m not going to drop the ball on the auction. I’m committed to my commitment. Can we meet?

He replies with: My office, Monday morning, eight am.

I reply with: Can we talk sooner than later?

His answer is simple and fast: That is sooner than later.

I give up. He wants Monday. Monday it is. I set down my phone and sip my coffee. Dash glances at the coffee cup as if it’s just arrived, picks it up, and lifts it in my direction. “Thanks, baby.”

I smile and lift my cup to him. Dash stares at me a moment, his expression unreadable before he seems to force himself back to his work. If only I could crawl into his head and read his thoughts.

Turning my focus to my MacBook, I intend to key up my work email, but somehow, I end up on my iMessage, finding the text message Bella sent us earlier with the details on Allison’s Instagram. I click on the link and Allison’s page loads. I’m a bit stunned to discover thirty thousand followers and I’m eager to find out why. I’m also struck by just how pretty Allison is in the photo of her next to her Instagram name, “A southern girl and her cat.” Even more so when I scan down to the last photo posted, which is of her and her kitty. With long dark hair, and a complexion of ivory perfection, I decide Allison isn’t pretty. She’s beautiful. No wonder Tyler was enamored with her, and even broke his rules, about dating someone from the office to be with her.

She’s stunning.

And so is her kitty.

I click on the photo of her and her kitty, who is also a pretty girl with white fur and striking blue eyes, to read: Have you ever had one of those moments when you realize you like most animals more than most of the humans in your life? Humans often disappoint me, especially as of late. Animals never do. Animals don’t judge you or desert you. They don’t lie to you. They don’t ignore you. They will always be there for you, always love you, always be happy to see you. Love an animal today. I promise you, you’ll be loved in return. #Balinsekitty #Balinesecat #animals #bestfriendsareanimals

I stare at the post, reading it again, and I read the familiar heartbreak beneath the words. Someone hurt her. Someone betrayed her. And now, she’s gone. I’m not sure what to do with that.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I glance up to find Dash focused on his computer, too much so for me to tell him what I’ve found out about Allison, which really isn’t that much at all anyway. I find myself curious about where she was before she was here in Nashville? Or was she always in Nashville? For some reason, I think no. Maybe she’s back home, wherever home is for her. What if she has no one to go home to? I think again. If I’d lost my mother, that would be me if something went wrong in New York. I shove away that thought. I’m not going to lose my mother. I’m not. She is over her cancer.

With my stomach in a knot, I grab my phone, and text my mother: Waffles and brunch, aside. How are you?

My attention is back on Allison’s Instagram feed. I decide to tab back through her past posts and read forward in an effort to get a feel for what changed for Allison between then and now. I find a post from a year ago. Allison is dressed in a sparkly black dress and her post reads: I’ve been in Nashville for only six months, but I already know that Nashville nights are exciting, wild, and always filled with something special. Tonight I have a formal work event and I have to tell you I’m feeling spoiled tonight in a dress and shoes by Gucci. I grew up in a humble home with a mother who was a nurse, and a father who was a computer programmer. I saved my money to go to the thrift store, and still go on occasion, there are deals to be found! Both of my parents are gone now, but I wish they could see me now. I’m thankful for new friends, fun nights, and so much more! Oh, and of course, my kitty, Mandy. What do you feel thankful for tonight?

Her parents are gone and that only makes her question to her readers all the more impactful. What do I feel thankful for?

I eye Dash, and warmth fills me. Everything with Dash feels different than anything I’ve experienced in the past. Every moment with him is exciting, passionate, fun. When has a man ever been fun to me? And every moment we’re together doesn’t feel like it has to be entertaining. I’m comfortable to just exist with him. More importantly, I realize, I’m comfortable with myself when I’m with Dash.