“Agreed,” Dash chimes in. “A much-needed family holiday. The timing was appreciated.”
My mother hugs him and I hear her whisper, “I hope there will be many more to follow.” She eases back and says, “And I can’t wait for your tree decorating party Saturday night.”
We drop Bella off at her place and when Dash and I are alone, he says, “I needed that. More than you know.” His voice is rough with emotion and he squeezes my hand.
I lean over and kiss his cheek. He captures my head and kisses me properly. “I want to spend every holiday with you. You know that, right?”
“Good,” I whisper, emotions welling inside me. “Because I want to spend them with you as well.”
When I settle back in my seat, I think about that word “forever”, and decide that after all we have lived through together, it’s easy to see that forever isn’t always as long as we hope. It’s critical we embrace every day we have in the life we are granted. And I plan to do so with Dash.
It’s a long time later and Dash is working on his book while I look through the Christmas decorations Dash has dragged out of the closet for me, and I decide they’re beautiful. One ornament, a snowflake star made of glass has me sucking in a breath. Dash sits down next to me and says, “You like it?”
“I do,” I say. “It reminds me of an ornament my father gave me years ago. He didn’t always send gifts, but when he did, I was a mix of angry and happy I can’t really explain.”
“I have a pretty good idea.”
“Yes, I suppose you do. I want him to call me back and I don’t know why.”
“The same reason I wanted my father to call me. Our parents are a part of us.”
“Yes. I know. You’re right.” I glance at the star and then back at him. “They say you can wish upon a star and have a wish granted.”
“Isn’t that a shooting star?”
“My mother always told me to pick a star, any star, and wish. What would Bella wish for?”
“Something for someone else. She’s generous that way.”
“Very true. And what would you wish for?”
“I already have my wish, Allie. You’re here.”
I warm with these words, with the feeling of being with that person my soul has always known was out there but somehow, I’d stopped believing. Until that necklace had arrived with my name on it—with her name on it. I shove aside the moment and touch Dash’s cheek. “And I already have my wish. I’m here.”
“Then I’d call us very lucky,” he murmurs, stroking my hair behind my ear.
I shiver with his tender touch. “Then maybe we should wish for someone else,” I challenge.
“I wish for Bella to find someone special. Now, your turn.”
“I’m stingy with my wishes for other people,” I declare. “I want Queen Compton and my mother to beat cancer forever. I too want Bella to find someone special as well. And—”
“And?” Dash prods.
My mind goes to the woman who inadvertently brought me to Dash, who changed my life. “I wish for Allison to come home safely.”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Dash calls Bella on Sunday night and accepts one of the TV and film offers he finally feels right about. An hour later, another studio wants to fly into Nashville for one last plea for Dash’s rights. He agrees and a meeting is set for Tuesday night.
Monday comes first though, and that morning, Dash is eager to get our life back to normal. For us, that means I leave Dash at home working, deep into the final chapters of his book that I cannot wait to read. I stop by Tyler’s office, but neither he nor his secretary are in right now. As the day ticks by, there is no sign of Tyler.
Tuesday morning, repeat. I leave Dash at home, sprinting to the finish line of his book, perhaps today. It’s late afternoon when I manage a break from the chaos and stop by Tyler’s office, but not only is he still not in, apparently his secretary is on vacation.
Once I’m back in my office, I just go for it and punch his number on my cellphone.
“Yes, Ms. Wright?” he answers on the first ring.
“Are you okay?”
He appears in my doorway. “Why would I not be okay?”
I set my phone down. “I haven’t seen you. I haven’t heard from you. Even your secretary is gone.”
“I didn’t know I was required to check-in with you.”
“You’re very arrogant, you know that?”
His lips curve. “Most women call that hard to get to know. It’s mysterious and interesting.”
My lips curve. I think he’s joking. Then again, this is Tyler. Maybe he’s serious. “I’m not most women.”
“Yes, I’m exceedingly aware of that fact. How is Dash?”
“Good. Why don’t you ask him yourself?” I say, and do so with the mindset of healing old wounds. Death has a way of showing you how easily “the end” can appear in life, how easily regret is created, and opportunities are missed. It’s time to mend fences for everyone’s good.