“Okay, what is it?” I ask as I run the tips of my fingers up and down his back.
“I'm going to help you figure this out.”
I turn my face and look at him. “You don't have to do that. I'll figure it out. This isn't your problem.”
“Just because it's yours, doesn't mean you have to figure it out alone. I'm helping you, you can't stop me.”
I smile, knowing that he's just as stubborn of a person as I am. “Looks like I don't have a choice then.”
Dash smiles back, giving me gentle kiss. “Nope.” His arm curls over my stomach, and he pulls me in close. “We're going to figure this out together. You're never alone, Anna, not while I'm here.”
As we fall asleep together, I don't feel helpless or fearful. I feel like I have a warrior carrying me.
A warrior who will give me what I need and not ask for anything in return.
Maybe I've been wrong this whole time. Maybe asking for help isn't a sign of weakness.
Maybe everything I need is right here next to me.
9
Anna
I wake up alone. Dash isn't next to me. His pillow is cool to the touch. Pushing myself up in the bed, I rub my eyes and look around. There's a note on my nightstand. I reach over and pick it up.
Good morning beautiful,
I had to leave for work and you looked too perfect to wake up. But I know how to solve your problem. Don't worry, I'll explain it all later.
—Dash
The note brings an instant smile to my face. This man is incredible. The time on the clock beside my bed says it's six in the morning. Too early to start job hunting, but not too early to surprise Dash.
I throw my legs off the bed, deciding I'm going to bring him a coffee and breakfast. I throw on some clothes and a little makeup. Grabbing my purse, I head out the door.
The coffee shop around the corner is already open with a small line at the counter. I buy two coffees, a muffin for myself, and an egg sandwich for Dash. I noticed he likes those in the morning.
It's crazy to me how much I've noticed about a man I didn’t think I was paying much attention too. He enjoys egg and cheese sandwiches on a bagel. He likes his steak medium rare, and his favorite beer is a Sam Adam's Boston Lager.
He's a huge Red Sox fan, religiously listening to sports radio for updates when he misses a game on the television. His favorite color is blue.
Dash is a family man, he likes to help people, and he's confident. His hands are rough, but he's so gentle when he touches me. He likes to listen to music while he does the dishes, and his favorite dessert is ice cream of any flavor.
None of these things he’s said to me. I saw them with my own eyes and took note of every single one without even realizing it.
The bus comes to a stop a block away from his work. I walk the rest of the way, white paper bag tucked under my arm and a coffee in each hand. The building he works in is in the industrial park in the Readville section of Boston. I head through the main door, and spot him sitting behind the front desk.
“Hey,” I say.
Dash looks up from the computer and smirks. “Good morning, beautiful. What are you doing here?” he asks as he pushes back from the desk and stands up.
I raise the coffee in my right hand and look down at the bag under my arm. “Thought you might be hungry and in need of caffeine.”
“I did work up an appetite after last night.” Dash winks as he takes the coffee. He kisses me, making my stomach twist into knots. “What is it?” he asks.
“Bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel.”
“My favorite.”
“I know.” My lips curl into a grin as I reach in the bag and take out his food. “You eat it almost every day.”
“Yeah, I'm a man of habit in some ways.”
“So, I got your note this morning.”
“Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't wake you. I wanted to, but you looked so peaceful sleeping, I couldn't.”
“It's fine.” I take a sip of my coffee as our eyes connect. I can't deny I feel something for this man. Everything about him makes me smile. From his eyes to his lips, to the way he holds me, I can't get enough of it. “About that letter—”
“Yeah,” he says, taking a huge bite of his sandwich. With a mouth full of food, he holds up a finger as he chews and swallows. “I have a solution to your job problem.”
“I saw, I'm just not sure how so quickly.”
“Yeah, it hit me when I woke up this morning.”