“Holy shit,” Sid agreed, reaching over to clasp my hand. “You did it.”
“I did it,” I agreed, my tone awestruck as I stared at the stereo. I turned to Sid, watching his profile until he turned his gorgeous blue eyes to mine. “Now I just have to keep doing it.”
“Baby, you’ve been doing it. Folks just started noticing.” He held my gaze for as long as was safe before returning his attention to the road.
“Thanks, babe,” I murmured, only loud enough for him to hear.
“Anything for you, sweetheart.”
He meant that, I knew he did.
I sat back in my seat, letting the rest of the song I’d written float over me. My phone rang, jarring me out of my reverie, and I looked down as an out-of-area number flashed on my screen.
“Brad,” I informed Sid.
“Fucking finally,” he muttered.
“Hello?” I answered, shooting Sid a look to behave.
“Sam, darling!” Brad’s voice sang over the line. “I’m so sorry. I know it’s taken me an age to get back to you.”
“That’s okay,” I replied, even though it really wasn’t. “I just needed to connect with you about the plan. Sid and I bought a house and we plan on moving in about three weeks.”
“Oh, honey, that is fantastic!” he exclaimed. “I have news as well. I met someone.”
Well, that explained the sudden drop off in calls and lack of commitment on a return date.
“Oh, yeah?” I asked as Sid shot me a questioning look.
“I think I’m going to stay.” He shocked me by adding, “in London.”
“Wow,” I replied, genuinely surprised. I hadn’t expected that.
“I’ll put the house on the market and have anything I need shipped. It won’t be much since Gerald’s place is quite a bit smaller.”
“So you’re not planning to come back at all?” I asked, my brow wrinkled.
Sid looked over at me in surprise.
“I’ll have to pay someone to take care of it,” he answered, his tone suddenly wary.
I sat through the tense silence that followed, knowing there was more to the story.
When he did break the silence, it was with such a loud wail I had to hold the phone a few inches from my ear. “He’s allergic to dogs!”
Well, that explained a lot.
A quiet, “Ah,” was about all I could manage, such was my shock.
“You probably think I’m awful.” He groaned. “I am awful. I feel terrible and so guilty. I truly do. But I fell in love with Gerald and with the city. After everything with Tom and living in that house that never felt right after we broke up, this is the fresh start I need. But I can’t imagine leaving her. It’s why I’ve avoided calling you.”
Despite my shock and lingering annoyance with his flightiness, I sought to assuage his guilt. We all needed a fresh start sometimes. “I know you love her,” I assured him. “I’ve become quite attached to her. Sid and I both have. We’d be willing to adopt her, if you’re okay with that.” I looked over at Sid to make sure he was okay with it.
He shot me a wink as I tried to contain the hope that was suddenly running rampant through my body.
“Adopt her. Like forever?” Brad asked, and I could hear the indecision in his voice.
What exactly did he think his options were? I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “Yes, forever. It’s not really fair otherwise.” I sighed. “I’m already really attached to her, Brad, and the more time that goes by, the harder it will be. I don’t want to wonder if you’re coming back or if I’m going to have to give her up at some unexpected time.”
After a weighted pause, he answered. “That’s fair. Can I think it over? For a few days? I’ve already gone around and around about this, but I don’t feel quite ready. I really think that little dog is my first love.” He sniffed.
I smiled sympathetically. Despite his flightiness, I had no doubt that was true. “Of course,” I agreed. “We’re out of town at a wedding, but I’ll try to keep my phone on me for the most part. I’m happy for you, Brad. I guess this means Tom’s little stunt didn’t pay off, huh?” I giggled.
“Oh, Lord.” He groaned. “No, definitely not. And thank you for being so understanding.”
“Sure thing. Talk soon.”
“Yes, bye.”
“Bye.” I ended the call and looked down at Trixie, who was curled up in my lap. “Well, I didn’t expect that.”
“Getting tons of surprises today, aren’t you?” Cade spoke with a deep a chuckle.
“I guess so. You okay with that?” I asked Sid.