Page 114 of One Bossy Date
“It’ll be tough, working at Windham’s without you.”
“Nah…you’ll get the hang of it just fine. You said so yourself, you have the intelligence. It’ll be a breeze once you’ve settled in.”
“You think?” he asked.
“Of course.” I zipped the laptop case closed and strolled over to sit across from him. “Dax. You might feel like a corporate sellout,” my brother chuckled, nodding his head, “but as long as you make sure that you’re doing the work you love, every day, you’re in control of your own happiness.”
“Is that what you’re doing? In Chile?”
I nodded. “Yes, it is.”
“Okay.” He appeared thoughtful. “As long as you’re happy.”
“Something on your mind?” I asked, knowing there wouldn’t be many more chances for us to talk openly in person.
He lifted a shoulder. “Just that you’re giving up a lot for your happiness.”
“What do you mean? I’m making the choice to go where I’m happiest.”
“But it seems to me like you’re giving up other things that make you just as happy.” I frowned at him, and he explained with a shrug. “You’re giving up this project you worked so hard to implement. You’re giving up time with your family—years of it. And Zoe, the only woman I’ve ever seen you truly give a shit about. Even the boys, Ares and Hades. They’re sad, man, they’re sad.”
“Your point, Dax?” I asked flatly, not wanting to deal with the emotions he was stirring up within me.
“Just that—I hope you don’t let go of what you really love in life, chasing something you think you love.”
I arched an eyebrow, unsure exactly what he was referring to—but of course, my mind went straight to Zoe.
“Dude, you’re perfect together,” he said. “From A to Z. Anders to Zoe. Get it?” Dax smirked, proudly proving his marketing brain, trying to cheer me up. He got to his feet, signaling that he was done with the deep talk. “I gotta get going, and so do you. I’m parallel-parked downstairs. I just need the boys’ leashes and their last few things.”
“Sure.” I helped Dax gather their food and bowls, stuffing it into a tote bag Zoe had left behind. Grinding my teeth, I tried to ignore the memories of her arriving home with groceries or new books to read in this very bag. Dax pinned their beds under one arm, and I clipped their leashes onto their collars, saying my final goodbye.
“I’ll visit you boys, I promise.” I pressed my forehead to each of theirs, trying not to bear the sadness of this significant farewell. I loved Dax, but leaving my dogs behind was a different kind of heartbreak on its own.
“Brother”—I pulled Dax in for a hug as he held onto the boys and their belongings—“you better come visit as soon as the green construction project is running smoothly, okay?”
“I will, man.” He gave me a small smile. “And don’t worry”—he lifted his chin toward the boys, both excited now by the sudden prospect of going on a walk—“I’ll keep them happy and distracted at all times!”
With a heavy but relieved heart, I let the three of them out.
* * *
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hello, dear.” My mom stood from the armchair she was seated in and moved closer to hug me. I’d come over to say goodbye and hopefully clear things up, not wanting to have her still angry with me when I left. Her housekeeper had let me in and told me she was in the home office.
“Look, I—”
“No, no. Hang on, dear, I want to say something first.” She gestured to the seat next to her and sat down. I followed suit. “Daxton came to see me. He said that he ought to get half the blame since he knew about your secret but advised that you keep it to yourself, even when you wanted to come clean to me.”
“No, it’s hardly his fault.” I shook my head. “He was just being thoughtful about the Humphries presentation.”
“Exactly.” She stared out the window, seemingly deep in thought. “Even though he was hiding something from me, he did it out of a sense of professional responsibility. He’s come so far.” She started to tear up, and I reached forward, taking her hand.
This chat had taken an unexpected turn, catching me by surprise.
“Yes, he has, Mom.”
“I see that young, free, devil-may-care Daxton again, it’s in his smile. I’m so proud of him, and I’m so proud of you.” With a sigh, she looked back at me. “I guess I wanted to say thank you, for finding a way to get your brother involved with the company.”