Just in time, my phone went off.
Dr. Nathan:Pups miss you and I’m thinking it’s because Tiffany keeps mixing up their toys and food.
Morina:I miss them too. I can come by tomorrow. Life has been crazy.
See,these were my passions. People committed to what they loved and believed in.
“I don’t think I’ll have time to read all that.” I scratched the side of my face and shoved the papers to the other seat.
“Honestly, I feel the same way you do–go in blind and figure it out as you go. That’s what people in the past did. Yet, Bastian handles most of the business side of things and he’s adamant that it’s important.”
I snorted, not agreeing to anything.
When I got to my grandma’s, Dante came in with me and sat as I packed another suitcase. I grabbed too many crystals, a salt lamp from the spare room, my bracelets, and lots of toiletries. A couple weeks of clothing was all I would need for now. I’d be back to change things out.
I glanced at a few plants I’d told my grandma I would water before she passed. They were all shriveled up. I groaned and shoved two pots under my arm and the other on top of my suitcase.
“I’m ready.”
Dante glanced up and nodded before looked over the living room. “You’d get a good sale on this place right now if you’re interested in putting it on the market.”
I turned on my flats to try to take an objective look. Granite counters. Wood floors. She’d maintained her home without aging it.
“Yeah,” I said softly. “I don’t know why I’m hesitating but it feels like she’s still here. I don’t know. It’s only been a few weeks.”
“I get it.” His voice matched mine and when he clapped a hand on my shoulder, it was warm with comfort. “Don’t rush things. The universe will work with you.”
I nodded. For all the crystals and beads and salt lamps I had, I knew I should believe him. Dante was a man who probably could reiki the hell out of someone. He’d done it to me just a week ago. I wanted to trust the universe and maybe having him as a friend for six months would help. “This whole arrangement is going to be a hell of a lot, huh?”
“Probably.” His chuckle was deep as he took the suitcase and plant without so much as toppling the pot. He walked toward the door and pointed at the plants under my arm. “It’s going to be hell trying to get Bastian to keep those too.”
“Oh, come on.” I blew a raspberry. “They’ll bloom right back up when I give them some water.”
His chuckle turned to a laugh as he came back to grab my salt lamp. “Let’s go dirty up this man’s place, huh?”
We loaded the Rolls Royce and left, passing the town and the company where most of the town worked.
Twenty minutes later, we’d arrived.
“Is there a parking spot for me?” I asked as Dante keyed in a code and the garage opened. “I’d like to get my pickup here so I can go when I need to.”
“We’ll make sure you have one. It can be right next to Bastian’s here.”
He drove to a spot surrounded by metal walls and another set of doors. I wide eyed it all. “A garage within a garage?”
He shrugged. “Bastian likes his privacy. This gives access to a private elevator too.”
“Private jets and private elevators. A lot of things the man needs to hide.”
Dante’s dimples popped out with his smile. “He’s not really hiding all that much from you specifically. He was followed as a child because his father was infamous, Morina. Bred to be a leader. Homeschooled for security purposes and then made enough partnerships that even the paparazzi follow him now.”
I scooted toward the door and Dante opened it for me. I didn’t know how to take what he said, so I kept quiet. Bastian and I didn’t grow up at all alike. We’d had one fun night, and now we had to try to merge our lifestyles for months.
We lugged my stuff out of the car.
Dante left the suitcases. “A doorman will bring up everything.”
“Well, I’m taking my plants and salt lamp.” I hugged them closer.