“You don’t have to be,” he said.
“You can’t promise that,” she argued. “There may be a time that you have to travel for work or family stuff. Or that I have to travel without you. Or you may be on a deadline and need to work half the night. And I won’t be able to function. It’s not healthy. Not for me or for you.”
He scowled at her but didn’t argue, which surprised her.
“Are you giving me the silent treatment?” she asked.
“No, I’m not. I can’t argue with that. It’s logical, accurate, and, goddammit, exactly the way I would feel in your shoes. I would hate being dependent on someone else to feel safe.”
“Exactly,” she said.
He grunted. “Doesn’t mean I like it, though.”
“I knew you wouldn’t.”
Dylan settled back down on his shoulder and put an arm around his waist.
“How long do you need?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Okay, well, the plants stay here. And the rest of your stuff,” he said. “I’m holding them hostage.”
She laughed, something she hadn’t thought she’d be able to do for a while. “It’s not like you won’t see me at all for the next week or two.”
“Maybe not, but you’ll have to come visit your plants every day or they’ll start to fade, so this is like insurance.” He paused. “Week ortwo?”
“Too short?” she asked, trying to sound innocent.
“I’m giving you a week. If you’re not over it by then, you’ll have to do some therapy or something. I don’t think I can sleep if you’re not here.”
Though she knew it was impossible for her heart to clench, that’s exactly what it felt like. Warmth spread through her chest.
“Am I like your teddy bear or something?”
“No, you’re more important than that. You’re more like oxygen or food. If I have to live without you for more than a week, I’m not sure I’ll make it.”
She hugged him. “Okay, then. A week it is. Seven days.”
“I was thinking more like a work week. A short one. Four days, maybe?”
Dylan pinched his side, making him curse. “Seven days, with an option for six.”
He grumbled but stopped arguing.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“For what?” he asked. “Being a sucker?”
“No, for listening and for understanding.”
“Surely that gets me one less day of separation,” he said.
Dylan laughed. “Be quiet and accept the compliment before you ruin it.”
“Fine,” he sighed. “Thanks for the compliment. And you’re welcome, even if I don’t like it.”
“That’s why it matters. You don’t like it but you’re willing to do it because it’s important to me.”
