I hate that it has to end, even temporarily. Usually I enjoy business trips—something different, something to break the routine—but now I find myself wanting to keep this routine, keep it as long as possible.
I want to keep Iris here with me, at my house. I’ll even take Cleo, if it means I get Iris full-time. The strength of that want shocks even me, the sheer power of the desire for more of this. Now that I’ve seen her with Hailey, now that I’ve had her all to myself, I don’t want anything else. It’s like when Lisa and I first dated, that feeling of completeness when I’m with Iris. The absolute bliss.
Oh, crap—I’m in love.
This realization comes as a shock to me only because I haven’t known Iris for very long. I’d had more time to date Lisa and get to know her, but Iris is a whole different person. Our connection is deeper and formed faster than anything I’ve experienced before.
I wonder how Iris feels. I think about it for a bit, watching her in the glow from the streetlight outside the window, and I decide it doesn’t matter. Not yet. Let her decide how she feels in her own time. We’ve got forever, and if she’s not ready for the kind of commitment I want with her, then I’ll have to wait. Be patient. Take my time.
My alarm buzzes at three a.m., but I’m still awake. I shut it off quick, before it can wake Iris.
Damnit. Time to get ready and call a cab for the airport.
It takes everything I have to drag myself out of bed and away from Iris. Why can’t I take her with? Just bring her and Hailey, turn this business trip into a family vacation.
I sigh and head for the shower. If I keep thinking like this, I’ll never leave the house.
Though I try to be as quiet as possible, Iris waits for me when I get out of the shower. She holds the towel for me, wrapping it around my waist while she gives me a kiss. Sadly, she’s already dressed for the day. I don’t want to get her wet, but I can’t help myself; I pull her into my arms and hold her to me.
She looks up at me through her long, dark lashes. “Be careful while you’re gone, okay? You’ve gotta come back to that gorgeous girl of yours.”
“Which one?” A smirk stretches my lips, and Iris swats my arm.
“Hailey, silly! She needs you. I’m just a poor substitute while you’re away.”
My smirk dips into a frown at Iris’s self-deprecation. “Hey, you’re not a substitute for anything. Hailey adores you. I adore you. Don’t put yourself down like that.”
She blushes, that sweet pink hue, and I give her a squeeze.
“Okay, okay. No more of that. I promise.” She holds up three fingers, like a Scout salute.
I raise a brow at her. “Were you a Girl Scout?”
Iris giggles and lowers her hand. “Nah. I’m just making shit up.” She steps back, and the chill left in her absence makes me shiver.
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
She shakes her head and hands me a shirt. “Don’t worry about it. I was hoping I’d wake up before you left, anyway. Get to see you off and all.”
I put on the shirt, and when I look to see which one she’s given me, I almost burst into tears.
World’s Okayest Dad.
Before I can say anything, she hands me a pair of jeans and some boxers. “You’ll need these, too. I’m pretty sure airport security won’t let you get through without them.”
She waits with her hands clasped behind her back while I step into the pants. As I button and zip, she clears her throat and points to my crotch. “Speaking of airport security, how does that work? Does it, uh, set it off?”
I belt out a laugh and snatch her into another hug. “It’s small, and it’s titanium. It’s not going to set anything off. I won’t get strip searched for it if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Iris giggles. “Well, I didn’t know!” She leans back and looks up at me. “And speaking of things I don’t know: What exactly do you do for a living? What adventures are you off to for the next few days?”
Oh, shit! I didn’t realize I’d never told Iris what I do. It just never came up, I guess, and I was so anxious over finding someone I trusted to watch Hailey that I didn’t think to mention where I was going—or why.
“Nothing too exciting. IT. There’s a conference in New York that I’ve gotta attend. Every so often they drag us hermits out to those things.”
“That’s cool.”
Now she’s just humoring me. “IT conferences aren’t cool. They’re boring as shit.”
