Warmth spread across my chest as I watched my father give Malcolm a handshake and a hug. “We miss you around the office.”
“No disrespect, sir, but I don’t miss the office. I was meant to use my skills for this.” Malcolm grinned.
Mr. Jackson rubbed his hands together. “Then show me what the two of you did with those expensive degrees and my money.”
“Ourmoney,” I corrected, tempering my old irritation with humor. My father and I still had a way to go in establishing the kind of relationship I already had with Pops. But today was just the start. “I’m not in racing gear, although I’ll wear my helmet because I’m giving you a taste, and I need to take it easy.”
My father frowned. “You don’t have to do anything today. I’ll be at your next race.”
I shook my head. “Um . . . You’re here right now. I’ve been waiting a long time to show you.” I bumped fists with Malcolm. “One mind. One heart. One soul.”
“One mind. One heart. One soul,” he repeated.
I grabbed my helmet off the hood of my Mustang. When I slipped inside the car, I closed my eyes. An image of Kensie on the balcony in Miami flashed before my eyes. Instead of hurt or anger, the joy of love spread through me, and a peace I’d only experienced during the flow settled over me. I opened my eyes to clarity and pressed the ignition. Soon, I was one with the wind again.
Chapter 35
Kensie
I reread the contract for the fifth time, in disbelief at the amount I’d been offered for the rights to my book, based on the research I’d done for my dissertation. I squealed and danced around my townhome. It’d been a little more than a week since my confession and seven weeks since I’d returned from Miami. I still missed Canaan something awful, especially at night. This contract would greatly help alleviate my heartbreak, as I was expected to fly to New York to work out all the details with Random House. An all-expense-paid trip to New York because of something I wrote.
Saraj had been right when he said I didn’t know how far my research and writing could take me. He’d proven it by taking the chapters I sent him when we were still talking and drafting a query for a literary agent, who sent it to several publishing houses without my permission. Saraj sent an apologetic note along with the contract by courier to my townhome this morning.
I wanted to call him and celebrate, but stubborn pride and simmering anger kept me from reaching out. I collapsed on the sofa, still holding the contract in my hand while picking up my cell in the other.Would Canaanbe happy for me? Would he answer the phone?I stared at my cell, my stomach in tight knots.CanI handle it if he doesn’t pick up ornever calls me back?It was now the final stretch of July, and the heartache hadn’t lessened one bit.
When Canaan’s name suddenly appeared on my ringing phone, I dropped it. I blinked rapidly and searched my living area.Am I awake?I placed the contract on the table and answered my cell, trying not to sound breathless. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
I closed my eyes, savoring the sound of his deep voice that immediately reminded me of our mutual fiery lust.
“You got a sec?” Canaan asked.
“Yes.” Damn, I sounded desperate, barely waiting for him to finish his question.
He chuckled. “Wanted to thank you for my father.”
“He called you?” I smiled at the happiness radiating through the phone.
“Better than that. He saw me drive, and we hung out for a while yesterday. He told me that you showed up at his job, bossing him around. I said it sounds like her.”
“You’re such a comedian,” I giggled, holding the phone tight. “I’m happy for you and so glad you’re driving again. I was holding the phone, thinking about calling you, and actually dropped the phone when your name flashed across my screen.”
“You can call me anytime.”
“You too.” I curled up on the sofa, hoping we could talk longer.
Canaan asked, “Are you home alone?”
“Like Kevin?” I joked, referencing theHome Alonemovies we both loved.
“Still corny,” he mused.
“Um . . . I’ll have you know that my jokesalwaysstick.”
“Right.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “I want to see you to talk in person if you have time.”
“Like now?”
