Page 7 of All the Promises We Break

“Seven courses? Wow. This must be serious.”

“Look. Your dream really affected me. Not so much the content but the terror you woke up with. Bottom line is that I will do anything and everything to keep you from that look and feeling. We have to face what’s next together.”

“What’s next, Eli?”

“I don’t want to hide us from the world any longer. I’m proud I’m going to marry you. However, there are two key sets of people that need to know our reality.”

“Who’s that? You brought anyone that would need to know with you to witness my hot mess express.”

“Don’t say that. You were the freest I've ever seen you. It was beautiful.” I pull her hand to my lips for a soft kiss to cushion the next words from my mouth. “First, we need to talk to your parents.”

“Jesus, Eli. You want to go there already? Can’t we just enjoy this for ourselves right now?”

“We can, but here’s the consequence of doing that. If your parents, especially your father, find out that not only did you not tell him you’re working for the enemy, but you’re sleeping with and marrying him too, there could be a few landmines we won’t be able to sidestep.”

Dylan’s breathing becomes so shallow I start to wonder if it’s stopped. She slowly pushes away from my body to sit at my side. Her chin hides down as she stretches out her neck before she tilts her head to look at me. Her blonde locks frame her face in the wildest of ways. I slide my fingers up and over her ear to tuck a bit of it away so I can see her eyes.

“Will I still be working for you?”

“That choice is yours. I told you that. We can work out an agreement that will allow you to be on the team for the project that you’re the heart of. That aside, we are your father’s competitor. You’ve told him, in no uncertain terms, you did not want any part of his world.”

“I still don’t.”

“I know. I do, but he will see this as a play at first. I know Paul through business. Me suddenly becoming the son-in-law is not a punch he’ll see coming. That will be about me. I don’t want him to take that out on you.”

“If I’ve learned anything from watching my father, he does what he wants. He’s made himself a prestigious career out of doing just that.”

“What I don’t want is for him to find out some other way and come after AnSa. That will only antagonize the board, which is a whole other issue in and of itself.”

Dylan rests her hand back on my chest. “I’ve been so caught up in my head I didn’t think that far. Could you lose your position because of me?”

I reach up and gently skim the side of her face. “No. We don’t have a policy written prohibiting workplace relationships. However, I don’t think it’s ever been an issue until now. At least no one’s brought anything to my father or myself.”

“You’ve worked so hard for what you’ve achieved, Eli. You were born to do what you’re doing as much as I am for dance. I don’t want that taken away from you because of me, because of us.”

“Stop it. It won’t. I don’t want this to sound like it’s going to come out, but since the accident my filter has skewed anyway. My family owns the company. If my father and grandfather back this, even if the stakeholders raise an issue, I don’t think anything will come of it.

“I just want to be upfront and honest, like I’ve always been with them. I want my staff to know that favoritism has not and will not play into this. You’ve earned everything you’ve gotten at the office, regardless of any late-night boardroom meetings.”

Dylan tries not to laugh but that venture fails quickly. “One time. Technically it was only foreplay in the boardroom, and we brought the main event home.”

“True, but what a meeting it was. Seriously, Dylan,” I pause long enough to take her hand again, “call your parents and set up a time to talk. We can go to them. I’m going to be your husband. I owe your father that respect.”

Dylan

It takes me two days to make the call to my parents. My mother and father tag teamed the phone conversation. First came my mom. She was on the way back from yoga. I’d caught her in the car. She couldn’t stop talking about her session today and how calm she feels. I hope that mood will last.

She handed her cell off to my dad while she was off-loading her gear in the mud room. I could hardly hear him over the cabinet doors slamming and the dog barking. My father is suspicious by nature, which I could hear loud and proud in his voice saying, “Sure, you should come for dinner.”

I never ask for this and when I do I usually ask to meet near campus so the out for rehearsal or to simply run into someone I know to allow me to make a quick exit is an option. I’m sure they think this is going to be another fight about dance and my options after graduation. Well, at least this time, they’re not wrong.

I’m glad there’s a midweek gridlock on I-495. It gives me time to breathe. Nerves are not a thing when I’m on stage. I love the lights, the feel of my costumes, and the sound of the music. Where there’s music, there’s life. Eli knows this about me. Just like on the way to Vermont, he gives me control of the radio.

I let the sounds of metal try and vibrate the nerves I feel from my body as we ride on. As traffic opens and we’re able to drive faster, I can sense my anxiety build, no matter what I do, the closer we get to Circle Drive. I watch the GPS tick down the miles and the minutes until it’s spouting that we’ve reached our destination.

Eli parks at the end of the long brick path leading to the door. With the push of a button, the car is silent. He reaches over and takes my hand. “It’s going to be okay. I promise you. We’re going to do this together.”

“I literally feel sick. I have an awful feeling this will be a disaster.”

---