Page 14 of I Did Before I Do

Bay.

She looked so pretty. All of her pictures showed her laughing, smiling with friends, or enjoying a colorful cocktail.

God, I missed her.

I clicked on her most recent picture, tapping the little heart under it.

“Wish you were here, Bay,” I mumbled, shaking my head.

Daisy bumped her head against my leg. I leaned to pet her.

“Don’t worry, baby girl. I’m okay. Just being sentimental.”

Besides, dinner was ready. Time to stop reminiscing and unwind for the night.

I plated up my leftovers and opened a fresh bag of tortilla chips. With a beer in hand, I headed for the couch, Daisy at my side. I plopped down, kicking my feet up on the coffee table. Daisy climbed up next to me, lying down. Her tail thumped on the couch, and she watched as I ate dinner alone.

But still, I couldn’t get my mind off those papers.

I could just take a peek. Make sure everything was in order. Make sure my friends weren’t getting screwed on a bad deal.

Make sure I had enough time to figure shit out if I needed a new job.

I glanced at Daisy. “What do you think? Do we do something kind of illegal?”

Daisy looked at me. She woofed softly.

Good answer.

“All right. C’mon. We’ll walk out to the car together. Cover for me, yeah? If you see any of the guys, bark like you’re crazy.”

Her tail thumped harder on the couch cushion. She had no idea what I was saying, but she still agreed.

I grabbed her leash, clipping it to her harness. She pulled me toward the door, tail wagging.

We stepped out into the dark together. It was quiet. No cars were driving on our street now, and nobody was sitting outside. I led Daisy into the front yard, letting her sniff around and do what she needed to do, then turned to go to the car.

The envelope was in the front seat, right where I’d left it.

I grabbed it and brought it in. Daisy and I got comfy on the couch again, and I opened the envelope.

It wasn’t light reading, but I remembered enough to follow the document. It was… good.

Really good.

Benny had been right. Nothing to worry about.

But I did have some thoughts. This document could be better.

I’d have to make sure I told Sydney when I saw her.

* * * * *

I woke up early the next morning. Daisy and I split scrambled eggs for breakfast, and I cleaned up for the day. Since I was going to see Sydney, I wanted to look good.

Dark-wash jeans, fitted tight. A t-shirt that bordered on being too snug, with a leather jacket thrown over the top. Hair clean and combed but still a little disheveled.

Not bad.

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