Page 65 of Surrender
Dallis watched as Arsyn knocked on one of the walls in the master bedroom. “How thick are these walls?”
“You won’t have an issue with privacy,” Julie, the guide, informed him. “They’re pretty thick, but that wall is connected to the other tenant’s laundry area as the units are flipped.”
“I like it,” Arsyn responded, and Julie smiled at him.
“I’m happy to hear it. We can do the paperwork now if you’d like and set a move-in date.”
Arsyn nodded, and the three followed Julie out of the condo, where they got on the elevator and made their way back down to the office. As Arsyn filled out paperwork, Dallis continued planning his Valentine’s Day trip.
19
Dallis held Colbie’s hands in one of his as he wheeled their suitcase behind him. It was a little before seven, and they’d just landed in Cabo San Lucas a little while ago. Since they were only staying for the weekend, Colbie had suggested they pack together. That was after she’d stopped telling him that he didn’t have to take her anywhere for Valentine’s Day.
Releasing Colbie’s hand, he flagged a taxi. Dallis placed their suitcase in the trunk before sliding into the backseat after Colbie. He gave the driver the address of where they’d be staying. Dallis had been able to book an apartment that was pretty much in the center of everything. So, they’d be able to walk if they needed to.
As the taxi took them to their destination, Dallis watched Colbie as she looked out the window at the passing scenery. She’d told him she hadn’t been before when he’d asked her, and Dallis had already decided to bring her back over the summer when they’d be able to stay longer.
When they pulled into the apartment building, Dallis paid the driver before he and Colbie got out, retrieving their suitcase.
Dallis led the way inside, going to the elevator across from the doors. They didn’t have to wait long for it, and once inside, Dallis pressed the button for the fourth floor. He’d received instructions from the owner, and it was like any other standard rental he’d stayed in.
He keyed in the code outside the door to apartment four fifteen, b.c. Dallis chuckled a little because the letters had been an add-on; he was sure by the owner.
Pushing the door open, he allowed Colbie to walk in first. From the door, you could see the entire common area. Dallis hadn’t gone for anything large since it would just be the two of them. So, when you walked in, you first saw the kitchen and the living room. There was a bar that served as a divider and a place to eat meals, but for the most part, it was all open—the far wall of the living room housing floor-to-ceiling windows.
He followed Colbie as she took in the area before making her way to the right side of the apartment, where the bedroom and bathroom were.
The bedroom was large and housed the same windows. It contained a king-sized bed, which was the only feature Dallis really needed in the entire apartment. There were two separate bathroom entrances, one within the bedroom and the other from the short hallway. He figured it was because the apartment could sleep four people since the sofa was a pullout.
While Colbie made her way into the bathroom to look at it, Dallis placed their suitcase by the dresser, going over to the windows instead. They were close to the beach, which could be seen from where he stood. It was one of the reasons he’d booked that particular apartment.
A few minutes later, he felt arms wrap around his waist as Colbie laid her head against his back.
“Thank you. This is really nice,” she told him, and Dallis turned, leaning down to kiss her. He could have told her she didn’t have to thank him like he so often did, but he knew that she still would, so he refrained from doing so. “Do you want to go find somewhere to eat, or do you want to order in instead?” she questioned when they pulled apart.
“Let’s go out and find something,” he responded. He wanted them to spend as much time out, doing as many things as they could over the next forty-eight hours.
“Okay, let me change my shoes,” Colbie replied, removing her arms from around his waist.
She’d changed out of her work clothes before they’d left. Dallis had told her that while the average temperature back home in Chandler was warm for February, Cabo San Lucas would be even warmer.
Once Colbie had changed her shoes, Dallis double-checked that he had his wallet; while she grabbed her purse, she’d sat down on the bar when they entered, and they headed out.
They took a left outside of the building. Colbie slid her hand into his as they melded into the cluster of other people.
The smell of food began to invade Dallis’ senses after about fifteen minutes or so of them walking, and it was then that he noticed they’d ventured closer to the beach. There were several different food stands right off the sand and a couple of restaurants. Dallis didn’t mind where they went, so he allowed Colbie to choose.
They ended up at one of the restaurants, and Colbie requested a table on their patio. They hadn’t been seated long before their server came over and took their drink orders.
“Do you know what you’re going to order?” Colbie questioned him after a few moments.
“I’m going to order whichever of the two things you’re having a hard time deciding between that you don’t order,” he responded with a smirk because he knew that was why she was asking. Colbie scrunched her nose at him playfully, and Dallis chuckled.
“I don’t like that I’ve become predictable,” she told him.
“You aren’t. I pay attention to you, baby,” he responded. “Now, what am I ordering?”
When their server returned with their drinks, Dallis let Colbie place their orders. Once they were alone again, Dallis reached across the table, playing with the ring on Colbie’s finger. Several students in his class had asked her about it when they’d returned after Christmas break, and she’d simply told them that her boyfriend had given it to her.
