Page 18 of All I Desire

A full grin has spread on my face, because I’m recalling how Natalia peppered me with questions about what it’s like to fly choppers. “Maybe it will. And yeah, maybe Chad did, for once in his life. Who knew that his obsession with trolling for waterfront investment property would lead to something good?”

“Who were you paired with?” Now Yvette is grinning. She knows me too well. When two people have been in each other’s orbit for as long as we have, it’s hard not to fall into old conversational patterns — both good ones and toxic ones.

“A local. She’s a jewelry designer.”

She raises an eyebrow. We can joke like this now, thank Christ. I know all about her boyfriend, even like the guy — after I did a full background check on him. Can’t have my daughter around a pervert.

“The ad said something about chemistry. Did you feel any?”

I shrug and smirk, then climb to my feet, yawning. “Quite possibly. We’ll see. What time you outta here?”

Even though my ex and I are on friendly terms, I don’t particularly want to share tales of lust with her, either.

“I’m going to try to catch a few hours of sleep, then Carson’s coming to pick me up. Our flight’s at six out of Miami.”

Carson’s her boyfriend; he’s a flight attendant.

“What’s the route?”

“Sao Paulo.”

“Sweet. Layover?”

“We’re staying two days.”

I scratch my chest. “Enough time for a caipirinha on the beach. Text me when you land. Safe flight. Say hey to Carson for me.”

She raises her hand in a high five motion and I pat her palm with mine. “Night.”

“Night.”

I turn toward Chloe’s door.

“She’s in my room,” Yvette says.

“Ah. Okay.”

Tiptoeing across the living room, I push open the door to the master bedroom. Because it’s dark, I can barely make out the shape of my little daughter nestled in the big bed. I find her sprawled and snoring, having kicked off the comforter. Gently, I pull a sheet over her and press my lips to her temple.

She doesn’t wake. I smooth back her silky, brown hair. What’s life going to be like for her on Paradise Beach? Will she have an easier time in school there? Last year was so fucking difficult. For all of us —but for her especially.

Even now, thinking about the possibilities, and all that could go wrong, sends a pit of anxiety into my stomach. I kiss her again and pad out. Yvette’s nose is back in her phone, and we grunt another good night at each other.

I go to the guest room, shutting the door behind me. After taking a piss, brushing my teeth, and washing my face, I fall into bed. Instead of dropping off to sleep, I toss and turn, then finally reach for my phone.

The bright screen makes me squint as I navigate to Natalia’s number.

Hey you. Made it to Fort Lauderdale.Hope you had a good rest of your night.

Her response comes almost immediately. Hi! That’s a relief. It’s kinda spooky driving across Alligator Alley alone.

I shift onto my back, grinning. You should see what it looks like from a cockpit. Pitch dark.

For the next hour and a half, we text like teenagers, and when she texts goodnight for the final time, I finally fall asleep with a huge grin on my face…

* * *

NATALIA

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