His

Chapter 26

Tally

I was texting Maria as we landed at the airport.

Maria: How was your flight?

Tally: Good, but I miss being on vacation already.

Maria: Well, Rob and I will be back in a few days if you want to hang out?

Tally: Sure.

Maria: Good :) Having dinner with Rob, text you later.

"You okay?"

I looked at Ryder and nodded. "I just didn't want to leave is all."

He smiled. "We'll go on another vacation, doll. I promise."

As I unpacked my luggage, I could see why Maria enjoyed not working. Getting paid for free rather than working an 8-5 job or for me, a 8-1 in the morning shift. 

I wanted to quit but at the same time, I liked making my own money. "You know you can go back, you know."

"What?"

"I can tell on your face, Tally. You aren't like the others, and I like that. You're a hard-working young woman and I admire that. But you agreed to this for financial reasons."

"This is only temporary, Ryder. I know that you'll want to find someone else eventually. Or maybe I'll get tired of this lifestyle."

Ryder scowled. "That's not true, but we can stop talking about this."

"This isn't a relationship, Ryder and you know that just as well as I do."

The only response I received was silence as Ryder walked away, leaving me alone in my bedroom. Around 10, I decided that I needed to go home. I went to his room and knocked on the door. "Come in."

I opened the door and sighed. "I think I'm going home."

Ryder nodded. "When will I hear from you?"

"It depends on how busy I will be."

"Sure."

I wanted to kiss him before I left but chose not to. I grabbed my car keys and my luggage, shoving my belongings in the car. 

*** 30 minutes later: I felt relieved to be home. I went to my room and unpacked my things, putting my clothes back in the drawers and went to the kitchen to pour a glass of wine and sat on the couch, turning on the TV. 

I never thought I would be happy to be alone right now. I thought I would be missing Ryder by now, but I realized that I didn't need a man to help me.