THE CAMELLIA TAVERN

CHAPTER 31: TIME AWAY

Sunday, July 12

"I knew the husband did it," I say as Warrick and I exit the movie theatre Sunday afternoon.

"You did not," he says with a laugh.

"Ok, well, I suspected he might have done it," I amend my original statement because the movie ending was such a shock.

Warrick shakes his head and smiles. "Oh, I almost forgot. Before she left this morning to go back to Dothan, Rowan asked me to give you her cell phone number."

"Really?" I smile because that's really sweet of her and I think it's a sign that she likes me.

He pulls out his cell phone and sends me her contact info.

"She really likes you," he says, solidifying my suspicion that I made a good impression on her.

"I really like her, too. Who knew someone like you could have such a charming sibling?" I tease. He stops walking and pulls me to him.

"Someone like me?" he says with his gorgeous smile.

"Yeah, you know. The overly ambitious type," I challenge.

His eyebrows raise in surprise, "Overly ambitious, huh?" He leans in and kisses me and I realize that I am so beyond happy in this moment.

"Speaking of my overly ambitious nature, I need to be in Tuscaloosa for a bit at the restaurant, and then spend some time in Dothan. We're breaking ground on the real estate project there."

"How long will you be gone?" I ask, feigning coolness, but really the idea of him leaving makes me sad.

"A week unless something unforeseen happens and then maybe a little longer."

"Well, when are you leaving?" I say trying to hide the anxiety blooming inside me at the thought of him being gone.

"Wednesday."

I do the math in my head. He won't be back until the 22nd and I'm leaving for Birmingham on the 19th. I won't see him for a little over two weeks.

"But I'll be leaving for the summer program before you get back," I say, trying not to sound as disappointed as I actually am.

"I know," he says then pushes a strand of hair out of my eyes, "I'm sorry, Milly. I'll leave my key and the code to get into my house in Birmingham before I go. Anything you need, you can call me."

My heart is heavy. I don't want to be too needy, but the idea of being away from him for over two weeks feels wrong somehow and, yet, I know his businesses are a priority for him.

"Hey," he says trying to meet my eyes. "This is important. Otherwise, I wouldn't miss seeing you off before your program starts."

I know he means it and I also know that I have to accept that things like this are going to happen if I continue to be in a relationship with someone who is, well, just like I said--overly ambitious. Quite frankly, I've been surprised that he had so much time to spend with me over the last few weeks, and I'm extremely grateful for it.

I muster a small smile to let him know that I understand even though I'm actually pretty depressed about it.

He tips my chin up, forcing me to look at him. "It's ok that you're gonna miss me."

"Who said anything about missing you?" I say sullenly.

"Of course you'll miss me," his arrogance rears its head, making me giggle.

He drops me off at my house after the movie and I spend some time looking at grad school applications. I haven't really devoted a lot of time lately to them since I've been so preoccupied with Warrick, but the reality is, I need to start submitting my application to these programs while I actually have some spare time. Once fall semester starts, I'll have very little of it. I still can't believe this is my last year at EASU.