Page 69 of Roar for Me
“But I would miss you guys. And my family. Plus, my job is here.”
Carrie put her hands on her hips. “Like there aren’t any medical facilities nearby? Why don’t you see if anyone is hiring?”
“Maybe after Katie graduates,” Aurora sighed. “If she’s going to be out there, it makes more sense to move.”
“And you could always come back and visit. You could even keep the house!” Carrie waved around to make her point.
“She’s right. Also, jobs in that area pay a lot more.” Stacey called out from the kitchen. “Your quality of life might improve.”
“Space is limited in a condo though,” Lizzie pointed out.
“I should have him out here to see how much crap I would be bringing with me first. If that doesn’t scare him off, nothing will!”
The California sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows at San Francisco International. Duncan paced in front of the baggage claim. Every few minutes, he glanced at the flight information display system to see whose luggage was falling on the conveyor belt. His pulse raced—it had been a couple of months since he’d seen Aurora. Sure, they’d spoken every day since the gala, but he was counting on this trip to convince Aurora to move out here with him.
A familiar chatter rose above the din of the crowd. It was Katie, her dark ponytail bouncing along as she talked to her mother. A grin spread across his face as they came into view.
“Roar!” he called out as he jogged to meet them. Aurora looked up and waved as she spied him. After dodging several other people on his way to her, she ran into his arms, and he lifted her off the ground.
“Duncan! Don’t hurt yourself!” She laughed.
He put her back down and laid a passionate kiss on her lips.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he murmured in her ear, his arms still holding her tight.
“That’s quite a hello,” she gasped, still laughing.
Katie was giggling. “Hi, Duncan.”
“Hey! How are you?” Duncan took one arm off Aurora and wrapped it around Katie’s shoulders.
“I’m so excited!”
“I bet you are.” The three of them walked toward baggage claim, Duncan with his arms wrapped around them. “Let’s get your bags and get out of here.”
Duncan parked his Hyundai hybrid in its assigned spot in the garage and turned off the engine. “Home sweet home.”
Aurora felt a little sick. “That’s a lot of highway driving.”
“Yeah, they drive fast around here. You get used to it.”
She nodded and stepped out of the car. Katie was already pulling their suitcases out of the car. “Katie, let me help with that,” Duncan said as he shut the door.
“I already got them out!” She even had her mother’s carry-on bag strapped to her suitcase.
He looked at Aurora. “Why doesn’t she letmedo that?”
“Because I taught her she doesn’t need a man to lift anything for her.”
“Of course you did.” Duncan winked at Aurora. “But you’re still my guests.” He headed for the back of the car.
“Can I take one of them?”
“Sure, you can take Mom’s.”
“Thanks, Duncan.” Aurora held back a smirk.
“My pleasure. The elevator is this way.” He took Aurora’s hand, and Katie followed them.
