Page 39 of With Wine Comes War

Great, a bar.I doubt it was Sebastian’s after what happened there with Tanner but I’m going to pry anyway.

“Try me.” I smiled.

“Um, Dejavu.” She said as she turned to look at me with a smirk on her face.

Oh fuck, she’s right, I hate loud ass night clubs worse than bars. Again, more Harrison’s scene. I wonder if I can get him and Amelia to go.

“Love that place.” I totally lied. There’s that eye roll again. I hate it when she does it in this context, but I love it when her eyes roll when I’ve got her in a more compromising position and I hope to get back there at some point.

“Is that right?” She said with irritation, insinuating I would stalk her. She’s not wrong.

“Yes. Do I have anything to worry about if I go?”

“Like what?”

More eye rolling. I had to bite my lip not to say anything about it.

“Like some random guy putting his hands on you?” I don’t think I should’ve said that, considering what just happened to her.

“I hope that doesn’t happen.”

Her face fell and I instantly regretted my line of questioning. This could pose a real problem if I go and see anyone touch her, dancing or not. Yep, I’ll definitely need Harrison with me to keep me from kicking the shit out of someone. I don’t think this is a good idea for her or me. At least I know who her friends are now.

“I do like your friends. I met them the other day at the office. Shay’s a sweet girl who cares a lot about you.”

I was desperate to change the subject. Talking about her recent incident is not really on my to do list.

She said with fondness, “Shay’s the best. I look forward to getting back in the office again and working on the Burrow Township Relocation Project.”

“I think they’ll all appreciate that.” Talking about her friends seemed to keep her feet on the ground.Good to know.

I rode the elevator up to my penthouse with her and said, “I’ll meet you in the lobby at noon. We’ll go out for lunch, so you don’t think I’ve locked you in the tower.” She giggled and I grabbed her, kissing her cheek as the doors opened. I gave her a light pat on the rear as she got off the elevator. She turned to give me her most irritated face then she smiled and winked as the doors closed.

Progress.

Chapter 10

ALEX

Well, telling me you’re going to be showing up on my night out takes the relaxation out of it. What the heck is with him? He’s more into self-torture than I am. At least I’ll have plenty of pent-up frustration with him annoying me at the club, but I didn’t factor in all the strange people that I’d be worried about hurting me. Well, that’s not until tomorrow, so I can just focus on these phone calls today. First thing on the agenda is to get to the gym andget this alcohol out of my system, not to mention that irritating text from my ex.

The gym was more relaxing than I thought it would be after what I put my body through yesterday. I did some cardio on the treadmill, swam laps and soaked in the hot tub. Roman was spot on; this hot tub melted the tension right out of my muscles. I stretched my arms across the edge of the tub leaning my head back running through all my thoughts of how to get what I want out of this court hearing. I’ve gone through so many court cases online trying to figure out the reality of what he could possibly get charged with. The information relayed to me from the police and my attorneys, only solidifies in my mind he isn’t guaranteed a thing even if he is found guilty. I’ve been told I’m not a credible witness because I couldn’t identify my attacker and even thought it was someone else. Roman, to be exact. The love of my life. I’ve spent the better of the last two weeks figuring out the best way to make sure he gets what’s coming to him. I’m not learning MMA for self-control. Self-control just happens to be a byproduct of learning MMA. The plan has to be executed just right in order for it to happen and no one is going to allow me to just get in the ring with Tanner. I have to find someone to help me, willingly, make this happen. The rest of the plan revolves around getting my attorneys to set it up and that could cost me more than money.

After the gym I let his shower work its magic on me. I mean come on now, would this life really be so bad?Oh, see that, losing focus already. Get your head out of the clouds, Alex, you’ve got shit to do.

First call is to Grant. I have to get back in the office and help him. I feel so bad leaving all the things I started on his shoulders. Grant picked up right away.

“Alex, good morning honey. What can I do for you?”

I could feel the love all the way through the phone and I missed being able to just spill my guts to him and know I was either going to get great advice or a compassionate scolding. I plopped down on the leather sofa and kicked my feet up, propping one arm behind my head as a pillow.

“Hey Grant, I think the question is what can I do for you?”

“Oh yeah, what’s going on?”

“I hear you need some help with a relocation project.”

“Well, you’d be correct. Is there anything else you think you could help with?”

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