Page 42 of With Wine Comes War

I smiled and said, “I think that’s a great idea. I’ll email Amelia and set that up for next week.”

***

ROMAN

Amelia came in to go over my schedule for the day. I guess I could start by asking her to go to that club tomorrow.

“Amelia, I have a favor to ask of you and Harrison tomorrow night.”

“Ok, what’s that?” She looked up from her computer and tipped her head to listen. How do I ask this without sounding like a stalker? Hmmm, guess I don’t.

“Alex is going to a club tomorrow night and I’d really like to keep an eye on her. I wish she’d just go with me, but she's still being stubborn and I feel like she’ll get herself in trouble in a place like that.”

“So you don’t want her to meet any guys?” Of course not. That was a stupid question.

“That’s besides the point, I don’t know what else to do. She’s making me completely irrational.” Amelia laughed, but it’s not funny to me. She’s literally making me nuts.

“Well, the day she saw you at Benita’s, I made a comment that I was glad you were eating– she freaked out. Wanted to know why you weren’t eating.” Sounds like she’s as worried about me as I am about her. Wish I knew what her deal was then. Am I cleared in her head yet or not?

“Yeah, I don’t get it, but she’s gonna start seeing my mom again. That seemed to help. If she wanted to break things off completely she wouldn’t see my mother for therapy or be in my penthouse right now, right?”

“What?” Her eyes flew open and her mouth hit the floor.

“She spent the night last night? Is she spending the night again tonight?” She looked really concerned. “Do you think that’s a goodidea? I mean you’re both torturing each other like this.” You got that right.

“I know it feels like some S&M mind fucking. Sorry.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, you’re completely right. You’re both going to need therapy.” I kept laughing as the door opened.

Harrison came in and dropped down in the chair in front of my desk next to Amelia, “This doesn’t sound like work in here, what did I miss?”

“Roman would like us to go clubbing with him tomorrow night.” As Amelia explained, Harrison’s eyes got wide with excitement.

He exclaimed, “Uh Hell Yes! Which one?” Does it matter? They all suck.

“DejaVu.” I said without an ounce of enthusiasm because I really didn’t want to go.

“I love that one. That’s the first club I took Amelia to.” I looked at her questioningly.

“You like clubs?” She smiled and nodded. Learn something new everyday.

“That’s why I’ve never had to worry about running into you, out. We don’t frequent any of the same places.” That’s for damn sure.

“Yeah, would’ve never thought you were a club girl.” I mean, I can’t say I’ve really ever thought anything about her. She’s been a bit of a mystery to me and kept quiet mostly. Until she started dating Harrison that is.

Harrison asked, “Wait, why are you going clubbing?” Good question.

Amelia snorted, “He’s babysitting Alex, but she doesn’t want him there.”

Harrison said, “Oh this should be fun. What are you going to do when she’s grinding on some dude?” Amelia shook her head at him. He threw his hands up.

“What? I need to know if I’m going to have to break up a fight. My brother’s a hot head, I’m trying to be proactive here.” He wasn’t wrong.

“Actually, my plan was to bring you to keep that from happening.”

“Ok, I’m cool with that but I’d prefer you ignored her and had your own fun. We know she doesn’t want to see you with another girl. She thinks she’s got some kind of control over you. Turn the tables on her. Clearly you’re both fucked up so you might as well have fun with it.” My little brother is such a bad influence, but he sure is fun.

Amelia was shaking her head in disgust. “Wow, you’re all kinda fucked up if you think this is a good idea.” I winked at her and smiled. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into dating one of the King boys.

---