Page 94 of At First Smile
Face tilted up, her hand trails up my body and rests on my cheek. “You didn’t, though.”
I swallow thickly. “I’m no hero, Pen.”
“And I’m no damsel.”
My thumb swipes along her jaw. “You’re certainly not. You’re so brave, luv. You faced him today. I was just your backup.”
“My teammate.” A sweet smile curves her lips. “I promise not to hide things like this from you again.”
For what feels like forever and still not enough time, I just hold her. The gentle thud of my heart melds with the cadence of her breath. Muscles relaxed, she slumps against me nearly asleep. At least, I think…
Until she whispers, “Can we get GB and go home?”
“Yes.” I kiss her temple and then head to my condo to pick up GB, so we can then drive home.
It’s not technicallyourhome, at least not mine, but as we get closer to that lavender cottage by the shore, the tension drains from my body.
And the moment she’s curled in my arms, naked and sated, the gentle ocean breeze through the open window licking along my bare skin, I know I’m home…as long as this woman is beside me. I may not be a white knight, but I’m hers.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Just Nice?
Pen
“Ibrought you this.” JoJo appears at my office door, a piece of cake in her hand. “It’s Meeka’s birthday, so I snagged a corner piece.” Meeka is our colleague from PT, and JoJo knows I prefer the corners because there is more icing on them.
With a tentative smile, I nod. “Thanks.”
Placing the cake in front of me, she plops onto one of the Windsor-style chairs opposite my desk. “Not to be all social work colleague on you, but how are you doing?”
A hard breath rushes out of me. The emotional popcorn popper of the last two weeks is dizzying.
HR’s harassment investigation of Alex ended before it truly started. Five days into the investigation, he resigned from the hospital. The cover story is that he accepted a position at a facility in Texas and would be doing some traveling before starting there in the fall. Despite the spin on Alex’s story about his broken heart after I dumped him for a famous hockey playerwho assaulted him during the MVP event, several staff went to HR with reports about his stalkerish behavior over the last year. Things he’d done while we were in a relationship and after. Many of which I had no idea about and those still cause a shiver down my spine, including his trying to convince maintenance to let him into my office on three separate occasions.
“Well, at least today’s his last day at the hospital,” JoJo states, forking a bite of cake.
“Is that why you’re here?” My eyebrow ticks up. “Playing guard dog?”
Despite security being made aware of the situation, and HR telling Alex that under no circumstances should he approach me at the hospital, I’ve been on constant guard. My muscles tighten with each click of dress shoes along the hospital’s terrazzo floor, or the scent of that expensive spiced cologne Alex always wears. He’s kept his distance, though.
Still, I remain hypervigilant, letting people know where I am, providing regular check-ins via the group thread with the girls or messages with Rowan, and avoiding being alone. After the MVP event, I even contacted the police about a stay-away order. Until he’s gone, Rowan or JoJo takes me to and from work most days.
It’s all for my safety, but this entire situation strips away my long-cherished independence. I broke up with Alex because he wanted to control me, to keep me in a cage. Right now, it seems as if he’s succeeded.
“Is Rowan picking you up today?” JoJo licks frosting off her fingers.
“Yeah.” A small, grateful smile remains on my face, despite the sigh.
“Babes…” JoJo reaches across the desk and squeezes my wrist. “I know this is hard for you, but it’s only temporary.”
Eyes closed, I lean back in my chair. “I know and I’m so appreciative of everyone’s support. You’ve all been amazing.” My eyes open. “I’m not trying to be ungrateful, I just…”
She jumps in when I don’t continue my wish. “Want your freedom back, and youwillget it. You’ve taken the first steps. You reported him. You’re going to therapy.”
“I have my first appointment with Dr. Bath this afternoon, before Rowan and I head to the airport.”
In the last few weeks, Rowan has been my North Star. He may say he’s no white knight, but his actions prove otherwise. Somehow, he navigates the tightrope of being there for me, while letting me do things on my own. As much as this situation with Alex makes me feel powerless at times, Rowan continually offers support without diminishing the control I’m trying to regain.
