Page 68 of The Sting of Love
I love Willow and this is the case of me doing what I need to, to keep her safe.
She asked me the other day who would keep her safe from me. The answer is me.
Chapter Twenty
Willow
“Are you okay?” I ask Lurlene the second she answers the phone.
“I’m peachy sweet girl.”
“Thank God,” I say and try to hold back my relief. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I am but, sugar, I was starting to worry,” she replies.
“I’m sorry I worried you. Our phones haven’t worked so well where we are,” I lie.
It was Armand that brought me the phone. Donny left after his shower, which was roughly ten minutes later. I didn’t wait in the room. I dragged on my clothes and headed to the room I’m calling mine while I’m here.
“You and your phone, Willow. You do know you left your bag at the restaurant right?With the phone.” She chuckles. “That man of yours,honestly. I guess he must not want you wasting time away from him talking to your worried aunt.”
I smile but instantly the dullness over my heart comes back. “We’ve just been busy.”
“Busy?” She giggles. “In bed busy, I hope.”
“Yeah.” I decide to say. It’s not exactly a lie with the night Donny and I had last night.
She seems satisfied with that answer. “I’m not complaining. As long as he’s taking care of my girl I’m happy. I like this guy Willow and I’m happy you worked it out. You need some adventure in your life.”
Jesus. She wouldn’t know the half of it. I guess adventure includes elements of danger. I’ve had it all. Bullets flying at me, being chased by men who wanted me dead, being kidnapped and nearly drowning.
I run my hand through my hair and sit down on the edge of my bed.
“Yeah. I guess so.”
“It’s good. Trust me it’s a good thing.”
I was starting to think so too. I know it’s not just my decision, but last night as Donny took me over and over again I was starting to see myself with him. Nothing else mattered. Not the dangers or threats. Just us. Then this morning happened and broke me. It’s not the same thing as William leaving me at the altar but it’s rejection all the same.
“When are you coming back?” Lurlene asks.
“I think maybe tomorrow. We’ll see.” I’m being as vague as I can be. I’m guessing from what Donny said it sounded like I’d be back with Lurlene soon, and have myfreedom.
That was how he put it and brought the situation to light. As he’d said that I wondered if I was suffering from some sort of Stockholm’s syndrome. Then I brushed it aside because I didn’t think that you could suffer from something like that if you’d been involved with your captor prior to the taking.
And I was really involved and at the place in my heart now where it was open to him.
“Cool. But…I won’t be at home until later in the day. I have another date with Lorenzo. I’m meeting his daughters,” she says.
I find myself smiling and I welcome the distraction. “Wow, really?”
“Yeah. It’s a big deal for me… I never do this. He has two daughters and they’re both visiting from college. I’ll be meeting them for a lunch date and I guess I’ll see how I feel.”
To me it sounds promising. She really never does this. It’s more the case of her trying as much as possible to have fun with her guys and keep them at some distance while she works out what to do next in the relationship.
“I like it.”
“Well, good, because if I like the feel of tomorrow, I’m going to introduce you to him too.”
