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“Shedoes notneed to be alone right now,” Torie mentioned as though she’d read my mind. “What she really needs is to keep her mind occupied with something other than work and the kidnapping. The last thing she needs is more time to think or work.”
“I’ve been trying to make sure she has everything she needs,” I explained.
“And you’ve been doing a wonderful job as her advisor,” Torie agreed. “Physically, she’s getting stronger every day. Sadly, I think she could use another companion. Vanna and I are too close. She went through a lot of my recovery process with me. Now that I’m ecstatically happy with a wonderful husband, I think she’s worried that if she shares what’s on her mind, it will trigger me or make me unhappy. I think we both know that’s ridiculous, but in her mind, she never wants to see me like that again. I get that, Chase. It kills me to see her like this, too.”
“Maybe you are too close to the situation,” I considered.
She shot me a dubious look as she continued, “I’m not so sure you can be totally objective, either, but I think you could be one hell of a distraction to her if you wanted to be.”
“I’m not quite sure what you mean by that,” I answered.
“Oh, come on, Chase,” she said, sounding exasperated. “I know Vanna isn’t just some kind of project for you. You care about her.”
“Probably more than I should,” I replied, my voice graveled and rough. “But that doesn’t mean that she needs me to be in her face all the time, right?”
“Honestly, I think that might beexactlywhat she needs,” Torie said thoughtfully. “Vanna hasn’t had anyone except me who really cares about her in a long time. She was devastated when she lost her mom. I think she’s spent a lot of time running away from her loneliness. I think she became a workaholic so she didn’t have to deal with the fact that she had nobody and no close family left.”
“She obviously trusted Bradley,” I said defensively, still wanting to tear that bastard’s head off for hurting Vanna.
Torie snorted. “No, she didn’t. I think he was safe for her because he didn’t demand much of her emotionally. He hurt her and humiliated her, but it could have been a lot worse. She wasn’t in love with him, and they spent very little time in the same place. She deserves a whole lot better.”
“I’m not going to argue with you about that,” I told her. “But that doesn’t mean she wants to seemyface all the time, either. I told you what happened when I asked her to spend a day with me. She couldn’t get out of that hotel suite fast enough.”
I wanted to be her friend, but I also didn’t want to make her feel like shehadto accept my company if she needed her privacy.
“Self-preservation,” she threw back nonchalantly. “I don’t believe for a single second that she wasn’t tempted to accept, but she avoids any guy with a heart like the plague. Those actions are defense mechanisms, Chase. If she found a guy who was really crazy about her andwantedto be with her, I’m not sure she’d know how to handle that situation. She’s convinced that she won’t find anyone because she spends most her time wading through war zones and catastrophic situations in boots and dirty jeans. I guess she thinks all guys want supermodel partners who look gorgeous all the time.”
“You’re joking,” I said, dumbfounded.
“I wish I was,” she shared. “But you have to admit, you’ve dated your share of the supermodel type.”
“Only because they’ve been pretty plentiful in the world of fashion and the luxury products that Durand is famous for producing,” I shot back. “And as you’ve probably noticed, none of those relationships have worked out.”
“I think you’ve just never met the right woman,” Torie considered. “I’m not saying that there aren’t brilliant supermodels who know how to care about someone. But I grew up in the same world you did, Chase. Genuine people were the exception and not the rule in high fashion and luxury products. It’s a really competitive, cutthroat industry. Dad loved it because he appreciated quality goods, and he managed to blow off the rest of it. He played the game, but he was never emotionally invested in it.”
“Wyatt and I learned from the master,” I said drily. “Do you think we don’t feel the same way? The only thing that matters is the products.”
“I know you do,” Torie said softly. “I’m just saying that maybe it’s time to spend some time outside of the artificial glitz and glamor. Durand is just as successful as it’s always been. You and Wyatt don’t need to spend any more time proving that. I’m just saying that you may not find what you’re really looking for while you’re completely submersed in that world. Most of the beauty there is extremely superficial.”
Like I didn’t know that already?
“Maybe that’s why I’m not looking anymore,” I said shortly.
“You were interested in Vanna,” she prompted.
“And that interest wasn’t returned,” I stated firmly. “Let it go, Torie. Asking her out was a mistake. I’ve known her since she was a child. Right now, my biggest concern is seeing her get well again.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t care about her happiness, too,” Torie warned.
I slammed my fist onto the desk, frustrated with the conversation. “Of course I care! I just have no fucking idea how to make her happy, and I’m not convinced that shewantsto spend more time with me than absolutely necessary.”
I knew something wasn’t right with Vanna, but I couldn’t force her to tell me what was wrong. And I wasn’t about to make her endure my company if she didn’t want that. She’d been through enough.
Torie folded her arms across her chest. “You can be incredibly charming when you choose to be,” she told me. “Our parents taught us how to enjoy life. Show Vanna how to do that, too.”
I let out a beleaguered breath before I said, “I’m not sure I remember how to do that myself anymore.”
Hell, about all Wyatt and I had done for the last several years was work.
