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“If you’ll excuse me, I have to take this. It’s important.”
Rory
Richard didn’t look well. He looked tired and different. “Are you feeling okay, Richard?” I asked.
He looked at me and cocked his head. “Yes, I feel fine. Why do you ask?”
“You just look tired. That’s all,” I replied.
“Nah, I’m good.” He winked.
He reached in his pocket to pull out his phone and a small, white piece of paper fell to the floor. I reached down to get it and Richard tried to stop me.
“No, Rory. I’ll get it.”
It was too late; I already had it in my hand. I glanced at the paper. At the top, it said John Hopkins Medicine. I looked at him as he stared at me while taking the paper from my hand. Ian walked back into the room and Richard lightly shook his head at me.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“Nothing. I just dropped something and Rory was kind enough to pick it up for me.”
I smiled at him and walked over to where Ian was standing.
“What brings you by, Dad?”
“I wanted to give you your birthday present, son,” he said as he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a long box.
Ian took it with a smile and opened it. Inside, sat a beautiful gold watch.
“Dad, this is Grandpa’s watch,” Ian said as he looked at him.
“Yes, it is, and it’s time to pass it to you. You’ve wanted that watch ever since you were a kid.”
Ian smiled and gave Richard a light hug. “Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, Ian. Happy birthday, son,” Richard said as they hugged again.
Ian looked at me as he showed me the watch. It was beautiful and you could tell it was an expensive antique. “It’s beautiful, honey.” I smiled.
Ian removed it from the box and put it on. As he was examining it, the strangest thing came out of Richard’s mouth.
“Do you have any plans tomorrow, Rory?”
I looked at him in confusion, bewildered that he would even ask me that. “I’m not sure yet. I don’t think so unless Adalynn needs help with the wedding.”
“Well, I’m going to pick you up around noon tomorrow and take you to lunch,” he said.
I was shocked and no words would come out of my mouth. “Uh, okay. I would like that.”
“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow then. I need to get going. I have a few business things I need to do.”
Ian walked Richard to the door and thanked him again for the watch. As soon as he shut it, he turned and looked at me. “That’s really nice of my dad to take you to lunch.” He smiled.
“You don’t think it’s weird?” I asked.
“No, that means he’s accepting you now.”
“Ian, he seems different.”
“Yeah, I noticed that too. But in a good way.” He smiled.
As we stood and hugged in the foyer, Mandy walked through the front door. She was startled when she saw us, and Ian and I were just as startled when we saw a bruise on the other side of her face.
“I didn’t know you were coming back today. Welcome home,” she said as she quickly turned her cheek and began to walk away. I was surprised at Ian’s response.
“Stop right there!” he commanded.
He walked over to her and looked at her cheek. “What happened to the other side of your face, Mandy?”
“Stupid door again. I swear I’m such a klutz. I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately.” She smiled lightly, but her nervous tone gave her away.
“You’re lying,” Ian said abruptly and with rudeness. “Did someone do this to you?”
“Ian, stop,” I said as I walked over to Mandy. I could tell she was on the verge of tears.
“Mandy.” Ian’s voice softened. “Rory told me that you’re seeing someone. Is he hurting you?”
A tear fell from her eye that said it all. “He doesn’t mean to. He always apologizes after and says how much he loves me and he doesn’t mean to hurt me. I’ve tried to break it off with him, but he won’t stay away. He keeps coming back and telling me how much he loves me and Molly.
I put my arm around her and led her over to the couch. Ian followed behind and poured Mandy a glass of wine. “Here, it’s okay. Drink this to calm your nerves.”
She took the glass and sipped the wine. I looked at Ian as he sat down in the chair across from us. “Mandy, who is this man you’re seeing?” he asked.
“Just someone,” she replied.
“I want his name,” Ian snapped.
I looked at him and gave him my mean look. He took in a deep breath. “Mandy, no man should ever hit or harm a woman physically. You need to stop seeing him. Think of your daughter. Better yet, give me his name and I’ll have a talk with him.”
“No, Mr. Braxton. You can’t get involved.”
“Then how about if I fire you?” Ian said.
“IAN!” I yelled.
Ian sighed and rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that,” he said as he got up and knelt down in front of her. “Listen, Mandy. You’re my employee and you’re a very good one at that. But you’re also my friend, and I won’t allow anyone to hurt my friends. So, I have an idea, if it’s all right with Rory.”
I looked at him in confusion. “Rory and I are going to the Piano Bar tonight. We would like you and your friend to join us.”
“Really?” she asked. “You want to go out with me and Colton?” she asked with surprise.
“Yes. Right, Rory?”
“Of course. We would love for you to come with us,” I said as I took hold of her hand.
“That way, when you break up with him tonight, I’ll be there to have a few words with him if he gets out of line.” Ian smiled. “I’ll make sure he never bothers you again.”
“Thank you both. I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s no need to say anything. Why don’t you text him right now and see if he’ll come,” Ian said.
Mandy pulled her phone from her uniform pocket and sent Colton a text message. I got up and brought her a tissue from the bathroom. Ian followed behind me.
“I’m going to beat the shit out of that guy when I see him.”
“So am I. I feel so bad for her. Thank you for helping her,” I said as I kissed his lips.
We walked back into the living room and Mandy said that they’d meet us at the Piano Bar around eight o’clock.
