Page 70 of Fake It For Glory

“Thanks, Hattie. Goodnight.”

Room service arrived a minute later. I ordered a couple of club sandwiches for us. It was the only thing I could think of that she would like. I didn’t think now was the right time to try any foreign cuisine. I ordered coffee, juice, and tea. I wasn’t sure what she liked, but I wanted to do all I could to keep her from a hangover. I debated going into the bathroom to check on her but opted against it. I didn’t want to smother her.

Instead, I waited. I quietly paced and wondered what Reid said to her. The guy had no filter. He truly believed he was this glorious creature walking the earth and everyone should bow down to him. I hoped like hell I never got to be like him. He was everything I never wanted to be.

Hattie knew to slap me silly if I ever let the money go to my head. Reid needed someone like that in his life. Someone to pop that hot air balloon he called a head.

Merida emerged from the bath looking more composed, her earlier tears replaced by a sober expression. “Hi,” she said, her voice soft.

“Hi,” I said, smiling.

I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of guilt for how I had acted earlier, my frustration getting the best of me. Now, as she stood before me, I knew it was time to make amends.

I cleared my throat, my tone sincere and apologetic. “Merida, I’m sorry for how I acted earlier. If you want to talk, I’m here to listen. If not, I’ll go. I’ll give you space if you want it. And please don’t think I’m trying to be bossy, but I’ve dealt with my fair share of hangovers. So please try to eat and drink as much juice and tea as you can. It will make you feel better. We’ll delay our departure tomorrow and you can sleep in. I think we could all use a late start.”

She met my gaze, her eyes searching mine for a moment before she finally spoke. “I got fired today, Jensen.”

That explained a lot. “I’m sorry.”

She sat down, looking lost.

“Here,” I said and handed her one of the sandwiches. “Trust me, you’re going to feel better. What happened?”

“My boss, who just happens to be my father, fired me.”

“Why?” I felt a surge of guilt, knowing that it was likely my presence in her life that somehow contributed to this situation.

She looked at me and took a small bite of her sandwich. “He said I was taking advantage of him because he’s my dad. He wasn’t happy I’ve been out of the office so much.”

My gut reaction was to offer solutions, to try to make it right, but I remembered Hattie’s advice—to just listen. So, I swallowed my instincts. “That must be really hard. I’m sorry.”

Merida’s shoulders slumped, and she let out a sigh, as if a weight had been lifted off her chest just by sharing her burden. It was clear that she needed someone to confide in. “I was trying to do my job. I sent in my articles. I don’t know how to make him happy. I’ve always been a good worker. This really took me by surprise. He’s made me feel like I’m disposable. He told me he loved me but I needed to spread my wings.”

I might not have all the answers, but I could listen. I took another bite of my sandwich, unsure what to say to her. I could try to fix it, but that wasn’t what she wanted. So, I listened as she told me about the job she hated and how her father never really trusted her to write anything of real substance.

Merida’s deep brown eyes met mine. “Jensen, I’m sorry for today. I didn’t mean to blow up the event like that, and I’m sure there will be backlash in the media. I’m so sorry. I did the exact opposite of what I was supposed to. I’ll do a formal apology or whatever.”

I reached out to gently place a hand on hers and offered a reassuring smile. “Merida, we can worry about all of that tomorrow. Right now, what matters is that you’re okay.”

She let out a soft sigh, her gaze shifting to a distant point on the horizon. “My father…” She trailed off as if the words were too heavy to bear.

I stayed silent, giving her the space she needed to talk or not talk.

“He’s always been so hard on me,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “He doesn’t believe in me. I’ve been trying for so long to prove myself to him, and it’s like nothing I do is ever good enough. I just want him to see me as someone he can rely on like his other writers. I know I’m not as good as some, but I’m not quite the dumpster fire he seems to think I am.”

Merida’s words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her frustration and pain. I listened as she sniffled, her emotions raw and exposed. “I’m sorry,” she said again. “I don’t need to be dumping all of this on you. I’m fine. I am. I know I have something good, really good. It’s going to be so good and he missed his chance.”

I wasn’t sure what she was talking about. She seemed to drift away, her eyes fixed on the wall behind me. At least she was eating and downing the orange juice. At least physically, she was going to feel better soon.

“Well, at least you have that half million to fall back on now that you’ve lost your job,” I said with a goofy smile in the hopes I could lighten the mood.

Merida looked at me for several seconds before staring down at the remainder of her sandwich. I couldn’t quite decipher the expression. There was sadness and guilt. “I don’t think you’re going to want to give me the money when all this is said and done.”

I shook my head with confusion. “What do you mean?” I asked. “Do you really think I would go back on a deal?”

“No, but you will,” she said quietly.

“Not me,” I assured her. “That’s not who I am.”

She finished her juice and stared blankly at the wall once again.

“I wish I could make it all better for you,” I said and ran my hand over the back of hers. “I don’t want to fix it for you, but I want to make you feel better. That’s something I know I can do. I would be happy to distract you.”

My heart ached as I looked into her eyes, the vulnerability I saw there tugging at my own emotions. I hated to see her hurting, and I wanted to do something to make it better. Hattie said I shouldn’t offer to fix her problems. I wouldn’t, but I could make her forget for a few moments. I could make her feel good and send endorphins rushing through her. That should help a little.

I rose from my chair and moved behind her. My hands went to her shoulders, gently massaging. Her head fell to the side, exposing her neck. The smell of lavender washed around me. I leaned down, pressing my lips to her soft flesh in a tender kiss. She sighed and reached back to gently pull at my head.