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“What are you changing?” My breath hitches as I wait for the answer.
“You go to work today,” he says, and my heart swells. I’m so happy I think I could burst.
“Really? You’d let me go?”
“Yes, someone will take you there and bring you back when you finish.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. I’m…” I don’t know if he cares to hear why I’m so hellbent on going back to work. I’m sure most people, most women, would love to have their bills and everything taken care of. I’m a little different.
“What?”
“I’m working toward something.”
“More articles on older men?” He raises a brow, and the tension in the air shifts to the lighter mood we shared at The Dark Odyssey.
I chuckle. “No, I want to be chosen to write the special annual edition of the magazine. This year, it’s on someone I really admire.”
“Who is it?”
“Coral Winters. She works with charities. I’d love to do the piece on her, and I’ll find out if I’m successful on Friday.”
“Sounds good.”
“Thank you,” I bubble.
“You’d… better get dressed.”
God, this is something I can hold on to. I won’t feel so much like a prisoner now.
I’ll have something to keep me sane.
Now, I just need an end date. The day I return to my life.
As I look at him, though, something whispers to me, asking me if I truly want that. To return to my life, a life… without him.
I’d go back to normal.
What if I didn’t want that? I’ve experienced this strong emotional connection I’ve had with him.
But is it wise for me to go wanting a man like him?
* * *
Freddie sits forward in his chair and gives me a look of sympathy.
He’s the guy who opened the door to opportunity for me.
He’s strict as anything but likes my work ethic. He runs a tight ship and stands for no nonsense but knows when to show compassion.
“How are you?” he asks.
I straighten up and put on my best smile. The smile I’ve been wearing for the last three days. “I’m okay,” I assure him.
He looks happy to hear that. He was glad to see me come back on Monday, and I was happy things were okay, unaffected with my absence.
The same with Holly. I told them I lost my phone and haven’t managed to get another yet. Everyone assumed the reason I was off the last two weeks was because of Dad. Since that wasn’t far from the truth, I went with it. Both he and Holly know that Dad has an addiction problem and that he’s been in and out of rehab. Both know what we went through when Sasha was killed.
I had to tell them, especially about the times when Dad went to rehab. On the first few instances, I had to take days off here and there. It wasn’t that hard, really, to fall in line with their beliefs on this occasion, although this was the worst, and I’ve never disappeared on everyone before for so long.
