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Lydia glanced around the room. If anyone knew my past, it was her. “What did she say?”
“He told her she sucked in the bedroom and was boring, which I know firsthand she is not.” She rolled her eyes. “But he controlled everything that she did. He fucking gave her three different STDs because he was a cheating bastard.”
“I hope you used a condom,” Lydia replied.
“Seriously, Lydia? That’s your take on what I just told you?”
“No, I was just saying. I get what you are saying, Zack, but if she can’t see that he was abusive, you can’t make her see that.”
“I know. That’s why I was trying to protect her.”
“Maybe I can talk her into moving to a safer place.”
“I don’t think that will work. Lillian said something about not having the money to buy out of her lease and then put down two months' rent on a new place that would be more expensive. She can’t afford that.”
“Then I’ll give her a raise.”
“I suggested that, but it didn’t go over well. I even told her I would pay for it so that she didn’t have to worry about it.”
She shook her head. “And there you go, being just like her ex.”
I held my hand up. “I know. She said the same thing.”
“She’s a smart girl.”
“She is smarter than I gave her credit for.” I leaned back in my seat. “The only thing I can do is give her space and hope she comes around.”
“And hope that her ex doesn’t do anything else.”
“Yeah, that too.”
“Well, I guess it’s good that you are going on another business trip.”
“What?”
“That’s why I needed to talk to you. I was supposed to go to Tampa, but I can’t go. Kari still isn’t feeling well, and I don’t want to leave her while Mark is out of town. I need you to take my place.”
“Fine, I’ll go. The account is too important to push back, and you’re right. It might be a good idea for me to put some extra distance between us.”
“Yes, but don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye out on her, and if she needs anything, I will help her out.” She turned and walked toward the door. “Although Paul might want to jump in if she needs a hand.”
I glared at her. “If he touches her, I will break his arm and then fire his ass.”
She laughed. “I don’t know how she got under your skin so quickly, but it is obvious that she did.”
“More than you know,” I muttered.
“Well, take this trip. Things should calm down, and then maybe you can sit down and talk to her later.”
“Yeah, sounds like a plan.”
* * *
That was the plan,and I stuck to it. I did speak to Lilly later that week, but that was only because I called Lydia at the office, and Lilly answered her phone. I kept it business, and so did she. It was like we were strangers all over again.
Friday night, as I was getting home, I was bone tired. All I wanted to do was pour myself a large glass of whiskey and plop my ass onto the couch to watch television for a little while. It had been a crazy busy week, and my flight had been delayed, and I had missed my connecting flight. It was after eleven when I got home, but I was too amped up to sleep.
I turned on the television, kicked off my shoes, and emptied my pockets on the glass coffee table. Then I poured myself a drink and sank down on the couch to relax a little. Hopefully, the whiskey would kick in, and I could fall asleep in a little while.
