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I did not know how to respond but I gnawed the inside of my cheek for a moment before responding. “Would you like to come in?”
She nodded, following me to the porch. I unlocked the door, pushing it open and gesturing for her to enter ahead of me. I followed her through the threshold, closing the door behind us. Taking a deep breath, she stood on her tiptoes searching around for something before lifting her gaze to mine.
“Where are they?”
“Out,” I blurted in a low growl, not wanting to put her in danger by giving her any more information.
Sighing, she nodded before lowering her head, nervously rolling her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Would you like a drink?” I muttered, hinting a half smile.
“No thanks,” she murmured, shifting her weight back and forth.
It was at that moment, I knew this was a meeting and not a makeup sex session. Valentino’s butler poked his head into the foyer, but I lifted my hand, letting him know his services would not be needed at the time. He promptly disappeared and I turned my attention back to Tanya.
“Follow me,” I exhaled.
We navigated the hallways, coming to a stop in front of Valentino's office.She suddenly stopped dead in her tracks.She began to dart her eyes around timidly.
“Um,” she gulped, “I was hoping we could speak in private.”
I smirked, “I told you they’re out.”
“I thought you were just saying that,” she sighed.
Shaking my head, I corrected, “They're out of the country right now.”
“Both of them?”
I nodded, opening the office doors.
“Where and why?” she bleated, rubbing her arm uncomfortably as if she were worried.
Ignoring her question, I gestured for her to enter the room. She crept in and I followed closely behind her, shutting both doors immediately. She roamed to the middle of the room, taking in her surroundings as if it were the first time she had ever been in it.
I marched behind the desk. “Shall we begin?”
Her eyes settled on me. “Begin what?”
I lifted my hand to my chin, bowing my head toward the paperwork in her hand.
“Oh these,” she smiled awkwardly, “yeah it's just something from my doctor.”
“Are you okay?” I blustered, widening my eyes.
She shook her head before laying her handbag and papers on Valentino's desk. I strode back around to the front of the desk, coming to a stop in before her. Reaching out and stroking her arms with my fingertips, I noticed that her face of uncertainty had transformed into mild fear.
“What’s wrong?” I soothed, dropping thetough guyact. “Tanya, whatever is going on, you can talk to me, baby.”
“Can we just take a walk and not talk about anything right now, please?” she pleaded, avoiding the topic.
“Tanya, tell me what's going on.” I repeated as I gazed into her eyes, hoping they would tell on her as they often did.
“Liam,” she exhaled with tears in her eyes.“I know I have been avoiding you but with everything going on,” she lamented, “I just need my best friend right now and she's not around.”
I dropped my head, knowing this was something I could not fix for her. I was not Isabelle. I would never be Isabelle, but I wanted to try to be that person for her when she needed me. Isabelle would not always be around, and I would. At least I hoped I would.
When Tanya stopped talking to me, at first it drove me crazy because I wanted the power and control in the relationship. As the days went on, I realized that she meant more to me than I was ready to admit at the time. Now, I was concerned about whatever it was that she was bothered by. I just wanted her to be okay.
