AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Plus, you also have to consider that we women are more adaptable, flexible, and can process things faster because we’re superior in every way.”
She gives me a toothy grin and I can’t help but laugh along with her. This is one of the many things I love about my best friend. No matter how grim or dire the circumstances may seem, she never fails to bring a smile to my face. She always seems able to get a laugh out of me.
Olivia reaches across the table and takes my hand, squeezing it tight. She gives me a smile, the expression on her face filled with nothing but the purest love two friends can share.
“More than anything, the two of you need to sit down and talk, hon,” she continues. “You both need to lay it all out there, share your genuine feelings for each other, and figure out if there’s a path forward for the two of you together. And if not, what the next steps are going to be.”
I nod. “You’re right. I know you’re right,” I tell her. “And we’ll do that. Sooner, rather than later, I hope. I for one, need to be a little more grounded and balanced. And I need to get my head back on straight.”
“I’m sure he does as well,” she replies, and then nods at the large man behind me. “What about them? What about Robert?”
“That is a problem I am nowhere near a solution to,” I tell her.
“Yeah well, don’t do anything stupid because you’re being pigheaded. Keep Kong there around until you do have a solution to your Robert problem,” she directs me. “If he’s graduated to trying to burn down the building of somebody he views as his romantic rival, there is no telling what he’s going to do next or what he’s capable of.”
Trust me, I know. And I worry about it. I sip my coffee and let my mind wander as I think about everything she’s said. Underneath it all is the fear of Robert and wondering what his next play is going to be.
He is absolutely unpredictable at this point, and I worry about that – for myself, the baby, and for Aaron as well.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Aaron
“Good evening, Mr. Steel.”
I give him a smile and a nod as I unlock the door to the condo. “Good evening, Jared. Everything okay today?”
Jared is one of the bodyguards assigned to Emily's detail. There are three of them who work in rotating eight-hour shifts. All are large and imposing. All are ex-military and very skilled in hand-to-hand combat. I made sure I was getting the best when I hired the agency on. I'm not going to gamble with Emily's life.
“Right as rain, sir,” Jared replies.
“Good to know. Keep up the good work.”
I open the door and step inside, closing and locking it behind me. Emily is sitting on the couch reading a book. She looks up as I enter, her face darkening, and gives me a slight roll of the eyes. I’ve been putting this off as long as possible, but don’t have much of a choice anymore. With everything that’s happened, this is the last conversation I want to be having, but I need to know. I need to know because I have to figure out what the next steps are going to be.
“Hey,” I greet her.
She puts her book down. “Hey.”
I walk into the kitchen and grab a couple of bottles of water from the refrigerator. Carrying them back into the living room, I hand Emily one and sit down on the loveseat across from her. The air is filled with a crackling tension as I twist off the cap and take a long drink. Emily’s eyes never leave me. Her expression seems to be growing even darker by the minute.
“How are you doing?” I ask.
“We need to talk, Aaron.”
“We do. And we will,” I tell her. “But first, I have a question I need to ask you.”
She sighs and rolls her eyes, slamming the water bottle down on the coffee table in front of her. She crosses her arms over her chest, the anger etched onto her face deepening even more.
“What?”
I clear my throat. “I noticed a copy of the marriage certificate was on your desk.”
“Yeah. The package arrived the other day.”
“Okay, and where is the original?” I press. “The one that needed to be mailed in?”
“It’s on my desk,” she snaps, growing impatient.
