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“I’m out.” Red spun around and walked out of the room.
After a few more minutes with Natalie, Viv relinquished her back to her mother’s care and walked into the living room to find that Red had struck up a conversation with Val. To Viv’s surprise, they seemed to be getting along well.
“You ready to go?”
“Yep.” Red sprang up like a jack-in-the-box, his eagerness to leave evident in his every movement.
After saying their goodbyes, Viv and Red made their way down to the lake, with Lucky bounding happily ahead of them.
“You want to watch the sun set?” Viv asked.
“You asking me on a date?”
She shook her head. “If this were a date, which it is not, I’d expect wine and wooing and food, lots of food, starting with shrimp cocktail and ending with baked Alaska.”
“Okay, noted.”
They found a secluded spot on the shore and sat down. “Isn’t it beautiful?” As the sun set behind the tall pines, the sky turned into a canvas of warm and vibrant hues. Shades of pink, orange, and yellow bled together, painting the sky with an ethereal beauty. The water reflected the colors, creating a stunning mirrored effect that seemed to stretch on forever. The ripples on the water’s surface caught the last rays, turning them into golden ribbons that danced in the gentle breeze. The overall effect was one of tranquility and serenity, as if the world had paused for a moment to appreciate the natural beauty of the sunset.
For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. And as she looked over at Red, she had a sudden realization that he was somehow an important part of her journey.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Red awoke with the first light of dawn, the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a soft pink glow on the world. He couldn’t help but think about the previous evening, watching the sunset with Viv by his side. There was something about the colors that danced across the sky, warm oranges, and purples, that stirred a longing deep within him, a feeling he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
The memory of Viv’s laughter, the way her eyes sparkled in the fading light as they watched a lone buck come to the water to drink, was etched into his mind. Her presence seemed to bring a sense of peace and comfort he hadn’t experienced in a long time. But he knew he couldn’t rush things; their connection was growing, but slowly, and he wanted to respect the boundaries she’d set. Besides, she’d probably deck him if he didn’t.
The scent of pine trees and fresh mountain air filled his lungs as he stepped outside, the crisp morning breeze sending a shiver down his spine. The sounds of the awakening world surrounded him: birds chirping, and the rustle of leaves. It was a world so removed from the one he was used to, his world of packed concert halls and screaming fans, and he couldn’t help but wonder if this was where he truly belonged. It was as if this was the first morning he’d ever awakened to the sounds of nature instead of the groans of the excesses of the night before. It was nice.
As he stood there brewing a cup of coffee and taking in the serene beauty of the morning through his kitchen window, an idea struck him. Viv’s rental SUV was still vandalized and needed cleaning. He decided that he could surprise her by cleaning it off. He tiptoed back into his room to change, making sure not to wake Lucky. When he was in an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt, he gathered the Better Butter Wax left by Amazon on his front porch and got to work, scrubbing away the red paint and the harsh words that marred the black exterior. The effort required to remove the paint was almost cathartic, as if each swipe of the cloth was also erasing some of his mistakes, little by little.
However, he had barely finished when he heard the front door open and close, followed by quick footsteps approaching. He looked up to find Viv with Lucky in her arms, her eyes wide and her face a mixture of anger and concern.
“What the hell are you doing?” she demanded, her voice sharp as she took in the scene before her.
“I wanted to surprise you,” Red explained, trying to keep his tone light, but her expression remained hard. “I thought it would be a nice thing to do.”
“Nice?” Viv’s voice rose, as she set Lucky down. “Red, you’re taking unnecessary risks by leaving the house without me. That’s the whole point of me being here, to protect and keep you safe! How can I do that if you keep wandering off on your own?”
He could see the worry in her eyes, and he realized that she was right. He had been careless, so focused on doing something for her that he hadn’t considered the potential consequences.
“I’m sorry,” Red said sincerely, dropping the cleaning cloth and taking a step towards her. “I didn’t think about it like that. I just wanted to do something nice for you, to show you how much I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”
Viv’s expression softened, but her arms remained crossed. “I appreciate the gesture, Red, I really do, but I am not the priority here, you are. I can’t protect you if you’re not on board. You’re paying me to be here. Let me do my job.”
Red nodded, understanding the weight of her words. “I’ll be more careful. I understand. I won’t let my guard down again and I won’t forget my place.”
“Good,” she said, her voice still firm but gentle. “Now, let’s get inside and get cleaned up. We’ve got more work to do.”
As they walked back into the house, Red couldn’t help but feel grateful for Viv’s presence in his life. She was a force to be reckoned with, strong and determined, but also kind and compassionate. He realized that he not only needed her for protection but also as a friend and confidante. He could trust her, and more importantly, he could be himself, not the person everyone else expected him to be. The truth is he was feeling lonely, unfulfilled, and unsafe before Viv entered his life. She made him feel better, whether it was her job or not.
The day unfolded with a renewed sense of purpose. Together, they installed a few more sensors and cameras to cover every possible entry point. He had to give Viv credit. She was thorough. As they worked side by side, they exchanged easy banter and teasing, both finding comfort in the other’s company. After a while, Red decided to challenge Viv to a contest.
“Alright, Viv,” he said, grinning mischievously. “Let’s see who can tell the first two jokes to make the other person laugh. Winner gets bragging rights.”
Viv raised an eyebrow, accepting the challenge. “You’re on, Red. Prepare to lose.”
Red went first, trying his best to come up with a joke on the spot. “Why don’t scientists trust atoms?”
