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I didn’t fall asleep immediately even though I was exhausted. I wanted to make sure she was completely asleep before I nodded off. I didn’t need her awake by herself second-guessing her role in this whole mess. I didn’t know how she planned on proceeding, but I expected an apology and a written plan detailing how this situation will never happen again from her building’s management company. If it’s not to my satisfaction, I am going to tie them up in so much legal red tape that they will have to sell that building. I just might buy it. I won’t proceed until she gives me the green light. But everyone connected to this situation would pay for this.
* * *
I wokeup the next morning before Averie. I laid next to her and watched her sleep. I watched her chest rise and fall. I listened to the little snore sounds she made. I thought about how hard today would have been if I would have lost her. I’d actually considered not going to her office yesterday because I didn’t want to disturb her, and I needed to pack. At the last minute I changed my mind, made an illegal U-turn and headed to her office. I knew she would be hungry, so I stopped and picked up food on the way. What if I would have went with my first mind and went home? Today would have been so different…unbearable.
Averie started to stir after I’d gone to the restroom and gotten back in the bed.
“Good morning,” she smiled before getting out of bed to go to the restroom. She opened the door to the bathroom a few minutes later.
“Aren’t you running late? What time does your plane leave?” She asked with a mouth full of toothpaste.
“I’m not going.”
She rinsed her mouth out then spoke, “Samuel, no. You said you would go.”
“No, I didn’t say I would go. You said you wanted me to go and I didn’t answer. You are not going to bully me into leaving you here when Xavier is more than capable of sitting in on those meetings for me. Besides, my hands hurt.”
Her eyes grew wide, she took in a breath and covered her mouth with both her hands. Then she rushed toward me.
“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t even consider that you are injured, and you could be in pain. Let me see your hands.”
I wasn’t really in much pain, but I needed her off my case about staying home. I didn’t think she would go all “concerned girlfriend” on me. She carefully held my hands and examined them.
“Did you get stitches?”
“No, they used surgical glue. The doctor said it would heal fine since it’s not near my knuckles. I just have to be careful with getting the back of my right-hand wet since it’s glued together.”
She put my hand to her mouth and gently kissed it then took my other hand and kissed it the same way. She rested the palm of her hand on the side of my face and said, “Thank you, Samuel Valentine. You saved my life.”
A huge lump formed in the back of my throat and I felt the stinging of tears forming. I fought to keep the tears at bay as I responded, “I would be lost without you.”
She kissed me slowly and sensually while still holding on to my hand.
Her phone rang on her nightstand.
“That’s my mother’s ringtone.” She pulled away and answered her phone. “Hi, mommy. Yes, I am awake…Yes…We are preparing to come there now…I slept okay…I will see you in a few…Love you too.”
“Your mom is looking for you?”
“Yes, but I can tell her that since you aren’t going, I will just…”
“No, it’s important that she spend some time with you. I will drop you off there and come back later to check on you. I have some things I need to handle.”
“I’m glad you’re not leaving. I want to stay with you tonight. My mom will understand.”
“I will come back for you this evening. Stay off social media and try to stay away from the news.”
“Is it that bad?”
“I want you to relax. I will talk to a friend of mine about hiring a PR firm to handle some of the negative press. Is that okay?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“I got you.”
I dropped Averie off at her parent’s house. Her mom and sister were waiting for her. Mrs. Patterson hugged me and said, “thank you.” There was no need to thank me. I loved Averie. I would never let anything happen to her.
“What’s up Count?” I said after connecting the call to my Bluetooth in the car.
