He couldn’t gift his way back into my life. Granted, this was a creative attempt, but using Winston as an onramp to my life wasn’t going to work with me.
“Wish me luck,” I said to Win as I dialed Drew’s number.
He picked up the call immediately. “Hi, Emilia.”
The warmth in his voice triggered a Pavlovian response in me, a jolt of joy to my heart like none of the bullshit had happened between us. My body might want to betray me but my brain knew better.
Offering to take care of Winston was a lovely gesture but nothing had changed between us.
“Hi. Sorry to bother you but I wanted to thank you for what you did for Winston. That’s very generous. So much so that I don’t feel comfortable taking it.”
“What? Why wouldn’t you?—”
“Thanks to all my new clients, I can afford his care,” I said quickly.
I needed to get off the phone quickly, because the longer I was in his orbit the weaker I felt. I turned on the AC.
“Emilia, no, I didn’t mean it as any kind of slight on you. I know you’d do anything for Winston,” he stammered. “It’s just that I wanted to do something for him, forbothof you, to show that I’m invested in his wellbeing.”
“We appreciate it, but it’s not necessary.”
He sighed. “I understand that. But I wanted to do it. I really came to care for that guy, so if I’m not allowed to be an active participant in his life at the very least I can try to make sure he has everything he needs to be comfortable. Please, Emilia. Let me do this for him.”
“What do you mean ‘not allowed’?” I asked sharply. “Are you trying to reframe what happened between us to makemethe bad guy?”
Drew sighed harder. “No, not at all, I misspoke. It’s just that I’m so damn nervous talking to you right now.”
I made a surprised noise. Drew Ashford, nervous?
“I know that you hate me,” he said softly. “I get it.”
“Stop. I don’t hate anyone.”
“Even Dorian?”
I laughed despite myself. “Not even him. Strongly dislike, maybe—but that’s as far as I’ll go. Especially since he really did turn out a solid show.”
“Yeah, we never got the chance to talk about it,” Drew replied. “It was good, huh? Made the resort look incredible.” He paused. “And us.”
I cleared my throat. No. He wasn’t allowed to do a show recap with me like everything was normal.
“It was fine,” I said. “Anyway, thank you for your offer to look after Winston but I’ve got it from now on.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am. Thank you for taking care of today, but that’ll have to be it when it comes to Ashford favors.”
“The insurance package I picked out for him is already being processed,” he said.
“Cancel it,” I insisted. “We’re good, Drew, there’s no need to swoop in and be a white knight.”
“Well, hold on,” he said. “I hate to tell you, but there’s more.”
I fell back against the car seat. “What does that mean?”
“Are you planning to go to your house any time soon?”
“What business is it of yours?” I demanded.
