Page 41 of Finding Redemption

“Yep, see ya.”

I end the call and stretch out for a few minutes. Scanning the room, I see I have walls where there used to be none. I stand, walking over to the new addition. As I flip the light on, I look around, liking what I see.

I scan the room, picturing where the bed will go and the television. “This’ll work. It’s not a home, but I don’t have a family, so there’s no need for a house.” I turn back, shutting the lights off as I leave the new area.

I walk into my office and turn on the desk lamp, bringing a soft glow to the area. I twist my head from side to side, effectively cracking my neck. “Fuck, yes,” I say to myself to help break the silence.

After a hot shower, I find my place on the couch. I drift off sometime after one in the morning. Every time I closed my eyes, I replayed every defining moment in my life. My dreams are nightmares, made up of heartbreak and pain. Most of which is at my hand. I’ve self-medicated too many nights with booze and women, just to help me sleep.

Someone like me doesn’t deserve anything more than a life of disappointment. I’ve caused too much pain and hurt to trust myself to not do it again. I can’t get involved with Reese. I won’t allow myself to hurt her. If I learned anything today, it’s that she deserves better than me. No matter how much I wished it wasn’t true.

Morning comes with the bitter taste of disdain I have for myself. It’s bad enough people know who I am, but facing it day in and day out gets disgusting. I busy myself with clearing out the emptied boxes. I think we’re all set to officially start accepting clients. Finally.

“Donna?” I call from my office. “Do you have a minute?”

She steps through the door, smiling as always. “How can I help?”

I place my hands on my hips and smirk. “Now that’s a loaded question.”

She giggles. “Should I roll up my sleeves?”

“No. I need the reservations for tonight and I need to RSVP to the charity gala for Lea Woods.”

“I’ll send over the information, and will you be taking a guest?” she questions as she types on her iPad.

I rub the back of my neck, contemplating my thoughts. “Tell them two, although it’ll probably be one.”

“All right.” She smiles. “Dinner for two in your inbox. Anything else?”

“No, thank you.” She turns to leave. “Actually…”

“Yes?” she asks as she spins around.

“Has Reese called about the proposal?”

“No, sir.”

I twist my mouth, wanting to say more, but I don’t, so I chew on my lip instead. “Thank you.”

Donna made reservations at Villa Romana, the best Italian restaurant in town. Reese is going to meet me at eight, so why am I showered and looking for clothes at six? Because I’m nervous. Holy hell.

Picking up my phone, I dial the one number I really hate to call on days like these. “What’s up, asshole?”

“I need your help,” I mumble.

“Go on.”

“Dinner. Business. Reese. Villa Romana. At Eight.” I roll my eyes knowing I’ve admitted more than I should’ve.

“I’m around the corner. Be there in five.” The phone goes dead. Fuck. What have I done?

Sure enough, the winds blow up the hurricane as she crashes through my door. She stares at me for two seconds, then gets to work. “Hell, no. You’re not wearing black.”

“It’s my go-to color.”

“It’s also the color people wear to funerals,” she snaps.

“It’s business,” I answer as she combs through my closet. She spins on me, glaring. I hold my hands up in defeat. “Fine. What am I wearing, Ava?”