Page 49 of No Fear

Donnie. The man had not asked her any questions, not lectured her, or gotten angry. He had simply held her and walked her back to her room. He had been the friend he promised he was going to be. She needed a friend.

Charlie picked up her purse and keycard, slipped on her runners, and headed down to the fifteenth floor. Outside Donnie’s door, she hesitated, looking down at herself. Dear God, she looked a mess. What was she thinking? She turned to leave but the door opened.

“Hey. I thought I heard something. Are you alright?” Donnie stood in the doorway in the same jeans and snug white T-shirt he’d been wearing earlier. Seriously, the man could be on a billboard.

“Yes. Sorry. I just came to say thank you and let you know I’m OK.”

“No thanks needed. Would you like to come in? Or we could get a drink?”

Charlie glanced down at her clothes. “I’m not exactly dressed for getting a drink. I don't usually dress like this.”

“You don’t? Sweats and a T–shirt are my go-to when I’m lazing around at home. Nothing wrong with it. But we can have a drink here. If you’re comfortable with that? No pressure.”

She hesitated for just a second. “OK. A drink would be good. If you’re sure?”

He stepped aside to let her in. “Make yourself comfortable.”

The room was identical to hers and she settled herself in one of the chairs by the window. It was dark out now and the city lights had come to life.

“What would you like?” He sat in the chair opposite. “Have you eaten?”

Her stomach answered for her. She hadn’t had anything since the salad and fajita at lunch. “No. But that’s OK. A drink for now will be fine.”

“Wine?”

“That would be great. Thank you. Can I use your bathroom?”

“Of course.”

Closing the door, she stared at her reflection and winced. Her eyes were puffy. Her hair was flat where she’d been laying on it. Why oh why had she not looked in the mirror before coming here? Splashing water on her face, she straightened her hair as best she could. Not much more she could do. Sighing, she opened the door.

Donnie had poured two glasses of wine and handed her one as she sat. She took a sip, and they sat as she stared out at the city lights.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I really wish you hadn’t seen that,” she said, breaking the silence.

She felt his eyes on her but kept her gaze on the view.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“He wasn't always like that,” she whispered, her lip trembling.

Donnie placed his glass on the table and leaned forward. She turned to face him.

“Charlie, there is never a time when it is OK for a man to place his hands on a woman like that. He was hurting you.”

“I know. It’s over. I ended it.” She thought she was cried out but apparently not. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Donnie handed her a box of tissues.

“I’m sorry. Not sorry you ended it because it was the right thing to do, but I am sorry that you’re hurting and upset.”

She wiped her face and blew her nose.

“Can we not talk about him right now?”

Donnie gave her a small smile. “You bet.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes. How she wished Nate was here. Wished he would sit on the end of her bed and make her laugh. Tell her everything would be alright.

“Do you ever think of Nate?” she blurted.