Page 16 of One Wild Ride

I flipped through the pages and loved every single idea she had. There was one thing she drew that caught my eye but I wanted to change it slightly.

I glanced up to find two pair of eyes filled with anticipation staring at me.

“How about we discuss this over food? It’s already noon.”

“Actually, I have to go and get back to the hospital. I didn’t realize it was already lunchtime.” Tiffany gathered her coat from the bed.

“Which hospital?” I asked.

Aria glanced at Tiffany. They both went quiet and I wondered if I had said something wrong.

“The Children’s Hospital just off of Michigan Avenue,” Tiffany said as she shrugged on her thick black coat.

I smiled. “That’s interesting you work there because I donate to them every year.”

“Oh, I don’t work there. My son is a patient.”

Now I knew why they were silent. I felt terrible assuming she worked there.

“Forgive me. I didn’t realize you had a son.” I walked over to Tiffany.

“It’s all right.” She glanced up at me. Her deep brown eyes seemed to radiate sadness. It made me fear why he was in the hospital.

I recognized that pain in her eyes. It’s the same thing I saw in my mother’s eyes. Not so much anymore, but when I was young there were days she would lay in bed crying. I hated to see her like that but what was worse was how that sadness turned to hate.

I cupped Tiffany’s hand between both of mine. “I’m sorry he has to be in there. I don’t know him and I have only just met you, but I can tell you love him very much.”

She nodded, biting her lip. Tiffany lowered her head and I noticed a tear falling to the floor.

“No matter what happens, Tiffany. Whether your boy walks out of that hospital tomorrow or never does, know that the absolute best thing in the world for him is your love.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hawthorne,” Tiffany said as she raised her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Please, call me Alex.”

She nodded and gave me a hug. “Thank you, Alex. I’m glad you are getting your mural and that you aren’t a crazy recluse,” she whispered before letting me go.

I needed to look into finding a good PR company. Does everyone assume I’m crazy?

Once Tiffany left, I turned to find Aria staring at me. The way her arms were folded over her chest and her eyelids narrowed I thought she might be upset with me.

“Is something wrong?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Maybe you want to elaborate so I can understand what is upsetting you.”

Aria shook her head and walked over to me. I noticed how her purple sweater seemed to cling to her curves. What I really focused on were her tits. I wondered if she was even wearing a bra. I knew I shouldn’t be thinking that, but I kept imagining lifting that piece of cashmere and discovering only smooth skin underneath.

“Tiffany is a good person. She cares about her son very much, and I think it’s shitty what you want to do with her.”

“Where is this coming from?”

Did I say something I shouldn’t have? Again?

“You know exactly what I am talking about, Mr. Hawthorne.” Aria stuck her finger into my chest.

“No, I really don’t, Aria. And stop calling me Mr. Hawthorne. Mr. Hawthorne was my father. I asked you to call me Alex.”

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