Page 107 of With Wine Comes War

ROMAN

I got my laptop out and checked my schedule at the kitchen counter. I’d normally do this in my office down the hall, but I didn’t really want to leave her alone. I wondered if she’d like an office of her own here. I have so many damn rooms that I don’t use. It would be fine if she had one. Hell, she can have as many as she wants for whatever. I popped my head up from the computer when I saw her pacing up and down the hall on the phone. Who’s she talking to so intensely? I walked up behind her as she was hung up and stopped her pacing.

“Everything okay? I feel like I ask you that a lot, don’t I?”

She huffed out a small laugh and said, “My dad’s going to be there Tuesday. Edward just warned me that dad might not be able to handle the things he hears and could leave the courtroom.” I turned her to face me and held her close.

“I understand how he feels. It’s going to be hard for me to hear things in there too, but I can only imagine what it would be like for a father to hear how his daughter was attacked.”

“Not just that, but what they say about me to spin the story.” I hadn’t thought about that. Lord help us, especially her father.

“Is he going to be there alone?” She shook her head, and her eyes were glistening.

“No, Edward’s going with him, but Patrick isn’t.”

“Does he want to sit with my family?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sure they’ll probably sit by themselves in the back, but would you introduce them to your family anyway, just in case? Your mom might be helpful. They’re going, aren’t they?”

I nodded. It seemed my family was adamant about being there for some reason. I know they had this thing with the Ellington’s, but this seemed so extreme.

“Yes, they want to show a united front against the Ellington’s.” If that’s really all it is.

She let me know she was taking the day off from work tomorrow and was going to see my mom. I asked her if she wanted me to go with her and she said no. She said she just wanted to talk to her, come home and then have a relaxing night in, and go to bed early. That sounded perfect to me. I took a deep breath, giving her one last squeeze before I kissed her and went back to the computer.

I didn’t have too many meetings scheduled on Monday, but I had plenty of things to do as far as getting the training committee together, talking to the architects about the winery project, and making sure the riverwalk project and the apartments are all on schedule. Alex went back into the bedroom and closed the door. I figured she needed some time to herself.

***

ALEX

I needed to talk to someone about what I had planned. Everyone is just too protective of me. Who would listen without being judgmental,or tell anyone else? I have to sit quietly and think about this for a minute.

I’ve got it!!! BRUCE!

I found his name in my contacts and hit the call button. Hopefully, Roman was too busy to come back here and check on me.

“Hey slugger, what’s up?”

“Bruce, I need your help.” My palms were so sweaty. I needed someone to know who’s going to support my decision. Please let Bruce be on my side.

“What’s up? I don’t think I have any more classes for you to take.” He was so good at helping me relax, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I don’t think I can handle another one of your classes. This is serious though, and as much as I want to talk to you over the phone about it right now, can I come see you tomorrow at the studio? Do you have time?” I couldn’t chance Roman overhearing me.

“I’ve got time in the morning around nine, would that work for you?”

“Yes, thanks.” I felt like that would help, unless he tells me I’m crazy and decided to rat me out. Ugh, more stress but I won’t know anything until tomorrow, so I’m going to relax and enjoy a nice uneventful evening with Roman.

I finally made my way back out to the living room and Roman was sitting on the couch drinking a beer.

He looked up and said, “Hey, babe. I was wondering if you wanted to set up an office in the house?”

Hmmm, that sounds like a great idea, but where would I put it?

“Sure, but do you have any room for another office in here? Your decor isn’t really my style, I don’t want to mess anything up.”

He grinned and shook his head.

---