Page 28 of With Wine Comes War

“Yes, we are, and I’ll send an email out to get that three o’clock taken care of. I’ll just order something to have delivered. Is there anything special that you want?” Not sure what I’d do without her, but I planned to find out what her problem was.

“Whatever’s fine. Thank you for putting up with me lately.” I could probably take some of the blame for her mood, honestly. “It’ll be nice to get back on the same page again. I know it’s been somewhat my fault.” She smiled as she turned around.

“I’ll meet you back here for lunch.” She quietly closed the door behind her. Maybe it’s just my bad attitude rubbing off on her.

I hated on-site meetings, but every now and then you have to check on the work yourself to make sure it’s getting done right. I was meeting the investor, Stewart, at the apartments to go over the plans the architect drew up for the renovation of that 500-unit apartment complex.

***

ALEX

Fantastic,I thought annoyingly, as red puffy eyes met me in the bathroom mirror. I may have only gotten about three total hours of sleep. I looked like a Cabbage Patch doll that’s been put through the ringer and been living in an attic for twenty years. I washed my face with cold water to try and help with the puffiness. Now off to the gym.

I stretched my muscles swimming laps in the pool. The pull on my arms was like trying to drag a twenty-pound sack of potatoes with me through the water. I thought yoga would be relaxing but I was so stiff and hungover each pose burned. Finally, I sat in the sauna and started to unwind. My body was too tired to think or fight the heat, so I just melted to the slats and let the alcohol seep out of my pores. I needed to work out the nervous tension, somehow, since I have that meeting with Roman at two, but I didn’t need to overdo it since I have my first one-on-one training after that.

The shower worked its magic, and I threw on my robe and decided to make a decent breakfast for a change. I took into consideration getting in touch with Dr. King as I was finishing up the last bite of eggs. That may be a good idea, but I needed to see what kind of help Bruce was going to give me first. I didn’t want to undo everything one or the other would be helping me with.Ugh! I’m going to stress myself out trying to work this out in my head.What if the best thing would be for them to help me simultaneously? They might be a compliment for the other.

I cleaned up the kitchen and went back to my bedroom to change but sprawled out on the bed staring up at the ceiling instead. I wasn’t sure how long the meeting with Roman was going to take and my training session is at 4:00 pm, so I’m probably just going to bring clothes to change into. I checked off the imaginary to-do list I was visualizing on the ceiling. I hated walking into his building during working hours dressed too casually, since everyone is always dressed so designery.God, why do I even care?

I put on a black fitted pants suit with black heels and my usual simple gold jewelry. Hopefully, I can keep this professional and stay away from answering anything personal he may try to squeeze in. Especially after last night, I didn’t think he would let that go. Niceto see I didn’t look too bad. My makeup is covering up the effects of crying and my hair actually looks under control. I flipped my hair back over my shoulder and gave myself one last look in the mirror.

This time I really didn’t have a plan. I was about to go in there and say, “This kid needs a break and I’m asking you to give him one.” No power point, nothing profound, just a genuine favor. I wondered if he was into granting wishes out of the goodness of his heart without needing anything in return. It’s probably going to end up giving him the perfect opportunity to see what he can get.This is a bad idea.

I shook my head, taking a deep centering breath. I should’ve made him do this over the phone. This connection we have was still too strong and I don’t know what kind of mind fuck my own brain was going to play on me. I wished I had already been through Bruce’s ice-cold training. I’d feel like I was better equipped to take on Mr. Perfect’s empathic powers.

Deep breath. Get out of the car and your head and get your ass up there. This is not for you; this is for Darius.I needed to refocus on the task at hand. I went straight from the parking garage to the elevator without making eye contact with anyone in the lobby, avoiding any awkward stares. I didn’t have to stop at reception because Amelia’s email gave me instructions to bypass those ladies. My first meeting with them was a bit frosty.

The ding of the elevator on a random floor made me jump. When the doors opened my heart skipped a beat when I saw a familiar face – Harrison. I found myself holding my breath then letting it out slowly. I scooted to the back of the elevator, smiling cautiously hoping somehow he wouldn’t recognize me.

“Hey, Alex, what’re you doing here? Come to give Roman some more shit, because he’s a mess, so I’d prefer itif you didn’t.”

What? What did Roman tell him?Now my heart sank because I wasn’t expecting that even though I’m sure I already knew it, especially after our conversation last night. He leaned against the elevator wall and crossed his feet at the ankle and stuck his hands in his pockets. Probably just keeping them there so he didn’t try to strangle me.

“Hi Harrison. No, I’m just here to see if he has any job openings for a friend.”

He snorted. I clenched my hands tight at my side so that I didn’t fidget.

“I hear you’re jobless, is it you who needs work?”

I rolled my lips to keep from smiling. I didn’t want to set him off, but that was funny. I don’t know if I ever thought of Harrison as the protective brother type, but he sure wasn’t holding back with me right now. I find it to be endearing, so I’m not going to engage if that’s what he’s looking for; it’s actually putting me at ease.

“No, it’s not me. I have enough to do without a job right now.” I took a deep breath and looked down to avoid an emotional confrontation with him.

“Yeah, I’m sorry about your mom. I really hope you’re doing well.” He said as he looked somewhere else. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second to gain some composure back.

“Thanks, Harrison.” He looked back to me full of sympathy with a nod and I gave him a faint smile as the doors opened to the fifteenth floor and we both got out. I watched him walk in the opposite direction down the hall without looking back.

Amelia was at her desk just finishing up a call when I walked up. She was doing her best to keep a professional attitude, but she must’ve seen Harrison and I get off the elevator together.

“How did that ride go?” She looked genuinely concerned as her eyes followed Harrison down the hall.

“He doesn’t seem too happy with me right now.” I had both hands on the counter of Amelia’s desk and my head down, staring at my feet.

“Yeah, Roman’s left him with a few extra tasks to do lately while he’s been dealing with things after what’s happened.” What is she talking about? My head popped up and I looked right at her.

“How so? What’s happened?” Amelia’s eyes shifted somewhere over my shoulder, and I knew he was standing somewhere nearby. I could feel the energy and smell his cologne.

“Ms. Kennedy, are you ready?” My eyes closed for a second as I took a deep breath and Amelia gave me what at first looked like a sympathetic smile, but I knew it was more like a warning to be careful with him. Time to get a grip. I lifted my head and put on my game face.

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