Page 36 of Yours to Conquer

“I hope so; he’s my complicated relationship.” I see her eyes grow wide. “Do you know him?”

She turns her head away from me before she answers. She gets up and walks to the kitchen. “No, I can’t say I know him.” She tidies the kitchen. “How long have you been dating?”

“Several months. It was a love-at-first-sight kind of thing. He’s a great guy. However, the reporter showed me a picture today with his hand on a woman’s back leading her into the Dallas restaurant. I felt an enormous amount of jealousy, seeing his hands on another woman.” I open and close my fists as if I’m getting ready to punch someone. “That’s what our fight was about over the weekend. He hit someone who touched me inappropriately. He was mad that I’d been out with that person on one occasion. It was a business meeting, not a date. Anyway, I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this.”

“That seems out of character for Anthony.”

I turn to look at her closely. “You said you didn’t know him.”

“Oh. I don’t. What I meant to say was, that doesn’t seem like the thing a man of his stature and position would do.”

“I didn’t understand jealousy and rage until this afternoon when I saw that picture.”

“Do you think he’s stepping out on you? That seems out of character, too. Isn’t he a public figure? He’d have to know he wouldn’t get away with it.” She cleans the frying pan and puts it away.

“I don’t think he would, but he has a lot of stress in his life right now.”

“Give him the benefit of the doubt, but ask him, so you’re not wondering.”

That seems to be what everyone is telling me these days. “What are you doing tomorrow? The reason I ask is that I am going to this place called The Smash Shack to release my aggression. I’m going to invite Kat, and I thought you might want to meet her.”

“I know it well. I only work Friday through Monday, so that should be great.”

We agree to meet there after I get off work at five. I leave Roxy in the kitchen and walk to my room to call Anthony.

“Hello, babe, how was your day?” his voice sounds tired.

“It’s nice to hear your voice. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too. I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m used to having you in my bed, and I was lonely.”

“Lonely enough to replace me?” I listen patiently as he digests the question.

“I can never replace you. You still don’t get it. How many times do I have to tell you you’re the one? Your name is tattooed on my heart. Maybe I have to tattoo it on my forehead; that way, you’ll know it’s you I love.”

“No tattoos. I was just feeling jealous when the reporter showed me a picture of you and a redhead walking into your restaurant. He was trying to upset me. It worked, but I put on my poker face and didn’t let that affect the interview. It went well, by the way.”

“I wasn’t having any meeting with a redhead. You’re the only redhead for me. I probably just opened the door for someone.” There is a thoughtful pause in our conversation. “I knew you would do well in the interview. How did the tour go?”

“Great, I showed him the lengths we went through to make sure we didn’t serve minors. I think I won him over.”

“I bet did that the minute he looked at you. Now I’m jealous.”

“Speaking of jealous—how’s your hand?” I think back to the break in his skin from punching Blake.

“I’m good. It’s a little sore but healing. It was worth it. Not the fight we had but seeing that slimy worm laid out on the floor. I guess we made the front-page news. I saw it, and I’m sorry about the headline. I’ve called the paper and asked them for a public apology.”

“We’ll see if that happens,” I say sarcastically. “How are your meetings going? You seemed quite busy when I texted you earlier.”

“Things are moving along more slowly than expected. I may not be home Wednesday but will probably be an additional week.”

My heart has just plummeted into the pit of my stomach. That’s ten days apart. How am I supposed to get through that? “I don’t know what to say.” I can feel my throat close with that achy emotional feeling you get right before you cry.

“I have to straighten this stuff out. I met with the accountants today. I meet with the lawyers tomorrow. Yesterday, I met with the private detective I have on your case, and he thinks he found some of your family.”

The mention of my family stops my need to cry. “I have a family?” I ask in awe.

“You just might. I’m trying to get him to move more quickly, but it takes a lot of digging to exhume a past.” I hear the unmistakable sound of a can of something being opened.

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