Page 32 of Redemption

“He does, but Asher is my biggest blessing. I’m not sure where I’d be without him. He keeps me going on the darkest of days. He’s my whole world.” While the smile on her face isn’t meant for me, I realize it’s the first genuine one she’s worn in the times I’ve been around her. “Listen, Sloane, I mean, it doesn’t seem like you have any issues with me, but I just wanted to make sure you weren’t worried about Andrew and me. I know I looked like a deer caught in headlights last night in the elevator. I couldn’t help it. There were just so many times over the years that I wondered if I’d ever run into him again. Then, he was just there …”

“You both looked like you’d seen a ghost,” I finish for her and she nods. “I didn’t know your name or anything, really, just about your existence and what had happened back then.”

“It was, well, honestly, it was a period in my life that I’d rather forget.”

“Grace—”

“I want the best for Andrew. I always have. It seems that he has found happiness with you, and I'm glad. I want that for him and for you. I just wanted you to know that. I appreciate Andrew trying to give us both closure, but like I told him, it’s really not needed any longer.”

Reaching out my hand, I gently squeeze hers with less pressure than I’m feeling in my throat right now. While I consider leaving her be, I sit and chat with her until I feel my phone vibrate.

“Sounds like the guys are finally awake!” I chirp out, annoyed at how high pitched my voice sounds. I toss my empty coffee cup away in the trash and smile as I read Andrew’s message. “Andrew just ordered breakfast and he mentioned taking me out for a ride.”

“Have fun. I’m just going to call my son and hit the ladies’ room,” she responds.

“Oh, I can wait for you,” I offer, but she quickly shakes her head.

“No, don’t worry about me. I like the quiet and Asher isn’t used to me being gone. I may be on the phone for a bit. Maybe I’ll see you later.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Yep, definitely. Go enjoy your day.”

“You too, Grace. It was nice getting a chance to talk to you.”

“It was,” she replies, sounding sincere.

I’m practically walking on clouds as I head to meet Andrew, and Roman, as it turns out.

“What have you been up to?” Vector asks, after I lean down to kiss him in greeting.

“I ran into Grace when I was getting coffee earlier, and we’ve just been talking,” I answer, ignoring the look Roman gives Vector.

“All good?” he asks me once the waitress has set a cup of coffee in front of me and I order a simple breakfast.

“All good,” I respond, too shy to repeat our conversation in front of Roman. “What are y’all thinking of doing today?”

“The Saint’s reserved a cabana, so party by the pool later, but I thought you might want to get out and see the area?” Vector answers me, but Roman must feel left out because he answers before I can.

“Yes, dear, that sounds delightful!” he says, fluttering his eyes at his president.

I can’t help but laugh at the expression on their faces, at least until I see Ford striding toward us.

“Hey, have any of you seen Grace?” he asks us, and both of my companions turn to look at me.

“Yeah, she was going to the bathroom, calling her son, then heading back upstairs to meet you,” I immediately respond, standing up out of concern. “I’ll go check the bathroom.”

Vector pushes his chair back to rise, holding a hand up to stop Roman. “Settle the bill for us.”

I retrace my steps to where Grace and I parted, not more than twenty minutes ago, wondering what would hold her up. Turning down the service hall between the mall and the hotel lobby, I start to tell them I’ll go check the restroom, but from thelooks on Vector and Ford’s faces, I know there’s no chance that they’ll wait outside.

“Go keep an eye out for Roman,” Vector says, and I nod, my lips drawn in a tight line with worry for the woman I just met.

Ford is first into the bathroom and even as I retrace my steps up the hallway, I can hear his voice change as he repeatedly says her name until he finally lets out an expletive.

“Roman!” I call out the moment I see him. “They’re in there, but there’s a door down at the end as well.”

Ford and Vector rejoin us, both looking noticeably more stressed out than they were mere seconds ago. Without a word from me, Ford heads down to the exit door I had noticed. It’s marked that an alarm will sound when opened, but it remains silent when he pushes it open.

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