Page 106 of A Me and Him Thing
Then Ren kisses me again before escorting me to our table. The floodgates have opened. Now all I want to do is kiss him. It’s absolutely one of his talents.
But his chef has prepared an elegant dinner for us. First, we’re served a wedge salad dish with tahini dressing, adorned with cucumbers, radishes, cilantro, and dill. As usual, it’s beautifully presented. Ren’s right. I have a palate, and I know food. I just can’t cook it. It’s a mystery I’ll never solve.
“I can’t believe you did this. Friday is your busiest night.” I’m floored by his actions. They say so much without him uttering a word.
“All for you, Bree.” Ren spears a cucumber with his fork but doesn’t take a bite. “These past few months have been a lot. I know it’s been hard.”
“It’s been much harder on you than me. I loved being there for you.”
“I’m glad Allie had two months of peace. If it hadn’t been for the liver damage caused by the overdoses of Adderall, she might’ve lasted much longer. But she wouldn’t have wanted to live like that. It was no life at all.”
Allison passed after two months of peaceful rest. The hospital finally put her on a feeding tube because Ren refused to have her die of starvation. Once the Adderall was out of her system, the sedatives took effect. She closed her eyes and never opened them again until her spirit was released from the body that held her prisoner.
She wasn’t alone. She was surrounded by her family, by love.
“You never abandoned Allison. You did everything you could to make her as comfortable as possible. There’s nothing more you could have done.” I remind him of this constantly.
He knows, but the knowledge doesn’t assuage his guilt. “She was denied a calm final three and a half years of life. It haunts me. It always will.”
“I understand. I’m here for you.” He needs me, and I love feeling needed.
Ren sets down his fork, his appetite gone. “The hospital sure tripped over itself trying to appease me. I think they thought I was going to sue them royally. I probably should, but I just want it all in my rearview mirror. They refunded me a great deal of money. They’ve apologized effusively, practically groveling. They’ve also made new rules for their facility. They pridethemselves on being the best long-term care facility around here. Even with everything that happened, I still think they’re one of the best. The whole situation was like something out of a horror film. I mean, who could’ve imagined what was really happening? Not me.”
“If the hospital didn’t catch on, why would you? Or any of us? I think your dad feels the worst.”
“Yeah. He’s still kicking himself for not putting two and two together. But why would his mind even go there? It never occurred to any of us.”
We need a subject change. “Life has finally slowed down for you. I love that you’ve hired more staff. Now you won’t be running yourself ragged.”
“Ragged, huh? Was I that bad?” He grimaces, but he begins to eat his salad.
“No, you’re gorgeous and amazing. But you do need sleep like the rest of us humans.”
“For the first time in a long time, I’ve had a minimum of eight hours a night. I’m a new man. Next on my list is moving back to the comfort of my own home.”
“You mean 6263 Forest Grove Circle? My happy place?” I love his home. It’s my favorite place in the world.
“Yep. I love it there too. I love it the most when you’re there with me. And I won’t need to be here at Exodus as often anymore.”
“Exodus will run like the well-oiled machine it is.”
“I’ll still show up most evenings to greet guests, check on everything. But then I’ll go home early and leave all the responsibilities to the people I’ve hired.”
“And I’m one of them.” He hired me to take care of his accounting. I love it. I can do the job from anywhere.
“Yes, you are. Have to keep you close somehow.” He winks at me.
I bite my lip. “I’m not going anywhere, Ren.”
He grants me his sexy half smile. “By the way, Mom and Dad have decided to build their retirement home on the property next to mine. They love the slow lifestyle in Canby. They’re selling their condos in Portland and Florida. It’ll be nice to have them close by.”
“It will.” I love Jack and Susan. “You’re not talking about Todd and Rhoda’s property, are you?”
“Nah, other side. Although their place is for sale. They won’t need it for the next ten years while they rot in prison.”
Well deserved, if you ask me.
Our second course is served to us, a delicious lobster risotto, artfully arranged on the plate.
