Page 10 of Marrying Hope

I sit up and squeeze my eyes for a moment. Remainders of the dream cross my brain and my stomach growls. It’s the same every fucking morning.

I can’t bear to be hungry.

As I dial Will to prepare my breakfast, I remember the pancakes Rose had given me. In all the fury, I left the box in the lobby of my suite.

“Good morning, Mr. Teager,” William says in his no-nonsense voice. “Should I get your breakfast ready?”

“About that. Last night I left a box on the side table of the lobby. Inside are pancakes Zander made for me. Can you check that they’re still good and warm them up? I’ll need eggs and bacon as well.”

“Very well, Mr. Teager. I found the box last night when I came to check on Ms. Hilbert and kept it in the refrigerator.”

I hear the rustling of sheets and Vanessa sits up, a bit less drunk than last night. “About Ms. Hilbert.” I pause and make sure that I have her full attention. “I don’t want a repeat of yesterday. I don’t want you to allow anyone except my family in the elevator to my suite without my permission.” My gaze bores into Vanessa’s face as she pinches her lips together.

“I’m extremely sorry, sir. It will certainly not happen again.”

“Good. I’ll be up in fifteen minutes. Please have the food ready.”

I place my phone on the table, and before I can say anything, Vanessa gets up from the bed, grabbing her heels. “Okay, you’ve made it clear, I’m not getting any coffee here.”

I pull her down in one of the chairs as she’s about to bolt through the door. “No, Vanessa. It appears I haven’t made myself clear. You need to listen and listen carefully.”

She makes an annoyed sound.

“You cannot show up at my office. My home. We are through, Van.”

“As if you can resist me.” She smiles, giving me one of her contemptuous grins.

“You of all people know it’s not you that I can’t resist.” A horrified expression etches on her face, but I continue. “This is not a relationship. You are not my preference, Van. This is not even an arrangement. Don’t make me say something that we’ll both regret.”

“So, what am I? An easy fuck?” Her eyes turn bloodshot red and I’m sure it’s not just from the hangover.

“Everyone is an easy fuck to me. I’m ashamed to admit it, but that’s the truth.”

“And admitting it makes you a better person? You’re disgusting. Do you know that, Zach Teager?”

I do know that.

I know that very well.

I stand and pick up my phone and jacket from the couch. “It’s good thatyouknow that. See yourself out. Security is informed to not allow you inside the hotel after today.”

“What will you do, get a restraining order?” she barks, flailing her arms around.

“If that’s what it takes, I will. I need you out of my life.” With heavy steps, I walk to the door before looking over my shoulder. Uneasiness crawls up my spine as a quiver develops in my stomach. “I never thought it would come to this. I miss my friend, but I can’t do this anymore. It’s for the good of all of us.”

“For your brother’s fucking wife, you mean.” Vanessa pulls her chin up in the air as her murderous gaze pins on me.

“Thirty minutes and then security will be here to clear you out.”

---