Page 29 of Retribution

“Simple, a compliment.” His arrogance swarms the air.

Rolling my eyes, I sit back down beside him, the smell of alcohol still floating around. I find myself becoming distracted once again, with my poor attempt of forgetting about it.

We sit in front of the restaurant that was once one of my most favored places. Through the window, it buzzes with life and happiness; couples and families enjoying a candlelit dinner without a care in the world. Mine and Scott’s first official date had been here, paired with the time he asked me to be his girlfriend; some sort of meaningful gesture to our history. Scoffing at the memory, I prohibit the emotion that is bursting to pour out of me, shutting down the thought and locking it away with a key.

No more of this. No more dwelling on the past.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Angling my body towards him, I give him a small smile.

“You didn’t offend me, don’t worry. I just haven’t been much of myself lately, I’m sorry for being uptight.”

“Could say the same for myself,” he shifts, looking downwards and withdrawing from the conversation quickly, avoiding to spill anything else about how he’s feeling.

For a few moments, we both just sit in silence.

I don’t know whether to probe him for more information, or if that would be overstepping.

I certainly wouldn’t want him poking questions around my personal life, we barely know each other. But then again, would that not be better? To be able to vent to someone you don’t know so you get minimal judgment in return. Before I’m able to speak, I’m interrupted.

“How about we both blow off some steam? We can stay at a hotel, have a few drinks and relax?” he looks up at me, his blue eyes dancing in the reflection of the streetlights, or the glassy-eyed look from the alcohol.

I know better than to act on impulse and take him up on his offer, he’s Allie’s husband for Christ’s sake. Shaking my head, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Come on, it’ll be fun, I promise,” he winks at me. I let a shy laugh escape, looking around to try and stop myself from submitting to temptation.

“I can’t I have–” I find myself about to say that I have a fiancé, which clearly, I very much don’t anymore. After years of saying I have a partner, it’s definitely going to take some getting used to, now that I’m single.

I meet his gaze, him looking at me with an arched brow.

Sucking in a deep breath, “Yeah, fine, sure.” I pull my lips into a tight line and stand up, tugging my dress lower.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Wearing a lazy grin, he stands up alongside me, but not as graceful as me.

He offers his arm, towering almost an entire foot above me.

Linking my arm through his, we begin to walk further down the street, away from the bar, the warmth of his touch sending signals to the rest of my body.

After engaging in small talk for the walk, avoiding bringing Allie into the conversation, we come up to the entrance of an extravagant building. One look at the huge signage makes my heart skip a beat.

‘St. Regis Hotel’.

Planting my feet to a stand still, I pull away from Reed’s arm, my obvious demeanor causing him to question me.

“Um, is everything okay?”

Everything from the past week resurfaces, flashing through my mind, the text messages, the email, the conversations.

Closing my eyes, I flare my nostrils as pure anger begins to pulse through my body. I clench my fists, I squeeze my eyes together tight, trying to shut out everyone and everything around me.

After a few seconds I feel the warmth return to my side, a large hand caresses my arm patiently, comfortingly. I like the way he makes me feel, the protective nature and the ease of being around him.

Slowly opening my eyes, I look at his, an ocean of concern.

“I- I’m fine” I assure him. His gaze doesn’t leave mine, though.

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