Chapter Seventeen
Ramsay
It felt like my heart was shriveling up inside of my chest as I watched Osi’s rental car disappear down the street.
“That job,” Sapphy shook her head as she took my arm. “I hate it that he had to leave.”
“It must be important.” My voice sounded far away. It was almost like I watching myself form outside of my body.
“He was upset. I could see it in his eyes.” His mother turned me away from the street and we started walking.
I wanted to believe that he was called away on a job. I really did but it was too…convenient, the excuse to easy. He doesn’t want to be around you. He can’t stand to sleep with you. He’s disgusted by you. That voice in my head wouldn’t stop.
I must have made a noise because Sappy slowed and patted my arm. “You know that he’s good at his job. You don’t have to worry about him.”
I tried to give her a reassuring smile. “But it’s still dangerous.”
“Honey, there are all kinds of dangers out there.” She was giving me the same look that Osi did when he was trying to read my mind.
“I know,” my voice was husky.
She gave me another searching look then asked, “More shopping or do we go back and harass Mad?”
“Shopping,” I answered firmly. I’d always have my work. I might have lost my love but I would always have fashion.
After a casual dinner with Mad and Sapphy on the patio, I excused myself with the excuse that I needed to pack but really, I needed to be alone. I needed to think.
Around eleven, I sent a text.
Ramsay: I miss you.
Three days later, I woke up after a fitful night of little sleep and a couple of bad dreams. I was back in Indy. I’d given Edwin a two page list of contacts to follow-up with and I’d acquired three new clients that wanted my help with finding particular looks. I’d still not seen Billie. I’d knocked on her door last evening but the answer was the dogs’ barking.
A part of me was grateful that I could put off our talk for a little longer but I missed my friend.
I also missed Osi. I still hadn’t heard from him and my optimism was running out. I stretched and checked my phone. No new texts. Not that I wouldn’t have heard the notification because I had the volume turned up to the maximum. I got up and headed to the shower.
I was making my first cup of coffee when Osi’s alert rang.
Osi: Work is busy. More than anticipated.
Ramsay: Can you call me now?
Osi: No. I’ll let you know when I can
Ramsay: I understand
I stared at the screen for five minutes, hoping, then praying that he’d say something more.
Then suddenly the tears came. I stated sobbing. I cried so hard that I felt sick. I rushed to the bathroom and threw up.
After I sat on the side of the tub for a while trying to find some kind of order to the thoughts in my head, I did what I always did when I was in crisis mode. I dialed Ollie.
He answered on the fourth ring. “It’s early.”
“Where are you?”
Two hours later, I was packed, Edwin had instructions on how to handle things while I was away. My flight left in just under two hours so I needed to get to the airport and park.
I’d just exited the elevator, and I was clicking my remote start for my car when I saw Billie’s SUV stop and pull back into her parking space.
She got out and met me at the rear of her vehicle. “Are you going?” She eyed my suitcase.
“Something just came up.” I told her as I looked at my watch. “I need to get to the airport.”
Her eyes flashed in anger, “So that’s how it’s going to be? I get the silent treatment?”
“I don’t have time right now.” I considered getting a later flight. Billie looked tired. I wanted to sit down and ask if she was doing all right.
“Of course you don’t.” She shook her head at me. “I’m sure there is a fashion emergency some place and that need for the perfect gown trumps me.”
“Nooo.” I started to tell her.
“Just forget it.” She started to walk around to get into the driver’s seat. “As always, you’re actions speak just fine for you.”
“Billie, I, this needs more than a fifteen minute talk.” I started to follow her.
She opened her door and got in. “Just…have a safe trip Ramsay. Maybe when you get back you can make time for me.”
“Billie,” I yelled after she slammed the door.
She started her engine.
I didn’t know what to do. So I stood in the empty space between our vehicles and watched her back out and pull away. She didn’t look at me once.
I didn’t realize that I was crying until I looked in the rearview mirror when I started to back out.
Goddamnit, I hated all of this crying.