We were gradually trying to get our life back in order. I still had to see a counselor twice a week, but we were working on getting our sex life back in order. That night at Tesh changed everything for me. It helped tremendously. We weren’t screwing like rabbits like we used to, but we were having some intimacy, and I wasn’t struggling to get through it.
Going out in public was still a struggle and a scare for me. If Grayson wasn’t with me, then I needed someone with me at all times, and I honestly hated that. I felt like I needed some kind of protection with me. Carson was dead, yes, so he couldn’t hurt me. Ashley was locked away, but I was still scared.
I was told that this was a normal part of my healing process. I’d eventually get over it, but it wasn’t soon enough. Sometimes I couldn’t go out at all, and other days, I was completely fine. My phone beeped to an incoming text.
Chace: Just got here. I told Alistair I’d take you home
I looked around the restaurant as I sipped my water. I was meeting Chace for lunch. My first time really seeing him since everything happened. He walked over to our table in the back, and I silently laughed at the way everyone looked at him. His hair was blond, although these days, it was looking darker. He had broad shoulders; very muscular, and tanned. He was sexy. And the best friend of the man I was in love with. He leaned down, giving me a kiss on the top of my head.
“Sorry I’m late, honey cream.”
I crinkled my brow. “Honey cream?”
“Oh, Emmalin. Are you asking me to taste your honey cream?” He cocked an eyebrow as he leaned back in his chair, eyeing me lazily.
My mouth slightly hung open. “I physically want to throw up right now. Do you really pick up women that way? If so, I am sordidly disappointed in all women if they swoon over that bullshit.”
He smiled wide and shrugged. “Hey, sometimes it works. Don’t knock the king, babe. Don’t knock the king. Who do you think taught Grayson?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Grayson didn’t call me honey cream the first time I met him, if I recall. In fact, nothing of the sort.”
“Well, my teaching has clearly failed.”
The server came and took our orders. Chace went on about some job assignment. In the distance, I heard a baby crying and started honing in on that. Then I heard a loud bang, and I jumped, looking around immediately. Chace grabbed my hand, bringing my attention back to his.
“Hey. You okay?”
I was so focused on him that I didn’t notice our server had sidled up directly behind me.
“Ma’am?”
I screamed as she jumped back, spilling her tray of newly replenished drinks. I placed my hand over my chest and stood up. “You can’t do that! You can’t sneak up behind me.” My eyes started to fill with tears. Chace stood up, placing a calming hand on my shoulder.
I turned to him and the still shocked server. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“No, ma’am, I’m so sorry. I’ll have this cleaned up immediately.”
A manager came running over. “Mr. Cartwright. Ms. Ross, our sincerest apologies for that. We’ll seat you at another table immediately.” I saw the manager give the server a stern look.
“It wasn’t her fault. I don’t want anything happening to her job.” I looked at the server, who looked like she was on the verge of tears. The manager looked at her and nodded.
“Of course. Accidents happen. Let us seat you elsewhere, please."
After being seated at a new table, I shut my eyes and took several deep breaths. When I opened my eyes, Chace was staring at me with a look of concern etched across his face.
“Are you okay?”
I slowly nodded. “I still have some anxiety. Some days are better than others. Some days, I’m completely fine. Others, I feel like I’m tunneling down a dark road, and I can’t breathe.” I gave him a weak smile. “But I’m fighting. At least, I’m trying to.”
“You’re stronger than you think you are, beautiful. You’ve fought harder than anyone I know. That’s some hardcore ninja type shit there. You have a bunch of us fighting in your corner for you. Never forget that.” He tapped the tip of my nose with his finger.
Leave it to Chace to be all sentimental and shit. When did that happen?
“You’re sure you’re okay to take me home?”
“Of course.” I watched as he dug around in his pocket. “Shit, I had too much water.” He looked at me and frowned. I swatted him on the chest.
“Go, I’ll wait here.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, it’s nice out.”
“Okay. Don’t move.” I watched as he jogged back into the building. I turned my face up toward the sun. It really was nice out here.
“Emmalin?”
I turned at the sound of my name, and I froze. I looked back toward the restaurant. “I can’t be here with you. You need to go.” I edged closer to the restaurant.
“I just need a minute, Emmalin, and I’ll be gone.”
I looked behind me. Chace would return soon. “You have about thirty seconds, Dale.”
He smiled. “That’s more than enough time. I just wanted to give you something. He reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out an envelope. I eyed the envelope suspiciously.
“Why?”
He cocked his head. “I told you a long time ago, I had business with you.” With that, he turned and left. I stared at the manila envelope before shoving it in my purse.
Chace rejoined me. “Who was that?”
“No one,” I whispered.