Page 96 of The Attraction
It was just after eleven pm when they were finally finished with me and told me I could leave. The detectives would be calling me tomorrow, and then they will tell me when I will be cleared to fly home. Obviously, I will be needed back here to testify when the case goes to court, but I’ll be more than happy to sit there and look Chester straight in the eye. I’ll help put him away again for a long time on a case of attempted murder which is what they have charged him with.
I have given all the suggestions to them that they need to look at his computer and phone, because how else could he have known who I am and what my relationship to Harper is? Ghost posted an anonymous post earlier this morning on a fairly small socialite page in St. Tropez that doesn’t have many followers, of Harper and me out on Saturday night in the bar we were at. It was a photo that Flynn had snapped of the two of us on the dance floor and sent it through to Ashton when he said he needed something, and we didn’t want to ask any of the girls and freak them out. It’s not the best shot, which is perfect because then it looks authentic. This site will show up in the search history of Chester’s computer, which will link into why he started to search for me this morning. All the fake stories Ghost planted will be gone, and they assure me that not a soul will be able to trace them.
Ashton was waiting for me in my hotel room once I was dropped off by the taxi, and he just shook his head at me, then took me in a hug. He lectured me on going into the fight after he pulled the knife but then told me that he was proud of how I handled him. He then fussed around for a few minutes, making sure I was okay. He had been in contact with the guys, assured them I was fine and that I would call them in the morning. The painkillers are now kicking in, and even if I wanted to, there is no way I could hold a conversation.
Tomorrow I’ll be happy to talk, but tonight, I just need sleep.
And to work out how I’m going to explain all this to Harper without having my life threatened for a second time.
ChapterTwenty-One
HARPER
Rem sent me a message this morning to say that he has been in contact with Ashton, and everything is still fine in Chicago, so there is nothing to be concerned about. That he or Sandon will be in touch if needed. It’s always in the back of my mind, but Forrest seems to be overtaking the majority of my thoughts these days. And that’s a far better use of my energy.
It’s been two days since I had my first session with Cherie, and something is shifting in me. I feel like I’ve been sleeping better, although I don’t really know for sure. The only way I can tell is the way I feel when I wake up in the morning. The last two mornings I may have woken up a little stiff and sore, but I didn’t feel the heaviness of the other mornings since all this started again.
Sadly, I know it’s not because Forrest has been sneaking into bed with me that I feel better, so it has to be Cherie. I’m going back in tonight for another session, but this time I know what to expect, so I’ll be taking the ibuprofen before I even go.
Thinking about the breakfasts I have been eating the last few days, I’m sure the exercise will actually help my waistline. Normally I’m not a sweet breakfast person, but the blueberry pancakes yesterday were to die for, and then this morning, I actually laughed out loud as I opened his note and then looked down at the clear plastic container it was attached to that was full of fresh fruit salad. Picking it up and rereading the card now makes me smile again as I run today’s green ribbon through my fingers.
Morning, tutti frutti.
I can hear you complaining about your clothes not fitting you.
This should help.
Forrest x
PS I still stand by my statement, clothes are optional in my apartment.
I never understood the use of a fidget toy, but the soothing I get from running the ribbon each day through my fingers, it reminds me of when we used to lie together and I would run Forrest’s hair through my fingers too. I’m sure he didn’t send them to me for that reason, but it’s an added bonus.
This morning, I gave in and asked Flynn how Forrest was, and all I got was “he’s doing okay,”and then he changed the subject really quickly. That tells me that he is functioning like I am, putting one foot in front of the other, but he’s not off jumping up and down in joy that he got rid of me. I hope after tonight’s session with Cherie, that maybe on the weekend, I can reach out and ask him to meet up with me so we can talk. In a public place because I know if we meet in his apartment, there is no way I won’t end up in his bed again, and that’s not healthy for either of us.
I have demons to bury and healthy patterns to build before I fall into old habits which would just lead to hurt for myself and others around me. And I know I need to talk to Felisha, and my family too, and let them in on how I have been feeling and the pain I have carried for so long. Felisha knows a lot but not everything, but my poor family have no idea.
When I stormed out of Forrest’s apartment, I had no idea how much I would miss him. But looking back, it was probably the best thing for both of us because it forced me to face my feelings and really sit with them. I knew I was falling in love with Forrest, but walking away made me understand that there was no falling anymore. I’m in love with him, and it’s not the awful thing I have always thought it would be. And by feeling a different kind of hurt from love, I’m sure it will make me a better person. One who will deal with things I had locked up for life, which was a mistake, because although I wasn’t feeling them on a day-to-day basis, I hadn’t dealt with them either.
My office door opens, and Felisha walks in looking focused on whatever is on her phone and talking into her earpiece at the same time which tells me I’m needed, and I can’t sit here and daydream all day. It makes me smile because I have never been someone to sit still, let alone daydream. Life is changing, and I just hope it’s for the better.
FORREST
Looking in the mirror in my hotel room after finishing my shower, I can see all the bruises coming out, and the one on my cheek also has my eye on that side going a little purple. I’m sure it’ll go down really well when they guys see me tonight when I land in London.
Thankfully Nic is sending the company plane to get me from Chicago, so I don’t have to fly back commercial looking like I have been in a bar fight. It’s 4am here, but my flight is leaving at 6am, and I’ll miss a day this time with the time change flying home. Arriving in London at 9pm, the jet lag is going to be a killer, but I’d rather that and be home in my own apartment and only five minutes away from Harper.
The detectives on Chester’s case came to the hotel yesterday and ran through everything they needed from me, and Ashton organized for a lawyer friend of his to be present. Not that I need one, but we want to make sure that nothing is done to jeopardize the case from our end. They informed me that Chester had faced the judge that morning and has been refused bail, as it is his second offence and the evidence they found on his computer was so damning for the case against him. Although I was still sore, I slept well last night knowing he was no longer on the streets. And that I was allowed to leave the country and fly home was an even bigger relief.
I check the dressing on my stitches, and they look good. No sign of infection which is what they were worried about, because who knows where that knife had been. The tip only just broke the skin, leaving a laceration about an inch long. Every time I look at it, I know it could’ve been a lot worse. And let’s just say, that’s the last time I plan on taking on a guy with a knife.
Slipping my shirt on over my bruised torso, I button it up and head out of the bathroom, turning off the light and collecting my phone and luggage. As I walk out of the hotel room and hear the click of the door behind me, it’s like I’m closing the Chicago chapter of this story, and it feels good.
* * *
As the plane touches down at Heathrow Airport, I sigh with relief to be back on UK soil, which is a weird feeling for me since I’ve flown all over the world, but right now, I just want to be home.
I slide into the back of the car that Flynn made sure was at the airport to pick me up and call my parents.
