“Sasha stayed the night, and the next day, they both went to work together. As soon as they were out of sight, I ran to the neighbor’s house. No one would answer the door until the fifth house. She let me use her phone, and I called an old friend. She thought I’d ghosted her, so I quickly explained that I needed help. She picked me up and got me out of there. I never looked back.”
“Did Tyler look for you?”
“I always watched for him whenever I was out in public. But fortunately, I wasn’t out much. My friend let me stay on her couch. I was able to find a job that allowed me to work remotely, and I was saving up to get a place of my own when Ozzie found me. He offered to bring me to New York to see you. It seemed like an answer to my prayers.”
“Come here,” Durango motions for me to join him on the couch.
I sit next to him, and he pulls me up close to him.
“I’m so sorry you had to deal with all of that. But I’m happy you got free. How long ago was that?”
I swallow. “Six months.”
His arms tighten around me. “Shit. I’m so sorry for pushing you. I had no idea.”
“You haven’t pushed me. I needed to tell you what happened. Trust me, I want to get past all of this, and I’m doing everything I can to make that happen. I’ve been seeing a therapist. And I signed up for the martial arts classes at a gym near my apartment.”
He leans back to look into my eyes. “I’m really happy to hear that.”
“I’m trying, Durango. I really want this to work out between us.”
He squeezes my hand. “Me too.”
CHAPTER 9
Durango
After Willow openedup about everything she’s gone through, I held her until we both fell asleep on the couch. The next morning, she left early, stating she had some big project she had to work on. I think we both need some time to process everything.
But it’s been a week and she’s hardly responded to any of my texts. All I’ve really said is good morning and good night. I need to say more. The woman bared her soul to me. She and I are alike in this one respect: we don’t like to show our weaknesses to others. The way she kept saying she was worried I’d think less of her tells me she views her choices as a weakness.
I grab my phone and fire off a message before I can stop myself.
Durango:Nothing you said makes me think any less of you. I still want you. When you’re ready.
I toss the phone onto the table and take a deep breath. But then it beeps, and I grab for it.
Willow:I think I’m ready.
I reread it four times. She thinks she’s ready?
Durango: I need you to be sure.
Willow: I’m sure. I am ready.
My heart’s beating fast. She’s really ready?
Durango:Will you go to dinner with me this Friday at seven?
Willow:I’d love to.
I jump up and dance around the room. I’m about ninety percent recovered and have my energy back.
Another benefit of recovering is that Reed has okayed my return to work. Only for paperwork, but soon, hopefully, Reed will send me back out on assignments.
Speaking of RHS, I need to get going so I won’t be late. I grab my to-go cup of coffee. Even though Lightning has been wrangled in by Reed when it comes to the food pranks, I still don’t trust the coffee there and only drink what I bring in myself.
I opt to walk, since it isn’t too far. And it’s a beautiful summer morning here in Brooklyn. When I step into RHS, Piper does a double take, but I keep going to my office. I set my coffee down and turn on my computer. A moment later, Piper steps in, followed by Axel and Lightning. All are grinning.
