I wasn’t sure what those words sounded like as I bawled, but Virgil seemed to get the gist of what I was trying to tell him. He was muttering curses and banging around on something.
“I figured something like that was happening. Willow, listen to me. Go sit with Laura or take a bath or take a nap. Whatever. Just relax. I promise you everything will be okay. I’m tracking down something right now and then I’m coming over.”
“He won’t listen.”
“He will listen to me. What day was it last week that you were at the cafe? And what was the deli called that you ate at on Monday?”
I answered him, hiccupping between my words.
“Okay. Now can you go find Laura?”
“Yes.”
“Be brave, Willow. Everything will be okay.”
I wanted to believe him and tried to pull myself together enough to get down the rest of the stairs. It didn’t surprise me much when Laura appeared by my side a couple of minutes later, helping me down to my favorite spot in the library. Virgil must have called her as soon as he hung up on me.
As I sat there, I tried to sort through all the thoughts whirling in my head. Although it hurt me Nicholas believed I could do something like this, I found myself unable to be too angry at him.
This was the one thing… the one sore spot… that Hector obviously knew he could target.
I was angry at myself for falling into Hector’s trap than I was at Nicholas. Those pictures weaved a horrible tale, and I trembled thinking about what vile lies Hector must have told Nicholas when he was confronted.
It was no wonder he was beyond reason.
I had to believe when he calmed down when he listened to me and to Virgil, that he would see reason. That he would know deep down I would never do something so horrible.
And that eventually there would be some justice served on Hector. Of that I was sure.
Laura stayed close but thankfully didn’t try to pry out information. She kept me supplied with food and drinks, allowing me some space to ruminate alone.
I don’t know how long I sat there. Sometime later, Virgil popped his head in, checking on me and assuring me again before he went up to Nicholas. As the hours went by, the more tired I grew. At some point, I stretched out on the couch and fell asleep.
The first thing I noticed when I woke the next morning was the stifling heat.
Why was it so hot? Did Nicholas turn the air conditioning off?
Nicholas!
I smelled him. I felt him. He was wrapped around me, caging me against the back of the couch. I would have laughed when I opened my eyes, seeing the two of us clinging to each other as we slept in the small space, but I quickly remembered the events from the night before.
It was hardly a time for laughter.
He was snoring lightly, and I took a moment to look him over. He was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans and had obviously taken a shower at some point because there was no hint of the liquor I had seen him consume.
I brushed my fingers through his hair, and he tightened his embrace in response. When his eyes popped open, my heart stuttered.
“Hi,” I said quietly.
“Hi.” I wasn’t sure what to say, or even where to start.
“I am so sorry.” His voice cracked as he too struggled for words. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
The truth was, I’d already forgiven him. I didn’t know if that made me stupid or naive or foolish, but it was just the way it was. I understood why he reacted the way he did, and perhaps if I’ d been in his shoes, I would have done the same thing.
I didn’t want or need Nicholas to breakdown or grovel for me to see how much he regretted his actions. It was written plainly across his face.
“I know you’re sorry. I’m sorry too. I should have told you sooner about the creepy guy following me. It would have saved us both a lot of grief.”
He shook his head. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You have every right to hate me after what I said.” He swallowed a few times. “Please don’t leave me though. Please.” The desperation in his voice only made my heart hurt more.
As if I could ever leave him like that. “I’m not going anywhere.”
His eyes darted down and then back up to meet mine. “I’m also sorry for ruining your birthday. I swear I will make it up to you.”
I sighed. From the sound of his voice, he was beating himself up far more than I ever could, even if I wanted to. “You know what I want the most?”
“What?”
“For us to talk this all out, and figure out what to do next. The best birthday present you could give me is to trust me.” I put my hand on his face and rubbed my thumb along his cheekbone. “Believe me when I say I would never hurt you like that.”
“I do. I’m sorry I doubted you for even a second.”
He kissed me and I let him. I wanted the proximity. Even pressed together like we were, it wasn’t close enough for me. Except for one thing.
I pushed him away a few seconds later. “I’m sorry. I really want to talk, and I really want to kiss you, but if you don’t let me up immediately, I’m going to pee all over the couch .” This pregnancy made me want to pee all the time.
He laughed and the sound of it made me break out into a smile.
We had so much to set right, to talk through, to settle between us, but I also knew then that everything would work out. We were going to be okay.