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“Thanks, Paige, I love you.”
My sister was worth her weight in gold if she could get Lana to open up. She didn’t want to see her family even though they had called several times. She hung up on her father when he called. Alicia stopped by the apartment, and Lana locked herself in the bedroom. The situation was not good.
I had my meeting with Lucian and Joanna to discuss the upcoming holiday season and how we would proceed with marketing our new software. Lucian told me that Jared had called asking about getting his old job back. He was afraid to call me, thinking I was angry and hoped that Luc could smooth things over. Out of all the programmers that left, I wanted him back the most.
“You can tell him that he can start on Monday. We can give him a five thousand dollar raise from his previous salary. I know it won’t match what Declan offered, but it’s a start. If he wants to let us produce The Rapids, we can make a percentage deal that will be financially beneficial to him. Luc, you handle negotiations.”
“Sure. I’ll take care of it.”
After our meeting was over and Joanna left for the night, Lucian lingered.
“I have nothing new to tell you other than I feel that Lana hates me more and more each day. I’m losing her, Lucian.”
“I don’t think so. Lana loves you.”
“It’s hard to believe that. Nothing I do is right.”
“Give her time. She’s traumatized.”
“I thought she would come around by now. I asked Paige to speak with her tonight. Since I haven’t heard anything from my sister, she might be making some headway. I hope so.”
“Zane, I know you’re hurt, but it’s important that you’re patient.”
“I’m trying. That’s all I can do.”
When I got home, the apartment was empty and dark. I hadn’t heard from either my sister or Lana, and that worried me. I fixed myself a sandwich and poured a liberal glass of wine to accompany it. It was late August, and the sunlight was fading earlier and earlier in the evening each night. I sat out on the terrace, eating and watching the lights of the city wink in the darkness.
I must have dozed off, and kisses from Lana awakened me. She curled up on my lap, putting her arms around my neck and laying her head against my chest.
“Zane, I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“Lana, you don’t need to apologize.”
“I do. I pushed you away.”
All this from talking to Paige? My sister is a miracle worker.
“Where were you tonight?”
“I saw Dr. Amundsen. I knew I should have sooner. Then I went to have dinner with Paige.”
“I want you to know that I wasn’t pushing you. I just wanted you to understand that it wasn’t your fault that Declan died. He wasn’t taking care of his health. I think the stress of everything got to him.”
“I know. I thought I deserved him hitting me. He said some awful things to me before he did it.”
“Do you want to tell me what happened that day?”
“I would. Dr. Amundsen said I should, but only if I’m ready. I want to tell you.”
“I’m ready to listen.”
She sat up in my lap, and I could see her face that was illuminated by the kitchen lights.
“I took a cab from the apartment, as you said. I signed the papers and talked to Todd for a while then I left to get another cab. There was one waiting at the curb, and I gave him the address, but I noticed he wasn’t going the right way. I told him to let me out, but he wouldn’t. He brought me right to Declan, who was waiting in front of the hotel. The cab driver and he pulled me out of the car, and Declan said some horrible things to me as he dragged me into the lobby. I cursed at him, and he slapped me. Then this look came over his face like he was in pain. He grabbed his chest and crumpled to the floor. I just stood there while people in the lobby ran to him.”
“I’m sorry. I should have gone with you.”
“You can’t blame yourself. You weren’t feeling well.”
