The Business of Pleasure by Ronica Black

Author:Ronica Black [Black, Ronica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636791340
Goodreads: 60147155
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2022-04-01T19:39:34+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“You are going to be coming down for the launch, aren’t you?” Valerie had asked during the last Zoom call with Lennox. Lennox had hesitated, unsure how to answer. While she wanted more than anything to attend the launch and meet everyone, especially Valerie, she was anxious about Valerie seeing her.

Valerie had only seen her from the painting and the Zoom meetings. She hadn’t seen her walk, or more appropriately, her limp. She hadn’t seen her scars along her hip and thigh. The woman Valerie thought beautiful was a facade.

How could Lennox face her knowing that? Knowing she’d most likely be disappointed?

Lennox had eventually answered, telling her she’d think about it. That had seemed to please Valerie because she’d smiled and said, “Okay.”

Her smile.

God, her smile.

So warm, so inviting.

It never failed to warm Lennox from the inside out.

Lennox thought of it now as she rounded the block, cane in hand. She checked her pedometer and noted that she’d already walked a mile.

“Another mile to go,” she said, intent on beating her last time. She sped up a little and tried once again to walk without her cane. She made it about fifty yards before she was wincing in pain and needed to stop.

“Damn it.” She bent over slightly and pressed on her hip, hoping the pressure would help ease the sharp stabbing. It didn’t. She straightened and tried to continue, this time using her cane. But the pain continued. It continued for the next hundred yards, until eventually she had no choice but to turn around and head back toward her apartment.

By the time she made it back tears had formed in her eyes. She clanged her way inside, dumping her cane and collapsing on the couch. She cried out as she shifted wrong and a sharp stab sliced its way down her leg. She gripped her thigh and prayed for it to stop. Hemingway, showing his apparent concern, hopped up on the couch next to her and meowed. He rubbed his face against hers and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Thanks, bud, but I think I’m gonna need a little more than that this evening.” She managed to scratch his head. “Got any painkillers? Advil, Aleve? Sledgehammer to hit me over the head with?”

He merely purred. She eyed her watch. She had a Zoom meeting with Valerie in two hours.

“I’ve got some time to rest.” She loved on Hemingway and allowed her eyes to drift close. She was suddenly exhausted from her excursion and the pain seemed to dull as she sat still.

Soon she was fast asleep.

The ringing seemed to be in her dreams, yet she couldn’t place where it was coming from. She was on her bike, speeding through traffic, the wind in her hair, and this ringing kept chasing her. Eventually, she was pulled away from her dreams and her eyes opened.

The ringing, however, did not stop.

“Oh, shit.”

She fumbled with the laptop, doing her best to sit upright and appear awake.

“Lennox, hi,” Valerie said, looking as devastating as ever.

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