Forever You by Lynn, Sandi (e novels to read txt) 📕

and made my way to the bathroom. I needed a shower. I stepped inside and stood under the hot

stream of water that ran down my body. I was both physically and mentally exhausted. I put my hands

against the shower wall and lowered my head. I felt lost and never more alone in my life. I stepped

out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist. As I walked into the bedroom, I stopped and

stared at Ellery’s paintings. I bought them so I could feel closer to her, but at that moment, I didn’t; I

only felt further away. I sat on the edge of the bed and looked at my phone. I was surprised that she

didn’t try to call me. I think after what I said to her and in the tone I said it, she was probably scared.

I turned my phone off, because I didn’t want to be bothered by anyone. I picked up the bottle of pills

that Dr. Peters gave me and decided to take one to help me sleep. I poured another glass of scotch and

downed it with the pill. I got up, walked to my dresser, put on a pair of pajama bottoms, and climbed

into bed. I laid there until a single tear fell down my face as I fell fast asleep.

Chapter 14

The next morning, I rolled over and opened my eyes, staring at the empty bed next to me. I reached

over to grab my phone from the nightstand and turned it on. I wasn’t supposed to be back from

Michigan yet, but I gave strict instructions to Valerie not to bother me unless someone was dying. I

knew my company would be in good hands with Phil, my vice president. A text message from Ashlyn

came through. Shit, I can’t deal with her, especially now.

“Connor, I know you’re out of town, but I was hoping we could get together when you come

back. I need you so bad, and I miss our friendship.”

I need to get her out of town for a while. I didn’t even want to hear her voice, let alone look at her.

I called Howie from our Florida office and told him to find her something to do for a couple of

weeks. He said that one of their assistants just quit, and they needed someone to temporarily fill in

until they replaced her. I told him she’d be there tomorrow. I got out of bed and dialed Paul.

“Connor, how’s your road trip going?” he asked.

“Paul, I need you to do something for me. Howie called. Apparently, one of their assistants just

quit, and I want you to send Ashlyn there for a couple of weeks to fill in. Have the plane fueled and

send her on her way.”

“Ok, why the urgency?” he asked.

“The urgency is that Howie needs an assistant right away.”

“I got it, Connor. I’ll call her now and put her on the plane,” Paul said before he hung up.

I threw my phone on the bed and walked to the bathroom. I splashed some cool water on my face

and looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were bloodshot and swollen. I also needed to shave, but I

didn’t feel like it. I walked back to my phone and dialed Dr. Peters. I needed to see him right away.

“Connor? I’m surprised to hear from you,” he answered.

“I need to see you right away, it’s urgent.”

“Is everything alright?”

“No, it’s not, and that’s why I need to see you immediately.”

“Can you come to my office around noon?”

“Dr. Peters, I don’t think you understand. I’ll pay you triple your fee if you’ll see me within an

hour.”

“Fine, Connor. I’ll see you in an hour.”

I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, then headed downstairs. My phone rang, and as I looked at

it, Ashlyn’s name appeared. Damn her.

“Yeah, what is it, Ashlyn?” I answered.

“Why the hell are you sending me to Florida?!” she spat.

“Calm down, Ashlyn. It’s only for a couple of weeks. One of the assistants quit, and they need

someone to fill in right away. You’re the first person I thought of because you’ve worked with them

on other projects. Howie’s excited to have you.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me? Because if you are, Connor, so help me…”

I needed to remain calm because she was pissing me off, and I wasn’t in the mood for this.

“Ashlyn, listen to me, pack your suitcase, get on the company plane, go to Florida, and when you

get back, we’ll go out. It will be your choice, and we’ll do whatever you want to do.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end. “Fine, Connor, but you better be ready for me

when I get back because we have a lot of making up to do,” she spoke.

“Yep; have a safe trip, Ashlyn,” I said as I hung up.

I quickly dialed Howie. “Howie, change of plans; I want you to keep Ashlyn on board for a month,

and I don’t want her back in New York until I say.”

I need her out of the way and out of my life while I figured out what direction my life was heading.

The pain in my heart was still there, and Ellery was still on my mind. I