1
Olivia
My phone rang. The fluttering of my heart attempted somehow matched the ring tone. Until I saw Hope’s name, I thought it was him calling… begging me to come back to him.
“Hello,” I said as I tapped the speaker button and sat down on the soft, squishy mattress.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Hope asked.
I shrugged, squeezing myself into a tight hug. “If it’s not, I can just come back.”
“You could use the money for something else,” Hope said.
“Is that your way of telling me you want me to move out?” I asked.
Hope groaned loudly, letting me hear her annoyance. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like but I want you to heal.”
“I just want to get away for a while. I’m too close to Danny. It’s like I’m trapped here. If he sees me out and about, he’ll follow me back here,” I said. “I don’t want to cause any trouble for you.”
“I’d just call the cops,” Hope said. “He’s not going to get away with that shit while I’m around.”
I flopped down on the bed and tucked my ebony hair behind my ears. “It’s been years since I’ve had the chance to go anywhere. I’d ask you to come but I know you’re busy with your job and Max.”
“I’m sorry,” Hope said. “If you wait a few months, maybe I could take some time off.”
“That’s the thing… I don’t want to wait. I need this now,” I said.
“If you’re sure,” Hope said.
I bit my lip. Hope always looked out for me. It wasn’t surprising that I was living in the house she’d inherited. She could have had a one-bedroom apartment and she still would have found space for me.
“I’m sure,” I said. “It’s just two weeks.”
“Have you talked to Tori about it yet?” Hope asked.
“She suggested it when she gave me the money,” I said nervously scratching my elbow. “It’s what she wanted me to spend money on.”
Hope sighed. “Well, okay. Let me know if you need a ride to the airport, okay? Max will lend me his car.”
“I’ll get a ride,” I said. “You worry too much about me.”
“I worry the right amount,” Hope said. “Call me tomorrow, okay?”
“Of course,” I said. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” Hope said. “Oh, could you turn off the kitchen lights when you go to bed?”
I chuckled. “No problem.”
I looked at the phone, worried the next call would be from Danny. He probably thought I just needed time and would come back, like I had every other time.
This time though… it was different. I was done.
In the morning, I’d be on a plane to a small town in Mexico I could barely remember the name of. Exclusive. Private. Time for just me.
I needed a break from Tori insisting I put myself out there. She was far more social than I was and I was exhausting from pretending to be something I wasn’t.
Hell, I was over forty and there wasn’t a year of my life that I had lived just for me. It was time.
I wasn’t sure how I’d pay Tori back. She said it was a gift but I couldn’t accept a gift that massive and not find a way to pay her back.
I’d worry about that later. It was a worry I couldn’t have on my shoulders. There was already more than enough on my shoulders.
I finished packing my things and started the water for a bath. My skin prickled as I lowered myself down into the tub.
Hope had given me rose-scented bubble bath and candles of the same scent, glowing around the room. The setting was relaxing but still, I couldn’t let my muscles unwind.
Normally, the tub was the one place I let my mind wander but tonight, I couldn’t. I couldn’t think about new relationships, hot guys, or even sex. After what I’d been through with Danny, I was certain I wouldn’t ever find love.
Even after witnessing Hope, one of my best friends in the entire world, find Max, I still knew something like that wouldn’t happen for me. I needed to focus on myself.
I needed to heal.
Once all my wounds were gone, then I’d have to worry about getting a job… make money… things I never thought I’d have to worry about at this particular point in my life.
I opened the drain with my toe and stood in the tub. I wrapped a luxurious, fluffy towel around myself.
My eyes scanned the perfect room. I was thankful that Hope let me stay in her home but I wanted my own place. I wanted to wrap a towel around myself that I’d picked out and purchased with my own money.
In my life with Danny, I hadn’t been able to purchase things on my own. I had to ask for permission. Now, on my own, I didn’t have the money.