“Amelia is at Mom’s?”
“Yes.” It’s all I manage, not being sure which of Lex’s personalities is about to emerge.
He nods his head, raising his eyes to meet mine. “Do you want me to sleep in the guest room?”
“It’s your house, Lex, just as much as mine,” I say, defeated. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.” I begin to walk out of the kitchen until Lex calls my name, prompting me to stop and turn around.
“I’m proud of you… for what you’re doing to help Marjorie. It takes a lot of strength and willpower to fight for what’s right and when it comes to family. You’re the strongest advocate any mother or child could ask for. You’re a warrior, Charlotte, and you deserve to know that.” Lex walks past me, leaving me with those words.
Lex heads off to sleep in the guestroom while I lay wide awake unable to clear my thoughts. Lex’s words run on repeat…
“You’re a warrior Charlotte, and you deserve to know that.”
I’d never considered myself a warrior. I’ve fought many battles alone, but only because I had no choice. And now, I’m married, yet the person I should be standing with, in the frontline, is sleeping in our guest room. Countless nights over the past few months I’ve laid in this bed alone.
The only difference now—I’m controlling the situation.
It’s all on me.
A blessing and a curse.
I’ve managed to sleep a few hours despite my predicament. Before picking up Amelia, I decide to shower, change, and get some work done. With my breakfast and coffee sitting beside me in my home office, I’m interrupted as Lex knocks on the door. My gaze lifts, to see him dressed in a pair of jeans, a white tee, and sneakers. How this man goes from tuxedo to sneakers and still looks like Adonis is beyond me.
“Working?” he asks, keeping his distance.
“Yeah,” I huff, slipping my glasses off. “These numbers are… frustrating, to say the least.”
“Do you mind if I take a look?”
I push the papers toward him, wrapping my hands around the hot mug of coffee and taking a much-needed sip. Perhaps I’ve been overanalyzing, or my brain is tired from crunching numbers. Either way, I feel like I’m getting nowhere.
“Suggestion?”
“Go for it.”
“If Marjorie can move the budget toward this column, you’ll see a rise in losses. However, if you look over here, the return on investment will increase.”
I carefully look over the numbers and his direction. Lex is right. Marjorie and her team need to find a way to sustain the everyday running of the shelter and still pay rent despite the increase because of greedy investors. The plan is to raise enough money to be able to purchase the land, plus renovate the building to make it more accommodating and functional.
“That makes sense. A lot of sense…” I trail off. “I’m going to work on this now before I pick up Amelia.”
“I was thinking of picking her up. You know… spend some time with her, plus give you some hours to work?”
I raise my eyes to meet his, offering him a smile. “I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
***
I present the numbers to Marjorie and her team. She nods her head, agreeing all the while appearing somewhat relieved. The shelter runs on sponsored funding, with many of their staff volunteers. Any penny saved will make a difference to the future of the shelter.
“You’re an angel sent from above, Charlie.”
My lips curve upward, welcoming the compliment, yet I am quick to remember it had been Lex’s intelligence, not all mine.
“Actually, you can thank my husband. He’s the brains behind numbers.”
“As I’ve said before, you’ve got yourself a good man. He loves you very much.”
Unsure of what to say, I express a “Thank you” for her kind words.