Need Me (Mess with Me 3)

After the door closes, I ponder her words. She’s right, as usual. Solving problems is one of my specialties.

Leaning forward, I start a new email. If we can find alternate fabric suppliers and get a lower cost, we’ll have a better chance to hit the numbers the fashion buyers want to see in our new line. Maybe Andre can even alter his designs slightly to make use of the less expensive fabric in places where it’s not visible.

Satisfied with the potential compromise, I sit back wishing I could talk to Andre again. But there’s no way I’m interrupting his honeymoon for my problems.

Plus, I already know what he’d say.

If she’s the one, teach her to love.

Be the man she needs.

As Cheryl pointed out earlier, I have a tendency to only notice the negative. Ariana is honest almost to a fault. I laugh. She’s so quick to tell someone to fuck off that there’s no way she could spend all that time with me if she didn’t really want to be there.

With her, I never felt second best. She defends me even to myself. Not to mention that she’s told me before about her mother’s selfishness and her tendency to twist things around to her benefit. Anything that woman says is likely to be her own interpretation of events and not based on anything Ariana ever said.

I believe in Ari. And she believes in me.

A quick glance at the clock shows I have just enough time. I race out of my office and hit the button for the elevator several times. It seems to take an eternity before the doors open. My heart is in my throat all the way down to the parking garage. I don’t drive in the city often because it’s just easier to grab a cab but this is one time I’m glad I did.

The ride out to Virginia is spent with one eye on the clock. What the hell is wrong with me? I imagine Ari sitting in that dismal office with only her mother to keep her calm. Who is going to tell her something funny to take her mind off the tests? Who is going to hold her hand so she doesn’t feel alone?

I should have been there.

When I park in front of the building, her appointment time has already passed. I push through the doors into the waiting room and groan when I spot Ingrid sitting alone. I’m too late. They’ve already taken Ariana for her tests.

“What are you doing here?” Ingrid regards me icily. “You have some nerve upsetting my daughter before her tests!”

The other people in the waiting room look between us, some of them looking eager to witness a verbal showdown. I don’t begrudge them their nosiness. If I had to sit in here on a regular basis, I would welcome a distraction, too.

“I love Ariana. And I’m not going anywhere. You might as well get used to it.”

“Vin?”

At the sound of Ari’s voice I turn around, my eyes scanning the section of the room behind the door. She’s standing in the far corner holding a paper cup of water. I see relief in her eyes before they well with tears.

“I didn’t think you were coming,” she admits softly.

“That’s because I’m an idiot. But that’s a story for another time.

My thumbs brush away the tears on her cheeks. My beautiful little troublemaker should never have a reason to cry.

“I’ll always show up. Even when I mess up. Even when it hurts. I’ll always be here when you need me.”

At the sound of her name being called, we both turn. I kiss her gently. “Go. I’ll be right out here.”

She squeezes my hand. “Can you come with me this time?”

“I can do that.”

My words may not be able to make this process any less invasive but hopefully I can make her laugh. That’s what she needs right now.

“We’ll get through it together. Do you need a breast exam? If so, I can help with that part.”

Her laughter tells me I got it right.

21

The tests take longer this time. I’m so grateful when we’re done and I can leave. My mom is quiet on the way home as if she senses my need to think. Vin is following in his car and I drive fast, more than ready to be home curled up with him on the couch.