"Please, David, I need a few days away from here to regroup and find my center once more. The only place that I thought of that would protect me from my stressors right now is your cabin. I know that it's an imposition, but could I please have the keys?"
For some reason, Erin had run right to David, knowing that only he had the ability to provide her with a safe haven. And neither Penelope nor Alex would think to look for her there, since David wasn't the obvious choice any longer. She stared intently into his eyes, pleading silently with him to agree to her request. He let out a quiet sigh as he strode over to his window, closing the blinds on them. Then he turned back to face her, a tender smile on his lips. "You can't keep running away from the world, Erin."
She shrugged a little before looking down at the floor. "I know that that's what caused our breakup, but I was still so tender from Curtis's handiwork. And then this thing with Penelope just stole up on me. My defenses were down, and she wormed her way into my heart before I could slam the gate shut. And I don't want to be reminded of that failure for a few days. Is it really so awful to run away? Isn't it better than getting drunk?"
"No." He came over to her side and pulled her into a tight hug. His scent was so familiar to her senses, and she unconsciously nuzzled her cheek against his chest before bursting into tears. "You have to face things, Erin."
"This person is intent on destroying me. Have you read the blind items?" Erin felt him nod against her head. "Then you know what's being said about me. And now Penelope thinks the worst of me. I didn't get a chance to tell her about Alex on my terms, she had to find out because of the blind item, and I cannot do this right now. Please, understand. It's this or lose my tenuous grasp on things."
He cocked his head to one side, staring at her, and she pursed her lips. "Fine, bella. Just, make certain that if you feel compelled to raid the liquor cabinet that you call me first. I want to talk you down off that ledge."
"All right," she whispered, breaking eye contact and staring at the floor, digging the toe of her shoe into the carpet. "Thank you, David."
"Oh, you know exactly how to get your way with me, still. I will always have a tender heart for you." Dave rummaged through his pockets and then pulled out his keyring. "It's supposed to be cool, so you'll have to probably light the fireplace a few nights. If you need more wood, just call me, and I'll come up and cut some cords for you."
"Thank you, so much," she whispered as she took the keyring he held out to her. "And I'll take good care of the cabin, I promise."
"Yeah, well, I know where to find you if there's any damage." She let out a little laugh and sighed when she felt Dave cup her chin, gently forcing her to look into her eyes. "Seriously, Erin, I don't think that this is the wisest choice right now. I really think that you need to face down your demons, but I will support you in this. Because a part of my heart still loves you."
She couldn't stop the tears that sprung to her eyes. "I'll come back when my heart is stronger. Sometimes, the demons are too loud, and I need to quiet them. And I'm grateful for your support, even if it is given under duress." She pulled herself up onto tiptoes as she curled an arm around his neck, giving him a quick kiss. The spark wasn't there, but it was still nice to kiss him. "I'll see you in a little while."
"I'm holding you to that. You can't run forever."
"But you can really try," she murmured as she stroked the keyring. "Please, do not tell anyone where I went. I mean it, David, I need my privacy."
"I understand, bella." He leaned in and kissed her once more and she smiled against his lips. "And I'll light a candle for you tonight before I go home."
"Thank you." Erin let go of him and made her way over to his door. "I just wish that things were different between us."
"Yes." Erin had to blink back tears, knowing that she would break down crying once more if she stayed any longer. Rushing from his office, she bypassed the elevator and fairly ran down the stairs to the parking garage, praying that neither Penelope nor Alex had noticed her escape.
It wasn't until she was on her way home that her phone began to ring. Touching the Bluetooth button on her steering wheel, she listened to the sound of Helen's voice waft out of her speakers. "Erin, Penelope is driving me crazy, asking where you are. I know that you two had a fight earlier today, and I'm assuming it's about the latest blind item, so I don't get this concern."
"I don't either, Helen. I just needed some space and time to heal from this latest attack. I, I won't tell you where I'm going, because I'm certain that Penelope would try to wheedle it out of you, and this way you can honestly say that you have no idea. I do need you to give me a buffer zone of about two hours, so that I can pack, though."
"I will be more than happy to do that for you, Erin. Stay safe."
"I will." They hung up and Erin hummed under her breath, letting the silence of the car wash over her as she drove. The moment she arrived home, she plugged her work phone into the charger, tucking her personal one into her purse before hurrying upstairs, knowing that she didn't have much time. As she packed for a few weeks at the cabin, Erin found herself wishing that things had gone differently that day, that she had thought to trust Penelope enough to not betray her. There was no way to go back in time, though, she would just have to move forward.
Finally, she thought she had enough packed, and then she was heading back downstairs to the garage and throwing the bags in the back seat of her car. There was little traffic on the road as she drove, and for that she was grateful, since it meant that she would reach the cabin sooner than she had planned. Turning up the radio, she found herself humming along to Contre Qui, Rose, her thoughts turning sad as she listened to the music.
After about an hour of driving, her stomach growled, and she began to look for a restaurant. A quaint looking place came into view, and she pulled off the road, parking close to the door. As Erin was entering the door, her phone began to ring, and she wondered who it could possibly be, since she had left her work phone at home. Tugging it out of her purse, she saw that somehow, Penelope had managed to track down her personal number, and she frowned as she declined the call.
Erin tried to refocus as she entered the restaurant, but found herself preoccupied. "Table for one?" the hostess asked, and she nodded before following the young woman back to a secluded table. A menu was set on the table and she slid down into her chair before picking it up and glancing it over. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"Do you have Earl Grey tea?" she asked hopefully.
"I think so. If we don't, what else could I get you?"
"Black coffee, if that's the case." The girl nodded and then moved off, leaving Erin alone. She tried to ignore her phone, but it was blowing up with notifications, and with a sigh, she slapped the menu onto the table and pulled it out of her purse. Penelope had managed to send her a total of twelve texts in a short period of time, and Erin shook her head as she turned her phone off, deciding to ignore them all.
"I managed to track down some teabags for you. Have you decided what you want?"
Erin looked up and shrugged. "I'm hungry, but I can't really decide. Would you bring me your favorite meal? I promise, I won't send it back or complain. I just don't have any focus at the moment."
"I like some rather weird things, just so you know."
"That's perfectly fine. As long as it's edible, I'll be happy." The young woman nodded and moved off, making a few notes on her pad as she did. Erin picked up the caddy of teabags, thumbing through them to find the flavor she wanted. As she dipped it into the water, Erin thought about how happy she would be when she finally made it to the cabin and could ignore everyone and everything for at least a few days.