The Pros of Cons

10 | Back to Work, Harvie

TONI

I woke up feeling tired, almost like I was on the verge of getting sick. It was a terrible feeling, but I wasn't about to let it stop me from having my first real free day — well, sort of.

I didn't actually have class until tomorrow but decided it would be good for me to make an appearance at the office to let people know I was, in fact, still (somewhat) employed at the Times.

I sent Kez a quick text, telling him to be ready to go for 8:30 and hopped in the shower. I wanted to take time getting ready today. I wanted to do my makeup slowly and take extra care in making sure I covered any visible bruising. You know, in case Cons happened to be right and someone was in fact out there looking for a battered girl who looked just like me. I was feeling confident however that because nothing happened last night, Cons was maybe seeing that I wasn't in the danger he thought I was.

I threw on my dressiest pair of slacks with the matching blazer, curled my hair, and even put on my sparkly mini-hoop earrings. I was feeling like a brand new gal by the time I exited my bedroom and into the kitchen where Levi sat slumped over the countertop, slowly feeding himself some cereal. I was shocked to see him up this early — given the fact I heard him stumble in at nearly 3 a.m.

"Morning..." We technically hadn't talked since last night's embarrassing police fiasco. "Glad you made it home okay." Right or wrong thing to say?

Levi raised his tired eyes to meet mine, slightly widening at my done-up appearance. "Where are you going?"

"Work," I shrugged. "I'm officially off house arrest."

"Hm." Something in his tone didn't sit right with me.

"Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Levi," I said, feeling myself starting to panic. "Please don't tell me your mad about last night. I-I'm sorry..."

"Shh – I'm not..." He stood up from the stool just then and I felt myself wander into his arms where he immediately embraced me. "I'm the one who's sorry. I'm being a miserable grump this morning because I drank too much last night — because I was angry that I wasn't keeping you safe."

"What are you talking about?" I pulled back to look at him. His eyes were bloodshot, and his skin was hot to the touch. He looked hungover.

"I shouldn't have pushed you to go out last night. It all kind of came crashing down on me when I saw Kez in the club. We shouldn't be joking around about this... it's obviously something serious if the police felt it that necessary to have eyes on you at all times."

I was shaking my head. "You don't need to feel bad. At all. I'm also to blame here. Everyone's overreacting. Officer Conlins told me last night I should be home free in a week or so."

"He called you last night? Ah, I'm sorry." He pulled his hands through his hair. He thought he got me in trouble.

"It was fine. And, no, er... he came by the apartment." Well, he broke into the apartment and scared the living daylights out of me... but that's besides the point.

"Oh?" He seemed surprised. "Was he mad?"

"No," I lied. "Just needing to check my face out for himself to give the green light for work today." And that was the truth... basically. "Speaking of which... I gotta do that work thing now." I maneuvered my way around Levi to grab my to-go mug and fill it with the coffee Levi had already brewed.

"You excited, then?"

"Ah, yes... relatively speaking. I'm excited to get the heck out of this apartment... not that I don't love being stuck in it with you." I smiled and gave him another quick hug before heading to the door.