Lessons Learned, Healing Hearts

A Shift in Time (Chapter 6)

Woken up by the nonstop blaring of her alarm, Marlow slammed her palm onto the top of the radio. Her head ached, her eyes burned and felt dry and itchy after a rough night's sleep. She didn't regret sticking up for herself, but the words she had chosen...maybe just a little.

Picking up her phone, she squinted at the screen. There was just one notification from last night. With nerves tingling, she hesitantly opened it.

Marlow, it read. I have taken note of your feelings and considered them. Please come into the office tomorrow morning so we can discuss this matter further. I will be here at 7:30.

A fresh wave of guilt crept in, settling deep in her chest. Rubbing her hands down her face, she exhaled sharply. Glancing at the time, she hustled out of bed. Even if traffic cooperated, it would still take forty minutes to get to the office—longer if it didn't. Not knowing if she would still have a job to go to, there was no point in putting on her work uniform. Opting instead for grey skinny jeans and a pale yellow knitted sweater, she swiped on a quick layer of makeup, left her hair down, and slid into low suede booties before bolting out the door.

Arriving at the office, having made excellent time, Marlow spotted Sawyer's car parked on the street. Heading straight for his office, it was empty. Kitchen? Also, empty. Movement on the deck caught her eye, and she slid open the screen door, tapping on the frame as she stepped outside.

Sawyer looked up and gestured for her to take a seat. Pouring himself another glass of freshly squeezed juice, he held the pitcher out in offering.

"No, thank you."

"All right then." Leaning forward in his chair, elbows resting on the wicker armrests, Sawyer offered no sign of his thoughts. Intertwining his fingers together, he tapped his pointer fingers together, leaving Marlow feeling exposed under his scrutiny.

"So," he said at last, "let's talk."

Keeping her voice steady, she explained why she sent the heated text. She finished with an apology, not for how she felt, but for how she had delivered it.

Sawyer listened without interrupting. When she was done, he nodded slowly. "I did disrespect you professionally, and for that, I'm sorry. You're a valued part of the Quest family. I just..." he exhaled, "I wanted to spare you from being used."

Marlow softened. Sawyer had always had her back, and she knew his heart was in the right place. But still.

"It's not your job to keep me from getting hurt," she said gently. "Just... be there if I do."

Sawyer's lips slowly curled. "You're right."

Sitting silently for a moment, Marlow's gaze wandered to the ocean, where a distant cruise ship was inching toward the port. She inhaled deeply, the salty air grounding her. Finally, she asked the question that had burned in her mind all the way here.

"Are you going to pull me from driving the guys around?"

"Do I need to?"

He always did this, answering a question with a question, and it drove her crazy.

"No."

Figuring she'd already put her foot in her mouth by blasting him in her email, Marlow confessed, "I usually just drive stuffy business executives around."

Sawyer choked on his juice. Coughing, he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"I enjoyed hanging out with the members of Il Volo yesterday. I had fun. They made me laugh. A lot." Watching as Sawyer studied her, all she could hope was that her voice had given no hint that there was one person, in particular, who had made the day unforgettable.