022: The Things We Do For Love

The pile of papers spread out on the desk in his study were more damning that he'd thought possible and a niggling little voice in the back of his head that felt a little too much like jealousy and guilt was telling him that he shouldn't meddle. If his dearest friend Alyvia was happy, that was all that mattered. More than once, over the past few years, he'd added to the pile – he'd had tabs on Brad Jackson since the moment his name had been dropped in that dive bar in Reno. A deeper dive hadn't really been necessary. He'd just had to reach out, make a call and ask for an update. A few moments later, his inbox had been flooded with video clips of a wrestling show, something that was strangely unique and played out far more like a soap opera than any sports event he'd seen. He'd spent the better part of the day skimming through clips, watching the silver-haired man assert his dominance over a cast of 'troubled' so-called wrestlers who had been locked in an insane asylum under his care. It made for a compelling narrative.

He hadn't told Alyvia anything about it, of course. He didn't want her to know the lengths he'd gone to in the interest of protecting her safety. She'd thought he was still out of town, still conducting business in New York although he'd been back for nearly twenty-four hours. When he'd reached out, it had been with a white lie, an invitation for dinner now that he was back. Nothing out of the ordinary, really. They hadn't really had a moment to connect properly in weeks, circling each other like ships passing in the night, professional only.

As Alyvia Jackson took the elevator up to Rick Ravenwood's penthouse, she couldn't get the knot that was in her chest to loosen up. She hadn't seen her best friend and boss in a few days due to him being away on a business trip. Since then, some major changes had happened; she'd finally and officially reunited with her ex-husband, Bradley Jackson. Rick had never met Jax in person, but he knew the kind of pain that Lyv had suffered when things had ended and they'd run into each other in Reno in the fall of 2015. The club owner had been her rock and more support than she could have ever dreamed of having. She was grateful for him and for the fact that he was in her life.

Rick had arrived home from his trip in the late hours of the afternoon and had invited Lyv to have dinner with him up in his penthouse. She hadn't let onto Rick about she and Jax and figured if there was a right time to tell him, it'd be over dinner. She only hoped that her best friend would support this new chapter in her life, because she was indeed very happy.

The elevator doors opened when it reached the penthouse floor. Lyv stepped over the threshold as she'd done thousands of other times on nights like this. Usually, she and Rick would have some drinks and then fall into bed with each other. She'd vowed to herself that this evening would be different, though.

"Rick?" She called out his name as she set her purse down on the bar. As she moved across the penthouse's floor, she mentally prepared what it was she wanted to say when she told him.

Rick stepped out of the bedroom, buttoning the cuffs of the blue dress shirt he had on. It wasn't strange for him to dress up for dinner. He generally tried to look as presentable as possible – he'd told her once that it was a habit ingrained in him from childhood, as if looking dishevelled was a cardinal sin. "Dinner will be ready shortly. I've got a wonderful Merlot chilling in the fridge, if you're so inclined."

She gave him a warm smile as she approached the bar counter. "That shirt brings out your eyes; is it new?" He'd always been a very snazzy dresser and she couldn't help but admire how good he looked in that shade of blue.

"Savile Row's new collection – it arrived last week," he couldn't help the smile that curved his lips as he held out his arms, letting her get a good look at it.

Lyv nodded, looking at the bar and then back to him, clearly nervous and he wondered by the way she was acting if she was going to actually tell him about the Jackson situation without him having to find a way to tell her what he'd been up to these past few weeks. "I'm not in a mood for wine," she finally said, "maybe I might just have water tonight." She'd promised Jackson that she wouldn't drink while she was here – she didn't trust herself to resist Rick's charms otherwise.

"Water isn't the best compliment for veal, but I suppose that'll suffice." He crossed the room and even though he had his most charming smile in place, there was just something off about his manner. "I believe there's some of the sparkling soda water with lemon in the fridge. I used a bit of it earlier to clean a spot off my best dress shirt before sending it out to the cleaners. Should still be fine." Without really looking at her, he moved through the hidden doorway and into the kitchen beyond the bar, humming to himself.

She filled a glass with some ice and the bubbly water he'd mentioned before following him. He seemed a little off and a part of her wondered if he somehow already knew what was going on. The aroma that was currently filling the room was amazing and she stopped short, breathing deep as she found her mouth watering despite her nerves; Rick had always been an amazing chef. "It smells so good." She walked over to the kitchen island and set down her glass, her hands resting on the surface as she watched the little bubbles rising to the top. "It feels like forever since the last time we did this."

"Doesn't it though?" He had his back to her, fluffing the long-grained and wild rice blend that had just come out the cooker.

"Thank you for asking me over." She swallowed hard, "there's actually something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

"Do tell..." he glanced over his shoulder at her as he lifted the lid on a pot simmering on the stove-top, letting a waft of delicious-smelling steam fill the room. "Is it something juicy? I was cooped up with a bunch of stuffy bankers and architects for the last few days... I could use a little boost." He chuckled as he said it, giving whatever was inside that pot a quick stir before turning to look at her.

There was definitely something off about the way he was acting towards her and it made the knot in her chest tighten. "I suppose it could be juicy." The idea of a glass of wine was starting to sound like a good idea, but she resisted. "I've... um... started seeing someone." There. It was out and the silence fell between them. She heard the clink of his spoon against the porcelain rest as he set it down but otherwise Rick was silent. "Well, we reconnected, actually." She kept her eyes on him, worried what would happen when he actually looked at her.

Rick nodded, opening his mouth to reply but the oven timer chose that moment to go off. "Hold that thought," he murmured, turning back to take the main course out, setting it on top of the counter to cool for a moment while he started filling the plates with the steamed veggies he'd been fiddling with earlier. It was far easier to keep her from seeing his disappointment and disapproval when he had his back to her and he was careful to keep his tone mild. "I wondered if anything was going to come of that little 'chance' encounter a few weeks ago." The way he said it put the emphasis on that one word, making it seem like he knew something that she didn't.

Lyv stood there and couldn't stop the icy chill that crept up her back. Her cheeks blushed, a bit of embarrassment there that she hadn't volunteered the information first. "You know about that?" She hadn't said anything to him about Jax because she had wanted to see how things turned out with him first.

"You think I didn't notice you leaving with him? Your ex-husband, I mean." Rick sounded surprised as he turned around, both plates ready and in hand as he moved to the little butcher block island they usually ate at when she came for dinner. It was more intimate and he preferred to be able to actually see his dinner and his date. "Alyvia, you give me far too little credit." He set the plates down with a flourish, a pleased grin on his face as he waited to see her reaction.

Lyv studied him, feeling as though there was more behind that grin than the fact that he was proud of his dinner. "You didn't say anything before." Her hands were resting on the butcher block island, her fingers tapping against the surface. "I mean... I figured you would have mentioned it." Her cheeks continued to get redder. She felt so awkward and he was doing nothing to help her feel at ease.

"It's not my business to pry," he replied, "and it's certainly none of my concern if you want to hook up with someone else, especially someone you clearly have a history with." Crossing the space behind her, he went to the fridge and retrieved the chilled bottle of wine, popping the cork. He watched her flinch slightly at the sound and then he carried the aged Merlot back to the makeshift table. "You sure you don't want any?" He filled both glasses before she replied, only adding a few inches to hers while he put triple that amount in his own. "You don't owe me anything, if that's what you think. I'm not demanding a blood sacrifice to get out of our arrangement – that is what you want, isn't it? Going to go back to the chains of monogamy with Bradley Jackson?" The way he said Jackson's name implied a certain level of disgust as he set the wine bottle down and slid onto his stool in one graceful movement.

She was tempted to take the glass of wine he'd poured for her, but resisted. "We haven't discussed getting remarried, but I assume it's in the cards." It wasn't really something she and Jax had needed to talk about; they both knew it would happen.

"Really?" One dark brow lifted as he considered that revelation.

"Yes, really. I do want to remarry him." Eyes narrowed, she almost snapped the next words, "and I don't want to hear a word about it."

"Of course not," Rick replied, shaking his head, "above all else, I just want you to be happy."

Swallowing hard, Lyv looked at her friend who meant the world to her. "He's the love of my life, Rick... I can't miss this chance to try again with him."

"Ah yes, there's that." He nodded as if he expected her to say exactly that. Picking up his fork, he speared a piece of the meat from the Veal Marsala and took a bite, letting out a contented sigh when it tasted exactly right. "Your biggest love. Your biggest heartache and regret – you're forgetting how well I know the story, dear heart. I'd just like you to be prepared, that's all. Forewarned." He took another mouthful of the dinner, chewing thoughtfully, "I have it on good authority that your little chance meeting may have been anything but."

Her eyebrows narrowed, on raising as she studied the man across from her. "What are you talking about?"

"He hired a private investigator back in February. Was looking for a young blonde girl, supposedly in her twenties – according to my sources, of course. Apparently found her here in Vegas." He shrugged, his tone neutral as he met her gaze, reaching for his glass of wine. "I have no reason to lie to you, Alyvia. If that's what you think – I'd never do that. Not in a million years. I'm just suggesting that you might want to proceed with caution."

Rick had never lied to her, he'd always kept his word and the things he'd said always checked out. "I know you wouldn't lie to me, but how did you find out he hired a PI?" She finally sat down on the stool she usually occupied. "And when did you find out?" If Jax had hired someone, why hadn't he told her about it when they got back together?

He gestured with his glass, "at least try some before you hurt my feelings... it's delicious." Taking a sip of the wine, he seemed like he was mulling over the question before swallowing, forcing a tight smile. "I recognized him. I went back and looked at the footage of that night. Watched him watching you from across the bar for at least half an hour before he came over – that didn't sit well with me so I did a little digging." The lie was smooth as silk, "I'm sure you know I have a few contacts who do that sort of thing for me. It's helpful in my line of work, after all." He set his glass down, staring at her for a moment before he broke the silence again. "His gym in Miami isn't doing well; did he tell you that? It seems that when that tattooed little nymph he'd hired took a powder, most of his clientele vanished as well. That's probably why he's taken that job for that godforsaken joke of a wrestling company."

He took another bite of his meal, chewing as he let that information hang for a moment before adding another thought. "I have all of his financial records for the last three years – if you want them, of course."

Lyv listened as he laid out his information for her and finally tried a taste of the meal he'd prepared. Chewing on the delicious meat, she swallowed and sighed. "I don't blame him if he hired someone to find me. We share a son, after all. He probably wanted to see Christian." It still didn't make sense to her, though. He'd seemed genuinely shook and surprised to see her at Lux.

"Absolutely." Rick nodded. "Keeping tabs – I'd do that myself, if I were in his shoes."

She wondered, if that were the case, why Jax hadn't told her. That bit of news wasn't something that would have angered her, in fact it only would have cemented in her mind that she should have reached out to him sooner. "I don't need to see his financial records, or anything else, Rick. Despite everything, I trust him. I'm the one who has to earn that trust back; I was the one who left."

"Of course, of course." He waved his fork dismissively, "I shouldn't have overstepped." He actually sounded sheepish as he shook his head, "I just worry. I remember the state you were in when we met. I just hate the thought of you setting yourself up for that kind of heartache all over again."

Putting down her fork, Lyv got off of her stool and walked to the other side of the butcher's block so that she was next to Rick. "I understand why you're concerned and I adore you for it. This time is different, though. Jax has been sober for a while and I trust him." Leaning in, she placed a kiss on Rick's cheek and hugged him. "Thank you for looking out for me."

His arm went around her waist and he gave her a gentle squeeze. "That's something I'm never going to stop doing. You're my dearest friend, after all." That charming smile was back on his face as she pulled back from that embrace but there was something else in his gaze that she couldn't quite put a finger on. "I appreciate you telling me – about the whole affair. You didn't have to, of course, but I'm glad you did."

"I don't want to keep secrets from you, Rick. You're one of the most important people in my life." She loved this man next to her and in another life, they may have been good together. She knew, though, that his perfect person was out there somewhere. She knew, deep down, that she could never see beyond what she felt for Jax. "I love you, Rick."

The words cut deep because he knew she didn't mean them towards him the same way she did when she said them in reference to her former husband. He loved her without reserve and had for years. He just hated the idea of labels and found commitment to be too much like a prison. She was his best friend and confidante, his absolute favourite to have in his bed – he trusted her far more than anyone else, even his closest and most tenured staff members. "And I adore you, Alyvia." He rested his hands on her shoulders, staring deep into her eyes for a few seconds before leaning in to kiss her gently on the forehead. "I trust your judgement. I always have. You have my blessing, if that's what you want. Just promise me you'll be careful, hmm?"

Her hands came up and rested over his, giving them a squeeze with a soft smile on her face. "Cross my heart and hope to die." The knot in her chest had finally come undone now that Rick knew what was going on. The last thing she wanted was for him not to support her and this new chapter in her life. "And now, I'm starved."

He actually seemed in better spirits when she stepped back, returning to her seat and picking up the fork, ready to dive into the meal he'd made especially for her. His smile matched hers as he reached for his wine; he wanted to gulp it all down in one giant mouthful but forced himself to hide that urge. A part of him was terrified that this was going to be their last meal together and he was determined to make sure it was a good memory for them both. For her sake, that was the least he could do – he held his glass up. "To re-connections, then."

The clink of her glass against his was the most beautiful and the most painful sound ever as she amended his words with a small smile. "No. To new chapters," she took the tiniest sip and then set the glass down, "and to the people who'll always have a place in the story, regardless of what page we're on."