I wasn't asking

(Harlow) I found Ridge in the common area with Mira and Sarah. Mira had Sarah on her lap while Ridge watched television. I considered waiting until later, but I wanted this conversation over with. My brother wasn't going to like what I had to say. "Ridge, I need to talk to you." He looked at me. "What did you do?" "Why do you always assume I did something?" "Because you're my sister." Mira laughed. "He's got a point." I sat across from them. Ridge looked relaxed, which was about to change. I knew he'd worry after everything that happened to me. Still, I wasn't asking for permission. "I'm thinking about going back to real estate." "No." I stared at him. "Excuse me?" "You heard me." "Did you even think before answering?" "Didn't need to." Mira turned toward him. "Ridge, hear her out." "I heard her." I wanted to throw a cushion at him. He hadn't asked why I'd changed my mind. He'd just decided the conversation was finished. Apparently, he'd forgotten who he was dealing with. "I'm not asking your permission," I said. "Then why tell me?" "Because you're my brother, and I thought you deserved to know." "Now I know." "You're an asshole." "Love you too." Sarah reached for Ridge, and he took her from Mira. She immediately grabbed his shirt and started babbling. I waited while he handed her a toy. Then I tried again. "I helped Cassidy with her real estate course today. It reminded me how much I miss working." "Find another job." "Why? I was good at real estate, and I loved it." His expression changed. "You said you were never going back." I knew what I'd said. After Tyler's men kidnapped me, I couldn't imagine showing another property. I'd sold my house and moved into Devil's Reach because I wanted to feel safe. But I hadn't expected to miss my old life this much. "That's what I wanted then," I told him. "And now?" "Now I'm not sure. I want to find out." "You remember what happened the last time you went to work." "Yes, Ridge. I was there." "Don't get smart with me." "Then stop acting like I forgot." He looked down at Sarah. She reached for his face, and he kissed her fingers. When he looked back at me, he wasn't angry anymore. That somehow made it harder to argue. "I remember calling your phone and getting nothing," he said. "I sent brothers looking everywhere. Nobody knew where you were." I didn't interrupt. "I didn't know if I'd ever see my sister alive again." Mira rested her hand on his arm. I'd known Ridge was terrified when I disappeared. Hearing him say it made my chest hurt. I moved beside him and took his free hand. "I'm sorry you went through that." "Don't apologize for what those bastards did." "I'm not. But I can't spend the rest of my life afraid to work." He watched me. "I'm not saying I'll go back tomorrow," I continued. "I just want to know whether it's something I still want." "And if it is?" "Then I'll work out how to do it safely." Ridge didn't answer, but he listened while I explained what Asher had suggested. Someone would know where I was during isolated showings, and I'd leave if a client made me uncomfortable. I could also ask Greta about the agency's safety procedures. Those were reasonable precautions, not reasons to abandon my career. "Asher agreed to this?" Ridge asked. "He said the decision was mine." "Asher Cole?" "How many Ashers do you think I'm dating?" Mira laughed. "I expected him to be worse than Ridge," she admitted. "So did I." Ridge shook his head. "He's lost his f*****g mind." "No, he's treating me like an adult. You should try it." "Don't push your luck." Sarah chose that moment to reach for my hair. I took her from Ridge, and she laughed while trying to grab my nose. At least she wasn't interested in telling me what to do. I kissed her cheek and handed her back to Mira. "Have you missed work this whole time?" Mira asked. "Not at the beginning. Helping Cassidy reminded me how much I enjoyed it." "Then I understand why you're considering it." Ridge looked at his wife. "You're supposed to be on my side." "I'm on Harlow's side when you're being unreasonable." "Unbelievable." I grinned. "I knew I liked her for a reason." Ridge gave us both a look, but I could tell the argument was nearly over. He still hated the idea. I didn't expect him to change his mind in one conversation. I just wanted him to hear me. "I love you," I told him. "Love you too." "But you can't decide this for me." He sighed. "I know." That surprised me. Ridge wasn't happy about admitting it, and I wasn't going to make him regret it. He pulled me into a hug when I stood. I hugged him back before stepping away. "If you decide to return, tell me before you start showing houses," he said. "I will." "Doesn't mean I have to like it." "I'd be worried if you did." I kissed Sarah goodbye and picked up my phone. Ridge was already looking toward the television again. I knew he'd probably go straight to Asher to complain. That was their problem, not mine. "One more thing," Ridge called. I turned. "What now?" "Don't let Asher talk you into anything stupid." "Ridge, I'm usually the one talking Asher into doing stupid things." Mira laughed as I walked away. I headed back toward our section, thinking about what Ridge had said. He'd been frightened of losing me, and I understood that. But I missed having a career of my own. Maybe it was time to find out whether I could have it again. Greta's number was still saved in my phone. I looked at it, then locked the screen. I wasn't ready to call her yet.