Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“I’m fine. The important thing is that we find out what’s wrong with you.” I released Simon’s hand at last and gently hugged her, trying to be mindful of the wires so I didn’t inadvertently pull anything loose.
“It’s nothing. Just a little flutter. It’s probably time to change my medication. That’s all.”
As I released my mother and stepped back, I also stomped down my frustration at hearing her try to make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal. Sure, she was trying to comfort me, but I didn’t want her brushing aside her health.
Yet, before I could find the right thing to say, Mother had already focused on Simon, who leaned forward to brush a kiss to her cheek.
“Oh, Simon. I must appear a fright.”
“Pfft. You’re the best-looking woman here. I’d make a pass at you if I weren’t gay,” he teased, and my mother giggled.
Within a few minutes, Simon had my mother chatting about shopping and other nonsense, making it seem as if they were anywhere else in the world other than a hospital emergency room. I grabbed Simon’s hand again and threaded my fingers through his. I was such a fucking hypocrite, and I hated myself as I stood there, clinging to him. He was my anchor, holding me tied to the shore when I wanted to drift out to sea on violent waves of fear and doubt.
Yet, it was more than being at the hospital with him. Everything he’d said while we’d been arguing in my office was right. I wanted to be with him, wanted to explore a relationship with him, but I was scared that I’d never be able to forgive myself if I went down this road. I didn’t know what to do next.
We remained at the hospital for a couple of hours, keeping my parents company and distracted from the stressful chaos around us. It was only as they were moving my mom to her room that we left, with my mom admonishing Simon to keep me from returning to the office. There wasn’t much point. It was almost four now, and Marie would have cleared my schedule after I’d left for the hospital. In truth, I was too drained to even think about work.
A cold wind swept through the parking garage as we approached his car. The sky was growing darker as the sun sank toward the horizon. The snow had yet to fall and probably wouldn’t, preferring to hold on to its load until it reached New England.
“Simon,” I whispered, the sound of his name being carried away with the wind.
He stopped near the trunk and caught my hand, stopping me from approaching the passenger-side door. “Today has been a lot. Why don’t we put things on hold for a while with the whole telling-your-parents-the-truth thing? Your mom and dad have enough on their plate for now.”
“But what about us? There are things we need to talk about.”
“We’ll talk. Just not today.” He cocked his head to the side, smirking at me. “Besides, your mom was very adamant about your father attending the work cocktail party that’s been arranged. Do you really want to fuck that up for her?”
I closed my eyes and barely held back a groan of frustration. I’d dug this hole with my stupidity, and now so many people were going to pay the price.
A soft, warm pair of lips brushed my jaw, and I opened my eyes to find Simon smiling. “Let it go, Pierce. You saved my ass on Saturday night. Let me help you now. We’ll keep up the cute-couple facade until after they leave, and then we’ll talk. Your mom doesn’t need you creating more stress for her.”
He made it sound so simple and easy, but I knew it wasn’t. Someone was going to pay the price soon, and I didn’t want it to be Simon.
16
SIMON MILLER
I didn’t see Pierce at all on Tuesday, but he sent a quick text confirming the time of the office mixer that I was to attend as his significant other. It seemed safe to assume that he hadn’t confessed to his parents the second my back was turned. But I knew my time was dwindling fast. Pierce’s parents weren’t going to stay in Cincinnati forever. They would return home, and Pierce wouldn’t need me as his fake boyfriend any longer. I had to come up with a way to lock his ass into a real relationship.
The company hired to handle the party had transformed the office into a glittering escape. Beautiful floral arrangements and trees that twinkled with white lights filled all the nooks and crannies. A string quartet played in a corner of the conference room, sending the soft music trickling out to fill every available space.
Pierce met me just past the reception area, looking as dapper as ever in his charcoal-gray suit and silver tie. He took my hand and started to lead me inside, but I placed a hand on his chest and stopped him.