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Calliope scrunched up her nose. “I don’t even want to know what that means.”
“It means I’m a jealous prick, but what’s mine is mine. And no more handyman referrals from you.”“This is wicked awesome.” My son’s eyes lit up when he pulled Simon’s gift from the box. The matte black helmet with flames exactly matched the bicycle we’d just picked up. “They didn’t have anything like this at the bike shop.”
“I got it from a website. They custom make anything you want. I emailed them the picture of the bike, and they made it to match. It has your name inside.”
Brendan turned the helmet over and pointed. Little B was inscribed. While my son thought that was the coolest thing ever, it made me sad to think every time I saw it would be a reminder of Simon—especially after he was gone for his new job.
“Can we go play games now?” The boys had gobbled their food and were anxious to attack the overpriced, money-eating machines.
I took out the gift card Mom had sent. “Yes, but no leaving this room. Not even to go to the bathroom, Brendan. I mean it. You, too, Kenny. If you need to go, let me know, and I’ll walk with you. You both stay in this big game room only. And don’t talk to strangers.”
Brendan rolled his eyes. “Fine.”
“Go ahead.” I’d barely finished the words when the little boys took off running. I looked at Simon. “Am I too overprotective?”
“This feels like a trap question.”
“What do you mean?”
“If I say yes, you’re overprotective, you’re going to argue with me that you’re not. If I say no, then I’m lying to you. It’s a no-win situation.”
“So you think I’m overprotective.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“But only because you’re trying to avoid arguing with me?”
Simon smiled. “How about a glass of wine for you?”
“I’d love that. But I can’t. I drove here.”
“I’ll leave my car in the parking lot and drive us all home in your car.”
“But then how will you get to Calliope’s later?”
“I can stay in my old room, and you can drive me back here tomorrow morning.”
While it was tempting since Simon being back had me on edge and a glass of wine would definitely help, it wasn’t a good idea. “That’s okay. But thank you for the offer.”
Simon nodded, looking disappointed.
Since the day we’d met, I’d always felt comfortable around Simon. But now there was awkwardness between us, and I wasn’t sure if it was just me, or we both felt it. I hesitated to make conversation because in my mind, all roads led to Simon moving back to England. But that was selfish of me. I needed to suck it up and get it out of the way so we could go back to normal. Well, as normal as the two of us could be until he left.
“So. Tell me about the job in England.”
“It’s a private practice in Leeds. I’d be an internist with nine to five hours.”
“Wow.” I did my best to feign excitement, even managed a toothy smile. “You must be looking forward to that after all the crazy shifts you work.”
“Set hours would be nice, yes.”
It was difficult to look at Simon, because it felt like he could see right through my lies. I traced a figure eight in the condensation on my soda glass. “That’s great. I’m happy for you, Simon.”
When I didn’t look up, he placed two fingers under my chin and gently lifted my head until our gazes met. “I’m not taking the job, Bridget.”
“What? Why?”
“Because it’s three-thousand miles away.”
I was afraid to let hope spark for fear of being burned. “I don’t understand.”
“I was hoping to have this conversation in private. But you aren’t going to let me get anywhere near you and a quiet room. So, I guess this is as good of a place as any.”
Of course, Brendan and his friend picked that moment to run back to our table. “Look at all these we won!” The boys were clutching fistfuls of tickets.
“Wow. That’s great, sweetheart.”
“We’re going to leave them with you so we don’t lose any.”
“Okay.”
The boys stuffed the tickets into plastic cups and then ran off again. I turned my attention back to Simon. Just as he was about to speak, the waitress came to check on us. “Can I get you anything else?”
I looked at Simon who was laughing at yet another interruption. “We’ll have a glass of Cabernet and the check, please.”
“You’re drinking wine?”
“No. You are. As soon as she returns with the check, you’re going to chug that glass. Then we’re going to go beat the boys at a game of two-on-two air hockey, followed by spending a half-hour in the ticket redemption center so the two of them can pick out junk worth a dollar that cost fifty to win. After that, I’m going to drive you home so we can talk in private after Brendan goes to sleep.”
