I want to scream and throw my phone across the room, but what would that solve? I hand it to Wes. His eyes widen as they slide down, and I swear his whole body tenses when he reaches the end. The anger and sadness mixed in his expression make my heart ache.
“You’re not letting her come here, right?”
“I don’t want to. I haven’t responded, obviously, but it sounds like she’s coming whether I want her to or not.” I shrug, feeling almost resigned to that reality.
“But she doesn’t know where you live. You’ve moved.”
“She also shouldn’t have my number,” I say, feeling so frustrated with this invasion of my privacy. “I honestly wouldn’t put it past her to know my address.”
“Who’s coming with her? Is it this Bill guy? They should be in jail, Joss. They robbed you.” He’s indignant, tossing the phone on the table like it’s burned him. It feels good to have someone in my corner.
“I have no idea, Wes. I know exactly as much as you do based on those texts. What do I do?” I need him to tell me what I’m supposed to do here. How am I supposed to deal with this? His grip on my hand grounds me while he takes a steadying breath of his own.
“You should ignore her. She can’t get in the building. We tell Frank to keep an eye out for them, and to refuse them entry if they come here. We can still go on our trip; we won’t even be here for her to bother you.”
Shit, the trip.
“Wes. I don’t know if ignoring her is the best idea. I don’t know why she’s decided now is the time to reconnect, but I’m sure she’ll just keep trying. Maybe if I see her, just this once, I can finally leave it in the past.”
God, that sounds terrifying. Is that really what I want? If you’d asked me yesterday, I would have said hell no. But today, in light of finally sharing this burden with someone, I think it actually might be.
I can tell by the pinch of his lips and the furrow in his brow that he hates that idea. I use my thumb to press into the lines between his brows again, smoothing the skin.
“If you keep making that face, it’s going to get stuck like that.”
My lips lift and I’m met by a warm smile in return. His fingers tighten around mine and he brings them to his mouth. It’s the smallest touch, just the lightest kiss against my thumb, but I feel it everywhere.
“I don’t like the idea of her being anywhere near you, especially not knowing who she’s bringing with her. Tell me I can be with you when you see her, please?” The way he sayspleasemelts my heart.
I lean forward, pressing my face into his chest, and force down the ever-present feelings for this man. It’s going to tear me apart when he leaves.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I breathe into his chest before turning my head and resting it there, listening to his beating heart. “Thank you.”
His shoulders relax in relief and he pulls me just a little bit closer.
“Wes, what do I say to her? I can’t have her just showing up here. We need to set something up away from my apartment—there’s no way she can stay here. I’ll struggle to stand my ground… You don’t know her. She won’t take no for an answer.”
“Then you tell her your boyfriend says no.”
I pull back so fast that I crick my neck.
“My… boyfriend?” No way did I hear him right.
“Your boyfriend. You tell them that I live here with you, that I’m your boyfriend, and that I’m not comfortable with it. You blame it on me, and then they can’t force the issue.”
Ah, so this is a show for my mom, got it. My stomach sinks a little, but I push that thought aside. This could work.
“You’d be my fake boyfriend? While they’re here?”
I watch him intently, hoping I can pick up on more of what he’s thinking, but his face is calm, almost unreadable except for the fire in his eyes. It’s hard to tell if it’s directed toward me or if it’s because he’s fired up over the situation.
“Yes.” He’s so resolute and sure of himself. God, I wish I had half as much confidence.
“Okay. But how would this work exactly? I’ve never had a fake boyfriend before.”
“And you’ll be my first fake girlfriend, so I guess we’ll have to figure it out together.”
The way my heart soars when he says girlfriend is stupid and irritating.
