Page 78 of Married to Lies

The car rolled to a stop, and I looked over at her house. I wished I didn’t have to leave her. “Do you want me to come inside,” I whispered.

She looked from me to the house. “I need some time to process everything,” she whispered. “Is that okay?”

I tried not to take it personally. We’d only connected recently, but I hoped she’d let me closer in time. “Of course it’s okay. Whatever you need.” I kissed her again, chaste this time, knowing she wanted to return to her castle. “But if that changes, let me know. I’ll be here whenever you need me.”

She gave me a weak smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and said, “Thank you, Quentin.”

Then she opened the door.

I watched her walk into the building, wishing it was tomorrow night already so I could take her with me to my family’s New Year’s Eve party and help her forget this disastrous evening. But at her door, she turned around to look at me.

And she started walking my way.

I rolled down my window when she reached me, cheeks red, eyes already growing puffy.

“I changed my mind,” she whispered. “I don’t want to be alone.”

My heart lurched, and I reached for the handle. Only once I was out of the car did I turn to Divi. “Have a good night.”

He gave me a small smile. “You too, boss.”

I held Rei’s hand in mine and walked with her to the front door. She put her keys in the knob and let me inside, safety lights flickering to life. Silently, she locked the dead bolt and led me up to her room. She changed into silken pajamas printed with strawberries while I slipped out of my suit, leaving me in boxers and a plain white shirt.

And then we lay together on her bed. Studying me across the mattress, she said, “I just want to cuddle.”

My lip twitched. “I’ve heard that one before. You’re just trying to get me in your bed.”

She giggled and climbed under the covers.

I slid into the nest-like bed of pillows and memory foam mattress toppers that threatened to swallow me, drawing her back to my front. She fit so naturally against me, my arm closed around her soft waist. She held on to my forearm like it was a lifeline.

“I’ve been alone for a long time,” she whispered.

I could relate. “Me too.”

“I’m not used to letting people in or accepting help.”

“Me neither.”

“So it’s the blind leading the blind?” she wondered.

“Seems like it.”

She chuckled softly. “At least I’m not doing it alone.”

“Never alone,” I said. “Not when you’re with me.”

Eventually, her breathing slowed, and she fell asleep, but I couldn’t. I just kept remembering the look in her mom’s eyes the second she realized Rei was getting married.

Maybe my parents were taking this news a little too well.

Making sure that Rei was asleep, I got out of bed and took my phone to the hallway balcony that overlooked her dim living room below. Through the curtains, the white furniture was cast in a bluish glow. Even though it was late, I knew Mom would be awake. She always was a night owl.

After a few rings, she picked up and rushed out, “What’s wrong? Why are you up so late?”

“Everything’s okay,” I said.

“But you’re up past ten,” she replied in disbelief. “Are you sure you’re okay?”