Page 45 of Passion and Privilege

“Would you like another drink?” he asked quietly.

I shook my head. “I think I’m ready to leave.”

We walked out without saying a word to anyone. None of the people here mattered. They weren’t a part of my life. I was looking forward to never seeing Scott or any of them ever again.

In the car, things were awkward. It was too quiet. The tension was not okay. The kiss had been a step too far. I couldn’t tell if he was angry because it happened or angry because he liked it.

“Would you consider staying at my place instead of sleeping on your dad’s couch?” he blurted out. “You’d have your own room and bathroom, and the freedom to work whenever you want. You know how big the house is. We wouldn’t have to see each other unless we wanted to.”

The offer was tempting, practical even. I couldn’t deny the appeal of escaping my father’s snoring and the uncomfortable couch. However, doubts lingered, fueled by the memory of our electrifying kiss and the fleeting glimpse of horror I saw in Timothy’s eyes. But it would be very convenient to be able to work late and start early without the commute.

“That’s a very generous offer,” I said.

“It’s not a big deal,” he insisted. “It’s not like I’ll even know you’re there.”

It wasn’t exactly a warm and fuzzy invitation but I wasn’t surprised. It was the Timothy I had come to know.

“I’ll think about it,” I answered. “I really appreciate the offer. Thank you.”

Timothy’s offer was generous, but was it wise? Could I trust myself to keep a professional distance? After the kiss, I wasn’t so sure of that.

“Thank you for tonight,” I said again. “I got the closure you talked about. It was good. I am glad that it’s over.”

“I think he believed it,” he said.

I had allowed myself to believe in the illusion we had created. That was what I had been worried about. It was an illusion, wasn’t it? Or had that kiss felt just as real to him as it had to me?

We drove in silence for a while, both lost in our own thoughts. The only sound was the soft purr of the car engine.

He drove me back to my place, insisting on walking me to the door. “Thank you for everything. I hope you’ll let me pay you back for the dress and everything else.”

“No. I don’t want your money. It was my pleasure to see the look on his face. I’ll see you Monday. Think about the invitation to stay at my house. It really is no trouble.”

“I will,” I said, nodding. “Goodnight.”

He gave a brief nod. “Goodnight,” he echoed, and then he was gone.

I walked into my apartment, bumping into a box and silently cursing. I wanted to get out of the dress as quickly as possible. It was a reminder of everything I couldn’t have. He had managed to cast a spell on me. I believed he was really into me. The kiss had tasted sweet, like the promise of something I thought I’d never want again. I unzipped the dress, letting it pool at my feet.

In the bathroom, I turned on the water, grabbed a washcloth, and splashed my face. It did little to remove my makeup. I grabbed a few of the makeup remover wipes and slowly wiped my face. Slowly, I became me again, the woman I knew and not the woman I had been tonight with Timothy.

Chapter Twenty

Catherine

WITH THE START OF A new week looming ahead, I made a quick stop at my father’s shop before heading over to the manor. I needed to drop off my boxes, AKA my whole damn life.

“What are all these boxes, Catherine?” he asked with confusion.

“They’re from my new apartment,” I told him.

“Did you get evicted?”

“No,” I said, laughing. “They’re doing mold remediation and we all have to leave for a week or two. Or three.”

“You’re going to move in?”

I knew what I was about to tell him was not going to make him happy. “No, I’m going to be staying at the manor until things get sorted out.”