Page 52 of Never Forget

“You must be Simon?” I ask, at the same time Naz says, “You’re early.”

“Yes, and yes. I apologize if it was an inconvenient time to show up. I managed not to hit any traffic, roadblocks, or issues on the way here, and the trip was quicker than I anticipated. If you’d like me to wait in my car, we can pretend I didn’t show up and interrupt… whatever this is.”

A short laugh escapes me. “I like him,” I say to Naz.

“You like everybody.”

“I like you.”

“Point made,” he says, walking past me to offer a hand to Simon. Just as he passes, I spot the elusive butt plug lying at the edge of the lawn where the grass gives way to a landscape bed. Now that I've finally seen it, the rather large, black plug stands out in stark contrast against the light brown wood mulch.

“Sorry about that, I’m Naz. We spoke on the phone.”

As Naz walks over to shake Simon’s hand, I inch sideways toward the plug. Just as I’m about to bend down and grab it, Naz waves a hand at me.

“This is Scott. He’s my bodyguard.” He pauses for a beat. “And a massive pain in my ass.”

I nearly choke at the unfortunate, and surely unintentional, choice of words.

Naz’s eyes widen.

For one glorious second, I can actually see the moment he realizes what he just said. The look he gives me is unmistakable.

Behave.

“Uh… Hello,” I manage, holding my blanket bundle in one arm and lifting the other in an awkward little wave, biting the inside of my cheek and schooling my expression back into something resembling professionalism as I take another subtle side step towards the landscape bed.

Naz follows the movement.

His gaze drops. And he freezes.

If it’s possible, his eyes somehow widen even farther when they land on our slippery little toy.

Without missing another beat, he spins on his heel, claps Simon on the shoulder, and gestures to the house.

“Why don’t I show you around?”

The moment the two of them are out of sight, I snatch up the plug, shove it into the folds of the blanket, and carry it all inside to the utility room. While I’m switching over the linens in the washer to the dryer, I listen to Naz and Simon continue to get to know each other.

“Thank you so much for making yourself available on such short notice.”

“No problem at all. It was actually perfect timing. My husband is teaching overseas for a year, so I was going a little stir-crazy. I’m not used to so much quiet.”

“Emmy said you used to work in the Critical Care Unit?” Naz asks.

“Mmhmm. I worked in the same hospital your grandfather is being treated in, actually. Was there for a little over fifteen years, and I loved it, but I wanted a change. I want to work somewhere I can actually get to know my patients and see them heal rather than only get them on their worst days. I’ve been doing some part-time work at a senior living facility to give it a try, and I like it there, but when this fell into my lap, it just felt right.”

“Well, we’re really glad you’re here. Full disclosure, you’re going to have your hands full with my grandfather. Both of my grandparents, actually. They’re a bit… Well, they can be a lot.”

I scoff silently. That’s a nice way to put it.

“It’s nothing I can’t handle,” Simon assures him. “Believe me, I’ve seen it all.”

As soon as the blanket is started in the washing machine, I make my way to the open-concept living area where they’re looking over the paperwork Naz brought over, courtesy of Emmy of course.

Naz looks over Simon’s head at me when I enter the room.

I like him, I mouth.