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“Why is that?”
“Because Bernard and I are getting re-engaged. Isn’t it great?”
Rachel’s gaze flicked over to mine before they moved back to Carla. She straightened her back and took Ron’s hands in hers. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations. Would you please excuse me? We’ve both had a long day, and it’s time to do homework.”
Suddenly, Rachel was ushering Ron into their apartment.
I could hear his protests through the thin walls before everything went quiet.
A moment later, I twisted to face Carla with a frown. “You shouldn’t tell people we’re getting re-engaged because it isn’t true.”
Carla pouted. “But, Bernie—”
“Please leave.” I pushed my key into the lock, stepped into the apartment, and slammed the door shut in her face. For the rest of the night, I kept calling Rachel, but it kept going straight to voicemail. Having decided against banging on her door, I went straight to bed with a headache.
And I spent the entire night tossing and turning.
Chapter 20: Rekindled
Rachel
“We need to talk,” Bernard said when I opened the door the following day. He lingered in the doorway, a determined gleam in his eyes until I stepped back. Wordlessly, Bernard followed me into the apartment and let the door fall shut behind him.
“Ron, it’s time for breakfast,” I called out over my shoulders. “Hurry up, or we’re going to be late.”
“Are you going to say something?”
“What do you want me to say, Bernie?” I folded my arms over my chest and stared at him. “Because I honestly have no idea what you want me to say.”
“You know that Carla and I are not together, much less re-engaged.”
“Do I? I don’t even know what I know anymore.”
Bernard covered the distance between us, his eyes never leaving my face. “You know that I care about this family, and I want to be a part of it.”
“Can I have ice cream for breakfast, mommy?”
I swung my gaze away from Bernard and took a step back. “No, sweetheart. We’ve been over this before. Ice cream is bad for you. You can have cereal, though.”
Ron rubbed a hand over his face and yawned. “I don’t want to go to school today.”
I waited until Ron was seated before pushing his chair in. “I know, but think of all the fun things you’ll learn at school.”
Ron yawned again and didn’t say anything.
I opened and closed several cupboards before finding his cereal. As soon as I did, I poured some along with milk and handed him the spoon. Then I gestured to Bernard. In silence, we moved towards the balcony, with a clear view of the city, and faced each other.
“Are you embarrassed by me?”
Bernard’s eyebrows drew together. “What are you talking about?”
“Everyone in the office still thinks I’m your housekeeper. Actually, everyone you know. The only people who know about us are Taylor and her parents.”
“Yes, but we agreed it was for the best. I don’t want the press hounding you and writing gossip about you.”
I blew out a breath and searched his face. “Are you sure about that? Are you sure this isn’t about the optics of it?”
Bernard blinked. “The optics?”
