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“You’re bringing girls to my parents’ house?” I pulled my hand free, taking a step back, but Aimon tried reaching for me.
“No. Absolutely not. She gave me a ride home once before I got my car. It’s not what you think.”
“What you do is not my concern. Just…not here. No under their roof. I’m sorry I came.”
“Don’t leave. I’m telling the truth. Wait.” Aimon ran around in front, holding his hands out for me to stop. “Jessica, this is Fayette. You see her stomach? That’s mine. That’s my baby. Fay, Jessica is a friend, nothing else, I swear. We’ve never been on a date. Never went out to eat. Never watched a movie together. Nothing. She works with me. I was waiting for a ride and she offered to bring me home. It was only once. I bought my car shortly after.”
My head shook. “Aimon, stop.”
“I won’t. I didn’t think you’d ever come to me, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t hope. This is nothing, I swear. Jessica, tell her. We’re friends. That’s it.”
The blonde-haired girl wasn’t much taller than me. She had a slightly athletic build and a pretty face. It wasn’t pretty right now. She was pissed, and whether she prayed for a chance with Aimon or had one, I wasn’t sure.
“Nothing’s ever happened. We’re just friends. Happy?” She rolled her eyes, turning to Aimon. “Seems you’re doing just fine. See you tomorrow.” She walked around to get in her car. I didn’t wait around to watch her drive off. I headed for the limo, not able to face anyone. Why hadn’t I considered Aimon might be dating? If I would have wondered, then I wouldn’t have been so surprised. I would have been prepared instead of feeling as though my heart had been ripped out of my chest by the possibility.
“Fay, please. You have to stop and listen to me.”
“It’s not my business, Aimon.”
“It is. I’ll say it a million times; I am your business. I am.” He closed the distance in two steps sending Thomas rushing to my side.
“Back up, Aimon.”
“I will not. I didn’t do anything. I can’t even conceive doing anything with anyone else. Fay, what happened between us can’t be undone. When we ate that cake—”
“Stop. Just get in the car. We’re going to be late.”
“Lady Fayette, Aimon can’t come with us.”
“What?”
“He can’t ride in the car.”
“Are you kidding me? He can’t ride to the hospital with us so that we can check on our child’s health together?” Thomas looked between us. “These aren’t hard questions, Thomas. Am I riding with Aimon, or does he get to ride with us? Speak!” I closed my eyes, reaching for Thomas’s suit jacket. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I had no right to talk to you like that. I just can’t bear these rules right now, okay? Please let him ride with us. If Master Charles says anything, I’ll say I bullied you into it. I’ll take the heat.”
“You will do no such thing.” Aimon frowned, pulling out his keys. “I’ll meet you there. Neither of you should have to cover for me.”
Words wouldn’t come as I watched him walk away. My heart ached. I felt horrible for my behavior. There were too many questions and not enough answers. Had I really just done that? Had I given myself to him again, knowing the feelings I secretly harbored? Was I glutton for punishment? Didn’t I see this couldn’t work?
“Lady Fay.” Thomas held the door open, and I threw him another apologetic glance as I got in. The drive wasn’t far, but we rode in silence the entire way. Friend. She was just a friend. How many other friends had he made? How many had he brought back to my parents’ home? To my bed? He said none. That she’d just dropped him off. Was he telling the truth?
Aimon pulled up behind us as we parked and got out.
“See. That wasn’t so bad.” He shut his door, walking over as I adjusted my jacket. We didn’t make it but a few steps before he leaned in. “Fayette, can we please talk?”
“Let it go, Aimon. This was supposed to be a happy day. I don’t want another woman tainting my memories of us walking into the hospital.” I lowered my voice, leaning closer. “We had sex. People do it every day. You don’t have to keep explaining to put me at ease about your personal life. You’re making it worse.”
“I’m not meaning to. I want things to be better. I want you to keep coming back. Fay, please believe me. There’s no one else. There hasn’t been since I left. Not once.”
My stare stayed glued to his as we paused at the sliding doors. There was such hope in his green eyes. Sadness. My gut said he wasn’t lying, and I believed him. “Okay, then.”
His hand grasped mine, and our fingers interlaced as we continued into the hospital. When we got to the elevator, I pushed the up arrow, glad that a door opened almost immediately. Me, Aimon, Thomas, and Phillip climbed in, silence surrounding us.
“I know this probably isn’t the right time, but can I paint your room?”
“You want to paint it?”
“I want to do more than that. I’ve had a lot of time to think, and I’m hoping that maybe I can buy the house from you.”
