His thumbs continue to stroke my cheeks, and I should step away, but after all the poison my father spewed at me, his touch kind of feels like the only thing holding me together.
“Annabel and I weren’t really together. Not romantically. It was a green card marriage.” George holds my eyes, his voice steady. “She and Shawn were in the same MBA program. They hung out on campus all the time. I’d meet up with them for late-night food runs, and Annabel became my friend, too. After graduation, her student visa was going to run out, but she hadn’t found a job in her field yet. She had a shitty family situation back in England. I’d felt kind of useless at the time, but I knew I could help her. So, we got married.”
“That’s…wow.” The times I let myself wonder about George’s past marriage, I never imagined it was a ruse.
He nods, his lips tight. “Only Shawn knew the truth. She was his friend first, and he probably would have offered to marry her himself if he hadn’t been dating someone at the time. We lived together for years, but as roommates.” Now his smile is rueful. “It was nice. Living with someone. A friend. My parents were always out working and traveling when I was growing up, and I didn’t realize how lonely I was until I had someone to share my kitchen with.”
My heart fractures at his words. That loneliness is pain I’ve never known, with my mom and Marge always just down the hall from me. I recall the night of the book club, how Shawn had invited his best friend because he worried about him being on his own.
George, unaware of my thoughts, keeps explaining. “When Annabel spent more time with Tasha, they hit it off. Fell in love. After we filed for divorce, they started dating.” A slow sigh flows from deep in his chest. “That’s all people see. That my wife left me for my friend.” The corners of his mouth turn hard. “I don’t care if they pity me, but I hate that Annabel gets whispered about. Insulted. She just wanted to live here and work and be with the new family she made for herself. But it’s not like we can go around telling people, ‘Oh yeah, we were just lying to the government for years.’ It’s still a crime. And my dad…”
George’s jaw clenches, and I can tell the story isn’t finished. That there’s a dark part still to tell.
“What about your dad?” My question is gentle, as if speaking quietly will guard against the potential hurt.
“He was convinced that Annabel was only with me for the family money. Told me that she didn’t really love me.” George lets out a humorless laugh. “When I refused to leave her, he decided to take matters into his own hands. I got a weird call from him one day, and realized I was on mute. He was talking to Annabel. Apparently, he’d invited her to his office to talk about a potential job, but instead, he offered to pay her off if she left me. All while I could hear.”
Anger starts up a steady simmer in my chest as I imagine what that must have felt like to hear. To deal with manipulations like that.
“What happened?”
This time when George chuckles, there’s true humor in the sound, even if his eyes are sad. “She cursed him out. He cut the call in the middle of her telling him he’s a shitty father.”
Even as my disgust at the man lingers, I manage a smile at the idea of the seemingly soft-spoken woman going off on Mr.Bunsen.
“Well, sounds like he is,” I offer. “Maybe we should start a shitty father club.”
George huffs out another laugh, then carefully, as if afraid I mightpull away, he tucks me into his chest and rests his chin on the top of my head. “I’d been considering getting my business degree before that day. Doubting my original choice not to be involved in BBN. But after my dad did that, I said fuck it.”
“I’m impressed you didn’t cut off all contact.”
George massages my neck muscles until I’m lax in his arms. “If Annabel had been the love of my life, I think I would have. But she was just a good friend who got a front-row seat to my twisted family dynamics. I’m impressed Tasha got her to agree to tie herself to another one of us. Probably helps that the Baylors don’t suck—they love her. I also made a point to visit Lorna and Ethan and tell them the breakup was mutual, and that I’m happy they’re together.”
“Is that why they were shitting rainbows when you introduced me?”
He cups the back of my head, tilting me up so he can press a hot kiss against my mouth before responding. “Probably. I’m not subtle about the fact that I’m shitting rainbows having you as my date.”
I giggle against his lips, and he swallows the noise, dipping his tongue into my mouth. He drops his hands to my waist, fisting his fingers in my skirt.
“This dress is torture,” he mutters as he kisses a trail to my neck.
“Really? I think it’s comfortable. And it has pockets.”
“Torture forme. Color of a clear sky. Swaying around your thighs like a fucking tease.”
“Butpockets, George. Look at all the stuff I have in here.” I lean back and start pulling out my treasures. “Tiny wallet. ChapStick. Mints. Lube.” I hold the travel-sized bottle in front of his nose. “Convenient, right?”
His pupils dilate. “This dress is perfect.”
“I thought that would change your mind.” My triumphant smirk turns into an involuntary squeal when George grasps my thighs and lifts me off the ground. I wrap my arms and legs around him as hepresses me against the closest wall and makes use of the lubricant I brought.
Later, when we’re sweaty and tangled together in the sheets of our bed, our chests heaving from exertion, I do my best to focus solely on the joy of being with a man I adore and who is wild for me in return.
I want to be entirely happy in this moment. Want to soak in the affection from George and live my dream.
But I can’t do that. Not with my birthday coming up. With the truth about to come out.
And George may have eased the sting of some of my father’s harsh words. But there are some he doesn’t have an explanation for.
