“I have to go, but I had such a great time. Thank you.” I stand by the black marble-topped island and smile as he shuts the dishwasher and turns to face me. “The date was everything and more.”
“I’m really glad you had fun. And thank you for…everything.” His smirk hints at the act in the shower. “I can give you a ride to your parents if you’d like.”
Shaking my head, I think about how weird it would be for me to have to explain that one to my family. “Thank you, but I can takea cab. It’s not too far outside the city. But I’ll message you when I get there.”
He walks over and leans down, kissing me as his large, strong hands grip my jaw. I love that almost my entire face can fit into his palms. After our long-lasting goodbye kiss, I exit his penthouse with a permanent smile that I don’t ever want to fade.
The cold air almost immediately freezes my wet hair the moment I step outside and begin trying to hail a cab by the curb of the sidewalk.
On a Sunday, the streets seem more vacant than usual. Normally, especially around the holidays, it’s last-minute shopping and rushing around before Monday rolls around.
The quiet in the air is peaceful. As someone walks by, I smile, not paying too much attention as I pull my phone out of my coat pocket to check the time. Then, the realization sets in, and I nearly drop my phone as I jerk my head around for a double take.
Shit … Sherry Wilson.
My lips tighten as she looks at me, at the building I’m standing in front of, and then back to me with a knowing gleam in her eyes. My breath catches in my throat as my eyes widen.This is it…I’m caught.
“It’s not what it looks like,” I assure her. “Just dropping off some papers that he needed before tomorrow. That’s all.”
“Bullshit, Elizabeth,” she barks back, her face now red-hot as she stands directly in front of me. “You just couldn’t mind your own business and listen. I’m on to you now, and soon, everyone else will know what a slut you are.”
Shaking my head, all I can think about is laying her out on the concrete. But that’s not the kind of person I am. I’m not a violent person, but the anger is hard to ignore when another woman is speaking to you in such a disgusting manner.
Sherry turns to walk away, but my words cause her to stop dead in her tracks. “Wait…How do you know where Jon even lives?”
Without turning back around to face me, she huffs rather loudly, as if throwing a tantrum, and storms off, leaving her threats weighing heavily on my chest.
Finally, a big yellow taxi pulls up in front of me, and I climb in quickly, wanting to get as far away from the situation as I can.
I give the driver my parents’ address in the small town of Waynesboro, right outside of the busy city, and he drives away in a hurry.
The trip goes by in a flash as my brain still tries to comprehend the altercation with Sherry. I pay him and step out, quickly making my way into the warm house, and the wind outside had chilled my entire body.
My father and brother are in their normal spots in the living room, catching the football game on TV as my mother prepares dinner in the kitchen. Saying hello as I pass through, I go into the kitchen and immediately start helping my mother cut the vegetables to add to the stew.
I remain quiet, with Sherry’s words playing on repeat as I toss carrots and celery into the pan surrounding the beef roast. “What’s eating at you?” my mother asks as she sprinkles seasoning across the food.
“Oh, nothing.” I can’t exactly be truthful with her. How can I tell my mom that I’m sleeping with my boss or that he is planning on buying out the company that my father and brother are working for? “Work has been crazy lately, and I’m just tired.”
She seems to buy it as she changes the subject to my grandmother. She says that everything is going well at the new nursing home, and she has her own room with a view.
The conversation continues into dinner, and I feel like I’m on autopilot, nodding every so often so they think I’m listening.
After dinner, I help Mom clear the table, and my father, surprisingly, offers to drive me home, letting me know how outrageous the taxi fares are nowadays. Giggling lightly, I accept his offer, knowing that I haven’t spent alone time with him in a very long time.
The beginning of the drive is quiet, minus the old radio statically playing oldies through his truck stereo. Once we make it into the city, he shuts it off and clears his throat.
“Hey kiddo, I just wanted to take the time to tell you that I’m so proud of you and how far you’ve come since being a tot. I know I don’t say it much, or even at all, and I’m sorry. I’m so glad you left and made something of yourself instead of going down the road the rest of us did.”
I’m left in a state of shock. He never speaks to me like this. But his words are something I guess I needed, especially today. “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate that.” I lean over the bucket seat and hug him tightly before jumping out as he parks in front of my apartment.
“See you next week,” I call out and wave as he pulls away. As nice as that drive and moment were with my father, Sherry still haunts my thoughts. What did she have up her sleeve for me?
What the hell did I get myself into?
15
JONATHAN
