When I entered my apartment, my mom was missing, and Simon was currently hunched over a plate with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.
"Where did you go? Your mom said you went to your neighbor's." Crumbs sprayed as he spoke.
"Yes." I lifted his duffel bag like a trophy. "Sometimes, when you want a job done, you just have to do it yourself." I dumped it before him, hoping he'd take the hint. "You're welcome."
Instead of immediately grabbing his things to leave, he stuffed another bite of pastry into his mouth. "Your mom's putting your laundry away."
I eyed him suspiciously before glancing at the open container my mom had brought over. There were crumbs all over my counter and a glob of yellow custard in front of him. "What are you eating?" I slowly approached him.
"Your mom brought over these delicious pineapple custard pies."
"They're calledpai fala. It's a Samoan dessert. Mom usually drops me off a couple -you ate them all?!"
"She told me to help myself." He unapologetically licked his fingers.
I grabbed the second container, but that was empty, too. I growled in frustration. So much for doing a good deed. "Get a girlfriend, and she'll bake them for you."
Simon paused. "Can you make them?"
"Nooo."
My mom taught me how to makepai falawhen I was a little girl. I loved them better when my mom baked them, though.
Simon shrugged before taking a sip of his coffee.
Feeling agitated, I started wiping down my countertop with a damp cloth. My movements were jerky yet precise, causing him to jump out of the way with his hot brew in hand.
I had nothing to do today except call Brian to apologize and reschedule our rendezvous. But I wanted -needed- Simon out of my place. His presence unnerved me, making my stomach twist with each flirtatious smile he sent my way.
"So, um, how mad is Maria?"
I paused and blinked at him. "Well, put it this way...I wouldn't be surprised if she had a miniature Simon she was currently sticking pins into."
He gave a somber nod as he stared into his coffee. He appeared almost...remorseful. Maybe I got their relationship wrong, and he did actually care about her?
"Um...are you okay?"
"Yeah," he sighed before downing the rest of his coffee. "I was going to end things with her before I left anyway. I-I know I fucked up by inviting her to Barr and Eden's engagement." He shook his head in silent contrition. He glanced up at me, and my breath hitched at the emotion I witnessed in his stare. Whatever Barron said to him yesterday must've really affected him.
"I just didn't want it to end like this."
I licked my dry lips, feeling uncomfortable at the intimacy of the conversation. "Like what?"
"With her finding out about Lissa. Even though we don't have that type of relationship, the last thing I wanted to do was hurt her."
I opened my mouth without thinking to respond but then shut it again. I wasn't Simon's confidant. I didn't like him. He was an arrogant asshole with narcissistic tendencies. I didn't want to feel sorry for him or comfort him while he wrestled with his inner turmoil. I went above and beyond to help him and I only did it for Barron and Eden.
We stared at each other silently until a cloud of awkwardness swirled between us. He seemed to sense my mood. He nodded once before placing his mug on my counter. "I won't take up more of your time. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for what I said to you in the car yesterday."
"And for ruining my -" I broke off and glanced down the hall to ensure my mom was out of earshot. "Sex night," I whispered.
Simon peeped down the hall before turning to me with a droll look. "Sofia MacDonald, does your mom think you're a virgin?"
"Sshh!" Like any good Samoan daughter, I dutifully attended church with my mom, dressed conservatively around my elders, and prayed before each meal. As far as my mom was concerned, I lived the life of a good, devout Catholic girl.
Simon's shoulders shook with laughter, and I struggled to keep my face straight. "Listen, my offer from this morning still stands."
I sent him a deadpan look. "Tempting, but I think I'll pass."
