“I don’t think he’s ever spoken to anyone outside the family about it,” Ethan said gruffly, and Allie twined her fingers with his and rested her head on his shoulder. It must’ve hurt Ethan as well to discover his father’s infidelity. “I had Allie, but Nate was much closer to our father and bore the brunt of our mother’s pain. He had no one to talk to, really.”
“What about Carson?”
“Wow, he told you about Carson too? Well, he was a great boyfriend as long as it was all smooth sailing. But Nate has a habit of running away if he’s hurt and angry, and Carson didn’t bother to fight for him. At least that’s how I saw it.”
“That’s sad.”
“It hurt Nate. They’d been together three years. Carson should’ve known Nate better than that. My brother isn’t the easiest man to get along with, but when he wasn’t so fucked up in the head, there was no one better. I hope you give him a chance. From what I’ve seen so far, you’ve been great for him.”
Warmed by his praise, I smiled at him and Allie. “He’s been great for me as well. I haven’t been in a relationship in a very long time, but with Nate it happened so naturally, even if it does feel a bit like a roller-coaster ride. It’s hard to slow down.”
Nate reentered the bar, and I tracked his progress to where we stood. His eyes lit up when he caught me watching him, and his lips curved into that slow, sexy smile that set my blood racing. I wondered about later and if we’d go to his place or mine. Two men walked into the bar, hand in hand, and joined several other men sitting at a table by the window. My heart lurched painfully. I coughed up my drink and turned away from them.
“You okay?” Ethan pounded me between my shoulder blades.
Oh, hell the fuck no. I wasn’t okay. Not by a long shot. Because I was now in the same room with Jared’s husband, Arden, and his boyfriend. And if our last meeting was any indication, the boyfriend especially would have no problem calling me out publicly. Nate would find out I’d had an affair with a married man, and that would be the end of that.
“What’s wrong?”
“Went down the wrong pipe.” I wheezed a little and placed myself so that Ethan blocked me from the view of Arden’s table. I had to get Nate and myself out of this place before I was spotted, but I didn’t see how that would be possible. I’d have to continue to play duck-and-run until we left. Hopefully, that would be sooner rather than later.
Acting like the solicitous date, Nate fetched me a glass of water from the bar and put his arm around me, rubbing my back, until I reassured him I was fine. I fiddled with the neckline of my sweater, anxious to know what was going on behind me. What if they confronted me in front of everyone? My heart beat a frenzied tattoo against my chest.
“Do we want to get dinner somewhere, or do you guys have to go home?” Nate’s hand drifted downward, tracing the curve of my spine. An electric current sizzled through me like a sparkler set on fire.
Ethan checked his watch and grimaced. “Much as I wish we could stay, I’d better go. I have an eight thirty meeting with some suits from the SEC and want to get in early to go over my notes. Are you in that with me?” He drained his scotch and set the glass on the ledge, and I cheered inside. While I genuinely liked Ethan and Allie, I couldn’t stay here any longer with the threat of exposure.
“No, thank God,” Nate drawled. “I have to sit in on the audit of the Fontaine Foundation.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Arden’s boyfriend walk past us and leave the restaurant, most likely to use the restroom.
“I’m ready to leave if you want,” I addressed Nate.
“Good. I’m in the mood for another pizza. What do you say?”
“Anything.” I tugged at his hand. “Let’s go.”
He slipped his arm around me. “Anxious to be alone with me, hmm?”
I was, and anxious to get the hell out of there.
“Of course.”
I hated this lying.
“Okay, you two.” Allie’s eyes twinkled. “We can get the message when we’re not wanted. Presley, it was great meeting you. Hope we’ll see you soon.”
“Same.” I kissed Allie’s cheek and shook Ethan’s hand, practically dancing on my toes watching them leave. When I spotted Arden’s boyfriend returning, I bent and pretended to tie my shoe, giving him enough time to pass, not realizing I was wearing loafers. I rose, and Nate laughed quietly.
“What’re you doing down there? Can’t wait until we get home?” Nate murmured in my ear. “Come back to mine? We can stop at your place and pick up your clothes so you have clean underwear for tomorrow.”
I nodded, so dizzy with relief, I leaned my head on Nate’s shoulder.
I was safe. But for how long?
Chapter Eighteen
I was chomping at the bit. It was Thursday night, and I hadn’t seen Press all week, except when we connected over FaceTime. He’d gone to several auctions out of state, leaving me grumpy. I missed him and had asked him to come to the meeting fifteen minutes early, hoping to talk him into staying with me tonight. I’d even gone and bought him some underwear in his size and a plain white button-down for him to change into, so he couldn’t use the excuse of not having clean clothes to wear. I’d take a chance on the socks.
