Gilbert reaches for my hand and squeezes it. I look to him, and he shakes his head at me. I search his face and take in his tight expression.
I fall silent and allow his grandmother to leave the room. Once she’s gone, he stands and gently tugs my hand for me to follow him. I do so with furrowed brows.
“Oh my God, I’ve never seen her so happy to meet a girl in my life before. I don’t want to break her heart. We leave in a few days.
“Could you do me a favor and just go with it? She has more days behind her than in front of her. Who knows if she’ll make it back home? Please, Zah.
“I’ll give you anything you want. Name it. Just pretend to be my girlfriend for her sake,” he pleads.
I look up into his eyes, searching. He’s serious. I take a step back. This is all a bit too much. My stomach decides this is the moment it’s going to act up.
Covering my mouth, I race back inside for the powder room I used when I first arrived. Thank God I make it and am able to empty my stomach in private. Once I’m done, I wish I could hide out in here forever.
“Zah, are you all right in there?”
“I’ll be out in a second,” I call.
Splashing water on my face, I then take a deep, calming breath. I can do this. I’m going to go out there and tell Gilbert and his sweet little grandmother I need to go home.
I nod at my reflection and turn to do just that. However, that’s not what happens at all. I step out of the bathroom, and they are both standing there, looking concerned.
Suddenly, Mrs. Manning’s eyes light up. She pulls me into a surprisingly strong hug. I return the embrace as I look up at Gilbert with wide eyes. He looks back at me pleadingly as he mouths,please.
“Oh, this is wonderful news. You’re expecting, aren’t you? Gilbert has a little one of his own on the way. When are you due, dear?”
“Uh, um. July, ma’am. The baby is due in July,” I reply, too shocked to say anything else.
“None of this ma’am business. You will call me Grandmother Christen or Grandma Christen. You are family now.”
Gilbert gets this grin on his face. “We were waiting to say anything about the baby. Zah plans to finish up her work here and we’ll be able to finalize our plans stateside when she returns home.”
“Oh, we have so much planning to do. An engagement party, a baby shower, I think a year is a long enough time to plan a proper wedding. Depending on whether we can get a suitable venue. No worries, dear. We’ll take care of everything,” she chortles.
Gilbert wraps an arm around me and tugs me into his side. Then he places a kiss on my forehead. I try my best not to cringe.
“Thank you,” he whispers in my ear. “I take it the father and your mother aren’t aware of any of this? There isn’t anyone who could expose us?”
I shake my head. Then I pause. “Erica,” I breathe.
He nods slightly. “Will she talk? Do you think she will take a million for her silence?” he murmurs.
“She won’t say anything.”
“Is it Coswell?”
I remain silent. Who the father is is my business. He doesn’t need to know.
“Your silence is answer enough. I will be here for whatever you need. Ask and it’s yours. Thank you for doing this. You’re a great friend.”
I relax just a little. I’m doing this for a friend. As we sit down and his grandmother begins to speak excitedly, I can’t bring myself to tear this hope away from her. I also feel guilty as hell for lying.
What am I doing?
CHAPTER 31
Heads-up
Bentley
