I don’t answer.
She presses her hand to her chest.“There I was, sleeping on a couch with broken springs, and you were Pretty Woman-ing with Zach Knight!”
“I wasn’t paid by the hour, if that’s what you’re implying,” I mutter.I kick my heels off and sink onto the couch, my thoughts in disarray.I feel awful because I can’t unsee Zach’s face.
Just as we were finding one another, I’m now in this hopeless situation.I can never tell him what happened because he’d hate his father, and I don’t want to be the reason he does, even though his father was the one who did wrong.This man has already lost his mother, and I don’t want to be the reason he loses his father.I can’t show him who his father is.I can never tell him the truth, or make him understand, without telling him why I can’t come.
“I want to know what happened.”Fleur sinks alongside me.“You disappear for days, then come back glowing, and then a billionaire turns up on our doorstep, begging, yes,begging,you to come to his party, and you make up silly excuses!”
“It’s complicated.”
She grabs a cushion and hugs it to her chest.“I know, hon, but that was in the past.This guy, from what I’ve seen, doesn’t seem to be anything like his father.I don’t think you’ve got anything to be scared of.”
“I can’t face his father.”
“It’ll be a big boat, just hide.”
“It’s not that easy,” I tell her.
She’s quiet, for a few seconds.“I think the real reason is that you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared.”I’m more angry and disappointed in myself.
“You’re scared of hurting him, of telling the truth.”
“Yes.Exactly that.”
“Why can’t you just tell him what really happened?You don’t owe his father any loyalty.”
I explain that his father is ill.
“That’s not your problem,” she says, gently.
I’m starting to question why I gave in to Zach, and why I’m with him.I’ve blocked my mom out of my mind, so I don’t have to think about how disappointed and betrayed she would feel, but with secrets like this, do we even have a future?I can’t face his father because I know what he did to my mom.Not only has that scarred my mom, it’s scarred me.It’s cut me deep.I had shut that part of our lives away, but seeing Zach again has brought all that hidden debris to the surface.
Fleur reaches for my hand.“Do you like him?”
That’s easy enough to answer.“Yes,” I whisper.
“You wouldn’t be with him if he was a dick like his father.You’re with him because you like him.”
“He’s not like his father,” I say softly.
I remember the way he smiled at me this morning, and how he held me, like I was precious, to be cherished, like I lit up his whole world.Zach looks at me like I’m already a part of his life, and this thing between us seems to have taken on a life of its own.It’s moving at breakneck speed, so fast that it’s easy for me to forget the obstacles I once saw.I’ve pushed them away, refusing to see them, because for a little while, I’ve found my happy place.
With him.This man makes me ridiculously happy.
Do I like him?
Without a doubt.I’m starting to fall for him.
Fleur squeezes my fingers.“Then whatever this is, you’re not wrong for wanting it, or for being afraid of it.You can love someone and still protect yourself.Both things can be true.”
I hope one day I’ll be brave enough to tell Zach the truth.I just hope he’s brave enough to take it.
Chapter 28
ZACH
