Page 53 of A Forever Love
“I saw the way you looked at Hades. You were one step away from lunging at him and possibly murdering him for introducing me as your girlfriend.”
I close my eyes, images of Merida inching closer to me and wrapping her arms around mine filling my mind, along with the memory of how that jerk Hades followed her every move.
“Is it bad?” she asks, gently tugging on my sleeves the way she used to as a kid.
I can’t tell her that it’s not just bad, it’s agonizing. I’ve already started imagining the feel of her soft lips when she smiled and claimed to be my girlfriend, or the way she fits so perfectly beside me in those high-heeled boots. I can almost feel her nestled against my chest, tight in my arms, with her head resting perfectly under my chin.
“It’s awful, mittens,” I whisper, running a hand over my face, and she misunderstands me completely.
“Then I’ll go to this function as your date.”
“Abso-fucking-lutely not. I’m not asking you to be my pretend girlfriend.” My blood simmers, and a bead of sweat forms on my forehead. The cool morning temperature suddenly rises by several degrees.
“I don’t see any other way for you to achieve your dream of winning that award. Don’t worry, I’m not going to enjoy any minute of being your plus-one.” Merida attempts to lighten the tense atmosphere, but when I don’t respond right away, her smile fades.
“I’m not doing this, Mere. I’m not even considering it for a second.” My voice couldn’t be any firmer, and Mere turns around in a flash, but I still catch a glimpse of her embarrassed cheeks.
What she doesn’t know is that my denial has everything to do with how much I want it to be her. Just imagining her by my side and getting to see yet another side of her new personality has my blood roaring.
“Then before you go searching for a more suitable and perfect pretend girlfriend, can you drop me at my office? I’m already late, and unlike you, I’m not the boss.” Mere crosses her arms where she stands next to the passenger side of my car.
A cold feeling seeps through my chest, chilling my veins. Suitable?
Yeah. If only she knew how unsuitable she is, given my desires.
We get into the car and I hit the ignition, but before I can put the car into drive, my phone dings. I swipe the screen to check if it’s urgent, only to find it’s Jason.
Jason Gibson: Glad to see you so smitten, wolf! Merida is perfect for you.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter under my breath.
“What’s that?” Merida leans in to read the text. After a second, she clears her throat. “They’re definitely running a matchmaking business. And why do they keep calling you a wolf? You’re so not a wolf. Now, a monkey? Yeah, that I could see.”
“Compare me to an ape once more, and I’ll let everyone know that your favorite classic novels are actually smut.”
“You wouldn’t dare.” She turns, her eyes wide.
“You of all people know that I’m the most daring person, mittens.”
* * *
After dropping Mere off at Elixir, I drive toward the Hawthorne estate, my mind occupied with thoughts on how to not drag Merida into this debacle with Gibson, Hades, and the entire Security Excellence Guild. It takes a few seconds before I’m allowed entry through the huge gates. As I drive through the lush greenery of the estate, I’m struck by a sense of déjà vu. I can’t help comparing it to my grandparents’ house in Nice, France. Mom and I had a modest life in our one-bedroom apartment, after she left her home and had me. But when I traveled to Nice for the first time after Uncle Gavin literally kidnapped us, I thought I was in heaven. The moment is stamped into my memory, and every time I enter Hawthorne mansion, I get the same feeling.
“Hi, Carter.” Kristy, dressed in a lavender pantsuit, meets me at the entrance.
“Hi, are you playing hooky from work?” I raise an eyebrow, not entirely pleased with the concerned look on her face.
“I wish it was just work.” She sighs, guiding me toward a plush couch on the porch overlooking the garden. “Charlie’s hardly eating, talking, or playing. His teacher called me yesterday. He’s not responding to anything in class. He’s become withdrawn, avoiding everyone except Chloe. But that’s only because she never stops talking. I’m really concerned about my son, Carter.”
“Charlie’s reacting to the threat in a way that makes sense to him. He believes his stalker is obsessed because he’s a Hawthorne, and he’s trying to protect himself by being invisible.”
“That’s my concern. We moved back to the Hawthorne mansion because Charlie feels safest here, but now I’m not sure if it’s helping or making things worse,” she confides, twisting her watch over and over.
“You definitely have more security here, no doubt about it. I’m also aware that moving wasn’t easy for you and Oscar, given you both prefer a low-profile life. But trust me, you’ve done everything right for your son.”
After a staff member delivers a tray with our drinks and some freshly baked cake, I take the espresso and settle back into my seat. “Would it be alright if I try something with Charlie this afternoon?”
She glances up at me and asks, “What do you have in mind?”