He sighed and hugged me tighter. “I’m not angry. I’m aware of how important Lory is to you. Did you tell her about our conversation last night?”
“No.” He nodded as I ran my fingers through his hair.
Before he resumed speaking, there was a brief period of silence. “What did she say?” He was uneasy and hesitant.
He looked worried about what Lory thought. Or was he worried that her opinion would change my decision.
“She felt quite strongly about it. She got me to reflect on a few things, primarily my reasons for consenting. However, nothing has changed. I have no plans to leave.”
He exhaled before grinning. He had been worried I would not want to be with him! “Sorry. I keep worrying that one morning I’ll wake up and discover you gone.”
I sighed, trying to think of the proper words. “You know, we have to trust one other for this to work out. You have to trust me. I know it is hard…”
“I am really trying.”
That’s where we left it. Although telling Nicholas about Lory made me feel better, it only served to highlight how fragile our relationship remained.
If only the comfort we found with one another physically would translate into emotional strength.
Geoffrey was entertaining the five of us at the steakhouse table. He impersonated other celebrities and he was good at it! Nicholas made eyes at me every time our knees or hands touched under the table.
Geoffrey pointed his fork in my direction and remarked, “The wedding reception party is next weekend, right?”
I cast an embarrassed glance at Nicholas. “Yes, I forgot to tell you that your mother called and informed me about it. There was a cancellation at a location she likes, so she booked it immediately for the reception.”
“Are you okay with that? I can tell her to cancel if it’s too close.”
I shook my head and put on a smile to reassure him. “It’s fine. I am sure it will be great.”
I finally understood what Nicholas meant when he cautioned me that his mother may be overbearing.
“Oh my!” Lory chuckled.
I beamed at her and Courtney, who were both delighted by the thought of a party. Before I knew it, the conversation had changed to include what each of us would be wearing.
Nicholas caught my attention and I leaned in so that we could talk privately.
“I promised you that I would tell you before anything else happened. So, you should know that the announcement of our wedding will be in the newspapers soon.”
I wasn’t surprised but glad that he thought of telling me. He was a quick learner in this aspect.
“I only hope I’m not attacked for stealing the man every woman in Quentin dreams about,” I teased.
He looked serious as he shook his head. “There will be gossip about our age difference but don’t let it get to you, okay?”
I focused on him as I worked to control the butterflies in my tummy. “I won’t.”
There was little I could do to change what people thought; they were free to think whatever they pleased.
After enjoying some food, beverages, and laughter, Geoffrey drove Courtney home while Nicholas, Lory, and I left for the townhouse by car. As the two of them walked away, I raised my eyebrows at Nicholas, but he merely smiled and nodded his head.
That night, while I lay in bed awake, I watched him drift off to sleep. I removed a stray hair from his forehead as I admired how serene he appeared. It was growing harder to deny that I was falling in love with him. The kindness and gentleness with which he treated me left me with little to hide behind.
I didn’t know how long I could hide my feelings from coming to light.
The remainder of the weekend passed quickly and without incident.
Except for the minor meltdown I had on Sunday morning.
Despite having slept for only a few hours, I was startled up at five and immediately went to the restroom. My stomach cramps were a dead giveaway that something was wrong.
I’d just started my period.
I was aware that I was overreacting, yet I was unable to control my tears. Although it was foolish of me to believe I would get pregnant right away, I yet felt somewhat of a failure because I wasn’t.
Dumb.
I was being such a fool.
As I turned on the warm shower, I let out a half-sob and criticized myself. I dried off, put on my clothes, and went past Nicholas who was still sleeping to go downstairs.
I made a big pot of coffee and sipped on my first cup by myself. Soon after, around six, Laura entered with a surprised expression on her face.
She was aware that I wasn’t exactly an early riser.
“Good morning, Willow.”
“Morning.” I pretended to do the crossword puzzle as I fiddled with the piece of paper I had taken from the front door.
Nicholas had announced the wedding, which I looked at with a smile. We appeared to be in love in the picture.
Thank goodness Laura didn’t ask me why I had gotten up so early. She left me alone while rushing about the kitchen. The smell of breakfast was hard to miss so I had to pull myself together before Nicholas came down and saw me.
He came down shortly after, sporting unkempt hair, a t-shirt, and pajama trousers. He preferred to sleep naked so it took him some time. He approached me directly and sat down with a scowl.
He took a sip of the coffee Laura had placed in front of him and inquired, “Everything okay?”
I blinked. “Yes, I couldn’t sleep anymore.” I bit the end of the pen I was holding and then looked back down at the page.
He raised my chin so that he could see me clearly. “What are you hiding from me?”