Surrender To You (16 page)

The appreciative look on his face as he took in my ensemble had me blushing.

“You look amazing Elle,” he said with a smile.

I locked the handle and stepped through the door, shutting it behind me. “Thanks. You look…so normal.”

He was dressed in a button up shirt and slacks, no tie. To be fair, I’d only seen him that one time at the hospital.

He laughed as he offered his arm. “This is actually pretty close to what I wear every day under the white coat, minus the tie. Shall we?”

“Oh,” I didn’t know what to say and felt silly. “Yes, please.”

Within a few moments, we were headed toward the city.

Never one to do well with silence, I decided after a few minutes to be nosy and get to know him. “So, when did you move here?”

“About four years ago. My mother moved here two years before that to take care of her father.”

“Ah. So you moved here to be closer to her then? Where did you live before?”

“Opposite coast. And I did, but don’t tell her that,” he said with a wink. “I just told her I wanted a slower lifestyle.”

“Right.” I laughed. “I’m sure she doesn’t believe that.”

“And you? Why did you decide to come back?”

“Why do you assume I used to live here?”

He smiled. “Everybody talks in this town. It’s rare not to know everyone’s stories.”

“So you knew who I was in the hospital then?”

“The moment Stefan said your name, yes. And your guys’ history as well.”

This was a time when I truly hated being from this town. It also made me even more curious. “Why did you ask me out then, if you knew who I was and what I am to him?”

His smile grew into a full on grin and I felt the same feeling I had at the hospital. I recognized it for what it was now - desire. He was an attractive man and he knew it. He was also charming and upbeat and had learned how to utilize it effectively. I wasn’t ready to acknowledge that desire out loud though.

“Because I think you’re beautiful - and truth be told, I saw the hurt on your face at the hospital. Believe it or not, there have been murmurs about how you’d react to finding out he had a child.”

I gasped, shocked even though I knew I shouldn’t be. It was a small town so of course word would get around. “Oh, I believe you. How long?”

He knew precisely what I meant. “I’ve known since I began working here. She had just been born and so that had started up the rumor mill. It had pretty much disappeared though, until you came back for the funeral, which is when everybody started talking about it once more.”

I felt as if I’d been punched in the stomach. Knowing that people knew your business was one thing, but being talked about just made it worse. The fact it was something Stefan had done, yet I had become part of the speculation just ticked me off even more.

Simon’s hand covered my own. “I didn’t ask you out because I felt bad for you. I really would like to get to know you, even though I get the feeling you accepted me in the hospital just to spite Stefan,” he discerned, squeezing gently.

My face burned with embarrassment at his remark. “I did,” I admitted with a grimace. “But only at the hospital. Not tonight.”

He lifted my hand up to his face and kissed my knuckles. My stomach clenched as he threw what could only be described as a ‘hot look’ my way, releasing my hand and focusing on the road once more. “I know. So let’s have a nice evening out then.”

I nodded even though he wasn’t looking my way and tried to stay calm so I could enjoy the rest of the night with him.

~*~

We were seated quickly once we arrived. Simon ordered a bottle of the house red and I took a look at the menu.

“Never been here before, is it new?”

He’d put his elbows on the table, his chin resting on his clasped hands. “Relatively. It opened a year ago, so it’s new to you.”

Closing the menu, I set it down on the table. “I figured.”

“Know what you want?”

I nodded, resting my hands in my lap. “I’m in a filet kind of mood.”

“What? No salad and water to maintain your figure? I’m shocked!”

“No way!” I laughed as the wine arrived and poured. “I love food too much for that.”

Simon lifted his glass and I followed. “I’m going to be cliche and go with ‘to new beginnings’,” he said before taking a sip. “Yum.”

I laughed before taking a drink as he gave the waiter his order, then I gave mine and we were left alone. “So,” I said with a pointed look. “Do you have any children I should know about?”

He shook his head with a chuckle. “I do not, although I wish I did. At this rate, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Was he joking?

“Why not?” I couldn’t resist asking.

“Age, time.” He shrugged. “I’ve yet to find someone I want to be with who also wants a family and I’m thirty-seven. I know the risks as I get older.”

“I’m sure that’s rough.”

“It is what it is. Then again, I’m on a date with you, so I really can’t complain.”

I giggled, holding out my glass even as I felt my face heat with his subtle compliment. “I think I need more wine.”

He filled both of our glasses up again, our dinner arriving seconds later.

“Wow, that was fast!”

“The chef is amazing. Really, the entire staff is.”

I was sure what he said was true, especially since the food tasted absolutely delicious. Eating hadn’t been something I felt like doing the past week so I ate a bit slower to avoid getting sick, watching him from underneath my eyelashes. He came across as a very graceful, put together man. Alongside his charm and sense of humor, I contemplated why he was still single. Was it just his job and the hours at work that kept someone from seeing a future with him?

After my third glass of wine, I knew I’d had too much. Not having had a drink in years - with the exception of before Liliana’s funeral - the wine hit me harder than it should have. I tried not to let it show as we finished up dinner.

“I was let go from my job,” I shared with him, answering his earlier question from in the car. “That’s why I came home. I had no reason to stay there.”

“So Stefan had nothing to do with it?”

I knew I must be more than a bit tipsy if I could recognize how sober Simon was by looking at him. His face had become serious. I looked down at my hands.

“I was planning to come back anyway. I had no reason to stay there any longer. He just brought me back sooner. He—He really wanted to try again, he said, but I wasn’t sure. Hell I’m still not sure, especially now.”

He inclined his head in acknowledgment. “I understand. So whats your plans then? Looking for work?”

I shrugged as I looked back up at him. “I didn’t really have a plan. Everything has happened so fast…”

The waiter put the bill on the table and without taking his eyes off me, Simon put his card into the holder and handed it back with a ‘thank you’.

Putting his hand over mine, he caught my eyes with his. “Are you okay?”

I couldn’t help but giggle, which gave me away. “Why do you ask?”

“You’ve got a slightly unfocused look on your face, that’s why. How long has it been since you drank?”

I hiccuped then, which just made me laugh harder.

Simon stood up and came around to me, pulling me up from my chair as the waiter arrived back at the table.

Seconds later, we were outside the restaurant walking toward the car. I stopped abruptly and Simon looked at me with one brow raised. “What is it?”

I turned left and then right, staring up at the buildings. “What street are we on?”

“Why?”

“A year, you said a year! What used to be here?”

He must have heard the sudden panic in my voice, his grip tightening on my arm.

I looked up into his eyes and saw exactly what I feared. This building used to be the club, but I hadn’t recognized it because of the new buildings surrounding it and the new decor inside.

“Fuck,” he swore. “I’m sorry, I should have…Get in the car Elle, come on.”

That’s when I heard his voice. I stiffened and jerked my head to the left, only to see Lawrence stepping out of his car while on his cell phone. He hung up as he started to walk across the street. Seeing us standing there, he tipped his hat, no recognition in his eyes as he entered the restaurant.

It was him. He’d done it.

My brain shouted at me, my body suddenly cold, sober.

“Elle? What’s wrong?”

“I…” Not sure what to say to a man who didn’t even know the whole story, I turned toward the car. “Nothing, let’s go.”

Simon looked as if he wanted to say something, but decided against it.

Moments later, we were headed home in total silence.

~*~

“I suppose what happened to me was known enough for you to find out too?” We had just arrived back at my place.

Simon turned the engine off and turned to face me. “I know the basics. I have a feeling that wasn’t it though - not by the way you stiffened when you saw that man.”

I wanted to puke, that’s how sick I felt in that moment. “I don’t know that it was him. I don’t remember anything.”

I watched as his expression clouded in anger. “Your mind remembered, even if you don’t know the specifics. Something clicked.”

A tear slid down my cheek and I swiped it away. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t think he recognized me. There is no proof.”

“Are you fucking serious? Of course it matters!” Then he paused, frowning. “What do you mean there is no proof? Proof of what?”

I hadn’t meant to say that. I didn’t want to discuss this, feeling sicker by the second. I grabbed the handle and opened the door. “I have to go.”

“Elle. Stop.” I paused but didn’t look at him and he sighed. “Let me walk you to your door.”

“I’m fine,” I protested, even as he closed his door and came around to mine. “I can do it by myself.”

“Even if that’s true, you were tipsy enough at the restaurant to require assistance.” He took my arm with his and shut the door. “I won’t let you fall, Elle. You are really upset. You can talk to me you know.”

I continued to say nothing as we walked up the steps and stopped. Digging for my keys, I became frustrated when I couldn’t find them thanks to the tears blurring my eyes. Simon grabbed my purse.

“Let me help.” He rummaged around for a few seconds in the dark.

“I don’t know why the porch light hasn’t come on,” I mumbled and he chuckled as he pulled my keys out.

“Don’t worry, I’m good at feeling for things in the dark.”

The joke caught me unawares and made me laugh, which then turned into a sob.

“Damn it,” Simon said as he pulled me into his arms. “Wrong time to try and be funny.”

“I’m s-sorry—”

“Don’t be. Let’s get you inside.”

He released me and using his cell for light - why hadn’t I thought of that? - slid the key home, opening the door.

“Which way to your room?” He asked as we stepped in and he shut us inside.

“Uh…up the steps to the right.”

“Do you need anything from down here?”

I shook my head and he guided me up the steps, one hand on my elbow.

With his solid grip and softly spoken questions, I got the impression he was in doctor mode now, making sure I made it safely to bed so I didn’t hurt myself. The thought made me smile.

“You’re sweet,” I announced rather loudly and winced. “Pfft…I guess I’m a lightweight.”

He led me to the bed, where I promptly fell forward on it.

I heard him chuckle as he sat down on the bed. “Do you need anything? Or for me to call someone, perhaps to come over here so you won’t be alone?”

I lifted my head but just barely, turning to look at him only to find myself staring at his leg. “Uh…aren’t you here? I’m not alone.”

“I can’t stay, Elle. You probably won’t even remember this in the morning. How you got so drunk off of three glasses is amusing, though.”

I blew a piece of hair out of my face, lifting myself up on my elbows. My brain was definitely muddled. I didn’t understand why he couldn’t stay. “Why not?”

Oh god, had my voice quivered? I think so.

He reached out, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear, not saying a word.

Tears clouded my vision. “I’ve ruined our date haven’t I?”

Why did I care? I hadn’t wanted to go out with him really, had I? It was just meant to piss off Stefan…but then I started to like him. Crap, when had that happened?

His face fell. “No,” he replied sharply. “
You
didn’t do anything wrong, Elle. I don’t need you to tell me what happened, I put it together myself. You’ve every right to be upset. I’m not rejecting you.”

The tears came harder at his words, at his discovery and the next thing I knew, I was lying next to him in bed, cradled in his arms.

I don’t know how long I cried, but he just held me, stroking my hair, silent.

When morning came, he was gone and I had no idea of when I’d fallen asleep.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

As luck would have it, I didn’t have a hangover. Thanking the stars for that, I changed clothes and headed downstairs.

My purse was right by the door on the table and I searched through until I found my phone. Seeing it was dead, I put in the charger before heading out the door to go grocery shopping. I’d just text Simon when I got back in.

I arrived at the store minutes later, which was near empty due to the early hour, as always. The lone cashier smiled as I walked by and I smiled back at her.

Strolling through the aisles, I had nearly finished shopping when I ran into Penny.

“Oh, hi Elizabeth!”

I’d always liked Penny. She and I shared a similar sense of humor, along with being shy and introverted.

“Hey Penny. How are you?”

“You’re asking about me?” Her mouth had rounded in an ‘o’ of surprise. “It’s me who has been worried about you!”

I gave her a small smile. “I guess you heard.”

She rolled her eyes. “My brother is a dingbat. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you myself, I really should have instead of listening to his promises that he would. We all thought you knew when you came to brunch…”

I shrugged. “It’s okay. I think he should have told me himself too. It was his place, not anybody else’s.”

At that, her face lit up. “You wanna do something some time? I know you don’t have many friends, but I consider you my friend.”