I growl.
Ella licks her lips nervously and stares down at her hands in her lap.
“That’s the thing. Matthew seems to think she isn’t. He is convinced she abandoned you after the accident.”
Wow. I thought this night was going to be a celebration.
10
Ella
We have been driving around outside the city-limits for the past forty-five minutes and I have no idea where we’re going. There’s mostly been silence between us in the car; neither of us are talking. It looks like Reed is somewhere else. Does he even know I’m still sitting here beside him? And I’m afraid to bring him out of that daze. To force him to speak.
Maybe I shouldn’t have told him tonight. But when? Tomorrow morning?
I knew if I didn’t stop it, something was going to happen between us tonight. I could feel it in the air. The sizzle of sexual electricity. We would kiss. He would take me home. Clothes would come off and maybe…for the first time in my life…I would have the courage to do more. Let him touch me in places no other man has touched me before.
And then next morning, was I supposed to just lie in bed and reveal that I’ve been sitting on this big pile of secrets the whole time? He would never trust me again. He would probably end up firing me. What kind of person would that make me? To continue with this night in complete intimacy and not give him the information I’ve been hired to uncover.
My thoughts are all over the place, scattered and confused. All of a sudden, Reed slams on the brakes. We are on the side of a deserted motorway. A few headlights pass us by, but we are more or less alone. If he weren’t here with me, I would be scared. But Reed is the kind of man who is able to make you feel safe just by his presence.
“When were you going to tell me all this?” he asks, turning to me.
“When I saw you next. You said you were going to keep your distance. I haven’t seen you in two days. I wanted to tell you in person. Not over the phone and definitely not in a crappy email.”
“You could have arranged a meeting. Tom would have connected us.”
I know he’s right. I was biding my time. I wanted to delay telling him for as long as possible.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Reed, but these are the facts of the case and we should decide what to do next. Do you want to meet Matthew?”
“Where is he?”
“He lives with his family in Bridgeville; it’s about a two-hour drive from here.”
When he is silent, I know I have to give him the full picture.
“That is where your father grew up. That is your father’s hometown. Do you want to see it?” I ask cautiously.
Reed meets my eye, his jaw clenched.
“Yes. I want to go there and meet Matthew. I need to find out what the fuck is going on,” he says. “And you’re coming with me.”
I wasn’t expecting that.
He drives me back to my apartment building, and I want to tell him I want to stay with him. I know it’s strange and unfair that my feelings have changed. I was afraid and anxious and overly nervous before, but now I want nothing more than to lie in his bed with him. Preferably naked.
But at least I get to go to Bridgeville with him.
We have been silent all the way to my apartment and now he parks in front of the door.
“Should I contact Matthew tomorrow and set up a meeting?” I ask. Reed is shaking his head.
“Not necessary. We’re going tomorrow, and I would prefer if he didn’t have any notice. What does he know about me? About my business?”
“Nothing. I told him you’re doing well and that you’re an entrepreneur, but that is all.”
Reed looks past me; he’s thinking about something.
“You’re going to be my wife,” he continues.
“Excuse me?” I nearly spit the words out. What is he talking about?
His gaze lands on me again, and this time, he’s looking much calmer than before.
“We are going to present ourselves as husband and wife.”
“I already told Matthew I’m working for you on this project.”
“We’ll correct him. Tell him you had to make something up. I want to present a different picture to them. Make them think I am just an ordinary guy with a wife.”
“I don’t know how that will help…” I begin to say, but he