15. Mary
Chapter 15
Mary
“Evening, gentlemen.” The smooth, familiar voice startles me.
Connor?
He grabs a chair from another table and places it between Stanton and me, draping his arm casually over the back of my seat as he sits down. “Sorry, I’m late. Traffic was a beast.”
The lawyers, like me, are stunned in silence as Connor turns that devastating smile on me. “You look ravishing, babe.”
His lips brush my ear. “Play along.”
Mr. Stanton recovers first, eyes narrowing. “And just who might you be?”
“Connor Milton. Mary’s boyfriend.” He gives my shoulder a possessive squeeze, daring them to challenge his claim. “I’m sure she mentioned me.”
My eyes cut to him, blazing a warning that he better have a damn good explanation for this stunt. But his casual, easy smile betrays no hint of backing down. If anything, the glint in those whiskey-colored eyes dares me to deny it.
Mr. Stanton clears his throat, fixing Connor with a skeptical expression. “Never mentioned having a... boyfriend.”
“Hasn’t she?” Connor’s thumb traces lazy circles against my bare shoulder. “We’ve been keeping things on the down-low, haven’t we, babe?”
Squaring my shoulders, I paste on a sickly sweet smile. “Of course, babe. You know how it is with all the office gossip.”
I lean into him, letting my free hand rest boldly on his thigh as I turn my big, innocent eyes his way. “I didn’t want to make the other girls jealous of my incredibly handsome, intelligent, oh-so-successful boyfriend.” The words drip like honey, and Connor stops my hand from going higher. Good.
Suddenly, Mr. Fort chokes on his drink, and Mr. Collins bows his head. “Mr. Wempton. What a pleasant surprise!”
What? I tilt my head to peer around Connor. My dad strides toward our table, and I glance back at Connor. What did he do?
I try to get some distance between us, but his hand finds mine, his thumb caressing my knuckles in a soothing gesture.
“Richard! Took you long enough,” Connor says, keeping his eyes on me.
What is going on? Dad never joins these dinners.
My father walks over, a broad smile spreading across his face. “Connor! You beat me to it.”
Connor rises to his feet, clasping Dad’s hand in a firm shake .
What the hell is happening? My gaze darts between the two of them.
“Connor and I were having a business meeting nearby and thought we’d join you.” Dad grabs one chair and sits down on the other side of me. “Shall we get started?”
No. Nononono. This is not happening. I shoot Connor a murderous glare, but he’s too busy grinning.
“Let’s order some food.” Mr. Collins raises his hand for the waiter.
As the lawyers turn their attention to the menus, I turn to Connor. “What the hell do you think you’re playing at?”
“You looked like you could use some help.”
I scoff softly. “So you brought my father? Bit of an overkill, don’t you think?”
“Relax.” His breath fans warmly over my cheek. “Your father is not an idiot.”
What's that supposed to mean? I open my mouth to protest, but my entire body goes rigid with shock as he gives me a quick peck on the lips.
“Shall we?” Connor gestures towards the menus as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred.
Biting my tongue, I absently listen to the conversation between my father and the lawyers as I peruse the menu.
I startle as something touches my knee. It’s Connor’s hand, already retreating. Before I can stop myself, I grab his hand and place it back on my knee, covering it with my own. The contact is oddly comforting, despite the whirlwind of confusion inside of me.
His fingers curl around my kneecap, and his eyes lock onto mine, those molten depths flickering with a heated promise that sets my cheeks ablaze.
It’s a good thing he’s here after all.
As the meal continues and, thanks to God, winds down, the three lawyers say their goodbyes and walk out on unsteady legs. Drunk.
“I don’t want you going to dinner with those men again,” my dad says. “We’ll be ending our working relationship with them as soon as possible.”
“Why? I thought you wanted me to maintain it.” I know why, but he doesn’t.
“Listen, kiddo.” My dad’s voice is heavy with regret. “When I say it’s your responsibility, I don’t mean you endure that kind of behavior. I would have had no problem with you ending our business relations. You have every right to.” He pauses for a moment, searching my face. “From now on, don’t let people push you around.” His phone rings, and he glances at the screen. “I need to take this. We’ll talk Sunday.” With a quick pat on my shoulder, he hurries away, phone to his ear.
I stand there, frozen, watching his retreating figure. I guess even my pragmatic father has his limits.
Connor holds up my purse. I take it and grab my coat, stepping toward the door in silence.
Outside, Connor turns to me. “Are you alright? ”
I pull away, wiping my face. “I’m fine.”
Connor’s eyes search mine, disbelieving. Of course, he doesn’t buy it. Who would?
“You don’t have to pretend with me,” he says softly.
But I do. I have to pretend with everyone. It’s how I survive in this world of sharks and vultures. Show one crack, and they’ll tear you apart. And then my father will know I’m not cut out for this, that I’m just a fragile little princess who needs rescuing.
“Thank you. But next time, don’t do anything,” I say.
“What?”
“I can handle a few sexist pigs.”
“Oh yeah? Should I have let Stanton continue his exploration? Is that what you want?”
My stomach churns. I’m disgusting. Letting those pigs touch me, flirt with me. All for what? A business deal? “I’m not some damsel needing rescue.”
“Clearly. You seemed to have everything under control back there.”
I step closer, pointing my finger at him. “Listen here, you arrogant prick. I didn’t ask for your goddamn help.”
Connor doesn’t back down, meeting my glare. “You’re right, you didn’t. But I’m not going to stand by while some assholes treat you like a piece of meat.”
“It’s called being a woman in the workplace. We deal with shit like that all the time.”
He shakes his head in disgust. “That doesn’t make it okay.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off .
“I get that you can handle yourself. But you don’t have to put up with that kind of bullshit behavior from anyone.”
He doesn’t know half of it. “Well, thanks for the concern, Boy Scout, but I’m a big girl.”
Connor steps into my space, eyes burning into mine. “If I hadn’t been there, who knows how far they would have taken things today or the next?”
“It’s just dinner.”
“Look, Blue.” There it is, that infuriating nickname he insists on using. “I’m trying to look out for you.”
“By hiding my energy drinks? By stalking me? By meddling in my life? You’re not my boyfriend. You’re just a consultant my father hired. Know your fucking place.”
Shit. No. That’s not… Ugh. I need caffeine. My hands are shaking, my head’s pounding, my vision is blurring at the edges, and I feel nauseous. Everything’s worse without my usual fix. I’m a mess, inside and out.
“I need to go.” Putting up my hand, I wave for a cab.
Connor grabs my wrist. “I’ll take you home.”
“Why are you doing this?” I jerk my hand away. “Why are you messing with me like this? You’ll be gone in a few months. You’re just like them. So do us both a favor and leave me alone!”
His eyes flash with anger. “I will act as if you didn’t just compare me to them, and I can tell you one thing for sure. I’m not leaving you. Especially not like this.”
“Oh yeah, sorry, I forgot. Silly me. Guys want to fuck first and then leave, right?” I rub my temples. “Go. Please. ”
He doesn’t move, doesn’t speak. Just stands there, staring down at me with a blank expression.
“Go!” I shove at his chest. Tears prick at my eyes, and I let them fall, hating myself.
What is wrong with me?
“Please, just leave me alone, okay?” My voice cracks at the last word. “I’m tired, I’m… I don’t know what to think, and I’m sick of this!”
He tugs me forward, wrapping his arms around me.
Too drained to fight, I stand there, letting him hold me while my tears soak his shirt. I’m falling apart, unraveling at the seams, and Connor’s arms are the only thing keeping me from shattering into a million pieces. God, what is wrong with me? Blubbering like a baby in front of him. I’m supposed to be strong, unflappable Mary Wempton, the dutiful daughter who can handle anything. But I can’t.
And now Connor has seen it, too. He knows what a pathetic, weak little girl I am. Just like Chris did. They all see through me eventually. See that I’m not cut out for this. That I’m just pretending to be something I’m not.
Connor’s going to be disgusted by me. He’s going to realize that I’m not worth his time or attention. That I’m just a mess of a woman who can’t even handle a simple business dinner without falling apart. He’ll leave, just like Chris did. And I’ll be alone again. Alone with my shame and self-loathing.
I cling to him, hating myself for needing his comfort and for wanting his strength. But I can’t help it, and I would love nothing more than to keep doing this forever. He feels safe and solid, like an anchor in the storm of my emotions.
It’s warm. Comforting.
I don’t want him to let go. I don’t want to face the world alone. But I know I’ll have to. I’ll have to put on my mask and pretend everything is fine, pretend that I’m not dying inside.
“Blue.” He kisses the top of my head. “I’m sorry. I tried to stay away and let you do this yourself, but…”
“But, what?”
“They wouldn’t have stopped at dinner.”
“What?”
“They wouldn’t have stopped at dinner.” His arms wind tighter around me.
“What do you mean?”
“They tried to get you drunk and have their way with you.”
“You’re just trying to scare me.”
“I would never lie to you about this.”
“Then how do you know?”
“Did you forget what I am good at?”
I nuzzle closer. “Stalking.”
“I know I’m not normal. I’m not like those men you dated before.” Connor’s hand strokes down my hair, his touch gentle. “I won’t leave you. Not now, never.”
“We’ve only known each other for a few days.”
“Since college.”
“We didn’t talk in college.” I chuckle while still tearing up.
“And? Didn’t I prove that I already know a lot about you? ”
“But, I don’t. About you.”
“Do you want to?”
I nod. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve this.”
“That’s what I get for putting you on a caffeine withdrawal.” His fingers lift my chin, directing my eyes to his, which are full of tenderness. “No more tears.” He wipes them from my face.
I sniffle.
“Ready to go home?” His voice is soft, lips brushing my hairline. “I’ll call you a cab.”
What?
He takes out his phone, typing something. “It should be here in a few minutes.”
Did I mess up? Was he only taking pity on me? Of course. Who am I kidding? Maybe it’s better because as much as I crave his presence, I don’t want to snap at him again.
“Are you going to be okay getting home?” he asks.
I nod, not quite trusting my voice yet.
He studies me for a moment before nodding in return. “Alright, Blue. Call me if you need anything, okay?” Cupping my face, his thumb brushes away the last stray tear.
I need you now.
“Get some rest.” He leans in, lips featherlight on my forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday.”
“Monday, then.”
Monday .
With that, he turns and heads for the parking lot, hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks. I watch him go, arms wrapped around myself, trying to ignore the hollow feeling settling in my gut.
Wiping my eyes one last time, I turn and wait for the cab he called, climb in, and rest my head against the cool glass. My emotions are a tangled, confusing mess right now between the disastrous dinner and whatever this thing is with Connor.
I shouldn’t have said those things. Shouldn’t have lashed out at him like that. He didn’t deserve it. Connor was only trying to protect me in his own way. And I threw it back in his face.
Good job. Destroying something that didn’t even start.
How can I make it up to him?
I’m so embarrassed.