Chapter 21
Without another word, Arlene didn’t spare Emery a second glance. She took Pearson’s hand and led him straight
the car
Through the rearview minor, Pearson could clearly see Enery fall apart, collapsing onto the sidewalk in utter defeat. He couldn’t quite suppress the smirk tugging his lips
But with Arlene sitting beside him, he still had to play the part of the obedient, harmless boyfriend. So, he turned his head away, trying to hide his laughter When he’d finally gotten it out of his system and tumed back, he found himself staring right into a pair of sharp, suspicious eyes: ||
“If you want to gloat, just do it out in the open Why bother hiding
Dops. He’d been caught
Pearson’s smile froze for a second before he quickly recovered,
1,slipping seamlessly into his usual act
He wrapped his arms around Arlene’s, nuzzling her the way he used to when he wanted to the indulged, hoping to distract from what had just happened Twas only smiling because you said we loved each other. There’s nothing malicious about that”
Atene blinked, a little surprised at how fast he could change his expression!
She reached out and lifted his chin, forcing him to meet her eyes.
“When we first set the ground rules, I told you–I can’t stand smooth talk and little white lies. I’ll give you one more chance. Be honest with met
Her voice was gentle, but Pearson could sense the underlying tension. She wasn’t in a forgiving mood.
So he dropped the smile and, for once, gave her the truth X
inght I guess I was gloating a bit.”
Seeing him take the bat Arlene’s lathes fluttered as she pressed on
“Do you know who he is?”
At that, Pearson’s fingers tightened involuntarily. He didn’t answer right way.
The truth was, he didn’t know how to answer.
In Arlene’s eyes, he’d always been the quiet, well–behaved one. She’d told him not to ask about her ex–husband, so he’d pretended not to care. She wanted him to stay put in the house and keep his identity a secret, so he played along her own private secret.
In this messy, imperfect relationship, he’d buried his true self, all to keep her attention, to stay by her side, waiting for the right moment.
The perfect moment to take over to become irreplaceable
By nights, now that his wish had come true, Pearson ought to come clean about everything.
But he womed that after what the been through, if she found out he’d been lying too, she’d leave him for good. That fear kept him silent, kept the truth locked away. But now, looking at her–really looking at her–he realized he was running out of time.
Especially with the way she was watching him now: focused serious, impossible to escape. Pearson felt trapped, his heart pounding like it was about to bum a hole In his chest-
In his mind, two voices arque
argued relentlessly–one urged him to keep spinning lies, the other begged him to finally come clean X
He didn’t know which to listen to. He was paralyzed, tom.X
It wasn’t until Arlene’s war, slender hand covered his own trembling one–steadying him–that Pearson’s thoughts finally cleared!
Her voice was quie, but there was an unmistakable strength behind it.
We engaged now Don’t you think it’s time we shared our secrets, Pearson?”
With that, all the noise inside him faded away!
Pearson finally found the courage to lift his head and meet her gaze head on X
Gone was the obedient, eager to please mask he’d worn for so long. Now, his eyes showed nothing but resolve–and a flicker of uncertainty.
He didn’t want to lie to her anymore
At least for this moment, he just wanted to be himself.
