Perfectly Pink - An It's Always Been You Romance (Complete)

Chapter 33

The confining dress she wore made it hard enough to breathe, but the sight of Simon walking down the hall made the simple act impossible. His beautiful face, usually graced with a grin and smiling eyes, was currently an unreadable mask, devoid of emotion.

Mary couldn't turn away as he entered the kitchen, her gaze locked on his, brilliant blue aimed at her. The warm summer day cobalt colour from this morning replaced by a crisp winter morning cerulean sent shards of ice into her heart. She had done this to Simon. Turned the sweet man who selflessly offered her everything she wanted into this statue. Her eyes flickered to Finn, standing behind his brother and saw for the first time a similarity of character between the two men. Detachment.

She thought back to the day she walked in on Finn and Emily in her Aunt's hospital room. How his body had stiffened, his face like granite. Cold blue eyes glaring at her, the only hint at the turmoil stirring inside. Simon wore that mask now. And she had put it there.

Her body swayed in his direction as if drawn to him and she might have followed her instinct had Hunter not placed his hand on hers and asking her, "You never told me this Mary?"

Tearing her gaze from Simon, Mary found her father staring at her before she turned to Hunter. "Sorry?"

"That you know Leif Stewart." Hunter squeezed her hand. "The Senator and I have been following his political career. His affordable housing initiative is impressive."

"Emily knows him better than I do." Mary looked at her sister. "Didn't you help him out of a jam last year?"

"Hardly. I offered a little legal advice, that's all." Emily kissed her husband as he strode by and disappeared out the sliding patio door.

"That's my daughter. Ever the modest one." Phillip stepped up to the kitchen counter, placing his glass half full of lemonade onto the marble surface. "Both my daughters underestimate their talents."

Mary studied the pink polish on her free hand where a small chip had formed on the nail of her ring finger and tried to ignore the undertones of her father's words. But his message was obvious; she had her future in her hands and shouldn't squander her opportunity with Hunter. She could practically hear him whispering in her ear, "Focus on Hunter, not the local bartender."

"Mary is very talented. Least of which is her ability to draw."

She blinked and found Simon watching her, the features of his face smooth but not as crisp as before. A wave of warmth washed over her. They'd only talked a little about her love of the art, but of course Simon remembered. Defended the thing that made her happy.

"I didn't know you liked to draw?" Hunter demanded her attention.

Mary offered him a weak smile, the metal piping in her dress digging into her side at the movement. "Only a little. It's more of a hobby."

"Silly childhood stuff." Phillip brushed fading blond hair off his forehead. "Now, if you want a party organized, Mary is your woman. Wonderful hostess."

Hunter ignored her father. "I'd like to see some of these drawings. Will you show me?"

Mary felt heat blossom on her cheeks. "If you want."

Emily opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of black-and-white checkered oven mitts. "I'm sure we'd all like to see them."

"I'll do it." Finn, having come back inside, took the gloves from his wife. "You sit. Simon and I can finish dinner."

Emily placed a hand on her husbands' arm and smiled at him. Thankful to Finn for distracting the group from the conversation about her useless hobby, Mary popped off her stool and took her sister's arm. "Yes, Emily, let's leave the cooking to the professionals."