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

Chapter 35

"I need to talk to Mary."

"Sorry?" Mary's father stared at Simon like he had two heads.

They were in the hallway, almost at the front door, when Simon stepped in front of her, interrupting their progress. Mary's heart leapt at the look of fear swimming in his baby blue eyes. "Dad, Hunter. I'll only be a moment."

Finn jumped in. "You can show me this fancy electric car of yours, Hunter." Then turned to her father. "I hear you're thinking of buying one as well."

Her father, easily distracted by shiny things and spending money, perked up. "Yes, Hunter, let me drive his baby the other day and the car handles like it's on rails."

As the three men headed out the door, Emily shooed Simon and Mary into the study, closing the door after them. Mary turned to find Simon pacing the room. "You can't leave."

"I have to. I'm..." Mary looked at the closed door. "needed."

"You're needed here." Simon stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers. "Emily. Emily's still weak, you have to take care of her."

Mary tugged her hand out of reach, afraid his touch might crush her resolve. "You saw her at dinner. She ate well. Emily's past the worst of it."

Simon's face fell. "How can you take that chance?"

"She has Finn. And you." Simon shook his head, and she searched for another reason to pry herself from this house, from him. "Besides. I think it'd be better for you and your brother if I wasn't here for a while."

"How can you say that? Finn's coming around—"

Mary chuckled. "Simon, you had to see the way he glared at me at dinner. He wants me out of his house, out of his hair." Out of his life. But Mary didn't say that to his brother.

"No, he's just..."

"As pissed at me as he's ever been. And I don't blame him." Simon's mouth fell open. "No really. Besides lying to him and my sister to separate them, he blames me for manipulating you into following my plan."

This time when Simon reached for her hand, he grasped it tightly, sending a warmth up Mary's arms. "You didn't make me do anything. I understood your reasons. What you said made sense. I decided I didn't want my brother bulldozed by your family."

Mary admired his attempt to take some of the guilt. But the deceit originated with her and she should take the brunt of the pain. "My reasons, your good intentions, they don't matter. We were wrong. We ruined your brother's and my sister's lives because of me. Finn will never forgive me."

"He will. My brother has much more love and forgiveness in his heart than you think."

"No, not for me. It was my error and I have to pay for it."

"Mary, you have to stop blaming yourself." He squeezed her hand. "You're allowed to make mistakes You don't have to be perfect."

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Perfect was exactly what was expected of her. Why couldn't he understand that? But then, life was simple for Simon. Living a simple life in Bridgetown where the biggest problems revolved around drunk tourists and a lack of decent sushi. He couldn't possibly comprehend the pressures of living in Washington where the rent was high, and the expectations were even higher. He didn't have the drive to make it in the big city, to stand out among the crowd, to make a difference. After all, he hadn't even tried to make his dream of owning a restaurant in New York come true.

Mary ripped her hands from his. "What do you know about my life?"

His eyebrows knitted together, and his voice protested. "I know you." He moved forward. "Last night we—"