Page 128 of Unhinged

When we’re finished, I drop my hand, and he stares at me with a look I can’t explain, and I’m afraid to ask. Greg clears his throat when I really should clear mine. “It’s your turn.”

I shake my head. “I need to go.” Aunt Flow will pop up soon, and that’s not something I want him to run into. At least I’m considerate.

After he regroups and I grab a drink of orange juice, I gather my things, and we awkwardly stand at the front door. His eyes no longer look sleepy and are bright. Greg says, “Uh, have a good day at work. If Cynthia says anything, let me know.”

“I’ll be okay.”

He narrows his hard brown eyes. “But I’m not okay with it.”

“All right.” I smile but have no intention of dragging him into more drama and whine about the heifers. “I think I left my mood ring on your dresser.”

“I guess you’ll have to come and get it.”

I roll my eyes. “Holding it hostage for another lay?”

“No. I like waking up to you, doodlebug.” I bite my smiling lip. He shrugs. “At least, I think it’s you without all the makeup.”

I shove his arm to his giggles. “Fuck you, swizzle stick.”

“You just did.” He leans down to kiss my cheek. “And you’re so good at it.”

“Um, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah…” He sighs and runs his hand through his hair, and he seems so lost.

I kiss his lips on impulse, and Greg doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back as we break the rules again. I pull away when he wants to keep going, but he rests his forehead against mine. He whispers, “Simone… I need to tell you something.”

I whisper back, “What?”

His loud swallow makes me nervous when he stutters, “I’m… I… You’re… I don’t…”

“What, Greg? Is it something bad?”

He shakes his head against mine. “Not for me, but it could be. I mean, I’ve known this… I…” He inhales and steps back. “I think you might want a scarf. It’s supposed to be freezing.”

I laugh, a little confused, though. “That was an intense weather forecast.”

“Yeah.” He shoves both of his hands into his hair again with a heavier sigh.

Baffled, I go to the closet and grab my pink scarf. Greg looks at me again with a crushing gaze, like he wants me to read his mind. It’s probably sex-related. As I sling the scarf onto my shoulders, he surprises me when his lips land on mine with a sudden passion that nearly knocks me on my ass. His hands go to my face, holding my cheeks like he doesn’t want me to move away. I kiss him but end it soon after, hating I have to work. I’d rather lie in bed with him all day, even if it’s just watching TV or listening to his crazy music. Or talking about what the hell just happened.

We frown, but instead of saying more, he flies out the door. I mutter, “Okay, then,” and lock the apartment. I wave to him as I go to my car, but he seems distracted. I think I already wore him out for the day. But he also seems disappointed. Did I not blow him hard enough? Damn.

I didn’t think saying goodbye this morning would be so weird. Or hard to do.

As I step onto the elevator, I double-check my lipstick since I’ve screwed it up several times this morning. When the doors close, I notice my smiling reflection. I haven’t smiled this much with Greg since helping him with Birdy.

I miss her. We were kind of like a fucked-up little family. But it was ours.

No. Nothing about it was ours. Birdy isn’t even his kid, and Greg and I weren’t together. But we’re now married.

That’s even more fucked-up.

I walk into the waiting room, catching Heifer Two’s eye. I smile back, but she looks back to the computer. What a bitch.

Elijah isn’t at the counter, and I don’t see Heifer One, which is a relief. But when I go to the break room, I walk into a meeting between the two. I smile because it’s polite, but their frowns tell me to rot in hell.

Removing my coat, I release an edgy breath, unsure how this day will be. Hanging up my coat, I hear Heifer One say, “So you’d better stay away from her. I mean, she’s cheating on her husband or lied to you she was married.”

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