Page 82 of Close to My Heart

“I wanted to be here to support you.”

“It’s not necessary. This is a family thing. But we’re still friends. Right?”

“Friends. Right. Of course.” The words felt bitter on my tongue, but what else could I say? She was pushing me away, and I was letting her.

This wasn’t the right time to discuss our relationship. She was upset about her grandmother. I shouldn’t be adding to her stress.

“You’ll let me know how she is?” I asked as I stood and stuffed my hands in my pockets so I wouldn’t reach for her.

“Of course.” But she was already turning away, heading over to the desk, probably to inquire about paperwork or discharge. I didn’t know what because I hadn’t even asked what the doctor had said. Maybe I should have insisted on staying or being a part of the discussion. But what good would it do?

I felt like if I pushed, she’d break things off officially. There wouldn’t be another chance to convince her that this was real, and she should give us another chance. I had to bide my time and wait for this emergency to dissipate. Then I could talk to Sutton and reason with her. I refused to believe that we were over.

She wouldn’t walk away from me without a conversation.

20

SUTTON

Ivisited Grandmother in the hospital every day until she was discharged. It was an easy transition to move into my house because I had clothes and all my furniture there. I never really moved into Wes’s house.

I’d only taken over a few clothes probably because it was always meant to be temporary. Every time I felt longing for what was, I reminded myself it was never supposed to be more.

It was weird to be home and not living with Wes. But this made more sense. At least until Grandma was on her feet again. Any time I experienced a niggling doubt about what this meant for me and Wes, I pushed it out of my mind.

I felt guilty that I’d been lying to Grandma about our marriage. In the hospital, she’d said she could rest easy knowing I was in a loving relationship. That had sent my mind reeling. Was that why she’d cooked up the ultimatum? She wanted to see me happy?

Also, she thought I was happy in my fake marriage. Looking back, I think I was. We were content doing the simplest things: making breakfast, going fishing or hiking, and even attending my families over-the-top galas.

Wes was coming over to see Grandma at the house today. I was positive it was to keep our charade of a marriage going. I would have told him it wasn’t necessary, but I wasn’t going to reveal everything to Grandma until she was feeling better.

I was resigned to losing the house and the property. I’d need to find a new career, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to take my social media following with me, unless I found another historic house I could post about.

That was an idea. I could go around Annapolis and ask to film at different historic locations and research the history. It wasn’t as interesting, since it wasn’t my family. Maybe my followers would be okay with it. I wouldn’t know if I didn’t try.

After drinking my coffee, I crossed the stone path through the garden and slipped in the back door.

When Grandma saw me approach, she said, “Hello, dear.”

“Good morning.” I kissed her cheek. She was having breakfast in the morning room. There were a lot of windows and light.

She gestured for me to sit across from her. “I appreciate your being here, but doesn’t your husband miss you?”

I carefully arranged the cloth napkin on my lap. I wouldn’t know because we hadn’t talked since the hospital except to give him updates on Grandma’s condition. “He’s stopping by to visit today.”

Grandma frowned. “Your mother said you were staying in your old place again.”

I poured the tea into my cup. “It was more convenient while you were convalescing.”

Grandma frowned. “You make me sound like an old woman.”

I covered my smile with my hand. “You’re as spry as you’ve always been.”

“Now, that’s what I like to hear. I can’t wait for your husband to appear. I missed having him around the last few weeks. I would have thought he’d visit more while I was recovering.”

“He’s busy with work.” I had no idea what he was actually doing since we hadn’t checked in with each other. That wasn’t something that needed to be done in a fake relationship.

If I was nursing a broken heart, then it was because I’d let myself fall for my fake husband. I couldn’t have messed up more royally if I’d tried.

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