Page 78 of Movers and Shakers

“No, it doesn’t. My conclusion is the same. I’m better off alone.”

“You don’t want to meet him?” she asked.

“No, I don’t. But I guess you want to tell me I should.”

Her lips pursed and I wondered if she would.

“What Barry does is up to him,” Tom said in a soft voice. “I’m sorry we had to tell you this way, but we will respect whatever you want to do.”

“Good. Then I want to be alone.”

The words weighed heavy as he turned from everyone, including me.

My throat went dry. I could see why he’d not want me around. I wasn’t foolish enough to think some kissing and one orgasm was enough to forge a bond where he’d want me to stay after he found out his father wasn’t his actual father.

“Okay,” Tom said. “But we’re here if you need us.”

They shuffled out and I followed. I looked at the ground, and when the daylight hit me, I realized I had left withnoplan.

“Lila?” Ruth asked. “You followed us?”

“I don’t think he wants me around.” I shrugged, trying to play it cool even though my heart had sunk into my stomach. “I’m just a one-night stand.”

Ruth and Tom looked at each other and I almost hoped they would tell me I was more.

But instead, Ruth asked, “Is it safe for you to be out here?”

“No. Not at all. My hotel is two blocks away.”

“I’ll drive you there,” she offered. “Hopefully, no one will see, but if they do, I guess it wouldn’t be the first time.”

“You know another celebrity?”

“My boyfriend is Knox Price.” She smiled. “We’ve been the subject of some news. I’m sure you wouldn’t know—‍”

“I remember that story,” I said. “You were in a coffee shop.”

And Rose was behind you.

“Oh wow. So, you’ve heard of me in a weird way. What a small world.”

“Small indeed,” I said. “Thank you. I’ll take you up on that.”

She showed me to her white Honda. Tom, who had been quiet, gave her a wave. Then his eyes fell on me.

“It was nice meeting you. My kid is going to kill me if he ever knows I met you and didn’t tell him, but it was still nice.”

He’d looked scary, but he didn’t seem so scary now. Barry’s family was . . . not what I expected. He hid them from me, but with these two, I didn’t see why.

“Sorry you had to see that,” Ruth said as I got into her car. “And that Barry kind of kicked you out.”

“It’s fine.” And it was. I’d already blown into his life like a tornado and then inserted myself into a conversation where I didn’t belong. “I’m just glad that you handled me being there so well.”

“It was a shock, but if anyone was going to do it to us like that, it would be Barry. He’s always been different. And I wonder how he’ll handle this.” There was a small smile on her face, but it fell. “Will you check on him for us?”

“You guys might be better for that.”

“I doubt he wants anything to do with us right now. Please?”

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