Page 102 of His Secret

I take a few bites of my sandwich as he stabs a fork through his salad. After a few minutes, I say, “My dad knows I’m working for you now. And that you’re my neighbor.”

His brows go up slightly. “And what does that mean for you?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to him. He’s been trying to get me to answer the phone, but…” I shrug.

“He can be unhappy about that, but what does he expect from you? To quit your job and move? You just did that.”

“No, I’m definitely not catering to him anymore. He’s unpredictable, though, so I expect he could just show up at any time to lecture me.”

“Have you ever thought about telling him to fuck off?” he asks right before taking a bite.

My snort turns into laughter. “Yes. Many times.”

After a minute of silence, he speaks up. “I don't know why parents think they can keep their kids from being who they are. He’s bullying you and threatening you simply to keep you from being happy. And all for the sake of his company?” He takes a breath. “Sorry. It’s just?—”

“No, you’re fine. I get it. He’s just always been that way. My mom, too, but she’s less vocal about it. She’s not really concerned with my every move, especially now. Dad has this hatred in him. I don’t know why. You’d think gay people did something to him personally, because it’s almost as if he’s holding a grudge.”

Matías shakes his head. “Well, I don’t know. Hopefully he leaves you alone.”

I roll my eyes as I take another bite, doubtful that’ll ever happen. And then a thought hits me, and I just say the words without even thinking about them.

“He’d probably only leave me alone if I came out.”

Matías stares at me as I register what I’m saying. Now that the initial thought is out there, more keep coming, and the words fall from my lips.

“He’d be so angry or embarrassed, that he’d likely just disown me and never speak to me again.” I pause, putting my food down as I sit back. “That thought bothered me when I was younger and needed him, but I don’t need his money anymore. I don’t care about running his company. And it’s not as if I’d be missing out on an incredible family dynamic.”

Matías continues to watch me as I talk, but he doesn’t say anything. It’s almost as if he’s holding his breath, afraid to break this train of thought I’m having.

A phone call interrupts everything.

Matías answers. “Hello? Oh, hi, Mr. Wright. Of course. Yes. I’ll be there. Okay, goodbye.”

When he hangs up the phone, he looks at me. “I have to go talk to the boss.”

“Oh, okay,” I say, getting up from the chair.

“I’ll text you later.”

He stands and walks around the desk, grabbing me by thetie. Pulling me closer, he plants his mouth on mine. The kiss is quick, but it sends a jolt of electricity through me.

“Okay.” I swipe some random papers from his desk. “I’ll get these back to you.” I walk to the door, opening it while saying, “I’ll get right on it, sir.”

He fights his grin, shaking his head at me.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

MATÍAS

Besides runningto Adrian’s office to get my papers back, I don’t see much of him for the rest of the day. I have to stay late to finalize a few things and send emails, so he’s gone by the time I emerge from my office.

I end up driving to a Nicola’s pizza parlor to pick up dinner, and then make my way home. When I pull up, I spot Adrian in front of his house, looking for something in the backseat of his car.

I know I should just drive into my garage, close it, and head inside, but apparently I do things I shouldn’t quite a bit these days. Grabbing the pizza box, I walk into my driveway with the excuse of going to my mailbox.

Adrian turns and watches me, a grin on his lips. “Hello.”

I smile. “Hello.”

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