Page 42 of Forbidden Desires

Pete leans forward, resting his head on the steering wheel. We both sit in silence for a while.

And then he shoots up, his face lighting up.

"So we don't sit around and wait."

"Pete—" I try to say before he interrupts me.

"No! Hear me out. We don't push. But we remind her we're here and not going anywhere."

His expression is so filled with hope and eagerness that I hear him out.

He carefully lays out his plan, and the more he talks, the more excited I get.

This can work.

Pete must think so too, because he smiles at me. "You're good at this, you know?"

"Good at what?"

"Keeping me together."

I laugh, though it's a little wobbly. "I don't know about that. I think we're both supporting each other. And I can't wait until we can both support her, too."

Pete starts the car and we make our way back to our hotel.

And hopefully, soon we won't have to leave our girl behind.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Suzie

The heat of the furnace in front of me grounds me in a way few things in life do. I watch as one of the apprentices handles the punty with the heavy ball of glass, bringing it over to the workbench so I can do my bit. When I shared about my pregnancy with Bobby he insisted that I stop doing the heavy work.

At first, it was hard letting go, especially as I'mjuststarting in my career, but after a few days, I started seeing it as a great opportunity for me to pass the little knowledge I have to someone who is where I was only a few years ago. Fuck it, only a few months ago.

With the heavy-duty, fire-resistant gloves on, I use a set of paddles to shape the large ball of glass, and the apprentice—Ryan, I think—starts twirling the punty at a fast speed. With a sense of awe that never seems to go away, I watch as a large disc slowly forms.

As it twirls, I use the gloves and another flat paddle to guide the disc into the shape I want.

Once we're done and Ryan rushes the piece away to slowly cool down I grab a large bottle of water from one of the many mini fridges lining the back wall of the large shop floor.

Now that there's a lull in the work all my thoughts and emotions come rushing back, but I push it down, refusing to give in to the heartache.

It's been two days since I kicked Pete and Dexter out of my life, and I'm no closer to any kind of resolution or way to handle telling them.

I also haven't received a single fucking message or call from either of them. Obviously, it was easy enough for them to leave me behind.

The bitter heartbreak sits uncomfortably on my chest, especially here in the large space used to create masterpieces.

I shake off the dark thoughts and finish off the water bottle, but before I can throw away the empty plastic bottle, a young, cute girl comes rushing to me.

"You Suzie?" she asks, her eyes alight with joy and excitement.

"Yeah. What's up?" I’m not interested in pleasantries at the moment. IthinkI've seen her manning one of the counters in the gift shop. But for the life of me, I can't remember if anyone told me what her name is.

"There's a delivery for you. But I can't bring it down here...." She looks around the floor before turning her beaming smile back at me. "It's in the staff room. When you see it, you'll understand."

Ryan still isn't back from the break I'd sent him on, so I might as well go see what the huge fuss is about.

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