Page 48 of Unwrapped

“But she’s being so judgmental and closed-minded, Dad.”

“You’re standing here, naked with a sheet wrapped around you and your mother’s boss. Don’t you think she has reason to be concerned? You put yourself in the position to be judged, don’t you think?”

I can feel Miranda stiffen behind me at her father’s rebuke, but she remains quiet. She moves closer to me, and she puts her hands on my hips for support.

“It’s true,” I say to them. “You can blame me for the whole thing. I’m the one who went after her, but we’re together. We’re in a relationship. I’m not taking advantage of her. She’s the most important person in my life.”

The room goes deathly quiet after my declaration. Mona purses her lips so tight, they practically disappear. Her eyes darken, and she takes a slow step toward me, but her husband grabs her elbow and keeps her in place.

“So, Miranda is Pretty Girl? And today you were eavesdropping on my call so you could sneak over here, weren’t you? You even had the nerve to ask me if she was okay when you’re obviously the one who upset her. You’re the one who upset her so much she woke up in the same clothes she wore yesterday. And you think I’m going to be okay with this? Whatever the hellthisis. I’ll tell you one thing. This ends right now.”

“Mom,” Miranda says.

“I don’t want to hear a word out of your mouth, Miranda,” Mona says, pointing a finger at her. “I did not raise a liar. That’s why you brought me lunch the other day, isn’t it? You came to seehim.” She sayshimwith such disdain, I flinch. “Oh my God!” She puts both hands to her head. “Your damn office door was locked when I went to find you because you were in there together, doing God knows what. I can’t even fathom the thought.”

Mona yanks her elbow from Nigel and starts to walk toward us, taking slow menacing steps. I can feel Miranda stiffen behind me, but Nigel grabs her elbow again, keeping her in place.

“That’s not going to happen, Mona. I know you’re angry, but this is not going to end. We’re just getting started,” I tell her as I look at her straight in the eye.

“That’s what you think,” she hisses.

“Put on your damn clothes and come upstairs. Five minutes. Don’t make me have to come back down here and drag you upstairs,” Nigel says as he grabs his wife’s elbow again. They walk out of the room, slamming the door behind them.

“Shit!” Miranda takes the blanket and tosses it to a far corner of the room. “This is bad, Nick.” She runs across the room, and despite what just happened, I can’t help but admire her naked backside as she rummages through a drawer looking for clothes.

She grabs a pair of black leggings and a red sweater, and I turn back to my own clothes.

“It will be okay, sweetness.” I pull her to me and hold her against my body.

“We were supposed to talk to Dad first, get him on our side, but this is a fucking disaster. He’s pissed at me, and he’s never, ever upset with me. Not once. This is a first.” All too soon she pulls away and we get dressed.

“Hey,” I say, grabbing her hand, “I love you, and the cat’s out of the bag now. We’ll deal with it.”

She looks up at me and smiles. It’s a wide smile, showing off her perfect straight teeth, and upon seeing it, I relax.

“Let’s go face the music.” With her fingers intertwined with mine, we walk out of the room and up the stairs.

CHAPTER 31

MIRANDA

“Nick,” I murmur, reaching out only to find empty, cold sheets underneath my fingertips. I roll over onto my back and lie in the middle of the giant bed, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how one day can be so damn long. It’s not even seven p.m. yet, and I feel like this day has gone on for two years.

I look through the open door, the light in the upstairs hallway giving the room a soft glow. I hear the front door open, followed by the beeping of the security alarm and Sadie barking, and realize Nick must have been out walking the dog.

Wanting to see him, I reluctantly slide off the comfortable mattress and run to the bathroom. The hot shower that follows does little to clear my mind, but it does wonders for my sore muscles.

After changing into clean yoga pants and one of Nick’s t-shirts, I go downstairs in search of him. I find him in the kitchen putting fresh food and water out for the dog. I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. He leans into me, and I stick my head in the middle of his back and inhale him.

“Hey,” he says. He turns around and holds me in his arms. “You okay? You crashed as soon as we got here.” He takes my hand and leads me to the kitchen table, the very one I picked out, and pulls out a chair for me. “Sit down and I’ll start dinner.”

After sitting down, I grab onto his pants pockets and put my face to his flat stomach. “I was exhausted. And as hungry as I am, I need you. Don’t go.” I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him in place. “You smell good.”

“Come on. Let’s go to our sectional.” He takes my hand, and we walk to the living room. He lies on his back on the couch and beckons me to him. I lie on top of him and cover our bodies with the fleece blanket, shutting out everything else but us.

He rubs his hands up and down my back as I listen to the strong beat of his heart.

“I imagined it a million different ways, but I never considered this would be the way my parents would find out about us,” I whisper as he rubs soothing circles up and down my spine.

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