Page 12 of Handsome
He offered his arm and said, “You don’t have to.”
Oh, goodness. Even if I looked horrible and a fraud, I’d see this through. I put my hands on my hips and asked, “Do my legs offend you?”
He winked and glanced up and down my body as he said, “Not at all. They're a very sexy part of you that I can’t help but notice. Are you ready to go?”
I blushed so hard I was sweating for a second. I hadn’t meant to flirt. But I took his proffered arm and walked beside him as I said, “Politeness is nice.”
We passed the nursery. “Where are we going? The baby is that way.”
He tilted his head in the direction we were walking. “He’s downstairs. We have a few hours to go and get your picture taken.”
I tensed as I raised my eyebrow. “You were serious last night?”
“I’m always very serious,” he said, and his wide-eyed stare made me fall silent.
I had nothing to say to that, but as we stepped out, I spotted his silver Aston Martin, and he opened the door for me.
For a split second I imagined I was off to a casino with a British spy. However, I shrugged it off and slipped in. Might as well pretend this was normal. Cyrus sat in the driver's seat and checked all his mirrors.
I watched his profile. And then I said, “You’d never have made a successful match with my sister.”
This time it felt like my whole body blushed, I was so hot. I cringed in my seat because I hadn't meant to bring up my sister with him.
The pang in my heart was that she’d hurt someone who for some reason I trust.
He lowered his voice and said, “Speaking of, if you need anything for the funerals, just let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I wrinkled my nose, but it was time to explain the arrangements. It was cheapest this way, so I shrugged and said, “I want them cremated, and then I’ll scatter their ashes on the ocean with my parents.”
We stopped at a photo shop. I hopped out before he said anything else. However, when he joined me a moment later, he offered his hand and said, “I’ll do whatever you want.”
He opened the door, but I met his gaze and ignored how safe I felt with him and said, “Death is coming for all of us eventually. It’s inevitable. Although honestly, I’m still in shock.”
Nothing else was said except when he directed us to stand for a passport photo, where I concentrated on the photographer's instructions.
Once I was done with the few snaps, like when I got my driver’s license, I returned to stand with Cyrus. He pressed his hand on mine and said, “I tried hard to get Leah to open up to me.”
I took my hand back and shook my head. The cashier gave me the two copies, and I rolled my eyes at the photos and then handed them over as I said, “See? I take horrible pictures.”
“These are adorable,” he said, and slipped them into his pocket.
I glanced up at the sky. The ocean was close. Maybe today I’d sneak over to look at it, possibly when I took Joshua on one of our strolls. I peeked over my shoulder at Cyrus as we walked out. “I’ve never been adorable. That’s how we describe little girls.”
He jogged and walked next to me to the parking lot. “I bet you were even more adorable then.”
I stopped. For a second it was like we were flirting. If he was anyone else, I’d have indulged, but as I reached for my door, I asked, “Were you this charming with Leah?”
Then I slipped inside the car and closed the door, cringing because I’d brought her up again. I hadn’t wanted to be jealous.Why can't I keep my stupid mouth shut?
He joined me in the car but didn’t start it right away. He kept his hands on the wheel but said, “I hardly knew her. Even though you and I are discussing things today and only met last night, I have to say you and I probably know each other better than I knew Leah.”
And I knew there'd been no longing, no genuine attraction, on Leah’s part. I reached out and brushed my hand across his shoulder and down his muscular arm as I said, “That’s so sad. For a long time, I lost touch with my glamorous sister because she didn’t want me around.”
He turned the air conditioner on. I sighed with appreciation, since it was getting warm outside, but then he asked, “Why not?”
I’d never be perfect. I’d never wanted to cover up my pain and pretend to be something I’m not. Granted, Leah was the smart, determined to be successful, and now just gone sister. A tear trickled down my face, and I glanced out the window. But because this was Cyrus, the truth tumbled out. “I’m not her speed. I’ve never wanted to be more than I am, but when Joshua was born and she realized she couldn’t do it alone, she found me.”
“I’m glad you reconnected,” he said, and started the car. “And that you were there to watch out for Joshua.”
