Page 114 of The Close-Up
“Yeah?”
He hesitates.
“You looked so upset. So hurt,” I blurt when he doesn’t say anything more.
His face twists for a moment before he swallows. “Yeah, well. I was.”
“I’m so sorry for hurting you, Simon. You didn’t deserve the way I treated you.”
For a few seconds, all he does is look at me, his unblinking stare tinged with pain and something else. Something I can’t quite nail down.
I push on, fully anticipating that once I get this all out, I’ll be wrecked from the heartbreak. But it’s what I deserve.
“I was going to tell you that last night, but then I saw the hurt and anger on your face, and I didn’t want to upset you more than I already had.” I force myself to pause and breathe. I sound like a babbling maniac. “I was going to say that I wished more than anything that I could redo our last time together. I should have stayed with you. I should have told you how I truly felt about you. I should have said screw it to all my doubts and insecurities and finally just said that I...that I...”
I love you, Simon.
As I gaze into his eyes, my heart pumps a beat so frenzied, I feel like I’m going to pass out.
He doesn’t even blink as he looks at me. His gaze turns pleading and intense as he steps closer to me.
“You what, Naomi?” he whisper-growls.
Say it now!
“Simon, I—”
Cole and Tamara walk back over to us. Damn it.
“If you want to film our commentary before the ceremony, we’d better do it now,” Tamara says, looking over her shoulder as people start to file into the space.
I turn away from Simon and hesitate for a second before telling them okay. The smile Simon flashes them is so tight, it looks like he’s in pain. He walks away to one of the standing tables.
My head spins as I struggle to pay attention to Cole and Tamara all the while processing what happened between Simon and me just now.
Simon was clearly upset with me last night, but judging by how he approached me today, how he was willing to hear me out, that pleading look on his face, maybe all hope isn’t lost.
Maybe we still have a chance to work things out. I just need to talk to him.
As Cole and Tamara answer an interview question, I scan the now-crowded space in search of Simon. There must be at least fifty people in the courtyard milling around. I don’t see him anywhere. Then the event coordinator of the venue pops over and ushers them to the front to kick off the ceremony.
“Everyone!” she calls out. “The ceremony is starting! Please have a seat so we can start.”
I force myself back behind the camera. I have a job to do. I just need to be patient, film this vow renewal, then Simon and I can talk and maybe work this whole thing out.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After the ceremony, all I can hear is everyone chatting about how beautiful it was. And it was. It was heartening listening to Tamara and Cole exchange vows in front of their kids and loved ones. I already know viewers are going to adore it once this episode goes up on the Dashsite next week.
But I’m a barrel of nerves because I still haven’t gotten a chance to talk to Simon. As I wander through the crowd to find him, Cole’s voice booms over the speaker system.
“Everyone, thank you so much for coming! We love you all and it means the world that you’re sharing this day with us.”
Everyone claps while I’m still searching the crowd, taking small, careful steps so I don’t crash into anyone. Cole says they’re going to start dinner service soon, but not before he thanks the one person who’s the sole reason we’re all here today.
I stop walking instantly and turn to the stage where he stands, beckoning Simon from the crowd. He walks up, flustered grin on his face.
Cole pats him on the back. “Because of Simon Rutler’s counseling, I became a halfway decent husband.”
