Page 69 of The Close-Up
“On a weekend?”
“Yeah. I’ll text you later, okay?”
He leans down and gives my cheek a quick kiss. I watch as he weaves his way through the crowd to the entrance.
I sigh, my head suddenly feeling as heavy as an anvil. Then I look for Harper. She’s still at the same table, chatting with the handsome blond guy.
I don’t want to interrupt her, so I head to the bathroom. A splash of cold water to my face is what I need right now after two train wreck conversations in a row.
I turn the corner for the women’s restroom and stop when I see Simon leaning against the wall next to the door, shoulders hunched, his hands in his pockets.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
He straightens to his full height when he sees me. “Oh. Hi.”
“Everything okay?”
“Um, not really.” His gaze falls to the floor.
“I’m sorry for upsetting Desiree.”
“It’s not your fault.” He sounds so detached, it’s unnerving.
“I shouldn’t have grabbed your neck.”
His brow immediately furrows as soon as I say it. “Probably wasn’t the smartest thing in the world to do.”
Even though it’s true, his words still sting.
I swallow. “I can apologize to her if you think that would help.”
He hesitates, then looks at the door. “I honestly don’t think it would, Naomi. It would probably make things worse. She’s really upset right now.”
For a few seconds I just stand there. I can’t think of anything else to say. “I’m sorry I ruined your night.”
He clenches his jaw, then glances at the door to the women’s bathroom again. “Look, I know how awful this is gonna sound, but...she’s in there cooling off. And if she sees you here when she comes out...”
I catch his drift instantly. My eyes burn and my throat tightens. Yes, I crossed a line when I put my hand on Simon while we were joking with each other. Yes, I deserve to be called out, and I deserve to leave. It still hurts, though.
“Got it. I’ll take off.”
I turn around, thankful that I was able to keep my voice steady when I spoke. Simon calls after me as I walk away, but I ignore it.
It’s slow-going moving through the crowd once more, but it gives me time to collect myself, to take several calming breaths so I don’t burst into tears.
“Naomi.”
I turn and see Harper walking back from the bar, a drink in each hand.
“Everything okay?”
I force a smile. I don’t want to put a damper on the fun time she’s having by telling her how badly I just screwed up, how I ruined the night for Simon and Desiree and Landon.
“Yeah, all good. I’m gonna head home. Are you staying longer?”
“I was planning to.” She looks over at the handsome blond guy a few tables away. He grins at her. “But I can come back with you if you want.”
Her gaze is searching as she looks at me. She knows something’s up, even when I don’t say anything—she always does.
