Page 57 of Sugar Coated Lies
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” he says, as if the question is absurd. “What about you? Where did you learn to handle him like that?”
“They have classes. It’s important to know what to do when you live with someone with Alzheimer’s.”
He shakes his head, his brows raised in awe. “You are amazing.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice,” I say with a shy grin.
“Does this happen a lot?”
“Sometimes.”
He stares at me as if I mystify him. “I want to take you out.”
“Why?”
“I just need to. Please. Let me.”
“Where?”
“Anywhere you want to go. Whatever you want, I want to give it to you.”
My heart swells at the idea of going out with Daire, but I can’t be his charity case. No matter how noble the gesture, I didn’t get where I am by accepting pity-favors.
“You are a very kind boss, but I don’t need you to save me. What you gave to me today is better than anything I’ve had in a long time. I can’t thank you enough.”
He lifts his hand to his hair, as if to run his fingers through it, but lowers it to his side. “It’s more than that. I like you, Everleigh. I’m incredibly attracted to you. You are the most inspiring, dedicated woman I’ve ever known. I want to take you on a date. Even if it goes against business policy, I want to take you out. I want to make you feel special. I want to treat you like a queen, if only for one night, and I want you to let me. Will you let me?”
The sincere pleading in his eyes is near unbearable. More than anything, I want to crush myself against him and answer, “Yes.” I don’t.
“I’m sure it would be nothing shy of amazing, but I can’t risk things going sideways and me losing this opportunity as a result. Working for you and the farm is everything to me.”
He breathes in my response, as if expecting it, and opens his mouth to reply.
Before he can, I add, “I’m also not delusional. I know people like you and me don’t make it past one date, and I know myself. I can handle a lot, but I don’t think I could handle one night with you.”
He raises his chin with determination and is ready with his comeback. “What if it’s more than one night?”
Relentless. It’s not a turn-off, unfortunately, so I keep with the honest responses. “That’d be even harder.”
He takes a moment, his expression torn, as if he’s mentally searching for a solution. When his shoulders drop with defeat, I figure he came to the same conclusion as me.
He frowns. “You’re right. I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m sorry.”
An intense ache settles in my chest. I know the sensation, felt it when my parents died, and again when Grandma passed. I ignore the pain, forcing it down to the deep, dark recess where I bury all my sorrows.
“I need to get back in there,” I hitch a thumb toward the door, “But thank you for today. It was wonderful having you be a part of it.” That familiar burning in my eyes makes itself known.
Daire nods, then wipes his hand on his pants and digs out his phone from his pocket. “I’ll get an Uber.”
My chin trembles with emotions that make me feel vulnerable in a way I don’t like. I nod and slip into the house, then into the bathroom where I allow myself a moment to break down and cry.
Chapter16
Daire
I’ve become a stalker,watching Everleigh whenever I can. A week has passed since I was at her house and spent the day with her and Miles.
