Page 6 of Corrupted Memories
I sigh. “Jeremy?—”
“I’m making junior partner. They’re announcing it tonight.”
Squeezing my eyes shut, I turn in his arms and push my face against his chest. “That’s amazing, babe.”
He hugs me tighter and then cradles my face in his hands, tilting my head to look at him. His curly brown hair is unstyled, and his warm brown eyes watch me with patience. “If you feel overwhelmed, we can leave.”
I feel a pang of guilt at the lie he believes. Jeremy thinks I don’t go out because I have social anxiety so bad that it triggers panic attacks. My brother paid a doctor to explain how large crowds could affect me.
In reality, I avoid the public because I have a multimillionaire ex-boyfriend who can’t let me go, actively stalks me, and the more I hide my face, the better off I am. I’m not sure how I’ll even react if I ever see Sebastian again. I can’t go a day without thinking of him, indulging in grief over our relationship, then snapping back into the terror of what I witnessed.
Jeremy and I have been dating for less than two years after constantly running into each other at my old apartment building. He’s been patient with myconditionbut is starting to get annoyed, wondering why I’m not willing to make an effort on his behalf. I know I will have to give in eventually, and I can’t come up with a good reason not to attend this promotion party.
“I’ll be fine. I promise.”
He smiles back, the tiny dimple in his left cheek popping out. I love that dimple. Everything about Jeremy is soft, warm, and inviting. He’s never stepped over the line, nor has he pressured me for more than a heavy makeout session. I feel safe with Jeremy.
“Want to shower first, or can I hop in? We have a couple of hours before we need to be there.”
“Go ahead.” I wave him off and step into the kitchen, calling my brother.
“Where is he?” I ask as soon as he answers.
Matt is silent for a few seconds before he sighs. “I thought we were past this.”
“Jeremy wants me to attend a company party tonight. I just—need that…” I trail off, because telling him I need extra reassurance sounds worse when I say it out loud.
I hold my breath at the clicking of my brother’s keyboard, guessing he’s probably still in his officein the city.
“Last update has him in London.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, pushing a calming hand against my stomach as I try to settle my nerves. I know the possibility of running into him at this particular party is nearly impossible, but I can’t shake this foreboding feeling.
“Gianna, we decided when you wanted to start dating again that he was the past. I told you he stopped using resources we could track to locate you years ago. You’re safe.” Matt sighs again, his voice tired. “And in the astronomically small chance he is there, we prepared you.”
He’s right. When my brother rushed me out of college, he put me into multiple mixed arts for defensive training. We even went as far as having a bracelet made with a built-in panic button for a security detail that always lingers nearby. When I leave my home, I’m never without a weapon.
“I know. I’m sorry for bothering you.” I stare up at my ceiling, willing the tears from my embarrassment away.
“You never do, G. But I thought you were moving on. Perhaps we should move you closer?—”
“No!” I exclaim. “I’m fine. I swear. I just needed that. It’s about time I stop hiding indoors anyway.” Living near my brother again would drive meinsane. Even an hour’s drive doesn’t prevent him from dropping by unannounced.
“Alright,” he says. “I’ll be available all night, okay?”
I shake my head. “No. Don’t wait around for me. Go have fun.”
He laughs, probably because fun has never been in Matt’s vocabulary. We hang up after exchanging goodbyes.
Jeremy is already out of the shower by the time I make it to the bedroom, and the rest of the early evening blurs as I get ready for the event in a daze. I haven't mentally prepared for tonight to be the night I brave mingling among the public again, but it seems a bit silly to turn Jeremy down. Imagining the worst possible scenarios consumes my thoughts.
I go through the motions and snap back out of my head when I feel him scoot closer. I’m not sure how long we’ve been driving until I realize we’ve passed state lines and are in Manhattan.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight.” Jeremy kisses my knuckles with a soft hand squeeze. Adoration swims in his deep brown eyes.
I give him a small smile. “Of course. You said it’s important to you.”
The limo stops, and I grimace at the cameras lined up on the sidewalk on the side of the building. Asmall red carpet leads from where we’re parked to the entrance.
