I lean over to look at the plastic Preston’s putting in his wallet, and I frown at his new name. “You don’t look like a Joseph. Are we still married, or has that changed, too?”
“Still married. And we need to keep up the act in here.” He tips his head to the house.
“But don’t they know you? They’d know if you got hitched. You said they’re your friends.”
“Acquaintances,” he corrects. “To be honest, I didn’t want to come here. This is a last resort because Loralee threw a wrench in my plans.”
“Why do you seem so surprised by her report?” I ask, genuinely confused. “You know how nuts she is when it comes to me. I mean, I didn’t think she’d make up lies, but I’m not shocked she’s doing everything she can to get me back.”
Preston looks like he wants to answer, but he hesitates, and I remember his promise not to lie to me again.
There’s something he isn’t telling me.
Just then, there’s motion in the reflection of Preston’s glasses, and I turn in the seat to see a red-headed guy standing just outside the open door of the house. He smiles and holds up a hand in greeting.
“He looks friendly enough.” I swivel back toward Preston.
Unfortunately, I catch my own reflection in his lenses, and I don’t like what I see. I’m an absolute mess. I washed my face at the motel earlier, but no matter how much I scrub, I’m never able to remove all the makeup from my face. Leftovers from yesterday’s eyeliner and mascara are raccooned around my eyes, and the rest of my face is ghostly pale.
“I need a mirror,” I say, and Preston motions to the sunshade.
Yanking it down, I flip open the little flap and groan when I see how my crazy my hair is. The braid is still in place, but frizzy flyaways are spanning out in all directions.
It’s embarrassing enough that Preston is seeing me like this. But meeting new friends? My first friends ever?
I need to look nice for such an occasion.
“I should probably do my makeup first.” I lean forward and reach down toward my bag, but Preston stops me.
“There’s no time. You look fine.”
“Fine isn’t going to cut it. I want everyone to like me. I need to fit in.” I know I sound desperate and pathetic, but I can’t help it.
“Hey,” Preston says softly, tilting my face up by my chin. “You’re beautiful. I mean, unbelievably gorgeous. Stop-people-in-their-tracks gorgeous.”
“Even like this?”
“Here.” Opening the middle console, Preston pulls out a package of wet wipes. Keeping a grip on my chin, he gently sweeps it over my eyelids, then runs the wipe under my eyes with steady precision.
When I look back at the mirror, the crustiness is gone and what’s left looks like intentionally applied eyeliner.
“Better,” I admit.
“Lip gloss?” Preston asks, and I retrieve the pink shade from my makeup bag.
Again, this guy handles my face like he’s done this a hundred times. After smoothing the applicator over my mouth, he instructs me to rub my lips together. I don’t know why, but there’s something sexy about a manly man who’s willing to submerse himself in beauty products.
“Perfect, see?” Preston smiles, clearly proud of his work. Minimalist isn’t really my style when it comes to cosmetics, but I don’t look like I just rolled out of bed.
“It’ll do.”
“Good. Now, keep something in mind—Jay’s a nice guy, but as far as I’m concerned, everyone could be the enemy. It’s you and me against the world. Hopefully, the news hasn’t traveled this far. Try not to say more than you have to, Sara.” He puts emphasis on my new name as a reminder. “Jay already knows me as Ethan, so it’s probably best to keep things simple and let him call me that.”
Nodding, I step out of the vehicle and meet Preston in the driveway. Maintaining the appearance of a blissful married couple, he grabs my hand as we walk to the front door. My heart does a happy flip when our fingers lace together.
“Sara, this is Jay,” Preston introduces us when we make it to the stoop. “Jay, meet my wife.”
Jay’s eyes go wide, seeming shocked by the announcement, but he doesn’t miss a beat. Barely glancing at my pregnant tummy, he leans against the doorframe wearing an easy-going smile. “Congratulations, man. No wonder you’ve been impossible to get ahold of. I thought maybe you’d died.”
The joke doesn’t hit its mark.
When I look at Preston’s face, his jaw is all twitchy, and his gaze keeps darting around. It occurs to me that we’re out in the open. Totally exposed to anyone seeing us.
As tension radiates from Preston, he asks in a low, impatient tone, “Can we come in?”
Jay tosses a look over his shoulder. “I just got my son down for a nap. So, yeah, but you have to be quiet.”
“Sorry for dropping by out of the blue.” Preston puts a protective arm around my shoulders as we shuffle inside. “It was a spontaneous decision.”
“It’s okay.” Clearing some sippy cups from the coffee table, Jay waves us toward the couch. “That’s kind of your MO, right? Showing up out of nowhere? I’m just glad you weren’t lurking behind a dumpster this time.”
Jay’s teasing finally pulls a smile from Preston and a questioning quirk of an eyebrow from me. There’s a story there, but Preston just shrugs.
When I sit on the couch, something squeaks under my butt. I pull a dragon puppet from between two of the cushions.
“Sorry.” Jay grins fondly at the toy before taking it from me and motioning to all the colorful balls and blocks littering the living room. “Kind of a mess in here.”
I don’t mind at all. In fact, I like it.
I was never allowed to leave my toys out like this. My mom always wanted things clean and organized.
As far as living rooms go, it’s a little cramped in here, but the space is open to the dining nook and a kitchen. Down the hall, I’m guessing there are two or three bedrooms.
For some reason, this tiny, cluttered room feels more like home than anything I’ve ever known. I’m used to spacious rooms, polished wood floors, sparkling chandeliers, and high ceilings decorated with fancy 1920’s tiles.
Maybe it’s not about the décor or the size.
Maybe it’s about family and love. The kid Jay talked about isn’t even in sight, but his presence is everywhere. Sloppy finger paintings are framed on the wall. DVDs are haphazardly stacked next to the widescreen TV. Dishes from today’s meals are piled high in the sink.
“So what brings you two by?” Jay’s question brings me back to the moment.
Looking to Preston, I let him take the lead, and he starts by asking, “Have you seen the news at all today?”
The question makes Jay suspicious. His eyes narrow as he takes a seat in a recliner by the window. “No. Gus wanted to watch Tangled. Twice. Why? Is there something I need to see?”
“How’s the PI business working out for you?”
Allowing Preston to change the subject, Jay answers, “Great. It’s a nice-ass job.” He leans toward me. “Let me tell you a story about this guy. So, back when I was in prison, a private investigator pays me a visit. He wants me to gather information on my cellmate. I do what he asks, then he disappears after saying he owes me a favor. Thought I’d never see him again. Then he shows up out of nowhere in September offering me his entire business, tech equipment and all. Full of mystery, this one.” He wags a finger at Preston. “Of course, you probably already know all that, seeing as how you’re married to him now.”