Page 56 of Love Beyond the Illusion
“Are you in bed?”
“I just got in.”
“Did you want to talk about something specific?”
“No, not really.” I sigh. “I didn’t want to go to sleep alone.”
“I don’t mind staying on the phone with you until you fall asleep.” I hear him smile through his words.
“I’d like that, thank you.”
“You may want to put the phone somewhere safe so it doesn’t fall off the bed.”
“It is.” I’m propping it up against another pillow next to me. “Are you going to go to sleep soon?”
“I’m in bed, but I’ll be working on my laptop for a little longer.”
“Alright. And you don’t mind?” I ask one more time before letting my heavy eyes close.
“Absolutely not,” he replies with a low voice.
The light clicking of Jack typing on his keyboard soothes me like white noise. Slipping away into twilight sleep, I also hear the faint sound of Jack’s muffled breaths next to my ear. An unclear amount of time passes before his breathing turns into the distant sounds of the water turning on and back off.He’s getting ready for bed but staying on the phone with me.Then, I hear the rustling sounds of what I believe are the moving of blankets and sheets.
“Goodnight, my love,” Jack whispers barely audibly.
But I hear all three words as if they were yelled into my ears. Each one bounces off the walls of my skull and falls straight down into the pit of my stomach.
My eyelids fly open.
My heart sinks.
Chapter Twenty
Jack
Piperwavesatmeas I pull to the curb at passenger pickup. She’s arrived back in town after being away for almost ten days. I’ve been anxious for her to return since I dropped her off at the airport. I didn’t sleep at all last night. I’ve missed her more than I expected I would. We spent every single day together for six days, and then simply not having her with me any longer felt strange.
When Piper boarded that plane a week and a half ago, I knew I no longer had a claim to her. She didn’t have to answer my calls or messages, and I tried to respect that space. But I missed her. We’ve had no contact during the day when I was working and she was flying, but every night since she asked me to stay on the phone while she fell asleep, we’ve continued to fall asleep on the phone together.
I’ve spent long days at the winery to keep my mind occupied with the other more pressing things in my already chaotic life. I’ve taken on more of a learning approach so far, spending time in every area of the business and getting to know the newer employees.
Our lawyer has tried many times to schedule a meeting with Steve, Preston, and their lawyers, but we’ve had no response. The lack of communication makes me suspicious, and I wonder if they’re planning something behind the scenes. It’s unsettling.
“Hello, Jack Bradley.” Piper pokes her head through the rolled-down passenger window. “Long time no see.”
When she landed home in Phoenix earlier this afternoon, she was finishing up from being in the air for the last three days. She had no time to go back to her apartment to change between landing and hopping on the flight out here. So, she’s still wearing her uniform. Piper’s tight navy blue dress and high heels make my dick jump faster than I can sprint around to the other side of the car.
“Hi. Nice to see you again,” I say, remaining dry and unfazed by her return, even though it takes every bit of self-control not to kiss her glossy lips and slide my hand up the front of her dress.
I grab both of her bags and set them into the trunk, then jog back over to the passenger side before she can get to the door. Squeezing between her and the car, I open the door for her.
She gives me a side-eye. “Thanks, but I’m already your fake girlfriend. No need to try to impress me.”
“I know you are. And I’m not.” I flash her an exaggerated grin. “How were your flights the past couple of days?”
“Uneventful, which was nice. But I’m exhausted.” Her voice is hollow as she yawns. “At least we won’t have to fall asleep on the phone together this time, because you’ll only be in the next room.”
I grin. “Yes, that’s true.”
