Page 38 of Hidden Gem
They screamed at him like there was an emergency. Marnie shivered, placing the phone back on the table. A moment’s vulnerability from a tired man surely wasn’t such a big deal. A PR nightmare, maybe, but no reason to curse into someone’s inbox. No reason to—
A shadow fell over the table, making Marnie nearly jump out of her skin as she saw a human shape moved behind the curtains. Someone was out on the deck. She recognised the shape of a camera as they reached a gap between the curtains. A journalist. It had to be. Panicked, Marnie leapt away from window, diving back into the bedroom. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it.
Shit! She was trapped. If she left the house, her face would end up in the papers. She’d be known as the poor woman Jason had fallen asleep on, or something else grotesque. The silly, silly man had publicly branded himself as a bad lover. She hadn’t seen the headlines, but instinct told her that was the part they’d focus on. Those words had made her own stomach sink to her feet, begging for him to shut up.
Since her online obsession had taken hold, Marnie had discovered the true extent of Jason’s fandom. He wasn’t just a politician, he was the voice of Millennials, the go-to commentator on every news story about housing. He was everywhere. Everyone and their cousin would be talking about this.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Marnie collapsed on the floor, her back against the door. Another shadow appeared, this time in the shape of towel-clad Jason, looming over her in all his glory.
“What’s going on? What are you doing there?”
“A journalist. Out on the deck. Taking photos.” She could barely produce words with her throat closing in.
“What the fuck?” Jason yanked at the doorknob, forcing her to scuttle to the side.
“Don’t go out there! You’re not even dressed.”
He didn’t listen. The small towel flapping against his thighs, Jason pushed past her and headed to the deck. Marnie risked a peek through the doorframe. The sliding door to the deck was open, the curtains moving in the slight breeze. She caught Jason’s tall frame behind the window, hands on his hips. She couldn’t make out all the words, but she could tell he was furious, spitting out lines about private property and lawyers.
After a moment, he returned to the bedroom, a smile on his face. “Don’t worry, she’s gone.”
“Did she get a photo of you dressed like that?”
“You mean this?” With a triumphant smile, he held up a small memory card. “I’m sure there are some juicy ones in here if you want a new screensaver.”
Marnie scrambled on her feet, her knees nearly buckling. “How can you be so flippant about this? Aren’t you worried?”
A smile hovered on his lips. “Sure, but I’m still on a high from... you know. Finding you. Sleeping. Sleeping with you. I’m not going to let anyone take that away.”
She caught the blaze behind his eyes, like two flames licking his pupils, drawing her in. Her spine relaxed and she let him pull her in a tight embrace. Pressed against his chest, she felt his steady heartbeat. So good. So right.
“What time is it? Do you have to go soon?” she asked.
“Yes. Will you stay?”
“I wish, but I have to go home to my girl. See that she doesn’t burn down the house.”
“Is that a figure of speech, or...”
“No, I mean it quite literally. Last week, she put aluminium foil in the microwave. It’s my fault. She’s the baby, and I always catered to her. Now she needs to learn some basic skills.”
Jason chuckled into her hair, then loosened his grip on her to look her in the eye. “Sounds like she needs you as much as I do.” His voice held a trace of regret.
“She does. Although she’d never admit it.”
“I admit it, if that helps?”
Marnie smiled. He was so gorgeous, so openly into her. When she was with him, she believed it, for moments that stretched in length every time. Her entire body was already on board, craving his touch and that adoring look in his eyes.
“Okay, you have to get ready!” She glanced at the alarm clock, then pointed at the suit hanging off the door handle. “Don’t fail your job because of me.”
“I won’t.” He sprang into action, pulling on the pressed pants and the crisp white shirt.
She left him to button the shirt and dry his hair, retreating into the lounge. She could no longer see anyone behind the window. If she ducked out now, she could skip home without being seen and lay low for a few days. Maybe the media attention would eventually blow over just like he’d said.
Marnie opened the kitchen drawers, looking for a pen and a piece of paper. At last, she located a felt pen and a takeaway menu and scribbled her phone number on it. She placed the chipped, yellow mug on it as a paper weight, hoping this note wouldn’t get lost. Listening to the sound of Jason’s hairdryer, she contemplated just sneaking off. She made it to the door, but something held her back. After what they’d just shared, she owed him a proper goodbye.
