Page 61 of Hidden Gem
Marnie got up, searching for the curtains. She wanted to get back in bed with him and hide from the world. But when she reached for the navy-blue fabric, his phone buzzed again, this time repeatedly.
Jason picked it up and glanced at her. “It’s my mum. I blew her off last weekend. I should really...”
“Of course. Take it. Do you want me to go?”
Marnie stepped towards the door, but Jason guided her back on the bed. “No. I have no secrets from you. Not anymore.”
He accepted the call and turned on the speaker phone. “Hi, Mum!”
The voice at the other end trembled from old age but brimmed with delight. “Hi Jason! My lovely boy! Where are you?”
“You won’t believe this, but I’m... on holiday.”
“Are you now?” His mum sounded surprised. “So, who’re you with?”
“Um... a friend. I’ll introduce you later.”
“Is it Beatrice?” Her voice rose, filled with anticipation.
He tried to laugh. “You saw the video, then? Yeah, sorry about that. I didn’t really plan to be filmed.”
Jason’s mum’s voice was warm. “Don’t worry, dear. You can’t embarrass us. We’re too old. But you’ve found someone? Someone special?”
“Very special.”
“That’s nice. Is she one of those career women?”
Jason glanced at Marnie, who replied with a confused smile, shaking her head. “No, Mum. She’s not.”
“More family-focused, then? That’s lovely. We’re waiting for those grandchildren. My eyesight’s getting worse, and I’d really like to be able to see them.”
Marnie stiffened.
Jason stood, turned off the speaker phone, and walked into the ensuite.
Marnie sat on the bed, nausea swirling in her belly. This was it. This is how it would all end. It had been too good to be true. She’d convinced herself they could make it all work, that she didn’t have to give him up. But how could she take this away from him, for his parents? She was a selfish, foolish woman, who’d somehow seduced a younger man and stolen his future.
She didn’t notice Jason until he sat next to her. “I’m sorry. Mum’s a bit funny like that. She doesn’t mean any harm. Ignore her.”
Marnie lifted her chin and stared into his eyes. “Do you want children?”
Jason blinked, his mouth hanging open. “I don’t know,” he finally said. “I thought I did, one day. But lately ... I don’t know. I haven’t been sleeping, so I couldn’t really imagine anything like that. Why?”
“What if I can’t?” Her voice wobbled, but she kept her gaze on him, unwavering.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Marnie dropped her gaze back in her lap. “I had trouble in the past, and I’m so much older now. It might not be possible for me, even with IVF.”
Jason groaned. “Neither of us knows the future. Why would we let it ruin what we have now? I told you, I don’t even know if I want children. What if I can’t handle it? What if I stop sleeping again? I’d be a horrible father.”
She swallowed. “But your mum talks about it.”
Jason squeezed his eyes shut. “Yeah, she’s really hoping I settle down soon. My parents are pretty old. But please don’t worry about it. It’s their problem, not ours.”
Marnie rubbed her fingers. They hurt, reminding her of everything that was wrong. The morning sun outside the windows felt too bright and invading. She gathered her courage. He’d been completely honest with her. She owed him the same.
“What I’ve experienced with you has been amazing. I think I needed this. I didn’t do crazy things in my youth. I got married so young, there was just kids and the mortgage, and the next mortgage, and waiting for things to get better. And then it was all over.”
