Page 49 of An Accidental Love Affair

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Reece stood beside the library window as his father raked him over the coals for his stupidity. His father asked why he hadn’t closed the damn blinds. If he’d seen a flash, why didn’t he investigate it? Did he not care about anything or anyone but his own pleasure?

He leaned against the window frame, absorbing the criticism. He knew he deserved every negative word spilling from his father’s mouth. He should have done so many things differently. He saw that now, but he couldn’t change what was. He had to move forward, putting this unpleasantness behind him.

As his father blew out of steam, finally sitting down, he turned from his contemplation of the garden. “I’ve apologized multiple times for this. It was stupid. I know that, but at least the press isn’t fishing around and trying to find a connection between us.”

“I suppose you think that’s a relief to us?”

“It should be.”

“Just because no one’s caught on yet, doesn’t mean they won’t.”

“It’s been a secret this long . . .” And he hoped it continued this way. This was his last peaceful haven.

“And Marcus says you told that girl the truth.”

His lips pursed. “That girl has a name, and she won’t reveal anything.”

“How do you know?”

Reece shook his head. “I do—end of story.”

His mother had been silent up to this point, steadily watching him with consideration. “What’s going on, Colin? Why did you bring her here?”

“I needed a break, Mum. I wanted to be Colin for a change. I was desperate for Nicole to know the real me.”

“Why? What is so special about this girl?”

Reece raked his hand through his hair. “It’s everything and nothing at all. She is the first person I’ve met in years who didn’t objectify me. She didn’t put me on a pedestal or bow down to worship at my feet as though I was a God. She didn’t want anything from me except my companionship.”

“She didn’t hold her real thoughts and her real emotions from me. If I was being a prat, she told me so. I learned so much about her and myself in those two days we had together. I’ve never felt so close to anyone in my life.”

His mother continued to study his expression as he spoke of Nicole. “Are you in love with her?”

He nodded, gripping the back of his head. “It’s a great possibility, but I can’t tell her that. She disappeared after the story broke. I can’t find her.” He’d tried so many times to contact her through the publishing house, but no one was coming forward with any information. He’d caught a glimpse of a network news segment with a clip of her being escorted from an airport, surrounded by her family. All he knew now was that she was back in North Carolina, but he had no idea where.

His father sat up straight. “You should forget about her. Date an actress or a model, someone who’s used to being in the spotlight of the cameras.”

“I don’t want anyone but Nicole,” he mumbled, staring down at his feet.

His mother stood up, walking toward him and combing his hair out of his face. “My poor Colin. You’ve always been the sensitive one. I’m thinking that if you love this girl, you should find her, but I’m also thinking she needs time to herself to come to grips with everything.”

“So what do I do?”

“I would advise you to immerse yourself in your work. Take your mind off it. When the scandal dies down, the press will move on. Then you can begin to find a way back to her.”

He nodded. “I wish it was as simple as you make it sound.”

“Only the young make things more complicated than they have to be.” She smiled, patting his cheek.

“I still think you should find a new girl,” his father interrupted.

His mother glared at him over Reece’s shoulder. “I led you a merry chase once upon a time. Are you saying I wasn’t worth it?”

His father had the grace to blush. “You were worth every minute.”

“Then shush. Let your son be.”

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