Page 4 of Let’s Be Real

I turned all the lights out except the one next to his bed and tucked his blankets around him, then walked out, my heart lodged in my throat. I didn’t like leaving him this way, but I’d done what I could. No doubt he’d be on my case, letting me know if he needed me. Adrian wasn’t shy about interrupting my dates—sometimes for no other reason than to be a bug.

“Samantha.” I whirled around, finding Will standing in the doorway. “We’re going to be late.”

“Better go,” Adrian rasped under his breath.

“I’m coming,” I told Will, then turned back to Adrian. “Be good.”

He grunted, the lines around his mouth deepening. “Mmm.”

Will held his hand out for me, pulling me from the room with his long strides. If I were any shorter, I would have had to run to keep up with him. Luckily, we were the exact same height, so I hurried along, even though nothing felt right about leaving Adrian.

All I could do was hope he’d be okay until I could come back to check on him.

Chapter Two

Samantha

I couldn’t seem to let go of my worry. Not on the elevator down to the parking garage or on the walk to Will’s car. Adrian never got sick. He didn’t allow it.

But he was.

Will opened my door, but I didn’t climb in. Chewing my lip, I turned to him.

“I—”

He huffed, impatient. “We need to get going. If we’re late, they’ll give up our table.”

“I’m sorry.” I pressed my palm to his lapel. “I don’t think I should leave Adrian. He really isn’t well. I’m worried he’ll do something stupid, like try to get up and knock himself unconscious. Or he’ll get into his head he should cook himself soup and wind up burning the whole building down.”

Will’s brow dropped low. “He’s a grown man, and not your responsibility.” Then he took my hand from his chest and tugged, trying to guide me into the car. “Let’s go, Samantha.”

I pulled my hand from his, tucking it behind my back. “I’m really sorry, but I can’t. Adrian is—”

“Not your boyfriend.” He grasped my waist with both hands, his thumbs rubbing gently along my hip bones. “Look, I understand you’re worried about him, but he’ll be fine. If you want, I’ll drive you back here after dinner to check on him.”

That was nice. More considerate than I’d expected of him. Which was telling, if I was being honest with myself.

“I’m not going to dinner.”

Just like that, indignation replaced his gentleness. “You’re kidding.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I really need to get back up there. I’m sorry to cancel like this, but—”

“This is it, Samantha.” He squeezed my waist once before letting go and raising his chin. “I’m sick of my girlfriend constantly running to another man whenever he calls.”

“That isn’t true. I don’t—”

“You do,” he snapped, stuffing his hands in his trouser pockets. “This isn’t the first time you’ve left me to run to Adrian.”

“He’s not just my friend, though. He’s my boss. Sometimes a work situation crops up, and I need to deal with it urgently.”

That got me an eye roll. “You work at a sex club. What—do they run out of lube? Give me a break.”

I almost said, ‘Yeah, that kind of is an emergency,’ but decided not to dignify his dig with a response. He wasn’t looking for one anyway.

“We can talk about this later.” I took a step back, my need to return to Adrian too strong to ignore any longer. “I’ll call you tonight.”

“Really?” His laugh was bitter. “I cannot believe you, and I won’t put up with this. If you go, we’re done. That’s it.”