Page 43 of Sinful Sharing

Mom sighs. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, honey, but uh...” She closes her eyes, grimacing.

And now I realize what she’s going to say.

“Celeste is cheating on you. She brought another man to your apartment.”

Holy fricking shit.

“I’m so sorry.”

“I don’t understand… how do you know that?”

She lets out a heavy sigh. “I suspect my opponent sent his people to lurk around your apartment building. It seems they’ve finally realized you’re not around. From what I saw online, someone noticed Celeste leaving with another man and went digging for information. The story went viral yesterday. I’m surprised you haven’t heard about it.”

I haven’t been online in days, and Celeste wouldn’t call because she knew I’d be upset. I told her to be careful. Now her secret has become a scandal.

Which leaves my secret hanging by a thread.

“Apparently, he’s a tattoo artist.” Her nose crinkles with disdain. “Her parents are livid—oh, sweetheart, don’t let this devastate you.” She leans in, staring with concern. “Wipe that look off your face. This isn’t the end of the world.”

Now would be the right time to tell her that I’m not devastated because of Celeste, and that we were never a couple, but I remember the tears in her eyes when that blogger showed her photos of Noel and me. The truth would be painful. I can’t do that to her.

“Someday, you’re going to find a wonderful woman who will love you unconditionally,” she goes on. “Celeste will be a distant memory.”

Oof. I stare into the fire. I don’t want to think about the future. “How is the campaign going?” I ask.

If she suspects my attempt to change the subject, it doesn’t show. Her expression brightens with a soft smile. “It’s been going well,” she replies. “Especially in the polls.”

“How well?”

“We have a decent lead for the first time. If things continue this way, we might pull it off.”

“I’m happy for you, Mom.”

She’s practically beaming now. “Oh, sweetheart, thank you. And I appreciate that you’ve agreed to stay in Hallow Creek.”

“I didn’t exactly promise I’d stay, Mom,” I point out. Not that I’m even slightly ready to leave.

“Fine. You didn’t, but I think that would be best,” she replies. “Take the time to heal. You can come home after the election.”

I lean back in the seat, staring at the stars.

“Honey, I know the entire thing hasn't been easy. Being away from your friends, your life...”

Friends. Besides Celeste, I spent years surrounded by people who liked my family’s money, our connections, or what my last name could do for them. Those weren’t friends. Opportunists were more like it. “I’ve survived.”

“You’ve done more than survive, honey. You look...” Her eyes take on a different shine as she searches for the right word. “...stronger.”

A snort escapes.

“No, seriously. Living with Roman is probably the best thing that could ever happen to you. Staying a little longer won’t hurt.”

Her words trigger a warm sensation in my chest. She might be right. A few weeks ago, I counted the days until I could leave this place. Now, I’m glad she’d convinced me to come here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met the two men who brought my walls down.

Even if it’s for a short time.

Roman, who has a kind heart under his tough, gruff exterior. Jude, who somehow makes every room feel lighter the second he walks into it. Unlike my so-called friends, neither of them wanted anything to do with my last name. They only ever saw me.

But Mom was wrong about one thing. The longer I stay, the more I’m dreading leaving this place. I’m not ready for things to end.