My Coworker Asked About My Secret Husband, I Said Strangers Chapter 05
By the time I got off work, the rain had mostly stopped.
I didn’t go home for dinner. Instead, I went with my friend Jessica to pick out a birthday gift for a guy best friend.
I bought a bottle of cologne.
Brandon was home when I got back. He’d just showered, and there were still droplets on the ends of his hair.
His eyes landed on the bag in my right hand. His voice was clear and slow. “For me?”
I gave him a confused look. “No. It’s for a friend. Tomorrow’s his birthday.”
Brandon’s expression flickered. “Madison. Today is my birthday.”
I’d been so busy I forgot. It dawned on me. “Happy birthday,” I said.
He smiled. “I thought you’d have something planned.”
“Sorry. It slipped my mind.”
His brow creased slightly; he looked unhappy.
The next morning, Brandon offered to drive me to work.
I didn’t understand why and turned him down. “Thanks, but I can drive myself. And Elena works at my company. Aren’t you worried she’ll get the wrong idea?”
He frowned, his eyes fixed on me. “Wrong idea? What wrong idea?”
I didn’t answer. He said slowly, “Your car’s at the shop. Chris is having it checked out. If you don’t want to take the train and be late, you can ride with me.”
He parked in front of the office building.
“Why not the garage?” I asked.
He smiled. “This is more convenient.”
It was rush hour. People were everywhere. I glanced around nervously.
He said, “You look like you’re doing something wrong.”
I didn’t want to become a topic of gossip, another link in the chain connecting him and Elena.
Of course, the moment I got out, a coworker walked up.
Brandon’s car was way too flashy.
The coworker came over. “Director Hart? Who’s this?” She raised an eyebrow, grinning. “Your boyfriend?”
Brandon looked down at me, about to speak.
I cut him off fast. “He’s my cousin.”
The smile vanished from his eyes, and his face darkened.
He looked at me, the warmth gone from his expression.
I smiled and said, “I’m heading in, cuz.”
His face darkened further, his gaze turning cold.
On the elevator, my coworker said, “He looks so familiar.”
Then her eyes went wide. “Wait. Director Hart, Mr. Cole is your cousin?”
I gave an awkward laugh. “Uh, yeah. He sure is.”