My Coworker Asked About My Secret Husband, I Said Strangers Chapter 06
At noon, Brandon texted me a picture of his lunch.
I thought it was random and didn’t reply.
A few minutes later, he wrote again: [What about you?]
I said: [I ate.]
He asked: [What did you have?]
Me: [Food.]
An hour before the end of the day, he called me directly. “I’ll pick you up later.”
“No need,” I said. “It’s my friend’s birthday tonight.”
He laughed. “A guy?”
How did he know?
“Last night. The cologne,” he said.
He was right.
“Yes, it’s a guy.”
Brandon said, “Send me the address. I’ll get you when you’re done.”
I frowned. Why was he so insistent?
“Really, it’s fine. My friend can drive me. Or I’ll take a cab.”
I hung up.
Jessica showed up in her flashy red sports car. I got in the passenger seat.
When we arrived, she grabbed my arm. “How’s my makeup? Do you think Liam will like it?”
I nodded. “Perfect.”
She grinned. “Two hours. Took me two hours.”
Everyone arrived, including the birthday boy, Liam.
We ended up at a bar. It was almost midnight by the time we finished.
Jessica had drunk a lot, so Liam called a car service for her.
I hadn’t driven, but Liam offered to take me home. He said he needed advice. I already had a pretty good guess about what.
On the way, he told me he wanted to ask Jessica out and wanted to know how she’d like to be asked.
Jessica had once told me she didn’t want anything dramatic. Just the two of them on a walk, when he’d take her hand and say, “I like you.”
The night was dark. Brandon stood there, hands in his pockets, his eyes narrowed as he looked at me through the car window. Then his gaze shifted past me to Liam.
I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Thanks.”
Liam got out too and called out, “Hey, Brandon.”
Brandon gave a faint, dismissive smile. A soft, almost mocking laugh escaped him. “Hey? I’m Madison’s husband. Not her cousin.”
Liam nodded. “I’m Madison’s friend. I’ll get going. Catch you later.”
After Liam left, Brandon’s eyes stayed locked on me. “You remember his birthday, but you forgot mine.”