Page 24 of Crying Shame

“I’m not a party planner.” I took another sip. At events, I usually hid in a corner.

“Maddie’s handling it as that's one of the reasons I hired her.”

I tilted my head as memories of a local girl from Virgin Cove came to mind. “Arman’s Maddie?”

“The same.”

I smiled. “I was always surprised he liked her.”

“Why?”

I finished my wine and put the glass down between us like a barrier. “Because she wasn’t that different from me, class wise.”

He finished his wine and laughed. “You thought we were snobs.”

I shrugged. “You always demanded perfection.”

He winced like I’d slapped him. “I was a sullen asshole as a teenager. I honestly don’t know what you saw in me.“

I patted his knee. “You might beat yourself up more than I do.”

His phone beeped. He stood and offered his hand. “Come, let’s go pick up Sam together.”

I stood without taking his offered hand. He froze but kept silent. We headed toward the limo, and I didn’t object. Going together to collect Sam would make a statement. I wanted Sam to fit in like a king at his new school and in his new life.

Once we were inside the limo, I had the crazy urge to kiss Elon. I shook it off and sat back. On the drive to school, I said, “You probably don’t remember…”

“What?” he asked when my voice trailed off. He playfully bumped my shoulder.

I sighed. “In high school, a group of jocks and their girlfriends all loved to point out how I didn’t belong in that school and that I was… the hired help.”

He rubbed the top of his head. “I don’t remember.”

“Well, you wrapped your arms around me in the hall and said I was special and sweet.”

“I did?” His voice cracked.

That moment was a life changer. It was also when Elon had become my hero. We’d played together as children, but that was the moment I realized what a big crush I had on him. I nodded. “You did, and the bullying stopped, but I liked being invisible as that was safe.”

“You were never invisible to me, Clarissa.”

His words broke through a steel barrier I’d had around my heart, which was hammering. I prayed my feelings weren't written on my face. “So what do you need me to do for the party?”

He sat back, and the air between us still sizzled. It was like I’d been lost in a desert without him. Or maybe the air only sizzled around me, because he didn’t seem affected. “Maddie’s asking a lot of questions. Direct her as you probably know more about how a Norouzi fundraiser works than anyone else I have in my corner right now.”

I raised one eyebrow. “I’m in your corner?”

He pressed his hand over his heart. “Aren’t you?”

I laughed. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“That’s my girl.”

No. I wasn’t a girl, and I wasn’t his. When I had been his girl, I’d gotten pregnant with the most precious person in the world, and we were on our way to get him.

Kissing Elon wouldn't be smart, but then again I’d never really been smart. Luckily, he’d never know how much I still wanted him.

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