Page 154 of Every Silent Lie

“And did you?”

He smiles across to me. “Within three.”

I blow my cheeks out. “That’s amazing.”

“He’s amazing.” Looking at me, Ron studies me silently for a few moments, and I feel wholly scrutinised.

“You’re wondering what my intentions are,” I say, upfront, asking his question for him as he returns his attention to the road.

“He’s an honourable man. In the ten years I’ve worked for him, I’ve only every known one woman.”

“His wife.”

“She’s a sore subject.”

“Understandably,” I say, turning in my seat to face him, prepared to tell him what he wants to hear. Because it’s true. “I love him. I loved him before I knew he was wealthy. I loved him before I knew about Albi. He’s saving my life one minute at a time, but what I’m struggling with is why he loves me.” I don’t expect Ron to know or even tell me if he knows. “He said he doesn’t want to be lonely.”

“Being insanely rich is very lonely,” he muses. “But’s that’s not why he’s fallen for you.”

“Well, that’s a relief,” I quip, making Ron chuckle. “So why has he fallen for me?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugs. “Maybe it was your smile.”

“Maybe.”

“Your beauty?”

“He’s not that shallow. But thanks for the compliment.”

He laughs again. “No, you’re right. He’s not that shallow. Your comic genius?”

“Nope. Can you see why I’m baffled?”

“Why do we need to dissect it? Sometimes people fall in love and it’s unexplainable but beautiful. Accept it. Roll with it.”

“I half expected you to warn me not to hurt them.”

“I wouldn’t insult you.”

“What if he hurts me?”

“There are many things I know about Dec Ellis, and one of them is this. He doesn’t spend time on things that he’s not passionate about.”

“He spent time on his wife.”

He shakes his head as he pulls up outside my office. “Wrong. He spent time on Albi.”

And what can I say to that? “Well, thank you for the surprisingly insightful ride to work.” I smile and get out but stop, dipping to get Ron back in my sights. “If your business is flourishing, then why are you still driving for Dec?”

“Like I said, I’m attached.”

I nod my understanding. “Did your wife ever try to come crawling back?”

“She’s still trying. Have a great day at work, Camryn.”

I laugh a little. “Thanks, Ron.” Closing the door, I stand back and watch him drive off to go fetch Dec and Albi.

To take them to work.