“What the hell is scrunchy face?”
“When your face gets all scrunchy. Like you’re mad. What did I say?”
“You talk about my face as if it’s normal.”
He was choosing his words carefully. She could tell from the cadence of his speech and how he paused between the words. But why?
“Yes, I said you were…”
She got it then—what she’d said. Not knowing if it was good or bad, she admitted the truth.
She leaned toward him and lowered her voice. “Simon, I don’t see the scars. I haven’t for a long time.”
Something flashed in his eyes. She would have given a lot to know what he was thinking, but he’d always been incredibly good at keeping his thoughts from her.
“How can you not?”
She shrugged. “You’re just you. That’s who I see.” They were getting into dangerous territory. “If we’re going to have this conversation, I think it’s about time you returned my never ending compliment. I mean, hello, I’m the girl here.”
She spoke confidently, which was a complete crock, but he didn’t have to know that.
One corner of his mouth turned out. “You’re right. We don’t talk about you enough.” He stared into her eyes with an intensity that made her squirm. “Have I told you how beautiful you are today?”
She tilted her head. “Are you asking me if you said it today, or are you asking me if you’ve told me I look beautiful today? They are very different.”
He surprised her by leaning back in his chair and laughing. The sound was loud and came from his belly and made her feel good all over.
When he straightened, he looked more relaxed. Younger. “You are very beautiful all the time and I don’t think I’ve told you that yet today. While we’re on the subject, I am lucky to be with you. You’re extraordinary, Montana.”
She felt herself blushing. “I was just playing.”
“I was telling the truth.”
She felt awkward and flustered, and didn’t know what to do with her hands. Fortunately their server arrived with their meals.
By the time the food had been placed and their drinks refilled, the topic of conversation had been forgotten. Or at least not brought up again.
“Reese came by to visit Kalinda,” he said.
“I’m glad he’s still doing that. How did it go?”
“I think it helped to have the distraction of company.”
Montana wanted to ask how the girl was healing but knew Simon wouldn’t discuss that with her. The last few times she’d been there with Cece, one of the nurses had been in the room. She’d only been able to drop off the dog and then excuse herself. Next time she would try to speak with Fay.
“I know you think I’m counting the minutes until I leave,” he said, “but that’s not true. Kalinda is an example of a patient I will regret leaving behind. She needs so many surgeries.”
“The implication being another doctor won’t get it right?”
“That makes me sound arrogant.”
“You kind of are.”
He gave her a reluctant smile.
She was such a liar, she thought sadly. Pretending this was about Kalinda, when in truth his words had made her want to ask if he’d meant it when he’d said he would miss her. If he would have regrets about ending their relationship. When he left, would he remember her at all?
“Enjoying your lunch?” Mayor Marsha asked as she walked up to their table.
“Yes,” Montana said. “How are you?”
“Very well.” The mayor turned to Simon. “I see you’re enjoying yourself in our lovely town.”
“Yes, I am.”
Marsha laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to start on all the reasons why you should stay. But I was pleased to hear you’re coming to the hospital fundraiser.” She glanced back at Montana. “I can’t wait to see what you’ll be wearing, my dear. Remember, it’s cocktail-dressy, rather than formal.” She smiled at them both. “You’ll be a very handsome couple. Have a nice lunch.”
“Thank you,” Montana murmured, staring intently at her plate.
Fundraiser? Now that she thought about it, she remembered seeing posters about it around town. It was to raise money to support the work Simon was doing. Obviously it was something Simon had to attend—he would probably be the guest of honor. Usually people brought a date to an event like that. The mayor had assumed Simon’s date would be Montana.
But he hadn’t asked her.
Simon wasn’t the kind of man who forgot things. Even when he was busy, he knew exactly what was going on around him. Which meant he hadn’t planned on asking her.
She wasn’t sure why. Whether it was the public nature of the evening, or him not wanting to lead her on about their relationship. All of which was logical. She supposed she should be able to understand and accept.
But the truth was a voice was screaming in her head. A voice that demanded he explain how she could be good enough to sleep with, but not good enough to take to a stupid fundraiser.