Page 83 of Trust

“You say that every time you visit,” Callie remarked as she plopped down and handed Liv a water bottle. “But we both know you’d miss Haven too much.”

“I’m evolving, sis. It might be time to stretch my wings and embark on a new adventure.”

Callie swept her hair over her shoulder. “I wish that were true, but we both know you simply don’t want to go home and see Zane on a semi-regular basis.”

“I’m guessing my absence has allowed him to embrace his reclusive nature. He’s probably gone full troll under the bridge and is having everything delivered to his door so he never has to speak with another human again.”

Callie chuckled. “I doubt that since you spent at least a day and a half describing in great detail all the friends he’s made and his growing popularity.”

“Thanks for pointing out that my hermit theory is full of holes.” She stroked Bella’s head. “I guess that means moving is the only answer.”

“Or you could just go home and do the unimaginable.”

She dropped her sunglasses. “And what might that be?”

“Face your fears. From everything you’ve told me, it sounds like you and Zane are doing the same dance of avoidance. For wildly different reasons, of course.”

“I am not avoiding anything. I did everything short of prostrating my naked body on his porch to get him interested.” She ran a hand through the sand and barely stopped herself from drawing a broken heart. “I was the pursuer and gave him little chance to avoid my romantic gestures.”

“I’m sure a Green Beret could’ve found a way to avoid your naked bits and overtures if he wanted to. The few I’ve met could topple an insurgency without breaking a sweat.”

“Wait, when have you met special operators?”

Callie turned her face toward the water. “That’s not the point of this conversation, is it?”

She studied her beautiful blonde sister, who resembled a woodland sprite and narrowed her eyes. “Are you going to tell me about your secret life anytime soon?”

Callie lifted her mouth into an innocent smile. “I’m just a programmer.”

“That takes six-week trips abroad to undisclosed locations at the spur of the moment.”

She grinned. “What can I say? Travel is my happy place.”

“There’s a Hawker brother in Black Ops; I wonder if you two run in the same circles.”

Feigning a look of puzzlement, Callie took her sister’s hand. “What did we decide to make for dinner? Should I run into town and pick up some crabs?”

“Fine,” she said with a huff. “I’ll change the subject.”

“Let’s get back to this neighbor thing and how you’re going to take the universe up on its offer and face what you fear most.”

“Are we talking about my dread that white cheddar Cheetos will sell out, and I will be forced to start eating the puffs?”

“Nope. Not that one.”

“Oh, then you must be referring to my terror of discovering a worldwide shortage of chocolate, then.”

Callie raised an eyebrow. “I thought you could deal with the one that tells you that if you love someone thoroughly and without reservation, they will be taken from you.”

“I’d rather leave that one in a locked box. It doesn’t care for the light of day or really any careful consideration.”

“And yet, happiness is all but guaranteed if you do.”

“No, it’s not, sister.” She folded her hands. “I tried to love the lonely out of him, and it didn’t work. What a fool I was.”

“Now, we’re getting somewhere.” She covered Olivia’s hands.

“He never really wanted to take me on. He said it in a dozen different ways, and I ignored every one, thinking that if I just gave a tiny bit more affection, he’d see that I was worth the risk.”

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