Page 54 of The Secrets We Treasure

Amusement zinged in Laci’s eyes. “That just goes to show how much Miss Queen Bee doesn’t know.”

Treasure watched Laci carefully. “So you don’t love Greer?”

“Not romantically,” she shot back. She cut her eyes at Treasure. “Think about how different Waylon and Greer are. You know me, I like older men. The young ones are too immature.”

Relief steamrolled over Treasure. “Good,” she sighed, “because that would be awkward—two best friends vying for the same man.”

“Sounds like The Singing Bachelor,” Laci said with a partial smile.

“Yikes! I definitely don’t want to relive that period of my life.”

Laci’s expression turned serious as she searched Treasure’s face. “I need your word that you’ll protect Greer’s heart. Please don’t hurt him again.”

“I won’t,” Treasure said, a river of exasperation gushing through her. It was time to face the demons of her past. She needed to start by telling Laci the truth. Hopefully, Laci could then help her navigate the process of telling Greer. Her heart thudded in her chest as she sucked in a breath.

“What’s wrong?” Laci asked in concern.

“You don’t need to worry about me losing interest in Greer. That’s not going to happen. My reasons for breaking up with Greer and leaving the island run much deeper than what appeared on the surface. “

Laci’s eyes rounded. “I don’t understand.”

Treasure looked at the carton of ice cream, noting how the edges were melting into a circle. Her foundation was melting, and she was swimming in the aftermath, trying to stay afloat long enough to get to solid ground.

“Tell me what happened,” Laci prompted. “It’s me,” remember?” Her expression radiated compassion as she touched Treasure’s hand.

A shaky laugh issued from Treasure’s throat as she collected her thoughts. “I’ve never told anyone what happened.” The room took on added stillness as she began her narrative. “Right after my eighteenth birthday, Greer asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”

Laci’s eyes popped open wide. “What? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We went to Greer’s parents first to tell them the news. Francie and Cliff weren’t happy. They were concerned that marriage would curtail Greer’s aspirations of going to MIT.” Emotion thickened her throat as the memories rushed back. “Greer argued that his love for me meant more than any school. His parents threatened to disown him, but Greer wouldn’t back down.” A reminiscent smile touched her lips. “He’s always been so reckless and determined to get his way.”

“What happened next?” Laci prompted, her voice crackling with interest.

“Francie called, asking me to meet with her at The Oliver Hotel. She asked me not to say anything about the meeting to Greer.” Regret clutched Treasure in a tight hold as she chuckled darkly. “Dumb me. I thought Francie wanted to work things out.” She stared past Laci, her vision blurring.

“Are you okay?”

Treasure startled, coming back to the present. “Yeah. Sorry. It’s hard to talk about this.”

“Whatever it is, you can tell me. We’re besties, remember?”

“Yeah,” Treasure sighed, offering a slight smile. Maybe it would be cathartic to unburden herself from the guilt and pain. “Where was I?”

“Francie invited you to meet with her at The Oliver Hotel.”

“Oh, yeah. When I got to the hotel, I was directed to Josette Chasing’s office.”

Laci scrunched her nose. “That’s odd. What does Josette have to do with anything?”

“I wondered that same thing … at first.” Acid rose in her throat. She swallowed it back down, continuing, “Josette and Francie are close friends. Or at least they were at the time,” she added, not trying to hide the bitterness in her tone. She had the eerie sensation of her voice disconnecting from her vocal cords as she related the next events. “Josette and Francie ganged up on me.” Tears pricked her eyes. “They said I wasn’t good enough for Greer. That he felt sorry for me. They asserted that if Greer and I did get married, he would come to resent giving up his ambitions for me.” Her words lost air as she gulped in a shallow breath. “They said that Greer would eventually leave me like my father left my mother.”

Outrage carved Laci’s features. “How horrible. That’s a crock. Greer is loyal to the core. He never would’ve left you.”

“I know that now,” Treasure said sadly. “But then …” She compressed her lips, shaking her head. “I had major trust issues, which Josette and Francie preyed upon.” She tightened her jaw. “Despite their hateful words, I stood my ground. I told them they were wrong about Greer. Even as I spoke the words, doubts slithered around me, chipping away at my confidence. Then, Josette laid down the trump card.”

Laci frowned. “How so?”

The ice cream was turning into soup. Treasure motioned. “Should we put that in the freezer?”

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