Page 72 of The Secrets We Treasure

Chapter 16

The sunset was a splendid display of pink and orange ribbons threading their way through the variegated blue sky. The air smelled of rain. Greer cast her a sidelong glance. “You sure you’re okay with keeping our dinner appointment with Laci?”

“Not really,” Treasure sighed, “but I feel like we need to do it for her.”

“Just like you feel like you need to do the documentary because of your friends?”

She bristled and was about to make a snarky comment when she saw Greer’s teasing grin. Her eyebrow slid up. “Are you needling me?”

“A little. You looked so dejected sitting over there that I had to do something to lighten the mood.”

“Well, you’re going about it the wrong way,” she harrumphed. Even though Greer claimed to be joking, she could tell there was an undercurrent of seriousness beneath his words. “Is it really so bad that I want to do something to help other people?”

“No, not necessarily. I certainly appreciate the help you gave me. Trust me, I’m under no delusions. If you hadn’t promoted my YouTube channel, I’d be some obscure wannabe.”

“That’s different.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s you.”

He grinned from ear to ear. “You love me.”

“I do.”

“I love you more,” he boasted.

“No, you don’t,” she retorted.

He just laughed. “Okay, back to the helping people thing. There’s nothing wrong with doing things for yourself occasionally. Take tonight. You’re bone-tired and emotionally distraught. We should be relaxing, but you’re worried that Laci has gotten her feelings hurt because the two of us are back together.”

“I just hate for Laci to feel left out.”

“I know you do, and your big heart is one of the things I love most about you.”

“But?”

“But if you’re not careful, people will take advantage of your kindness.”

“Are you trying to tell me something?” She could tell from the set of his jaw and how he tightened his hands on the steering wheel that he was. “What’s this really about?”

“Look, I know that you and Laci are close.”

“Other than you, she’s my best friend.”

“You’ve been away for a long time. Are you sure you’re not confusing the Laci you knew growing up with the Laci now?”

Her stomach tightened. “Is there something about Laci that I should know?” She had enough to worry about without Greer throwing in a monkey wrench. She studied his profile, taking note of the hard set of his jaw. “Greer?” she barked. “What are you not telling me?”

“Laci made a pass at me.”

The air left her lungs. “When?”

“A month or so after Aimee died.”

Treasure’s head began to spin. “W—what happened?” Fury split her skull, blinding her vision. Hadn’t Laci told Treasure that she should give Greer time to mourn? Also, when Treasure asked Laci point-blank if she had feelings for Greer, she denied it.

“As you know, I hit rock bottom when Aimee died. Laci and I spent a lot of time together.”

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