Page 90 of The Lost Book of First Loves

“Are you going somewhere?” she asked, looking with interest at his wet hair.

“I’m heading over to the cabin.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Is that why you smell so good and look like you stepped out of the shower two minutes ago?”

He gave her a quelling look, hoping he wasn’t flushing. “I’ve been hauling lumber all afternoon. I smelled like a locker room.”

“Ah.”

He didn’t like her knowing look. “I usually take a shower at the end of the workday. It just so happens that at the end ofthisparticular workday, I’m heading over to help your guest go through your dad’s boxes, looking for a lost manuscript.”

“Seriously? I want to help!”

Beck knew he was becoming too drawn to June when he instinctively wanted to discourage Ali from coming along. Was it because he had been looking forward to spending the evening alone with June?

So much for being careful around her. Maybe it would be for the best to have Ali along as a buffer to make sure Beck wasn’t tempted to kiss her houseguest again.

“Unless I’m going to be a third wheel,” Ali said when his silence lengthened. “In which case, I am more than happy to leave the two of you alone. Forget I said anything.”

He frowned at her implication. “There’s nothing between me and Juniper except friendship.”

“I didn’t realize you even had that.”

“We’ve gone on a few hikes,” he admitted. “And she is interested in my work and has watched me a few times.”

Ali’s eyes widened. “You really let someone come to your inner sanctum?”

“It’s not like I’m working in isolation, in some locked compound hidden away from the world. I have a stupid YouTube channel. Anybody with an internet connection can watch me work.”

“Still. That’s different. I remember how hard it was for you to even let Xander come that first time to film you.”

“I can’t help that I’m a private person.”

“Which makes it even more shocking that you let June watch. You like her, don’t you?”

Now he did feel himself flush and had to hope his coloring would mask it.

“I feel compassion toward her. She’s been through a tough time and is struggling to come to terms with her condition.Not to mention that the whole reason you invited her here was with the underlying motive of shaking her world all over again when you tell her the truth about your dad.”

Ali sighed. “It’s becoming harder and harder not to tell her.”

“Then why don’t you? While you are having trouble finding the right time and the right words, I have to struggle every time I talk to her not to spill the beans.”

He studied her. “You should come with me. What better chance to finally tell her the truth?”

Panic flashed over her features and she looked like she wanted to grab his tent and bolt back to the ranch house.

After a long hesitation, she nodded. “Maybe you’re right. She seems to be doing so much better. If I feel like she’s in a good place to hear it, I’ll try to find the perfect time to tell her.”

“There is no perfect time, Ali. Keeping the secret is only going to be harder as time goes on.”

“I know,” she said. “Fine. I’ll come with you, if you’re sure it’s okay.”

“We’re having dinner first. I’m sure June won’t mind if you come along.”

“I don’t need dinner. I grabbed a sandwich on the way home from the bookstore, but I can hang out while you eat and then help you go through boxes. Want me to give you a ride?”

He was relieved, he told himself, that she would be there to provide a buffer.

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