Page 24 of Dead in the Water

“It’s not that they don’t like him, per se.Ilike him. I used to date him.”

“Yeah, but you split up with him…”

“I’m telling you, he’s a great guy.”

Lily let out a humourless laugh. “I don’t want to date him. It wasn’t that I wanted to date for the sake of dating. I only wanted to go on a date with Flynn.”

“Sorry.” Seren squeezed her hand. “What can I do?”

“Nothing. It’s so humiliating. I feel like an idiot.”

“Don’t. It’s his loss.”

“It’s not just that he stood me up, it’s that most of the island is going to know about it thanks to you and Kit.”

She bit down on her lower lip. “We only told the family, and only because we were excited. Are you really angry with us?”

“No. I’m angry with Flynn.” She paused then raised an eyebrow at Seren. “I am a bit angry with you. Can you please not gossip about me, even with your family?”

“Sorry,” she said again.

Lily rubbed at her forehead. “I need to get the shop set up.”

“Shall I stay and help?”

“No, thanks. I’m fine. Jessica will be here soon.”

She’d also like a little time alone to get her thoughts in order and figure out what she’d say to Flynn when she saw him.

Chapter Thirteen

A coupleof tables were occupied in the ice cream shop when Flynn appeared in uniform in the middle of the afternoon. Lily’s traitorous stomach cartwheeled at the sight of him, while the more rational part of her flashed with anger. Instinctively, she turned away from him, though she wasn’t sure how pretending not to notice him would help matters.

“Hi,” he said, strolling up to the counter as though he hadn’t ditched her to hang out with Jago the previous evening.

Busying herself with tidying up the work surface, she only cast him a cursory glance over her shoulder as she muttered a greeting.

“I wanted to come earlier, but work’s been pretty busy.”

“We’ve been busy here too.”

“That’s good.”

Finally, she forced herself to turn, but looked at the ice cream counter rather than him. “Want an ice cream?”

When he didn’t respond, she lifted her face to meet his gaze.

“Are you angry with me?” he asked.

“Maybe.” She smiled tightly. “I’m not sure. Should I be angry with you?”

“I’m sorry about last night.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear, hating the part of her that hoped Seren might have got it all wrong and that his excuse about having to work had been genuine.

“Are we going to reschedule for another time?” she asked quietly. “Or are we not bothering?”

He shifted his weight and kept quiet.

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