Page 56 of Save Me

She presses her lips tightly together.

“I just want to be left in peace,” I try again.

“Why should I believe you?” she asks, eyes narrowed. “I don’t know you.”

“True,” I say. “But James knows me. And I promised him.”

“You promised him,” she repeats as if she doesn’t quite get the significance of the words.

“Yes,” I say hesitantly.

For a moment, she says nothing, just eyes me mistrustfully. Butthen her expression changes. Suddenly, she looks more as though a few puzzle pieces have just slotted together in her head. Her eyes wander from my face to a point somewhere above my shoulder. “Oh, so that’s how it is,” she says.

Confused, I look around, trying to work out what she means. I see James standing at the bar. He’s picking up one bottle after another, studying the labels.

“That’s how what is?” I ask.

She gives me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, you’re not the first.”

I have no idea what she’s on about.

“Most girls don’t take so long to succumb to his charms.”

Then it clicks. I can’t help myself. I burst out laughing.

Lydia looks startled. “What’s so funny?”

“I don’t know if anyone’s ever told you this, but your brother is pretty much the opposite of charming.”

She stares at me, and it’s like she doesn’t know whether to laugh or go for my throat. James relieves her of the decision by choosing this moment to return.

“Here,” he says, holding a drink out to Lydia. “For you,sister dear.”

She glances briefly at it, then looks back at me. “I’m watching you, Ruby.” She turns and disappears into the crowd.

“What was all that?” James asks in confusion, watching her strawberry-blond ponytail as it moves out of sight.

I just shrug, which makes him frown.

“What did she say?”

“Nothing. She doesn’t trust me and doesn’t believe I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

James lets his gaze roam across the room. It seems like he hasto think about his next words, like he isn’t sure what he can and can’t say to me. “It’s hard for her to trust anyone.”

I look questioningly at him.

“Very few people would keep a secret like that to themselves, Ruby.” He gives a shrug. “On the contrary. Ninety percent of them would sell it to the press or try to blackmail us with it. It wouldn’t be the first time someone’s spent time with us just so they can find out family secrets.” He avoids my eyes as he speaks and watches the crowd dancing in the center of the room instead.

“Sounds pretty shit.”

One side of his mouth twitches slightly. “It is.”

I’d never thought of that. It doesn’t excuse James’s behavior, but this piece of information has helped me to understand him—and Lydia—a bit better.

“I can’t help wondering what I’m even doing here if everyone trusts me so little.”

Thoughtfully, his eyes scan my face. He lifts a hand as if to touch me but lowers it again and takes a sip from the glass that was actually meant for Lydia. His second drink. “You’re here because Alistair invited you,” he says in the end.

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