Page 17 of Conflict
She hesitates for a brief moment and then releases a breath. “I helped him to his hotel room, put him to bed, and…we cuddled until he fell asleep.”
I can’t help the snort that escapes me. “So you’re telling me you met a man at a bar, in a hotel, and you went back to his room to cuddle?”
“I know it sounds ridiculous, but he asked and I just couldn’t say no. In fact, it was rather nice,” she says, acting somewhat indignant. As if this wasn’t completely out of character for her. “Anyway, I called to let you know where I was in case you called early in the morning. Clearly you’ve kept yourself occupied. I’m guessing you’d be okay if I stayed in Atlanta instead of coming down there? I’m just… I don’t think I’m feeling up for it,” she says, sounding drained, and I hate that for her.
As much as I want to give Ariana crap for bailing on me, I’m wondering if this mystery man is finally,finallymaking her question her future. If that’s the case, then Ari can take all the time and space she needs. I’ll miss her, but it’s her freaking future. We can go to the beach any time. Because when she gets married, it’ll be for life.
Plus, I may have an ulterior motive for wanting to spend the rest of the week alone. Or, well, with Shane.
“I suppose I’ll have to find some way to occupy my time if you’re not coming,” I say with a sigh.
She laughs. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll have no problem figuring that one out. Thanks for understanding, Lyss. Running away from my problems won’t fix them.”
I bite my tongue from once again reminding her she doesn’t have to get married. That she has so much time to call the wedding off, and if anyone gives her shit, they can deal with me. Ariana’s happiness means everything to me, and while I want to support her no matter what, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that marrying Benjamin Cunningham will not lead to a life of happiness. Hell, she’s already not happy, so does she think anything will change after they say I do?
But now’s not the time. Neither of us is in the right place to have this discussion. Instead, we talk for a few more minutes and then make a date for a wine night when I get home.
“Alyssa,” my sister’s sleepy voice calls over the phone.
“Yeah?” I ask with a yawn.
“When you get home, I want to know every single intimate detail,” she requests, and I laugh softly. “I’m serious. I’ve only ever been with one man, so if I have to live vicariously through you, I’ll do it.”
“You forget, sweet sister, this was my first.”
“Did his mom walk in?”
I laugh at Ariana’s mention of the disaster with Ryan. “God, no. Not even a mention of the woman, whoever she is.”
“Good. I’d call that progress. So, again, details.”
Even though she can’t see me, I roll my eyes. “I promise, Ari, but only if you describe your mystery man to me in finite detail.”
“Deal. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
We hang up, and I walk out onto the balcony to enjoy the cool breeze and get a few minutes to think. I want to rush back into the bedroom, back into Shane’s arms, and the thought scares me. I need to calm my racing thoughts. I’ve known the guy for what? A total of five hours—and I’m already hooked. The fresh air does little relieve my nerves, so I go back inside, desperate for whatever closeness I can get from him in the time we have left together.
When I slip back under the covers, Shane’s body rolls close to mine, and his arm encircles my waist as if we’ve done this ritual every night for as long as I can remember. It feels too natural. Too right. I’m feeling too much, and as I drift off to sleep, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
This isn’t what I was looking for. (Okay, maybe a little…)
This isn’t what I planned. (You know what they say about the best-laid plans, emphasis onlaidhere.)
And yet I already know this is going to be so hard to walk away from.
I wanted a vacation fling, and boy did I get one.
Now if only I can keep my heart out of it.
