Page 117 of Save Me
“Yeah?” He toys with a strand of my hair. “And when do I get to meet the original sea witch?”
“Soon. I promise.” First, I have to figure out how to break the news to her that everything she poured her heart and soul into building is going to be gutted, paved over, erased. My stomach tightens with dismay. “Tomorrow? That’s when he’s rolling out his big plans?” I don’t have to spell out Henry’s name.
Ronan’s expression hardens. “Yeah.”
How long before that news reaches Palm Oaks? It’s better if Gigi hears it from me.
Heavy footfalls sound from behind us, and a momentlater, a bare-chested Connor strolls up, dressed in gray track shorts and holding Ralph like a football under one arm, a bag of potato chips dangling from his free hand.
Jeremy’s jaw hangs. “How did you catch him?”
“Easy. Found him sittin’ on Darla’s hood. Guess he likes her.”
Frank snorts.
“Watch this.” Connor holds a chip out between two fingers.
Ralph’s bird neck stretches as he snatches it away with his beak.
“I have been trying to catch that guy foryears, and you got him on your first night here,” Rebel admits with astonishment. “That is amazing.”
“That’s becauseI’m amazing,” he counters, winking at her.
“Yeah, Connor’s a regular cock whisperer,” Ronan mocks.
Frank’s head tips back with a deep bellow of laughter. It’s so surprising and so boisterous that everyone freezes for a beat before joining in.
We’re all still laughing when two figures materialize from the darkness next to the oat grass.
29.Ronan
They approach from the beach like ghosts emerging from the shadows.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I mutter as Sloane’s body goes rigid in my lap. What the fuck is Henry Wolf doing here? Tension cords my muscles as I watch him step onto Sloane’s property, Abbi at his side. They’re dressed for whatever dinner function they came from—she’s in a gauzy white dress, he’s in a pale green linen suit. They practically glow in the dark.
Heads turn, one here, two there; someone turns the music down to a lull.
Frank sets his ukulele on the ground next to him, his brooding sights set on Sloane’s nemesis like a guard dog deciding how far it should allow an intruder in before it lets them know they’ve made a terrible mistake.
He’ll have to beat me to Henry if he’s here to threaten Sloane in any way.
The tension is choking.
Ralph decides that’s the perfect moment to peckConnor’s bare chest. A flurry of wings and a howl of pain later, Connor’s ribs are clawed, and Ralph dines on the scattered bag of chips.
“Bad boy,” Rebel scolds, even though Connor’s the idiot for carrying the damn rooster around in the first place. She abandons her seat to inspect the angry-looking, red scratches. “Let’s get those cleaned up right away. There’s a first aid kit in the house.”
“I’ll help!” Skye chirps, trailing them away and inside. I’m not sure if it’s because she wants to avoid the impending confrontation or if Connor’s already fucked her and she’s staking her claim. Poor girl if it’s the latter.
Abbi moves in while Henry hangs back, closer to the beach, his hands tucked into his pockets as he sizes up the little beach house.
“This might be the best slice of cake you’ll ever try in your entire life.” Abbi holds out a plate wrapped in foil. Sympathy etches her face. “I hope you like chocolate.”
Sloane hesitates. “I do.”
“If it’s poisoned, we’re all witnesses,” Mick mumbles, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Sloane climbs to her feet. “Thank you.” Her voice is cordial but strained as she accepts the offering. How does she feel about Abbi now, after she betrayed her confidence? Now that Sloane knows our history? Will they ever be true friends? I hope so.
