Page 40 of One Little Lie
Narrowing his eyes, Hatty points a finger at me. “Did you know about this, too?”
I laugh, full belly shaking laughter that causes tears to roll down my face. He’s fighting it, but I see the curl of his lip.
“No, Hatty. I didn’t know they would strand us on an island. I wonder what else he has up his sleeve?”
This time, he does chuckle, and my heart nearly bursts.
There’s my Hatty.
“He was always a sneaky little shit.”
We stand across from each other, smiling like fools. The tension that has followed us since I returned evaporating for the briefest of moments. I see the instant he reins himself in and puts the mask back on. I feel his pain as he shuts down.
“Well, we should … ah, get unloaded so I can go back for the rest.” His voice falls flat, and his shoulders slump forward. He steps around me, and the wall he just constructed nearly knocks me over.
Am I cut out for this?
Yes, you idiot. It’s either try or spend your life knowing you’re not whole.
Forcing a cheery expression, I turn with him. “Sounds good, Hatty. What do you want me to do?”
He stops abruptly and studies me. I’m sure he was expecting sullen, maybe even hurt, but I’m done letting him run from me.
Here’s to the new Rylan. The one who’s after answers, love, and a happily ever after.
“You can run, Hatty, but you can’t hide anymore. What do you want me to do first?”
“Ah, um,” he splutters. “I’m not hiding.”
“We’ll see about that. How about if I grab the groceries? Good?”
He nods, and I see his cheeks have turned the slightest shade of pink. I also don’t miss the fact that his eyes are on my ass as I bend over the golf cart. Or the way he nonchalantly adjusts himself as he walks away.
At least it’s proof he’s still attracted to me, even without GG’s truth wine. Score one for team Rylan!
I climb up into the lean-to, and it’s no small effort. I’m not exactly short, but this thing could use a step or two. I’m sweating and sticky when I finally pull myself up onto the platform. Turning toward the edge, I find Hatty standing with one leg in the golf cart. His eyes are stuck on me, and the lopsided grin I haven’t seen in years completely transforms his face.
“You think that was funny?” I ask, placing both hands on my hips, and watch as his gaze follows the movement, then glides down my exposed legs. They’re more toned than he’s used to. Running helped me shed the baby fat I couldn’t shake in my teens, and the bonus is my legs are killer.
As his eyes slide slowly up my body, my eyebrow hitches in amusement. Suddenly realizing where he is, his gaze snaps to mine. Seeing my gotcha face, he pulls at his collar and surveys the ground.
“Umm.” He clears his throat and tries again. “Are you okay here while I go get the supplies? I can pack more in if I can load up the passenger seat, too.”
“And it gives you a break from me.”
It slips out, but if I’m going to find the Rylan he fell in love with once, I have to stop censoring myself.
“Listen, Ry …”
“It’s okay. This is a lot. I get it. Being forced into an awkward situation with someone you hate would take a herculean effort for anyone. Go get the stuff. I’ll start unpacking.” I turn so I don’t have to see his reaction, and nearly jump out of my skin when his voice is right behind me.
“I’ve never hated you, Verity. Not even once. But you have to hate me. You have to.” His whispered words cause my hair to flutter beside my ear. He’s so close I can feel his body heat radiating off him. If I took half a step, my back would be flush with his front. By the time I build up the courage to do just that, he’s gone.
Spinning around, I see him climb into the golf cart and drive away without ever peering back.
Holy geez. This is going to test the limits of what I can handle. If I don’t break, I certainly won’t ever be the same.
Needing to burn off some nervous energy, I dig around in the bag Lexi helped me pack and find my running gear. As I glance around to see if anyone can see me, I almost laugh. There isn’t a neighbor in sight, and the lean-to faces the ocean, so I strip where I am, pulling on a sports bra and running shorts. Then I plop down and lace up my sneakers.
