Page 47 of One Little Lie
“Turn around and get dressed. I’ll do the same, then I’ll tend to your ankle.”
He either forgot that I don’t sleep in panties, or he’s ignoring it. I stand frozen to my spot, and when he turns to check on me, the lopsided grin I love so much appears.
“Still not good at listening to directions I see?”
“Some things never change, Hatty.”
His smile fades as he scratches the side of his head. “I think I like that.”
A big, toothy grin appears on my face. “Me too,” I whisper, then do as he asks.
Hobbling in place, I remove my wet clothing and throw on his shirt, then slide my panties up my legs, attempting to place as little weight as possible on my sore ankle.
When I turn around, Halton is dressed in dry boxer briefs and nothing else. He’s staring straight at me with his muscled arms crossed over his chest.
“You’re a lot bigger than you used to be.”
His eyes go wide, and he adjusts his stance, causing my gaze to roam lower, and I gasp.
“Holy shit.”
An incessant buzzing sounds cuts through the tension in the air, and Halton steps forward with a curse. That’s when I notice he’s limping, too.
“What the hell, Hatty? Are you hurt?” I go to step forward, but he stops me with a single word.
“Don’t.”
I still, but watch him intently.
“Don’t move. I’m fine,” he clarifies.
Reaching down, Hatty pulls his phone from a pile of clothes.
“Jesus Christ, Halton. What the fuck? You can’t say ‘Oh, God, I’ve found her,’ then hang up on us and not answer for almost forty-five minutes.”
I try not to giggle, but I can hear Preston’s reprimand through the phone. Hatty’s eyes find mine in the dim light.
“I have her. We’re safe, but get us a goddamn car immediately. And someplace safe to stay. This is bullshit, Pres, and you know it.”
“Honestly, the ferries are all booked—”
“Then rent one of our own. For fuck’s sake, Preston. This isn’t rocket science. You would do it if it were for you, so get it done.”
“Fine,” he acquiesces, “but there isn’t much we can do about accommodations. I swear everything is full.”
“Then we’ll stay on the mainland and take day trips here.”
“No,” Ash interrupts.
“Staying there is important. The locals are a lot like they are here in Burke Hollow. They won’t give up information easily. You have to get to know everyone,” Preston finishes.
“Hatty?” I ask softly. “We’ll be fine here. A car will be good in case we run into an emergency, but we can tough it out.”
“Is she okay?” Preston asks quietly.
“She has a sprained ankle. I haven’t had a chance to see how serious it is yet.”
“Great. So, you’re telling me you have matching injuries?”
