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“Thank you for dinner. I had fun tonight.” I should stick around and help clean up, but I’m feeling incredibly exposed right now and just need to hide away in the safety of my room.
Thankfully, Justin lets me leave, not getting up from the table.
I stop at my room to grab my toiletries, then head across the hall for the bathroom. I still haven’t left anything in the bathroom. I’d hate to clutter Justin’s space with my products.
For the time being, it’s been fine bringing what I need, to and from, as necessary.
Standing under the scalding hot water, I wonder why I confessed all three truths in the last round. Why I didn’t bother making up a lie.
I’d been good about lying on the spot the previous five rounds.
Except maybe not, if Justin noticed I had a tell when I was lying.
Regardless, I successfully was able to make up lies throughout the game, but then at the end?
I didn’t.
I didn’t even try.
I shower until the water runs cold—sorry, Justin—and step out into the steamed up confines of the bathroom. I brush my hair and teeth, secure in an oversized towel, before gathering my items close to my chest and stepping out into the hall.
Justin’s leaning against the wall next to my bedroom door.
Those seeing green eyes of his drop momentarily and I know I should be embarrassed at being caught in only a towel, but of all my exposures tonight, this is the one I feel less worried about.
“I used up the hot water,” I tell him, stepping toward my bedroom door. “In case you were waiting on the shower. I’m sorry.”
I can feel when Justin steps into my bedroom behind me, even though my back is to him as I place my bathroom items on the dresser in a neat row.
With my head down, I glance up with only my eyes, catching Justin in the reflection of the mirror. He’s still standing in the doorway, his eyes locked on…
Well…
Locked on me.
His eyes collide with mine in the mirror, and I immediately look back down. Standing straight, I tug the knot of my towel closer to my underarm.
Heaven forbid it all comes falling apart now.
“I don’t really want to talk about my mother,” I say, turning to face him. No doubt, he’s here to finish the conversation. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. Not really sure why I did, to be honest.” I give a self-deprecating laugh. “Not everyone has mums like you. Renee is so wonderful.”
“We can talk about your mom some other time.” Justin’s voice is low.
Cautious, almost.
And when he steps further into my room, my heart starts to race in a quick bum-bump.
“Because I’m not sure how anyone could hate you,” he continues, “and if your mom hating you is the reason you don’t want to go back… That’s her loss. In fact… I’m glad the, what…? Twelve months you’ve been in the States, then and now combined? If they make you want to stay here, then yeah, I’m glad. Want to know why?”
He’s nearly toe to toe with me now, and being exactly twelve inches shorter than the man, I have no choice but to look up.
“Why?” My voice comes out in a whisper while my mind races with possibilities.
“Because I’ve been dying to do this…”
CHAPTER FOUR
JUSTIN
