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She backed up, Nathan’s attention following her. His mouth opened like he was about to say something, but she couldn’t bear to hear whatever he wanted to say.
Tully turned and swam as quickly as she could to the edge of the pool. The people standing there backed up as she splashed her way to the concrete and pulled herself up. She might cry.
No, she was definitely going to cry.
“Wait,” Nathan called, covered by the laughs of others. She could hear him splashing through the water.
The frustrated prickling behind her eyes was getting stronger. With any luck her makeup would already be running down her face, her eyes already red from the chlorine so no one would be able to tell when a tear went down her cheek.
Drops of water trailed behind her as she ran inside, through the hallway, and toward the front door. She avoided the eyes of those who hadn’t caught the scene outside and focused on her escape route. Tully froze.
Joliet stood there, her friends gathered around her. They all laughed, but Joliet beamed at Tully’s condition. Her eyes moved slowly, mockingly over Tully from head to toe, savoring everything about this situation with an open-mouthed grin.
There wasn’t an escape. Just when she thought she would end all this, she made it all worse. What was she thinking?
A set of cold fingers wrapped around her upper arm, and turned Tully so she no longer looked at her sister. Instead, a new dread settled in her stomach. Nathan stood there, panting. “Damn, you walk fast.”
Tully blinked. “I … I need to go.” She tried to turn and pull from his grasp, but he held her in place.
“Wait, wait.”
She peered down at his gentle hold on her arm, then back up to him.
“I’d be a terrible host if I let you go home like that. At least let me get you a towel,” he said.
Tully paused, scrutinizing Nathan’s face for a sign that this was some sort of joke. Somehow, only genuine sincerity and concern crinkled his eyes as he searched her face for an answer. She turned back to her escape route, toward Joliet.
Her sister, who had been smirking and laughing before, frowned. Her lips turned down, and the middle of her brows grew a deep crease.
Oh.Oh.
She turned back towards Nathan but didn’t look at him. She glanced over his shoulder and saw Erik standing there, his face still red but no longer amused.
Stephanie was near him, and when Tully looked at her, she gave a single encouraging nod and mouthed a single word—yes.
Oh. This was anewplan.
Maybe a bit drastic but it was something.
She could kiss Nathan right now, right in front of their faces. But you know what would be better?
Walking upstairs with Nathan, and disappearing with him—alone.
Dancing with Nathan would upset Joliet, a kiss would infuriate her, butthiswould drive her mad.
Meeting Nathan’s awaiting gaze, Tully gave him a soft smile and nodded.
With a relieved sigh and his hand still on her arm, he guided her past Joliet and her friends, past the rest of the partygoers, and to the staircase.
As Nathan led her up the stairs, Tully made a point to catch her sister’s eyes and give her the sweetest little smile.
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“Here, use this.” Nathan held out a white, fluffy towel. The soft material brushed nicely on her cold hands as she took it.
“Thanks.”
