“Sure they are. But they—” He stops abruptly.
“They what?”
“I can’t say anymore, I just wanted to see how you were. I won’t be staying long, Misty. But I’m glad we got to meet.”
“No!” I jump off the bed…and crumple to the floor.
Jake rushes toward me and helps me to my feet. “Jesus, you heard the doc. Get some rest.”
“Please, you can’t leave. Not yet. I need to?—”
Another knock at the door.
“For the love of God!”
“It’s probably Seb and Alex,” Jake says. “They left when I got here but said they’d come right back.”
I simply nod. “Whatever.”
“I’ll get it. Okay if they come in?”
“Why not? The more the merrier,” I say dryly.
Jake leaves the bedroom. I hear the door to the suite open.
“There you are, gorgeous. Do you have your answer yet?”
God. June’s voice.
What the hell is she doing here? And what’s she talking about?
“It’s not happening.” From Jake.
An instant later, June is in my bedroom, clinging to Jake’s bicep. “Misty, love. I need you to help me talk our special guest into being the entertainment at Ariel’s bachelorette party tonight.”
EPISODE 216
GUILTY
Emily
Being in River’s arms is heaven.
But I don’t deserve heaven.
He wraps his warmth around me, steady and sure, like he still believes I’m worth holding.
But my chest is tight with the weight of guilt, every breath catching on the truth I haven’t told him. I close my eyes, bury my face against his chest, and for a second, I pretend. Pretend I’m the woman he thinks I am. Pretend I haven’t betrayed the one person I love more than I ever imagined I could love anyone.
But I did. And it’s only a matter of time before he finds out. It’s best that it comes from me.
I wish I could stay here, safe and untouched by consequences. But shame burns hot beneath my skin, and I hate myself for lying by omission.
What if he looks at me differently once he knows? What if he doesn’t look at me at all?
What if he bloodyhatesme?
There’s a thin line between love and hate, which means he’ll truly hate me. If only he could have said those three damned words before he left. Then I’d never have…
