Page 78 of Home Is Where You Are

I turned to face him, my arms crossed over my chest.

“We’ve been spending time together.” I sighed. I only gave him the CliffsNotes version. He didn’t need the gritty details. He didn’t need to know I’d kissed his sister. Not yet anyways.

“I thought you weren’t starting anything with her again?” he questioned. His voice laced with concern and something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

“We haven’t officially started anything again. Maybe that’s part of my problem,” I admitted, hoping he understood.

He stood there staring at me, but didn’t say anything.

I walked away because I didn’t want to get into this. Especially here in front of the guests. This was a private conversation.

I greeted the guests with a smile on my face, and talked with them about what they were looking forward to experiencing during their stay. Only every time I would move on to the next group of guests, my eyes always managed to find her.

I stood in this open room and watched her.

Her laugh filled the room even over the sounds of the guests' conversations.

She threw her head back and laughed a full belly laugh at something one of the ranch hands said, her hand going to his forearm as she looked back up at him.

My fists clenched at the sight of her hand on him.

An innocent touch, but I wished it was me instead.

As if she could feel my stare, her smile faded as she looked around the room.

Our eyes met, and her smile grew at the sight of me. She turned her chin into her shoulder and even though I was across the room, I swore I saw a hint of redness on her cheeks.

It took every ounce of willpower I had to not go over there, and pull her into my arms. To claim her as mine.

She went back to talking to the ranch hand and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Not even after she caught me staring. Like a moth to a flame, whenever she was near, I was drawn to her. I wanted to be the reason for her laughter, for her smiles. Not some ranch hand.

“Someone looks jealous,” Holden said, his voice breaking my train of thought.

It was probably for the best. I was picturing all the ways I could get her away from him.

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about,” I lied.

“She looks happy. It’s good to see her laughing again. Maybe she could get to know … hmmm … what’s his name again?”

“Michael,” I bit out, my fists clenched.

“Ah yes, good old Michael. I think Ainsleigh and Michael has a good ring to it.” Holden laughed.

“What are you playing at, Holden? You don’t want me with your sister, but you’re going to taunt me with the idea of her with someone else.”

“How’s it taunting you if you don’t want to be with her?”

He had a point. And I fell into his trap.

“I don’t want to be with her.” The lie spilled off my lips way too easily.

“Turn around and look me in the eyes and say that again,” Holden goaded.

I took a deep breath and mustered up all the strength I possessed to lie to my best friend’s face.

Only when I turned around, my eyes met his questioning gaze, and I couldn’t do it. The lie tasted bitter in my mind. I could only imagine how it’d taste coming out of my mouth.

“What do you want me to say, Holden?”