Page 8

Angela was right. That made me brave.

At least, that was what I kept repeating in my head to make myself feel better as I cowered on the couch beside my sister, watching the TV through gaps between my fingers as a woman ran down some stairs in a dark house while a shadowy figure chased after her. My heart slammed against my ribs, and a cold sweat appeared on the back of my neck. My legs were tucked up against my body, and I held my breath as I watched the final brutal scene.

I should’ve just made an excuse to leave when I realized it was a horror movie. I didn’t want to make a fuss about it, and I told myself that I’d be fine. I was an adult, and movies weren’t real. I could totally handle it.

But I was wrong, and my nervous system was a wreck as the credits rolled.

I’d barely uncovered my face when the best man, Damien, excused himself and hurried out of the room. He’d seemed tense before the movie started, but I barely knew the guy, so maybe he was just like that all the time.

No one else appeared to find it strange that he left abruptly, so I didn’t mention it.

I stood as the TV was turned off by Kelsie, who was Leanne’s cousin and a bridesmaid. We were in her room for our movie night.

“Good thing you showed up when you did, Heather,” Kelsie said. I just met her this evening, and she was friendly. “Tomorrow is our beach day.”

I grinned at that. Sun and sand were the whole reason I came to this island five days before the wedding.

“I’m excited. It’s a chance to break out my new bikini,” Jess said.

Cody, her husband, slipped an arm around her waist as his eyes lit up. “The black one? The one you modeled for me last week? I can’t wait.”

“Down, boy.” Jess laughed and slapped his chest playfully. “Don’t mind him.”

“They don’t mind,” Cody said, brushing a kiss across her cheek. “People find my obsession with you charming.”

Jess’s laugh was light, and warmth shone through her expression. I felt a sudden pang of envy that had me looking away. I’d seen plenty of examples of love like that in my life, but I’d never experienced it myself. For the most part, I was happy just focusing on my career, but there were moments like this when I saw the happiness two people could share and wished that I could claim that for myself somehow.

But I’d never found a person who ignited that kind of emotion inside of me.

Angela yawned then, and I smirked at her. “Day drinking at the winery and lounging by the pool wear you out?”

She just nodded instead of sniping back at me, and I knew that she really was tired.

“I think I’m going to head back to my room,” she said.

The two of us thanked Kelsie for hosting us—even though my stomach was still clenched with fear from the movie she picked—and left the room together. Angela was staying just down the hall, and my room was on the floor above, so we parted ways in the hallway. But when I stepped into the elevator, my finger hovered over the number for my floor.

I was still feeling too amped up from the movie to go to bed, and I had a feeling that even just being in my room alone right now would put me on edge. I needed some time to calm down before I headed up. So instead, I pushed the button that would take me to the lobby.

It wasn’t too late, and I noticed a bar just off the lobby when I arrived. A drink might calm my nerves.

This area had been bustling with activity earlier in the day, but things were calmer now. The day was winding down, and there weren’t many people around. The lobby seemed larger like this, and there was something almost eerie about how quiet it was as I walked across the polished floor.

A scene from the horror movie played out in my mind. The heroine was in a dark house, her footsteps echoing in the large foyer as she was stalked by a shadowy figure she couldn’t see…

A hand landed on my shoulder, and I let out a shriek. Spinning around, I stumbled back a step, nearly tripping over my own feet. I barely managed to regain my balance as I registered Greyson standing in front of me with his arm outstretched and concern in his eyes.

Placing a hand over my racing heart, I glanced around and saw that the few people who were in the lobby were all staring at me. I groaned and dropped my head, mortified.

“Feeling a little jumpy tonight?” Greyson’s deep chuckle immediately took the edge off my fear.

I slapped his arm. “You scared the hell out of me!”

The grin on his face matched the amusement in his eyes. “I’m sorry about that.”

“You don’t look very sorry.” I sighed. “But it’s not really your fault. I’m just a little freaked out because of this horror movie I watched. I shouldn’t have, since I hate those kinds of movies. Now, I guess I’ve got ghosts on the brain.”

I was giving him more information than he needed, but I couldn’t help it. Embarrassment made me ramble.