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Chapter 4
May
“ARE YOU SUREyou don’t want to come out with us?” Hanna asks, and I drop the book in my hand to my chest and find her leaning against the doorjamb that leads to the outdoor deck, where I’ve been reading.
“I’m sure. I just want to relax and soak up a little more of this view before I have to leave tomorrow,” I tell her as she steps out onto the deck.
“If you want, we could skip hanging out with the guys, and all of us girls could just go out.”
“No.” I wave her off. “You all go have fun. I’m honestly partied out after the last few days and need a break.”
“Is that the real reason, or are you trying to avoid Aiden?” She raises a brow as she eyes me doubtfully.
“I’m not avoiding anyone.” I roll my eyes like she’s being ridiculous and ignore the way my stomach feels at the mention of his name.
“Okay, if you’re sure.” She tips her head to the side. “So you’d be okay if I tried to talk to him?” My heart drops to my stomach at that question, and I watch her grin. “That’s what I thought.”
“Whatever,” I mutter, and she laughs and blows me a kiss as she turns for the door.
“Have fun with Aiden toniiight,” she sings.
“I’m not seeing him toniiight,” I sing back.
“Sure, you’re not.” She waves before she steps into the house and closes the door. Shaking my head, I pick my book back up, one of my favorite kinds of stories—a fantasy with an anti-hero who is falling desperately in love with the strong female lead. A woman who doesn’t need a man but still can’t resist the guy she shouldn’t have anything to do with.
Just when the “good guy” in the story is about to save the heroine from the clutches of the anti-hero who’s kidnapped her, I hear the sliding glass door open, and when I look in that direction, Willow pokes her head outside.
“We’re taking off.”
“Okay, have fun.” I smile, and she frowns.
“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay here on your own?”
“I’m sure,” I say softly.
“Well, I’ll have my cell on if you need anything.”
“Thanks Mom.” I laugh.
“Any time. See you later.” She closes the door, leaving me with nothing but the sound of the waves beating against the shore. Setting my book aside, I get up and put on my sweater before I head down the stairs to the beach. It’s not cold, but with the wind coming off the water, there is a definite chill in the air.
With the starlit sky above me and the moon lighting the beach, I walk through the sand and smile at a couple as they pass by, then take a seat, drawing my legs up and hugging my shins as I look out at the ocean.
Closing my eyes, I pull in a deep breath through my nose and try to clear my mind. I lied to Hanna earlier about my reasons for not going out tonight. The truth is, I am trying to avoid Aiden. I thought the first time I met him that the riot of emotions he caused in me might have been because of the high-stress situation we were in, but seeing him today, I felt that same pull again, and I don’t know what to do with it.
I don’t think he’s the guy I was talking to for all those weeks, but it’s almost too much of a coincidence that he showed up after I was played by someone using his photos. I mean, what are the chances of something like that happening? Probably a billion to one.
Really, there’s a higher chance that it was him on the dating app, using the name Mike, because he didn’t want to draw in a bunch of women who are fans of his. I mean, if I were famous, I would probably use a fake name too if I was trying to date. But then again, I doubt a guy who looks like him would ever have an issue finding someone to spend time with.
Hearing someone coming up behind me, my body goes on alert, and my eyes fly open as I turn my head. When I see none other than the guy I was just thinking about, walking toward me wearing a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of dark jeans, I bite my lip.
“You trying to avoid me, doll?” he asks, taking a seat next to me, and I want to laugh, but instead I turn back to the water.
“Nope, just enjoying the view.” My toes curl in the soft sand when the scent of his cologne wraps around me like a warm blanket that smells like cedar and sun. “I thought you were going out with everyone.”
“I was, until you didn’t show.” He leans his shoulder slightly into mine. “Which worked, since I was trying to figure out how to get you alone anyway.”
“Why’s that?” I meet his gaze, and his eyes scan over my face.
“Because I like looking at you.” He lifts his hand and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, and I shiver from the contact. “Cold?”
“No.” I take my eyes off him and look out at the sea once more, wondering if I should just ask him straight out if he’s Mike and get it over with. I want to; I want to be brave enough to do that. My sister April would. Actually, she would have probably confronted him about it the first time she saw him in person, but that’s because she’s a badass. Me—not so much.
“What are you thinking about?”
“My sister.” I let out a sigh. “Do you have sisters?”
“I do.” He stretches his long legs out in front of him and leans back on his hands.
“What are they like?”
“Only got one, and honestly, she’s kind of a bitch.” He chuckles.
“Don’t say that.” I glare at him.
