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“Because of what happened?” My voice is soft. That liquid courage is evaporating like a creek in the summer heat.
She shakes her head, her hair sliding over her shoulders. “No, because you’re gorgeous and amazing and whoever you pick’s going to turn into your slave.”
The word makes me blanch and my stomach sour.
“Shit.” Lexie grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. “That was thoughtless of me to say.”
“It’s true,” Amanda says. “You’re so pretty. I’d kill for your thick hair. And your curves. I can’t fill a B cup if I stuff it with toilet paper.”
She’s tall and willowy and confident. She’s attractive, but it’s the way she’s content in being herself that has me envious. She doesn’t second guess everything like I do.
She clearly doesn’t know what happened to me. This is a small town and everyone knows everything about everybody else. Or so I thought. Maybe what happened to me isn’t that big of a deal to anyone else.
And it shouldn’t be.
Maybe I’ve been with my parents too much since my return. They’ve been so protective, overbearing, and while I understand their feelings, I have to break free if I’m going to truly heal.
This is good, coming here. A word can’t set me off. I can’t let it.
I climb off my stool. “I’m going to run to the ladies’ room.”
Lexie snags my wrist. “I’m so sorry.”
Because I was held captive on Derek Wolfe’s island for three years? Lexie knows about what happened, at least that I was taken and finally set free, but not the details. It’s easy for anyone to make a mental leap as to what I endured.
“It’s fine,” I reply. “The drink went right through me. I might be ready to…to—”
“Get laid,” Amanda says for me.
I smile, thankful for the loud music so no one hears her. “Yeah, I might be ready to get laid, but picking a guy makes me a little nervous.”
A new song comes over the hidden speakers and everyone hoots and hollers, apparently happy with the choice.
“Understandable,” Lexie replies over the noise.
“Maybe I should go with the guy who offered to get us drinks…and other things.” I nod to Lexie. “Or did you want him?”
“You can have him. But why limit yourself?” she says, waving her hand around. “When you come back, we’ll scope out the options. If you’re going to go home with a guy, we’ll make sure he’s a good one.”
Amanda nods.
I swallow. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. While the men in the bar are attractive, for some reason only Austin Bridger makes me come alive. I felt something just looking at him in the stable earlier. Talking to him, too, although I didn’t like being called honey. I don’t like pet names. I had many on the island—including my gem name, Jade. From now on I just want to be Carly.
The line moves quickly and I’m out of the bathroom faster than I want. I walk out, head down, as I shake my hands dry—the paper towels are all out—and—
“Oh!”
I collide with someone—someone solid. And tall.
I step back and apologize to a broad chest. Then I look up.
“Hello, Carly.”
Oh God. I suppress a quiver.
Austin Bridger. Austin Bridger, who’s even better looking than I remember.
Did I conjure him from thin air? Or is it just luck?
