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His jaw flexed. “They took a video of you? Is that what they were talking about on the gossip show?”
She nodded, shame burning her cheeks. “Yes. They pretended to be my friends. We hung out together for a few weeks. It was kind of fun, being with them. At least, I thought it was. They acted like they really liked me. Then, last Thursday they convinced me to fly them out here. They got me drunk, and then shot a thirty-minute video of me completely embarrassing myself.”
Austin flinched and she could see his hands tighten into fists. “How low of them.”
“It was a mean thing to do, but you know what?”
“What?”
“I sort of knew they weren’t really my friends.” This was the most embarrassing part. She swallowed. “I just hung out with them because…” She choked on the words, not realizing that tears had started flowing down her cheeks again.
Austin slowly reached up and brushed the tears from her face with his thumbs. He cupped the sides of her face, the gentle warmth enveloping her. “Because why?”
“Because I have no real friends,” she whispered.
Austin closed his eyes, like her words had stabbed through him. He caressed her face. “Why are you telling me this?”
Good question. Why was she telling him? It was stupid, and embarrassing. She wouldn’t have admitted it to anyone else. Why did she feel the need to tell these things to Austin? “I don’t know,” she finally said.
“I know why.” His words were so soft, she barely heard them.
She looked up at him. His blue eyes shone in the lamplight. “Why?”
“Because you’re finally starting to trust me.”
Was that true? Dani’s mind reeled as she thought about it. “Maybe.”
A raindrop hit her head and she looked up at the thick clouds now covering up the entire night sky. “I think it’s going to rain.”
“You’re right. Let’s get going.” He took her hand and they ran to the golf cart. The resort was only half a block away, but by the time they had gotten in and to their door, the rain had started in earnest and they were soaked. At least there were no paparazzi around.
Austin unlocked their door and they rushed inside before he turned on the light. Dani giggled as she wiped the rain off her face. “Where is the famous K-drama umbrella when you need one?”
“The what?” Austin asked.
She laughed and shook her head, drops of water falling on the carpet and on a piece of paper she hadn’t noticed. “Nothing.” She pointed to the paper. “What’s that?”
Austin picked it up and looked at it. His face paled.
“What is it?” Dani took a step toward him to see the paper. “Is that the bill?”
Austin whipped it behind his back so she couldn’t see. “It’s nothing.”
Her heart thumped loud in her ears. “That’s another threatening note, isn’t it?”
She could tell by the look on Austin’s face that she was right. She held out her hand. “Give it to me.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Austin.” She needed to see it. She had to know how bad this was getting. “Hand it over. Now.”
His hands fell to his sides and she grabbed the paper from him. More slanted words were written on the page.
You didn’t listen, and now you’re going to pay.
Dani shivered, the room turning cold. She grew lightheaded and Austin grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her. “Sit. You look like you’re going to faint. I’ll call the police.”
Relief flooded through her. “Finally.”
