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“Lucy?”
Shit.
My head snaps up, and I step out of Joel’s arms as though I’ve done something wrong, watching with a lump in my throat as Wes pushes off my car and steps toward us, a blank expression in place.
“I’d ask if you actually live here, but since you have your bag…”
My shoulders drop at the disappointment in his tone.
“I’m sorry, I…” I trail off because I don’t have an excuse. He’s not stupid, and deserves better than whatever was about to come out of my mouth.
“You lied,” he rasps, shaking his head. And while that’s not what I was about to say, I guess it’s the truth, so I offer Wes a small nod.
“I see.”He hates liars.
Joel’s hand lands on my shoulder, and my eyes flash to his when he squeezes. “I’ll give you two a minute.”
My heart jolts at the thought, and I find myself shaking my head. I don’t know what to say to Wes. I don’t know what I want, but the thought of Joel walking away right now has me irrationally panicked. I grab his hand as he moves, keeping him in place, and feel awful when I notice Wes flinch. He steps forward, and my eyes widen with nerves, hating myself when his face drops at my expression. “What’s going on, Lucy? Has something happened?”
Joel squeezes my hand in encouragement, but I can’t do it. I can’t drag him into this mess. It’smymess.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t expect to see you.”
Wes recoils like he’s been slapped, and his eyes flash to Joel’s, jumping to the wrong conclusion.
“No,” I rush out. “It’s not what you think.”
“What do I think?”
“Joel’s just a friend.”
“Okkkaaay,” Wes draws out, looking away, clearly confused.
“But I need to go.”
His eyes snap to mine and narrow as he focuses on my features. “Where? Where are you going? Where’s home?” His voice raises slightly. “Were you ever going to tell me?”
“I don’t know!” I yell, once again lying through my teeth. I had every intention of telling him where I lived, but now…now I honestly think it’s better he doesn’t know.
Wes nods as though he accepts my answer, but I can see the hurt in his eyes.
Holding his gaze just about kills me, so for the briefest moment, my eyes flit to my car behind him. It’s so quick, but he sees it, and his shoulders drop in defeat before he steps aside, no longer blocking the path. “I’ll get out of your way. I don’t want to add to whatever’s going on. I just want you to be okay. I hope to hear from you soon.”
He walks toward the glass doors of the resort without another word, not even looking back, and my stomach drops.
“Wes!” I call out, not ready to say goodbye. But when he turns around expectantly, all I can offer is an apologetic frown. He shakes his head and huffs out a laugh before walking away and out of my life.
The second the doors close, my body gives out, and I fall into Joel’s arms as fresh tears take over. I hate what I’ve just done. I will never forget this moment. But my life’s about to change, and the less complicated it is, the better. This is the right thing to do for both of us. I know it.
So why does it feel so wrong?
Chapter Eleven
Lucy - Summertime, almost five years later
“Comeon,Katie.UncleDylan will be here any minute, and if we’re late, we’ll miss out on ice cream.”
I hear her rushed footsteps down the hall as she runs toward me.Of course, ice cream got her moving.
