“It’s embarrassing.” She bit her bottom lip, obviously anxious about the bird. “Did you know Birdy was a blue-footed booby, not a pelican?”
“’Course I did,” I said, setting it on her head to resume looking for her bra. “I don’t want to go out there and make nice, Lake. I want to be alone with you, talk to you, make love to you, and then sleep with you. Birdy can stay, but they’ve got to go.”
“We should at least say hi. Then we can, I don’t know, go for a walk.”
“Are you going to tell them who I am?”
She pretended not to hear me, busying herself by fixing her hair in the mirror above her dresser.
“Lake.”
She turned to me, still hugging the stuffed animal under one arm. “What am I supposed to say?” The hurt was evident in her voice. “Should I lie like you did to that woman at the ice skating rink? Is that what you’re asking me to do?”
“No.”
“These are my friends,” she said. “I can’t hide you from them forever.”
“I’m not asking you to. Tell them the truth.”
“But some of them know Corbin, and also . . . he’s been calling.”
“Calling where?” I sat on the edge of her bed. “For what?”
“Nothing. Everything. He’s my friend, Manning. We talk all the time. He left messages on the machine, and I’ve been ignoring him.”
I took a deep breath, dropping my eyes to the floor. Val could be annoying, but because she didn’t take shit, she was good for Lake. What about Corbin? I hated the idea that once I left, he’d still be here, but I had to face the facts—in four years, she hadn’t given in to him. For six years, he’d been trying, and evidence would show he’d been respectful about it. And with that realization, I kinda felt bad for the fucker. “Have you considered that ending the friendship would be doing him a favor?”
“Him?” she asked. “Or you?”
“Him. I know what it’s like to love you from afar. It isn’t easy.”
Looking lost in thought, she caressed Birdy’s head, then put the toy on her dresser next to something else I recognized—the wooden box I’d made her for the earrings she’d worn as Maid of Honor.
“Do you regret it?” Lake asked.
I tore my eyes from the jewelry holder. “Regret what?”
“Loving me.”
“Obviously not, Lake.”
“Then maybe he doesn’t, either.”
“He does, he will, because he won’t win you. He’ll never have you, and that’s why it isn’t fair to him.” I waited until her eyes returned to mine, and the sadness in them made my gut smart. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I know he’s your friend, and if you want things to stay that way, I can’t stop you. But a part of me can’t help but feel bad for him.”
She shook her head. “It’s not like that. Corbin knows nothing will ever happen between us, and it’s still not enough for him to end our friendship. Trust me.”
I didn’t believe that for a second, but I said, “Okay. And for the record, I didn’t lie to that woman to keep our secret. She doesn’t know us. I don’t want anyone to. You and me, we’re you and me. Nobody’s earned the right to know our story.”
“Our story.” She let out a breath then came over and straddled my lap. “I thought you were ashamed of us, and that was why you lied.”
“It’s going to take me some time to get used to touching you without looking over my shoulder,” I admitted. “But rest assured, the decisions I make are with you at the front of my mind.” I picked her up, carrying her over to her closet. “Where’s your overnight bag?” I asked. “We’re leaving.”
“Where are we going?” With her legs wrapped around me, she shifted on my crotch to reach behind me. “It’s on the top shelf.”
I took it down, and a moment later, she feathered her fingers over the back of my bare shoulder. “Summer Triangle,” she whispered.
I stood still, letting her trace the three stars, even though the tattoo had brought as much angst outside prison as it had comfort inside. Tiffany didn’t understand it, so she didn’t like it. “It’s for you,” I told Lake. “I carry you on my back wherever I go.”
“You said the same thing about Madison when we were in the truck.”
“She’s the third point. My girls.”
Lake shuddered in my arms, hugging my neck. “I’m sorry, Manning. I didn’t know your sister, but I’m so sorry for her.”
“I know.” I could’ve stood still with her all night, but the noises from the next room were getting louder, as if more people were showing up. “I need you to get down or else your friends are gonna walk in here and catch us in the act.”
“Oh, okay.” I set her down by her waist. “Where are we going?” she repeated.