Do you miss Angel Bay?
She answers my questions for the same reason as I answer hers.
A show for Brand.
It’s when my phone buzzes in my pocket and I see William’s name that I remember that I’ve got bigger problems to face than Jacey today.
Don’t be late.
That’s all he says. I glance at the time. It’s already twelve-thirty. The knowledge that I need to go soon makes me uneasy. I don’t want to leave them alone. But that’s stupid, I tell myself. Brand is as loyal as they come.
But he’s not mine.
That’s an unarguable fact. He’s no one’s.
I swallow and look at the two of them.
“I’m sorry, but I’ve been summoned to work for a little bit. I have to drive into Chicago. I’ll be back this evening though.”
I get up to walk into the house, ignoring Brand’s very concerned expression. Before I reach the door, his strong hand is gripping my elbow.
“Is everything ok?” he asks quickly, his blue eyes searching mine for an answer. An honest answer. I paste on a mask.
“Yes.”
Lie.
He raises an eyebrow and I sigh.
“It’s fine. My father just wants to give me some case files to study over the summer. He wants me to be prepared for the Fall.”
Lie.
But I sound oh-so-convincing and Brand finally relaxes.
“Do you want me to ride along?”
Yes.
But I shake my head. “Of course not. You have company. Stay here with Jacey and catch up. I’ll be home tonight.”
Home.
A lump forms in my throat because this isn’t my home. It’s their home… Jacey’s and Brand’s. This is where they grew up. I’ll never be a part of that.
“If you’re sure….” Brand’s voice trails off and I kiss him hard, on the mouth. Out of my periphery, I see Jacey watching us, something that gives me great satisfaction.
“I’m sure. I’ll be back tonight.”
I stride into the house with purpose and grab my purse. I don’t look back until I’m all the way down the road.
***
The drive to Chicago seems to take forever, even though it’s only an hour. I weave my Jag through the Sunday afternoon traffic and by the time I pull into my parking slot in the garage at Greene Corp, my nerves are shot.
My fingers are shaky, my heart is racing, my palms are clammy.
Brand and Jacey might be alone right now and that might be annoying, but I have to be alone with William. And that’s more than annoying. It very well might be dangerous.