Chapter 55

“Those are weird choices,” I muttered. “But yeah, I guess I could be, but I figured I’d give Arizona a go.” The joke fell flat when Avery just narrowed his eyes at me. “Look, man. I don’t know what to tell you. I took a trip on the bike and it broke down here.”

“You don’t have a private jet that could’ve just come to get you?” His eyes widened when I winced in response. “Youdohave a private jet that could’ve come to get you. Right.”

“Yes. Well, no, not me. It’s a principle thing. My brothers and my cousins have kind of ruined it for me, if I’m being honest, but yeah. I could’ve been picked up by any of them, I guess.”

“Not having a jet is a principle thing for you?” He cussed a few more times under his breath. “That’s crazy, man. Still doesn’t explain why you’re still here, though.”

“It tells you I’m here by choice. All I know is that being here feels right.” I didn’t add that I was essentially putting off having to marry an advantageous stranger for as long as possible. “I like Quartz Pass, so I figured I’d wait it out until the bike is done. That’s all there is to it. Like I said, it’s not a big deal.”

Avery nodded slowly, but then his gaze shifted, and when I followed it, I wasn’t surprised to find him looking at his sister. Raquel was fucking breathtaking with the firelight illuminating her hair and making her skin glow, a genuine smile on her lips as she listened to one of the girls.

“I get it,” Avery said suddenly.

I looked away from her, but it was too late. I already knew he’d caught me staring. Still, I could try. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Bullshit.” He took another drink of his beer. “My sister’s cool. I know that, but she’s been through a lot.”

My heart crashed to my shoes. “Yeah. I know.”

“Do you?” he asked quietly. “I know you’ve heard about it, but do you actually know how hard it was for her? The last thing she needs is more drama, Theo. If you’re both in agreement this is just for a short but good time, then fine, but figure it out before this goes any further.”

“Yeah. I was actually talking to her about that before you nearly killed us earlier.”

“You were, huh? Why does that not surprise me?” He let out a short chuckle. “You’re probably one of the better men I’ve met, but if you break her heart, you and I are going to have a problem.”

“That’s fair,” I said without missing a beat. “I don’t want to hurt her, Avery.”

Raquel suddenly looked up like she could feel us talking about her, her eyes finding mine immediately even across the crowd. Our gazes locked and she smiled, lifting her hand in a slight wave.

It was just a simple little wave, but a stabbing pain speared my chest as I lifted my hand and waved back, the thought of never seeing her again suddenly nearly finishing me off.

A short but good time.

That was what Avery had said and he hadn’t been wrong. It was exactly what this was supposed to be, but if that was true, then why did the idea of leaving her behind feel like someone had punched a hole straight through my ribs?

And why could I not imagine leaving here and living the rest of my life without having her in it?

CHAPTER 22

RAQUEL

Iwoke up alone in the cabin on Sunday morning. Theo hadn’t come back with me last night, but for one sleepy second, I was disappointed that he hadn’t crawled into bed with me at some point during the night.

Not that our relationship was anywhere near a place where that would’ve been expected, but I was still half-asleep and his absence was the first thing I became aware of as consciousness tugged at my brain.

Sighing as I rolled over, I hugged the pillow he’d used on Friday night and breathed in the faint scent of him still lingering on the fabric.Shit, I really am so freaking screwed, but I do like him. A lot. It seems pointless to try and deny it anymore.

Unfortunately, he’d gotten caught up in whatever brand of male debauchery Avery and his friends had thought was a good idea last night. It could’ve been anything from illegal treasure hunting, to wrestling, to improvised fireworks.

I hadn’t asked, valuing my peace and the concept of plausible deniability too much to ask questions I didn’t want to know the answers to. But still. I missed having him here with me.

For a little while after I woke up, I just lay there in bed, staring out at the glassy surface of the lake through the windowsand thinking about this weekend. It’d been good. Really good. I owed Frieda a huge thank you for changing my mind about coming, but I also couldn’t draw it out much longer.

Reality awaited, no matter how much I wished it wasn’t true.

Finally convincing myself to get out of bed, I got up, started the little coffeemaker, and took a quick shower while it did its thing. After I was dressed, I made myself a cup of coffee and drank it out on the porch, just letting myself enjoy the stillness of the morning before I had to get moving.

There was no sound except for the occasional chirp of a bird. The sky was still awash in pale oranges and pinks as I sat at the rickety plastic table, replaying memories of the weekend through my mind.