Page 64 of Love Like Lightning

“Well, yeah, that’s where it gets complicated. I obviously haven’t talked about what I’m doing here for work. I assume the Wrights have their reasons for not telling their kids just yet.”

“They didn’t have us sign anything saying we can’t talk about what we’re doing.” He pulls into a parking spot off to the side of the main building and cuts the engine.

“Right, but it wouldn’t be prudent for anyone to tell the kids before they’re ready. Especially me, considering the situation I’ve gotten myself into.”

It’s an easy out. If Cam explicitly tells me to keep my mouth shut, I could just wait for Henry to find out from his parents.

I almost want him to tell me not to say anything. It would be the easier route.

The easier route would have been to avoid this whole entanglement with Henry altogether.

The thought flits across my mind, but I don’t give it any attention. I’m finally at the point where I can admit that what happened between Henry and I, what’s happening now, was probably inevitable. It feels that way at least.

“Listen, I’m not telling you to give him the rundown of every plan we have or how dire things really are for their parents—”

“Yeah, but—”

“If you like the guy…I don’t know, Gia.”

“It sounds like you do know.”

“It’s not my business.”

This makes me laugh. “Technically, it is your business, considering that we’re here for a job, but thanks anyway.”

“All right.” He sighs, clearly over the conversation, and unbuckles his seatbelt. For the first time, I notice how tired he looks.

“Hey, is everything okay with you?”

“Oh, yeah. Just late nights. You know how I get on a project.” He forces a grin that looks so wrong on his face, but I don’t bother pushing it. It’s not like he’ll tell me if something really is wrong.

I follow Cam up the steps to the porch. He knocks twice before stepping back.

“Do you think they’ve got some questions about the timeline of everything?”

“They might, but Gina just really wants to thank us for the work we’ve done.” Cam shoves a hand through his hair.

“We really haven’t done much yet,” I comment quietly.

“We’ve given them hope that things can turn around, Gia.”

“Hope means we get cake?”

“Or pie,” he offers.

The door opens, but instead of Gina or Marc, Henry is there.

Shock rocks my system, and it’s reflected right back at me in the way he looks at us.

“Hey, Gia.” Henry’s eyes dart between Cam and me. “Sorry, this probably isn’t the best—”

“Hammer, you get back to the dining room. Thank you.” Gina comes up behind her son and shoos him away. He pauses for a moment, then walks back the way he came.

“Hey, you two. Come on in.” Gina greets us with a bright smile and ushers us inside.

“Thanks for having us. Are we interrupting?” Cam doesn’t take his jacket off, so I don’t either.

“No, no.” She moves farther into the lodge and starts down the hall.

---