Page 103 of All Signs Point to Malibu

I force the sense of longing away as I glance toward the stands and the scout sends me a nod. It’s short, brief, but so full of meaning that I finally feel myself relax. Marcus has a bright, amazing future ahead of him.

On the field, the team rushes to their star quarterback and hoists him up onto their shoulders, celebrating the touchdown, the victory, but more importantly the rare moment of being part of something special. As they pass by, Marcus sends me a grateful look from beneath his football helmet as he raises his arms in the air.

I sit in a booth at Malibu Moon and clutch a coffee cup nervously. On my cell phone, I scroll through the social media hashtag #CancelHaileyHarris. My followers have dropped off even more and those who have stayed are deeply disappointed in my actions. Each comment is more disheartening than the previous one.

Money obviously doesn’t buy loyalty.

How many other clients has she manipulated to further her own agenda?

I never believed that was her real hair.

Liam enters the café and looks apprehensive as he approaches the booth. With his hands shoved into his shorts pockets and a reluctant gait, he’s not looking forward to this face-to-face any more than I am. I put the phone away and my brain is scrambled on what to say. We haven’t spoken since the kiss and the cooldown period hasn’t done much to calm my frantic thoughts and conflicted heart. How do I break it to him that I’m not into him, not wanting to rekindle our relationship, that I was just trying to stop him from making a huge mistake?

I can’t tell him the truth. I learned that lesson from my confession to Warren. I don’t need this secret circulating. If social media was trying to kill my reputation for a kiss, having a secret superpower would have me trending in ways I never want to happen.

But I invited him here this morning to clear the air, so I have to say something...

He sits across from me and we both speak at the same time.

“I’m not in love with you!”

We both stop, stare at one another, and simultaneously slowly relax.

He sits back against the plush seat of the booth and gestures for me to speak first.

I’ve basically said what I need to, but I should probably elaborate. I take a deep breath. Best to start with an apology. “I’m sorry I meddled in your relationship.”

He nods slowly. “Appreciate that, but I’m the one who freaked out and kissed my ex-girlfriend at my wedding.”

“So, we’re both to blame.”

Liam shoots me a look.

“Like 60/40 in your favor,” I say.

Liam sighs as he leans forward and folds his hands on the table. “Sonia refuses to talk to me. The front desk at the resort has literally banned me from entering. She won’t answer my calls or texts.” He looks tired and truly wrecked and my guilt only increases. I thought apologizing and clearing the air would help ease how shitty I feel about all of this, but seeing him this upset makes it worse. He deserved to be happy. Deserves to be happy...

If only...

Nope. No more meddling.

“She wasn’t thrilled to see me either,” I say. Even if I wanted to keep messing with their relationship, Sonia’s not having anything to do with me.

Liam looks surprised. “You saw her? How? Your photo is up at the front desk of all Banks Resorts.”

Right, the “do not admit this unhinged person” sign. Social media caught wind of that too and nowthat’s a trending meme. I’m all over the internet these days and not at all in a good way.

“A hotel staff member was a previous client...he let me in,” I say in explanation.

“How is she?”

“Angry. She threw things...said things...” I shake my head. “Doesn’t matter. I just feel horrible. If there’s any way I can help you get her back...”

Liam shakes his head quickly. “I think you’ve done enough.”

Right.

“The thing is, Hails. While this whole thing was a disaster, I think it made us both realize that we aren’t quite ready to get married.”

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