Page 162 of Holiday Hire

I leave my slippers on the porch. We step inside, and as soon as the door shuts, I fret, "Am I in trouble?" I try to turn it into a joke, but it doesn't come out like one.

She tilts her head, asking, "I don't know, are you?"

I blink hard and look away. I hate lying to Willow. I detest that Alexander's mad at me. I don't know where he's going, and I can't stand Lance interfering in my life when he shouldn't be.

Willow's face falls. She pulls me into a hug. "Hey, everything's going to be fine. I don't know what's happening, but trust me, everything will be fine."

I mutter, "I don't know if it will."

She pulls back and adds, "I think it's time you tell me what's going on in this house."

My lips quiver. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She smirks, puts her hand on her hip, and tilts her head. "Do you think I was born yesterday?"

I don't say anything, shaking harder.

"Come on." She pulls me into the kitchen, then slides the chair away from the table, ordering, "Sit."

I don't move.

"Phoebe, sit down."

Not knowing what else to do, I sit.

She opens the fridge, grabs two bottles of beer, then pops the caps. She sets one in front of me and then sits beside me. She takes a long sip and then nods her head toward my bottle. "Go on, have a drink."

At a loss, I follow her lead.

We sit there, drinking beer until half of our bottles are gone, and she sets hers down. She smiles, asking, "Are you ready to tell me what's going on?"

"With what?" I question, trying to play dumb but doing a horrible job.

She tilts her head again, giving me a knowing look. "Phoebe, I know my brothers well. Something's going on between you and Alexander, so tell me what it is. Spill it, let's go."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I fib, but she can tell I'm lying.

She drinks another sip of beer, tapping her fingers on the table. She asks, "How many beers will it take before you tell me?"

I put my bottle down and stare out the window.

She grabs my hand. "Phoebe, it's okay, just tell me what's going on. I know you and Alexander are romantically involved."

My mouth turns dry. I swallow the lump in my throat, my heart pounding harder. I turn to her, and my eyes well with tears.

She scoots closer and puts her hand on my back. "Babe, everything's okay. Just tell me what's happening."

I can't help myself. I hate secrets. I loathe lies, and lying is all I've been doing. Willow's my friend, and I'm ashamed I've been covering things up. So it all comes pouring out.

"Alexander and I have... Well, I mean... We can't say anything because of the boys."

She arches her eyebrows. "What about the boys?"

"He doesn't want to hurt them."

She nods. "Okay. And why would the boys be hurt?"

I blurt out, "Because I'll be leaving soon."

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