Page 2 of Fall

Damn, Izzy is a smart girl. He is hot with a muscular build and a small waist. He has this whole surfer look going on. Standing next to Izzy, they look like the perfect, California blond couple. Like they should be advertising surfboards or something.

"Good choice," I whisper to Izzy, making her laugh.

"She can stay here; Elliot's room is empty now, and we have others," Harley says, making everyone look toward him, including me. I don't think he ever stopped looking at me, and it's making me want to squirm under the pressure of his gaze. It's like he knows what I'm running from, and that scares me because no one can know. I ran from France, and from that man, so that people wouldn’t know. I only need a place to stay for a little while until my family comes here, and I hope I’m strong enough to tell them. The thought of telling them anything is making me feel sick.

"I can stay in a hotel. I don't want to put anyone out," I say, knowing my tone sounds as nervous as I feel.

"I insist," Harley says, and I know he isn't asking now.

The man is powerful, and I'm smart enough to know I need to be somewhere safe for a little while just in case my past finds me. This could be a good place to hide, to make sure he doesn’t find me. There’s no doubt he will look into my old home and find out I was friends with Izzy. I’m just hoping none of Izzy’s past can find her here.

"Well thanks, I’ll pay rent, of course," I say, knowing that I have more than enough to pay for a little while. I am lucky my career is going well enough that I can dip into my savings, but I know long term, I’ll need to plan things out.

"No, you won't. Izzy can sort out bed sheets for you," Harley says with one more look at me before walking away. I stand in shock for a second before realising I can’t do that. I won’t owe any man anything again.

"Hey! I will!" I shout at his back as he disappears out of the room, and I hear a chuckle from Harley in the kitchen, damn if his laugh isn't sexy, too.

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Tilly. Izzy has told me all about you since she came here," the man with the boxes says, holding out a hand for me to shake.

"You must be Elliot" I guess, remembering Izzy sending me photos of him next to a bike. I shake his hand with a friendly smile, which he returns, well almost.

"I'm Blake, but you've guessed that," Izzy’s boyfriend says as I let go of Elliot’s hand and look over at him.

"Yeah, from the fact that missy, over here, has sent me pictures of everyone. That was Harley, right?" I ask, gesturing to the kitchen area. I knew he was good-looking from the photos, but they didn’t do him justice. He is hella hot in person, too.

"Yes, but tell me all about France and why you're here early." Izzy is practically bouncing up and down in excitement as she talks, making me laugh. I did miss her.

"Come on, then." I smile and mentally rerun my excuse for being here over and over in my head. It’s not that I don’t trust her, but I just can’t tell her now. I hate lying, but I just can't tell her, or anyone. Not yet.

She takes my hand, leading me into a big living room area. It's fitted with three leather sofas and a big, old fireplace in the middle of the room. The room has light-brown walls, which match the dark wooden flooring throughout the house. There are two bookcases by the big window, filled with old-looking books, which I will have to have a look at, and the window shows off the impressive garden full of flowers.

Izzy pulls my arm, so I sit down next to her on one of the sofas, and she starts asking me questions, going a mile a minute. "So? Why did you come earlier? Why not wait? Are you okay? Why didn't you call me?"

"Beauty, maybe let her speak first," Blake interrupts with a smile at Izzy, who looks over at him as he sits on the sofa opposite us.

"Yes, sorry. I’m just so happy to see you. Video chats, phone calls, and emails aren’t enough," Izzy says with a little blush, and I squeeze her hand.

"No, I get it, and it's just work. I have a new client, and it was easier to meet him here than fly back home," I lie, well slightly. I do have a new author who needs edits done and wants to meet, but I don't need to meet her to edit her book. I can always video call if needed.

"Right." Izzy raises an eyebrow at me, reminding me how she always knew when I was lying when we were younger. I know she is about to call me on it, but I shake my head softly and she squeezes my hand. I have no doubt she will demand to know everything later, but for now, she is letting it go.

"What do you do for work?" Blake asks into the silence of the room, changing the subject.

"I’m an editor. I work for myself, which is nice, and I've edited one book that's now an international bestseller," I say, smiling at the thought of how lucky I got with that author. It’s been challenging to set up a client base, but I’m now fully booked for the next two months, and more and more orders are coming in. I also design book covers as an additional job, but it takes too much time when I would rather be editing.

"That's really impressive, Tilly," Blake smiles.

At that moment, a wave of sickness hits me hard, like it has been doing all damn week. I know I have to eat something or I will end up throwing up. I rip my bag open to find my ginger biscuits and pull out two. I glance up to see Izzy and Blake looking confused as I eat the second biscuit.

Damn, another lie; it’s not like I can tell them the truth, so instead I say, "Sorry, I haven't eaten all day and, well, I get sick if I don't eat."

"Okay, no worries. How about I go and cook us some breakfast?" Blake asks, still looking a little worried as he and Izzy share a strange look.

"Thanks, I would like that," I answer, and he kisses Izzy on the head as he walks out.

"You going to tell me the truth now?" Izzy asks the moment the door shuts.

"No, and please just let me talk to you in my own time. I can't. I just can't," I say, breaking into a sob I can't control.

---