Page 101 of Obsession Under the Southern Stars

“She did.”

I feel a sweep of joy. “Oh my God, that’s absolutely fantastic.”

He grins at me. “Yeah, it’s pretty good news.”

“So what happens now? Wasn’t he due to fly out on Monday?”

“Yeah, but he’s canceled the flight. He’s asked her to consider moving to the UK with him. She’s thinking about it.”

I press a hand to my heart. “Oh…”

“I know. It would be hard for all of us. But I actually think it would be really good for her, allow her to spread her wings, you know?”

I nod slowly. “Yes, of course. I’d miss her terribly, though.”

“I know. You’d just have to make sure you had something else to distract you.” He gives me a mischievous smile.

I return it, then look out of the window. My heart picks up speed at the thought of all the change that’s happening right now. I hate the way everything feels so out of control, including me. I’m pleased for Elora, of course. I can’t wait to see her and congratulate her on being proposed to. It was clear how strong her feelings for Linc were, and it’s such an incredibly romantic story.

But I’m going to miss her so much if she goes. The last few years at the museum with her and Hallie have been such fun.

As if he’s reading my mind, Joel says, “By the way, Fraser and Hallie have been seeing one another.”

My jaw drops for the second time that morning. “What?”

He laughs. “I know. I saw Hallie’s jacket in our apartment yesterday, and when I mentioned it, he didn’t deny it.”

“Oh my God! Is it serious?”

“You know Fraser. He said something flippant when I asked him, then added that he was working on it. He’s liked her for a long time, I think, but he wouldn’t make a move on her while she was with Ian.”

“Like you with me and Charles?”

He shrugs. “We were brought up to be respectful. Sometimes I wonder if that can be interpreted as not being interested though. Maybe it’s better to just take what you want.”

I think about Rory, and my stomach flutters. All these years, maybe my parents have interpreted the fact that I haven’t complained about what happened as acceptance. That I’m happy with how things have turned out.Maybe it’s better to just take what you want. Is that the case? Should I upset the applecart, even though it’s bound to cause pain and anguish to everyone concerned?

“Do you think the Bible is right that the truth will set you free?” I ask softly.

Joel doesn’t speak for a moment, taking the State Highway, leading north out of the city. “I don’t know,” he says eventually. “Theoretically, and morally, I guess the answer’s yes. When in doubt, it’s easier to speak the truth. But are there times when it’s best to lie? Or to keep the truth to oneself? Perhaps.” He glances at me. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“Maybe later, if that’s okay.”

He nods. “All right. Let’s get home. Then we’ll go out into the forest, and maybe then you’ll feel ready to talk.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Joel

It’s clear from the moment I pick Zoe up that something’s happened since the last time I saw her. Despite her trying to cover it with makeup, her pale face is blotchy, and her red eyes have dark shadows beneath them. She’s obviously been crying.

I don’t comment on it, though, sensing she’s not quite ready to talk. Instead, I chat for a bit about Greenfield, telling her about the school and my life growing up on its grounds. I didn’t personally go to school there—Fraser and I went to a ‘normal’ school about fifteen minutes away, but we spent a lot of our free time with the students there, as Dad hoped we’d have a civilizing influence on those kids who hadn’t been taught that love and respect are more important than keeping face.

“Your dad was lucky the two of you weren’t beaten to a pulp,” Zoe comments. “It would have been easy for kids like that who are used to being in gangs to pick on nice guys like you.”

“Yeah, it never happened,” I reply. “Kids who came to the school had been taken away from their friends and family, so they were immediately on the back foot. The teachers came down quickly and harshly on any attempt to create gangs, and guys who were looking for trouble were soon separated. All the students were kept extremely busy—there wasn’t time for them to cause too much havoc. Not every kid was turned around, of course. But most of them realized they were being given a second chance. They had all kinds of opportunities here to build a new life for themselves—to get training and education, and to get a proper job, and the majority took advantage of it.”

“And now Elora’s going to marry one of them.”

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