Page 35 of Passions & Peonies

A tiny snort escapes. “Where’s Will? Hiding?”

“He’s hosing off the patio.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. “Is he mad? Does he want me to leave? He has to go to work tomorrow… or today. I have no idea what time it is.”

“Absolutely not. They feel horrible for taking us to that restaurant.”

“It’s not their fault. It could’ve happened anywhere. But why did it have to be me? Are you guys okay?”

“We’re fine. It only takes one piece of—”

I cover my ears. “Don’t you dare say that word.”

“Sorry! Sorry!”

My hands drop to my lap. “Are you sure he’s not mad?”

“It’s all good. Relax. I was pissed off at him at first—he wouldn’t let me in the damn bathroom to help you. I mean, who the hell does he think he is? We exchanged a few heated words, but then it clicked. No man would act that protective if he didn’t have strong feelings for you. I know you want to deny it, but it’s true. You’re both going to have to come to terms with it. And the clock is ticking.” She taps an invisible watch on her wrist.

“I might have told him that I’ve fallen for him. I thought I said it to myself, but then he gasped, so maybe I said it out loud. Is a gasp a good thing or bad? I pretended like I didn’t say it. He kept quiet and eventually left the bathroom.” I pull my legs up to my chest and rest my chin on my knees.

“I wouldn’t worry—he’s already changed the sheets on his bed so you have a clean place to sleep. If he had any negative thoughts, he wouldn’t have done that.”

“Hell, no. I’m not sleeping here.”

“Oh, yes, you are. You don’t have the energy to walk back to the room. Anyway, it’s a hell of a lot better than sleeping in a hotel when you’re like this. Don’t worry—I’m not letting you stay here alone. I packed some stuff for the both of us.”

She unzips a black duffel bag and pulls out my pjs and my travel case. “Your toothbrush and toothpaste are in there too. Do you want me to help you change?”

I shake my head and unzip the travel case. “I can do it. Just give me a few minutes alone.” She nods and walks out, closing the door behind her. I hear mumbling through the door, but I don’t care.

I crawl over to the sink and pull myself up, then look in the mirror. My eyes squeeze shut at the horror reflecting back at me. I’ve changed my mind. A shower is a must. This is the most mortifying thing that has happened to me.

How could he ever look at me the same again?

Chapter 15

Will

I turn off the water and inspect the soaked patio and bushes. Good enough for now. I coil the hose and place it in the corner. Sky’s in the bathroom with Lacey right now, but the only thing I can think about is that she’s fallen for me. Not falling, butfallen. That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard, even at a horrible moment like this. She stilled after she said it. I don’t know if she realized she said it out loud.

I want to wrap her up in my arms and take away the pain. But I know she won’t let me. I wouldn’t let her touch me either. My instinct to protect her was immediate and took me by surprise. At that moment, I realized, or maybe finally admitted to myself, that I have fallen for her too. I keep making excuses as to why I can’t care for her so much or how ridiculous it is to feel this way about someone in such a short amount of time. But there are things in life I will never understand. Even Sawyer’s constant negative comments about love didn’t prevent me from falling. I have to tell her how I feel before she leaves. Where we take it from there, I have no idea. Could we handle being apart for so long?

I open the door to the house and head to the kitchen to wash my hands. Josh and Sky come around the corner from the hallway.

“How’s she doing? Does she need anything?”

“She seems to be better, but she’s completely spent. She said she didn’t want to shower, but I hear it running. Hopefully that will make her feel better, or at least alive again. I can’t believe she’s the only one who got sick. She’s worried that you might be upset.”

“She’s crazy. I’d do anything for her.”

“Yeah, I think we’ve all figured that out. Maybe you should tell her that before it’s too late. Hmm?” she encourages me, then turns and walks into the living room.

I clean the kitchen quickly to give Lacey some time alone, but it’s been a while now. Instead of telling Sky to check on her, I go to my room instead. I put my ear to the door and hear nothing. A lump forms in my throat.

I tap on the door. “Lacey, are you okay?”

I hold the doorknob, waiting for her response. It’s quiet. Not good. If she’s naked, I don’t care. I quietly open the door and find her sitting against the tub with wet hair and pajamas on. She looks up at me with droopy eyes, and I realize it’s definitely my heart that has the lasso around it now, and she controls the rope.

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