Page 19 of The Truth

“I havenolove life. I think we have long established that.” Not since she had been sixteen, anyway. And even that had just been some seriously tepid kisses before the dude had gotten out of hand, and Aubrey had shown up just in time to grab him by the hair and drag him off of Ayla. Aubrey had actually shoved him down the front steps so hard he’d landed on his face and broken his nose.

Aubrey had threatened to break his legs and his… um… pecker… next if he didn’t get out of there at that very moment.

He’d run so fast, he’d left skid marks. He’d been bigger than Aubrey, too. That was what was so shocking.

Aubrey could be kind of scary, maybe?

Deep down in that beautiful blonde Aubrey soul was a fierce wildcat, after all. It usually only came out when she was protecting someone she loved.

There was that word again: love.

It really was a remarkable thing.

“I think… if you really wanted to, you could have one particular guy very shortly. Gunn is really in to you. I wholeheartedly approve,” Greer said, snickering—and looking just like the man in question for a moment. It was the eyes—those Hiller eyes were killers.

“How do you know? I have never had a guy really in to me. What are the signs? Aubrey told me to just relax and take things as they happen, but… well… she’s Aubrey. She takes a single breath and has fifty guys mesmerized in an instant. Kind of annoying really. And it seriously skews all scientific observation.”

Okay, so she was definitely exaggerating, but Aubrey was the most physically beautiful woman Ayla had ever known. Guys looked at Aubrey everywhere they went. And always had.

It totally freaked Aubrey out, though. Her sister was really shy. Ayla had to protect her from large groups of people, most times. Especially googly-eyed men.

Aubrey was way shier than Ayla had ever been. Ayla had never had a whole lot of trouble talking to people. It had probably come from being twelve years old and stuck in a nursing home with many, many people far older than she was. They had always wanted to talk tolittle Aylawhen they could.

She had gotten lucky there, though. Several of the residents had made a point of protecting her and taking care of her while she had spent that first year there. Watching over her in a world, a place, she just had not understood.

She’d been hidden away by the state. No denying that.

She had talked to Greer about that before. About maybe someday doing something with her story publicly. So people wouldknow.And maybe not make the same mistake with some other kid out there.

“I think you took one breath and had Gunn mesmerized in an instant.”

“So what do I do about him now?”

Wasn’t that the biggest question?

Before Greer could answer, the sound of the front door opening had Ayla looking in that direction.

As if they’d conjured him out of thin air, Gunn and his beautiful clone, there he was. Gunn looked right at Ayla and stepped toward her—like he had been looking for her all along. “Hi. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”

“I’m the official Genny-sitter while Greer starts dinner, actually. I didn’t mind. Genny is behaving for once and everything. Hi. How are you today?”

“Great. I had a meeting in Finley Creek this morning, did some work on the back walkway to the barn, and then Grady and I fixed the ramp into your hallway. It’s sound.”

“Thank you.” She didn’t really know what to say right now. Was there some sort of romance handbook out there somewhere that would give her a step-by-step guide?How to Charm a Preacher Man in Five Days, maybe?

“Let’s move to the kitchen so we don’t wake her, and so I can toss in the carrots,” Greer said, handing Ayla her crutches. “Do either of you have any idea who is going to be here tonight? Gia was picking up Calvin at preschool. I think she’s grabbing Hala, too.”

“Plan on everybody,” Gunn said. “I’m sure everyone will show up here, eventually. Mom texted me today. About the barbecue menu. I think she’s planning to stop by to talk to you girls tonight.”

His hands were there, to help Ayla up when she stood. She technically didn’tneedhim to help her—she was at a good angle right there—but Ayla liked it when he put his hands on her. He felt… scorching. Made a girl want to press closer and everything.

She was so wicked. So, so wicked.

He looked right at her, and leaned closer. “There’s a new movie at the vintage Barratt theater in Finley Creek tomorrow night. A private screening. I have two tickets. Would you like to go with me? It has Quade Davis in it.”

“Is it the children’s movie about an archeologist getting sucked to an alternate world? That looks awesome.”

“TBFN co-produced. The reverend my meeting was with today—his son owns TBFN, and the movie complex in Finley Creek. Adrian and his wife were going to go, but they can’t—they’d already committed to a fundraising function with their oldest son. He’s the mayor. So… Adrian gave his tickets to me. Would you like to go?”

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