Page 61 of Race to the Beach

She didn't have any particular destination in mind, but she was in no mood to go back to her aunt's house just yet.Aunt Bonnie would have questions for her—questions she couldn't answer at the moment without breaking down in tears.How had she been so foolish as to let herself think that what they had was real?They’d simply fallen for their own act.

It was time to go back to Virginia.As soon as the race was over tomorrow, she was hitting the road.Of course, with the late start she wouldn't be able to drive the entire distance.She'd find a roadside motel to spend the night.Anywhere would be fine as long as it was away from Bluestar Island.

Chapter Twenty-Two

"Whatareyoudoing?"

Owen was full of anger when he turned in the parking lot to find Regan rushing up to him.He was angry at Regan for insisting on bidding on him when he'd told her he never wanted to see her again.

He was angry with Maxi for running off before he could explain to her why he hadn't mentioned the engagement ring.The truth was that he didn't know why he hadn't said anything about it.Perhaps it was because it crushed his pride.Or maybe he was embarrassed about how he'd let himself get reeled in by Regan's lies.In the end, he didn't know what parts of their relationship had been real and what was nothing more than fantasy.

But most of all, he was angry with himself for messing things up with the one woman who'd brought the light back into his life.Maxi had helped to heal his wounded heart.She brought the smile back to his face.She'd helped him to picture his future—a future he envisioned sharing with her.

And now it felt as though it had vanished like a puff of smoke slipping through his fingers.But it wasn't a dream, because the intense pain of loss in his heart was undeniably real.

He pressed his hands to his sides as he glared at Regan."You had no right to do that."

"What?Have the winning bid?"She sent him a Cheshire cat smile.

He remembered cringing at that smug look as they’d said their last words to each other."You know that I'm with Maxi, right?"

Regan arched a penciled brow."Really?Because it didn't look like it to me.If you are with her, where is she now?"

His back teeth ground together, holding back a string of anger-fueled words.They wouldn't help the situation."Regan, you need to leave."

"Not until I get the date that I bought and paid for."When he frowned at her, she said, "Unless you want me to go back inside and get my money back."

He did.He really did.But he had foolishly signed a paper agreeing to go on a date with the highest bidder.And he knew the hospital could use the additional funds.

"Fine," he said in a terse tone.It was the best he could do in the moment."Let's get this over with."

Regan moved to his side and slipped her hand in the crook of his arm.

He jerked away from her touch."What are you doing?"

"Oh.Relax.I don't know what you're making such a big deal about.You used to love having me next to you."

He shook his head."That whole relationship was a lie.You were a lie.There's nothing left between us."

Her eyes flickered with surprise."Do you really believe that?If so, then you’re the one that’s lying to yourself."

She certainly was the most stubborn person he'd ever met.And that was saying a lot.

He let the subject go.Nothing good would come of discussing their past.He was sorry he'd brought up the subject."Where do you want to eat?"

"How about your place?"

"No.Pick again."

"But I thought I paid for the right to choose."

"Pick again or this whole thing is over.Right here.Right now."

She sighed."Okay.You don't have to be so testy."She tilted her head to the side, as though giving it some thought."Isn't there a hibachi place on the island?"

He nodded."Little Moon Hibachi Grille.Let's go."

She sighed."You don't have to act like you're being dragged off to jail or something.Remember?We used to have a good time together."

---