Page 27 of Jilted
“Depends on the question.” The corner of his mouth quirked up, and she knew he was teasing, trying to lighten the mood.
“Why now, Brett? We’ve been friends for years and not once have you ever shown any interest in me like you did last night. So, why now? Are you trying to use me to fill the void left by Vanessa?” She chewed nervously on her bottom lip as she waited for him to answer. Although, she wasn’t sure she wanted an answer.
“I would never use you to fill a void.” He settled on an elbow beside her, his hand resting on her knee. “This whole thing with Vanessa has me re-evaluating life and the choices I’ve made in my relationships. And I don’t know...being here with you has made me see you in ways I didn’t think were possible.”
Her heart raced, and her breath caught in her throat. “What kind of ways?”
He trailed his finger up her leg and down again to rest on her knee. “The same way you’ve seen me.”
She swore her heart stopped. How the hell did he know that? Amy had always been so careful to keep her true feelings hidden from him, locked away deep in her heart. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat.
“I meant what I said last night. This can’t happen.” She stood, intent on getting away from him before she changed her mind and threw herself at him.
Brett was on his feet after her. “Why not?”
“When I found out you were marrying Vanessa, I knew our friendship was over. Whether you wanted to admit it or not, it was. I resolved myself to that fact, and it hurt like hell, but I was dealing with it. And now this.” She waved her hand toward the picnic and the beach. “It’s too much, and I won’t go through the pain of losing you again. We’re friends, Brett. That’s what we do best. Don’t ruin it.” Amy snatched her purse from the ground and walked away. Her entire body was shaking, and she hoped Brett didn’t notice.
“How long?” he shouted after her.
She stopped and turned to face him. “What?”
“How long have you had feelings for me?” He walked toward her.
“Does it matter?” That was something she didn’t want to tell him. It would make her look pathetic, and that’s not how she wanted Brett to see her. Nor did she want any sympathetic looks or false admissions from him.
“How long, Amy?”
Fighting back tears, she looked him in the eyes and said, “Since the day I met you.”
Brett didn’t know what to say or do, so he let her walk away. Since the day I met you. Christ, how the fuck had he been so blind to that?
“Sonofabitch!” He kicked at the sand. “You just don’t know when to keep your mouth shut, do you?” he muttered. “You just had to pry.”
He grabbed the blanket, rolled it up, and stuffed it inside the picnic basket, all while berating himself for being so dumb. He gathered everything in his hands and went back to the bungalow only to find it empty.
“Amy?” After checking the bedroom, bathroom, and balcony, it was clear she was gone. He had to find her and make things right. He had no idea how, but he sure as shit was going to try.
All her things were still lying around, so she wasn’t attempting to leave the island. That was a good sign. Maybe she went for a walk or something. He scrawled a quick note to let her know that he was out looking for her and to stay put if she came back. Then he left.
Brett checked every restaurant and shop he passed. No Amy. And no one had seen her, either. It was a goddamned island! How far could she have gone? Then he caught sight of that familiar chestnut hair coming toward him along the shoreline.
He ran to her. “Amy,” he said, slightly out of breath. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“I needed to clear my head. I’m sorry I ruined your surprise,” she said, keeping her gaze hidden from his.
Brett put his finger under her chin and titled her head up. “I don’t care about the surprise, Amy. I care about you, about us and what’s happening.”
“There’s nothing happening.” She turned her face away from him.
He clutched her chin and pressed his mouth to hers, slipping his tongue past her lips and tasting her sweet warmth. Just like every other time, she responded to him by wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning closer to him. She nipped at his bottom lip, and he groaned.
“Don’t tell me there’s nothing happening here,” he said.
Then, without warning, it started to rain. Hard. A deluge of water poured down on them, soaking them instantly. Brett grabbed Amy’s hand, and they ran toward the closest building, taking shelter under the awning. Moments later, all the lights went out on the island, casting them in near darkness. Black clouds had rolled in and stolen the sunshine.
Beside him, Amy laughed. “I say we make a run for it.”
“To the bungalow? It’s a ten-minute walk on a good day,” he said.
