Page 104 of Fall for You
“No, why did you offer to help her?” Dallas snapped.
Ugh. Seriously? Eric held his hands to the sides, palms out. “Because I’m a nice guy.”
This got scoffs from both Dallas and Ronnie.
Excellent. Now he could add Olympic snowboarder to the ever-growing list of locals who hated his guts for reasons unknown.
This day just kept getting better and better.
“So, you’re telling me the Spencers are suddenly interested in the Kings’ well-being?” Dallas sneered.
Eric looked away with a huff of derisive amusement. “I had no idea the Kings were so dramatic. It was just a ride for a woman in pain?—”
“Did your father put you up to this? Is that it?”
Eric blinked in surprise at the mention of his father. He turned his back on them as guilt and a nagging fear ate at him.
He’d been so worried about Willow, he hadn’t thought through just how angry his father would be if he knew about last night.
If he felt he had any reason to doubt Eric’s commitment…
“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” Dallas shouted. “I have questions?—”
“And I’m sure your sister has answers.” He didn’t bother turning back.
If anything, this lovely little detour was just one more reminder of all the reasons that kissing Willow had been a mistake.
A beautiful mistake. A mistake he’d never forget and would likely dream about until the day he died.
But a mistake nonetheless.
He got back in the Jeep and slammed the door. Revving the engine, he made his intentions clear, and this time Dallas moved, taking Ronnie with him. Eric didn’t bother glancing their way as he drove past, and he wasted no time looking in the rearview mirror.
Willow was home safe with her family, where she belonged.
Just like he belonged with his.
He might not know every detail of Rose and Charlie’s demise, but it was safe to say they were a cautionary tale.
Family came first. How many times had his father said that over the years?
Family first. Loyalty was everything.
This was what he knew to be true. An unshakable truth.
One he couldn’t afford to forget again or he might be kicked to the curb. If his father knew what he’d been doing with Willow, Eric wasn’t sure he’d ever get over it.
And he was definitely sure he’d be out of a job.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Ronnie watched Dallas fume as they drove the rest of the way to the inn. “You okay?”
“Yes.” He shook his head. “No.” He shot her a sidelong look when she didn’t respond. “I don’t know.”
She smiled. “I get it. If I ever thought anyone was taking advantage of Margot…”
Dallas nodded, his knuckles whitening where he clenched the steering wheel. “Look, I get that it might seem like I’m overreacting. But Eric and his family…” He trailed off with a shake of his head. Then he let out a sharp exhale. “They’ve made it clear they’ll do whatever it takes to get the contested lakeside land.”
