Page 49 of Taming Liberty

I watch the rise and fall of his chest, waiting for him to continue. Silence shrouds us for at least a minute, maybe two.

Is he not going to go on?

“Who is the person?” I ask, my voice as coaxing as I can get it.

He doesn’t answer. He looks like maybe he’s considering it, but then he blinks, and the teasing vulnerability is gone from his eyes.

I want to press. Pry. Cut him open and look inside, but instead, I trace his lips with my fingertips and let it go.

This was not what I wanted … but it’s something.

“It isn’t that I don’t trust you,” he says like he’s reading my mind. “I just don’t like to talk about myself or the people from my past. That’s all.”

Even after everything I’ve shared withhim,he doesn’t like to talk about his past. Got it.

“It’s okay,” I say, trying to believe it.

This thing with him … it’s weird. Erratic seems like an accurate way to describe it. Today things have been okay. Good, even. I don’t want to ruin it.

He massages my shoulder and kisses me, a silent thank you. When he pulls back, he gives me a small smile that I return.

“Sawyer and Anna are still downstairs,” I remind him, giving him the out I know he wants.

“Yeah,” he sighs. “I should probably go join them. Do you want to come with me?”

I shake my head. “No, that’s okay. I’m actually tired. I’m gonna take a nap.”

“Okay.” He kisses my forehead then shifts to the edge of the bed. “I have some work to do, but come check in when you wake up. I’ll make a nice dinner for us tonight, if you want.”

I give him a tight smile. “Sounds nice.”

He climbs out of bed, and I close my eyes while he gets dressed, faking sleep so he doesn’t bother with a goodbye.

As soon as the door clicks shut, I open my eyes. I listen to the muted voices downstairs, trying not to berate myself too hard for doing so little to help Naomi’s plan. I could’ve tried pulling the information she wants from him instead of trying to get him to open up to me.

I groan.

Maybe I’ll do better next time.

11

Angel

One week later

“Hang on, Annie!” Aurora screams from the back of the boat.

Anna, Annie, whatever holds tightly onto a tube and squeals with delight as Sawyer guides the boat from side to side.

Patrick and Aurora sit across from Lib and me but farther toward the end of the boat. Lib clutches my arm as Sawyer jerks the boat to the side, and Anna squeals again as the tube lifts. She’s been hanging on for a solid five minutes, which is impressive with Sawyer at the wheel.

I turn my head toward Lib and give her a smile, but she isn’t looking at me. She’s staring at the bench seat across from us, her eyelids drooping. Her face is a sickly pale color.

“Hey.” I use two fingers to gently guide her cheek so she’s looking at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She gives me a strained smile and nods, but I’m not at all convinced.

I told her this was a bad idea when she told me she sometimes gets seasick before we left the house. I knew it was a bad idea even without knowing she gets seasick, but when Sawyer invited us in front of Lib at dinner, she said yes before I could make up an excuse.

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