Page 21 of The Sound Of Silence

“One of those angels they banished to hell?” Willow asks, her face alight with happiness that I can only imagine stems from essentially calling me the devil. Something I use to my advantage.

“If that’s the case, someone as sweet and innocent as you are should surely stay away. We wouldn’t want to tarnish your reputation.”

Willow doesn’t flinch, but Pippa sucks in a breath, her nails digging farther into my leg. Without looking her way, I can feel her heated gaze, while Willow’s soft smile remains.

“Reputations can only betarnishedif you care about them,Jesse. I gave up on that a long time ago.”

Though I don’t show it, her words are like a stab to my chest, the pressure of the knife crushing my soul.

“Is now a good time to discuss our living arrangements?” Pippa interrupts with a weariness to her voice that has my eyes flashing to hers.

“What living arrangements?”

“You got us kicked out of the inn,” she says nonchalantly. “We’ve got until tomorrow and then we’re homeless.”

“What the actual fuck?” I have no words. She’s obviously referring to the tiny dent in the wall from when I slammed open the door.How the hell did she even know about it?

“It’s fine. We’re going to stay at Willow’s,” Pippa adds and my pulse spikes.

Like hell we are.“I’ll talk to ourlovelyhost and get it all fixed up.”

“It’s fine; it’s locked in,” Pippa counters.

“So, unlock it.”

“Jesse.”

I can feel Willow’s eyes ping-pong between mine and Pippa’s as we talk, and it takes everything in my power not to look her way.

“There’s no point putting Willow out when there’s a perfectly suitable room at the inn.”

“It’s not perfect according to Marley,” Willow says with her tongue firmly lodged in her cheek so that she doesn’t laugh. Of course she'd choosethatmoment to speak, making me want to snap.Whose side is she on, anyway?I would have thought she’d hate to have me stay with her.

“I’ll settle up the check and meet you both out front. We can talk about this later,” I say before jumping up and walking away, not allowing either of them to respond. I can’t stay at Willow’s house. What a joke. I’d rather drive the ten or so hours back to San Francisco after the celebration ends and come back again Monday, or try my luck sleeping under the stars. Both options are less dangerous than Pippa’s brilliant plan.

Kicking us out because of a scratch and—

“Hold up, hot shot,” Willow calls out and I cringe, an icy feeling coursing through my veins. The couple at the table next to me laugh at my expense as she continues whining. “I can pay my way.”

Ignoring her, I continue on my path and hand over my credit card, telling the cashier that I’m paying for the whole group.

“I know you heard me,” Willow demands as she reaches me. “What’s your problem?”

She may be angry, but her voice is barely above a whisper as she leans in. She’s so close that her breath cools my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

“I don’t have a problem,” I snap back, also whispering. “I’m just paying for our meals.”

“I don’t need you to pay for me. And that’s not what I meant.”

I know what she meant, but I’m not discussing it. Ican’tdiscuss it.“Too late,” I say with a shrug as the cashier hands over my receipt. “Bye, Willow.”

Walking away, I leave her standing in place with her arms crossed over her chest, undoubtedly shooting a glare into the back of my head. It should satisfy me that I’ve riled her, but it doesn’t. Making her hurt physically pains me. But the alternative is much worse.

On the way back to the inn, Pippa threads her arm through mine, obviously ignoring the metaphorical steam coming out of my ears. She’s been doing this more and more since we arrived, and it’s driving me crazy.Is she no longer capable of walking alone?

“I can’t believe Ashley didn’t even thank you for volunteering your time,” she says out of nowhere, referring to my impending speech, her tone laced with bite.And damn…I’d somehow managed to forget about it. I’m actually glad Ashley never brought it up. And I doubt Pippa actually cares. I’m sure she’s just finding reasons to be pissed off. “Do you think she looked washed out in that dress? It definitely wasn’t her color,” she continues, changing the topic so quickly that I actually chuckle.

“Careful, your jealousy is showing, and we’re supposed to be in love.”

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