I wince. “Did I really need to know that?”
He laughs. “I guess not.”
He eyes me from the corner of his eye and I know he’s appraising me. “I thought you disappeared off somewhere with Mara, but I guess I’m wrong. Am I wrong?”
Fuck!
“Partly.” I hate this. “She suddenly disappeared from the room with her hand over her mouth so I followed to check on her. She was sick. Apparently she ate one of the prawns not realizing what they were because of the dimmed lighting.” I shrug my shoulders. “She seemed okay when she went back in to the room, but I n
eeded some fresh air.”
I’m staring out toward the golf course and can feel his eyes on me, trying to gauge whether or not I’m telling him the truth. I can honestly say that until Mara, I haven’t lied to him. Not once. And now I feel like the biggest dick around.
“You coming back inside?” he asks, obviously reading truth in my statement. I really feel sick.
“Rehearsal starting yet?”
“In thirty.”
“I’ll be back in for that.”
“Okay.” He walks back inside and leaves me with my screwed up thoughts again.
Turning to gaze up at the stars, Dahlia bursts through the doors causing a ruckus followed closely by Ryder who looks pissed. I lean back against the porch railings and watch.
“You are an insensitive jerk,” Dahlia shouts over her shoulder at him.
His jaw hardens as he grabs her arm and turns her to look at him. “What the fuck Dahlia? They are your half sisters and you’re letting them walk all over you and treat you like shit. Don’t take your temper out on me.”
“Not all of them are,” she whispers sounding upset and Ryder seems to deflate at her words.
He takes her hand. “C’mon. I’m taking you home. I’m not letting you be subjected to them again tonight.”
I watch as they disappear to Ryder’s truck.
Ryder and Dahlia. Who knew they’d get together, and who’s against Dahlia? The top of my list for causing trouble would have to be Sarah. I can’t imagine Mara being in the middle of anything at least not where Dahlia is concerned considering she always goes out of her way to talk to her.
“Hey,” Mara interrupts, slipping her hand into mine.
Wrapping my fingers around hers, I bring her hand up to my lips for a quick kiss.
“Hey, yourself. Won’t you be missed?”
“Not yet. Reece asked me to come get you.”
I frown at her words. “He did?”
“Yeah. I’m not sure what he’s up to, but I’m not going to complain because I need to touch you.”
I look more closely at her and she looks nervous. Pulling my hand free, I cup her face and pull her gently into me. “Tell me.”
Her eyes close before she opens them but with tears on her lashes. Leaning down, I kiss each one before resting my forehead against hers—one of my favorite places—wondering what the hell has happened.
“Sarah saw us together.” My eyes widen as she offers me a wry smile. “She caught sight of us leaving the restroom and waited until you’d disappeared before letting me know.”
Realizing she’s worried and needs comfort, I pull her into my arms and hold her close. Right now while I’m trying to reassure her with my arms around her, I don’t care who the hell sees us. She’s my girl and this is my right.
Tell that to Reece!