Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 388(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“They aren’t you, Ariel. They aren’t you.”
I blink up at him, my heart thundering. “They aren’t me,” I whisper. “And what does that mean, Alex?”
“It means Emily won a date with me,” he says. “But you’ve won something else.”
I swallow. “What have I won, Alex?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You’ve won me, Ariel,” he murmurs. “You’ve won all of me.”
Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I blink them back, but just one escapes.
“No tears,” he murmurs against my skin. “This is not a time for tears.”
“It’s just... This is all so overwhelming,” I say. “I never expected this.”
“Neither did I.” He tangles his fingers through mine and brings our hands to rest over his heart that beats beneath our touch. “But here we are. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I smile, kiss his shoulder.
I love you.
Three such simple words.
But he hasn’t said them.
But what else does “you’ve won me” mean? It means he loves me. Right?
“Alex...”
“Yeah?”
“Do you... I mean, are we...”
“I can’t speak for you, Ariel, but I’m in love. You’ve captured my heart. I never thought I’d be good at this—saying things like this, things that matter. I can spin a story, wrap a mystery around someone’s neck until they can’t breathe, but when it comes to saying words to someone like you...” He sighs. “You’ve been in my head since I put that jasmine behind your ear. Since I watched you gorge on sweet potato pie. I love you. No mystery, no plot twists. I just fucking love you, Ariel, and I know that surprises you, because it surprises the hell out of me.”
EPISODE 160
A THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE
Brett
"Do you know who could have sent the anonymous threats telling Ginger and Rachel not to return to the island?” I ask Evangeline. “Misty swears it wasn’t her.”
She sighs. “I have an idea, but I can’t prove it.”
“Tell me. Maybe I can prove it.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t. I can’t go around making accusations without being able to back them up. There are powerful people involved.”
“Listen to me,” I say. “You don’t need to worry about anyone else’s power. Tell me, Evangeline. Who do you think is responsible for Rachel and Ginger being gone?”
“I just told you, I can’t—” She jolts as her cell phone buzzes. “Oh!” she says, reading the text. “Good news. Sienna is on her way back. She should be here some time tonight.”
My heart thumps. Sienna’s coming back? My phone call did the trick!
Evangeline cocks her head. “You’re happy about this.”
“I am.”
She narrows her eyes. “Are you sure about that?”
“Of course. I like Sienna, and I’m glad she’s returning. I wish Rachel and Ginger had decided to return too.”
“Don’t forget you have a date with Misty this evening.”
My stomach twists. That’s right. And as much as I wanted Misty to be the next best thing to Jake, she just...isn’t.
I feel for her, though. She hasn’t had the easiest time, despite being raised with incredible wealth. So much I don’t know. I wish I could help her find her mother, but Lisa disappeared after Jake...
God.
I don’t let myself think about that.
Not ever. I still can’t deal with what happened to Jake.
But Sienna is returning. Sienna, who made me feel the most I’ve felt in twenty years. I could fall in love with her so easily. Part of me already has, and I didn’t even realize it until she was gone.
“Should I go to the mainland to meet Sienna’s flight?” I ask.
Evangeline shakes her head. “I’ll arrange for the ferry. You have a date, remember?”
Right. She just reminded me.
That’s okay. I have a date. But later, once Sienna returns, I want to talk to her. Find out if she came back for me.
“I’ve got a million things to do,” Evangeline says. “Did you need anything else?”
“As long as we’re clear that Heather and June can stay,” I say.
“Yes, yes, yes. If you don’t care if the ladies are fucking each other, why should I?” She lets out a huff.
I don’t care about Heather and June screwing around. In fact, the idea is pretty hot. I don’t care that Rachel and Ginger were screwing around either. But if I hear that Sienna is screwing around...
That will bother me.
“If you’re done...” Evangeline taps her foot.
“Just one more thing,” I say. “Who do you think is responsible for the anonymous threats that Ginger and Rachel received?”
“I told you. I can’t make an accusation without—”
I place two fingers over her lips. “Stop. Just tell me. I can buy and sell whoever you think it is. I won’t do anything without evidence. But if you have an idea, Evie, I can probably get the evidence we need.”
“I’m sorry.” She whisks past me. “I can’t.”
She disappears down the staircase.
I draw in a breath. Now what? I head downstairs as well. I’m getting hungry. Is it time for lunch? I told Evie that we needed a day off, which means nothing is planned. Not even lunch.