I guess I’m finally listening to today’s horoscope, though.
Be courageous.
Well, it takes a whole lot of courage to face down Gemma Hadley and live to tell the tale.
“I don’t know,” I say, with a heavy sigh. “I guess I did at first. But the more I think about it, I’m not even sure. I’m starting to think I was just giving myself an excuse to be around her.”
“That makes sense,” she says softly, with a sigh of her own. “But what was your final play, bro?”
I shrug. “I didn’t really give in any serious thought, but I guess I was going to invite her on a date and then leave her there, and then, shit, I don’t know … send her a text telling her it was over? Or maybe not even do that. Just disappear, like she did.”
When I’m done, she flies to her feet and paces around the desk, her kaftan moving around like a cape. “You idiot!” she snaps, slapping me on the arm. “What sort of twisted bullshit is that, Harry? You love this girl and you were going to ruin it with some juvenile nonsense like that? I thought better of you. I really did.”
“I know, I know,” I mutter, sliding away from her on the seat’s wheels. “You don’t have to fucking tell me that, sis. I feel like an idiot now. Anyway, it’s not like I wrote it all down. It was just some vague bullshit. And I stopped thinking that way pretty damn quick. She’s too perfect, Gemma. That’s the truth.”
“Good.” She glares at me. “You need to let go of the past and follow your heart. Don’t you think I want to see my big brother happy?”
***
My eyes widen when I spot Grace moving across the field toward the dormitory buildings. Nick warned me she’d arrived, but hearing about her and seeing her are two different things. Even from here, I can see the fierce twist in her expression, her fists clenched at her sides.
She looks like a woman on a mission as she strides across the grass, taking big steps and then pushing the door open with her shoulder, disappearing inside.
I leap to my feet and head for the door, Gemma giving me a thumbs-up.
“Just be honest,” she says. “Just tell her the truth.Allthe truth.”
“Okay,” I say, wishing my heartbeat would stop pounding between my ears like a damn hammer. “I can do that.”
“Andtrynot to be a prick, Harry.”
I grin, flipping Gemma the bird before I walk across the office and out into the warm summer air. But I know it’s not the heat that sends beads of sweat sliding down my taut body as I approach the dormitory wing.
I’m glad that all of the camp-goers are on an excursion today. It means that Grace and I will be alone in the dormitory wing.
The last thing I want is anybody else intruding on our private moment.
I walk down the hallway to Grace’s room. I can hear her in there, huffing and muttering under her breath as she paces up and down. From the fabricwhooshingnoises, I guess she’s stuffing clothes into her suitcase.
I knock, the wood butting numbly against my knuckles. The only thing I feel right now is that damn thundering in my chest. I can’t believe the nerves that surge around my tense body.
“Yes?” Grace yells.
“It’s me,” I say.
She sighs loudly. “What is it, Harry? I’m a little busy right now.”
“Let me in, Grace,” I say.
“Why?” she snaps. “So you can lie to me some more? I know about Gemma, Harry.Okay?I know she’s here. I know you’ve got a little boy called Harry Junior. It’s all out in the open now, so don’t worry.”
“Grace, I—”
She storms to the other side of the door, stopping just short.
“No!” she hisses. “You don’t get to just explain this away. I heard you two in your office. I saw the look on her face when I mentioned you. You’re a user. In fact, guess what? The only reason I even agreed to come here in the first place was because I was going to trick you.”
“What?” I mutter.
