Tayla noticed Knox watching the two of them.
When the conversation paused, Knox waved his hand from Jason to Tayla and back to Jason. “Keep talking. Don’t mind us.”
Jason glared at Knox. “You and Leland recon the ballroom area where the party will be tonight.”
“Sure. In a minute.” He waved his hand between them again. “Right now, I’m enjoying myself. I want to see how this plays out.”
Jason flexed his hands and Tayla prayed he wasn’t about to hit Knox. She wasn’t sure whether they’d crossed the boundary of the friendly-banter-zone.
“There’s nothing to watch,” Jason said. “We’re going dress shopping. You two recon the ballroom level.” His commanding tone returned, but Tayla didn’t mind. Shehad to swallow a laugh when he barked out, “we’re going dress shopping” like they were invading a country.
Knox gave a mock salute. Leland rolled his eyes.
Rowan just shook his head. “It won’t bother me if you guys leave. I can get more done with some quiet.”
She grabbed her purse and met Jason at the door. She’d never been dress shopping with a bodyguard before. This should be interesting.
Tayla considered the four evening gowns hanging next to the full-length mirror. The boutique owner knew her craft. She was friendly, polite, and listened intently to Tayla’s description of what she needed. In less than five minutes, she’d brought four strong contenders to Tayla’s dressing room.
Tayla tried the red one first. She adored the color, but when the swirling patterns of sequence caught the light from the dressing room chandelier, the dress looked . . . loud. Gorgeous, but not what she needed for tonight.
Maybe something attractive, yet sophisticated.
She picked up a black dress with spaghetti straps and a hint of shimmer. This looks promising.
She hoped Jason wasn’t making the boutique owner uncomfortable. Most men who accompanied women to a shop like this were husbands or boyfriends who fit into one of two categories: 1) happy to park in a chair and stare at their phone, or 2) overly interested, making requests to the boutique associate, and insisting to see every dress tried on.
Jason fit into neither. He paced.
She watched the shadow of his legs pass under the door to her dressing room over and over. First one direction, then the other. She felt like royalty for a moment—with her sentry marching to and fro at the gate of her castle.
Okay, Tayla, concentrate. He’s only here because of the incredible danger surrounding all of you.
Her thoughts drifted to yesterday. And to Leland.
She’d been so angry that he’d lied to her about his true occupation. But Jason and Knox were both right. She knew he concocted a cover story to keep her from worrying about him.
She’d done the same thing. And he still didn’t know. How hypocritical could she be? Guilt bubbled up in her chest.
Leland had always been so reliable. Her rock. She could never bring herself to show him the ugliest parts of her past. She didn’t want him to worry. Or to judge her for her mistake. The mistake that nearly cost her life.
She’d told herself so many times that she let Leland believe the lie about Spence to spare her dear uncle from worry. But if she was honest, her pride kept her from telling the whole story.
He’d looked so apologetic yesterday when her anger flared about him lying to her. The remorse in his eyes wrapped her in another layer of shame.
Yes, she knew exactly why he lied. He didn’t need to explain. He lied to her for the same reason she hadn’t been honest with him.
They both wanted to pretend life was simple. And happy. No drama. No fear. No danger. No mistakes.
But their carefully constructed facade was crumbling. And the tug on her heart was undeniable.
God, why does he need to know? I didn’t technically lie about Spence, I just let Leland believe the untruth that everyoneelse believed. It’s been years. Why do I need to tell him? He would be happier not knowing.
But she wouldn’t. She knew that now. If she was ever going to feel real peace, she needed to heed God’s whispering directions. And tell Leland everything.
Making that decision felt good. And terrifying.
Tears stung her eyes. And she knew she needed to refocus. Leland wasn’t here right now. She would talk to him later.
