Lily took his hand and stood up. He was rewarded with a whiff of lilies. “I tell you what,” she said. “Why don’t we walk back to the cottage and I’ll drive you to your car? You can go shower, I’ll finish up that blasted painting, and we’ll meet up this evening. We’ll talk about theprojectthen.”
“Deal.” He shookherhand.
She gathered her art supplies and scooped them into her arms while he retrieved the blanket. He only hoped he was making the right choice. He couldn’t sacrifice his entire future and all the hard work he had put into building his company just because he liked a girl. What was he,sixteen?
They made their way back to her house, and by the time she dropped him at his car, they had worked out a time for Allen and Josh to be at their home to take them to Ray’s ontheBay.
“I’ll see you in a few hours,” Lily said as she pulled to a stop next to his car. “Ifyoushow.”
“I’ll show.” He offered her his most reassuringsmile.
“Sure. We’ll see what you decide. Right now you’re still arguing withyourself.”
He stared at her for a moment then asked, “How do youdothat?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know. I guess I tend to study faces so much I notice when someone is lying, or thinking aboutsomething.
“Have you always been able todothat?”
Lily’s mouth drooped into a sad frown. “No, someone taught me how. That same person also showed me that some people can hide their trueintentions.”
In that moment, he wanted to find the man who had broken Lily and deck him. Maybe Allen was right. He really did like this girl, despite barely knowing her. But not enough to sacrifice his company. No way. Wouldn’thappen.
