"Yeah, well…maybe notthatmuch space."
Suddenly, his face lost all trace of humor. "I'm no Evan."
"I never said you were…" But then, I paused with a little wince. "Actually, I guess Ididsort of say that, huh?"
He nodded. "And not just once."
Heat rose to my cheeks. "So, if it weren't for Evan, you might've stopped by? Or texted? Or something?"
"Screw that guy," he said. "It was you comparing us that had me holding back."
I tried for a laugh. "So you were what? Punishing me?"
With a wry smile, he replied, "More like punishing myself. But you needed to know, he and I – we're nothing alike."
Too quickly, I said, "I know."
"But you keep forgetting." He gave me a look. "And phones go both ways, you know."
"Well maybe I didn't want to houndyou."I forced a laugh. "I mean…I bet you get hounded all the time."
He smiled. "If you'd texted, I would've answered."
I couldn't help but smile back. "So you're admitting it? Youdoget hounded?"
"Sure," he laughed. "One time, my favorite barista threw a pillow at me."
"Oh, come on! I can't be your favorite. I totally suck at the barista thing."
"And yet, you won't quit."
I didn't appreciate the reminder. "I can't. I might see Delaney." Desperate to change the subject, I leaned forward. "Do you know, Maisie hasn't heard from her either?"
Judging from his face, he didn't understand the significance. "And that's odd, because…?"
"Because they're best friends."
He sat back in his chair. "They are?"
"Yeah. Didn't I mention that? That's the reason I came to the island in the first place. I was thinking my sister might be at Maisie's."
He paused as if thinking. "And how do you know Maisie hasn't heard from her?"
"Well…I didn't want to ask outright, because Maisie would never tell me."
"And you know this how?"
"I just do. Maisie isDelaney'sfriend more than mine. She'd never choose me over my sister."
"Who says she'd have to choose?"
"Well…let's say Delaney asked Maisie to keep her location a secret. AndIasked Maisie where Delaney was. It's pretty obvious what Maisie would do."
"And what's that?"
"She'd give Delaney a heads-up, and then I'dneverget ahold of her."
Ryder frowned like he wasn't buying it. "Do you always assume the worst? Or only when it comes to your sister?"
