“There you are,” Marit says as she and Isabella walk up to me. “You’re finally alone.” Marit playfully pokes me.
“Dancing the night away with Evan Sotherby, good choice,” Isabella says.
“Did he ask you out?” Marit asks.
“He did,” I say, causing them to squeal with excitement. “I turned him down, though, well . . . I actually told him I wasn’t sure.” I sigh and lean my elbow on top of the high-top table. “I don’t know, just doesn’t feel right.”
“I get that,” Isabella says. “But at least you took the first step tonight and allowed yourself to talk to someone else.”
“Exactly.” Marit takes my hand. “The first step is the most important.”
Maybe it is.
* * *
“Areyou feeling better than when you first arrived in Marsdale?” Lara asks me as we make our way to the airport.
I said my goodbyes to Isabella and Marit this morning, and we promised to visit each other as much as possible. I also said goodbye to Pala and Clinton and thanked them for their hospitality. Chef Martin made me some fresh croissants and jam for the trip, which of course made Isabella and Marit smile knowingly.
“I am,” I say. “I think I needed that time away.”
“You did.” She clears her throat. “And spending the whole night with Evan Sotherby, that was a turn of events I wasn’t expecting.”
“Okay, when you say whole night, you make it seem like he spent the night with me, and you and I both know that didn’t happen.”
“Fine, you spent the whole party with him.”
“Better,” I say with a smile. “And yes, he was nice to talk to. I enjoyed his company.”
Lara nods and looks out the window, indicating she’s hiding something. I know her too well at this point.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I ask. “And don’t say nothing, because I know it’ll be a lie.”
She rolls her head to the side, a smile playing on her face. “We need to distance our relationship; you’re becoming too in tune with me.” I laugh, and she continues, “It’s just interesting that you ended up talking to Evan.”
“Why? Do you know him?”
“I do,” Lara says. “He’s very well decorated and has immense clout in the government.”
“Oh, so lord of the Sotherbys is actually something special?”
She chuckles and shakes her head. “No, that’s just some silly title his dad likes to cart around. This is outside of his last name. He’s worked very hard as a secret operative for Torskethorpe. Theo is a big fan of his.”
“Oh,” I say, surprised by that. “He didn’t mention that.”
“Of course he wouldn’t. Evan is really humble. Great guy actually. I know he’s out of a job now with his retirement, but he’s an excellent resource if you ever need one who’s not Henrik, or anyone in the palace for that matter. He’s been through the ins and outs of government business with Torskethorpe. His parents are a bit much, but that’s probably something you can look past.”
“Why do you say that as if I’m interested in him? Because I’m not. I mean, sure, he’s very attractive and charming and has a great sense of humor, but I can’t fathom even thinking about dating anyone right now.”
“I know,” Lara says. “Just for the future.”
And that gives me pause because it’s the first time she’s mentioned me moving on, or at least implied it.
Looking out the window, watching the rolling hills go by, I ask, “Do you really think Keller isn’t coming back this time?”
Lara heaves a heavy sigh. “I’d be the first one to tell you to hold out, that he’ll come back.” Her fingers twist together in her lap. “But I don’t think that’s the case this time. There hasn’t been any correspondence. Nothing. As much as it pains me to say . . . I don’t think he’s coming back.”
“How do you know?” I ask, feeling my heart in my throat.
