“Okay.” She hugs her arms around herself, shivering slightly in the cold air.
“Why were you out here without a wrap?” I ask her, moving close and pulling her against me to warm her up.
“I just wanted some air and then you came out.”
“And you wanted to eavesdrop in case I was hiding anything from you.” It’s more of a statement than a question because I already know the answer.
She looks down. “Maybe.”
“Shannon.”
She lifts sad blue eyes to mine.
“I don’t know what’s happening with your mom and Sandra, but you have to believe it has nothing to do with me.”
“I know.” She shivers slightly. “Can we go inside?”
“Of course.” I take her hand, and we walk back into the reception area.
“It’s not that I think you’re involved,” she says after a moment, moving to stand by the beautiful Christmas tree where we’d taken so many pictures this week. “It’s that I don’t trust myself.”
“Meaning what?”
“If my mother is behind this, and she’s the person I’ve leaned on and trusted most in all of this, in almost everything since my father died…what does that say about my ability to read people? To build strong relationships? I mean, you’re a spy!” She drops her voice, hurriedly looking around apologetically. “Sorry, I’m just upset.”
“It’s okay.” I reach for her, pulling her into my chest, which seems to be the one place she’s most calm.
“I’m really out of sorts.”
“It’s okay.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “What can I do?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you want to do tomorrow? I thought we would rent a car and drive back to Cologne, but it’s up to you.”
“I…” She seems conflicted. “Would you believe I haven’t even thought about how we’re getting home? I forgot we were ending in Switzerland.”
“You want to stay on the boat and sail back? It’ll take us through Christmas, but I’ll make it work if you want to do that. Give you another week to clear your head.”
She shakes her head. “No, I need to deal with this and move on, one way or another. But thank you for being here for me. For everything you’ve done. I don’t deserve you.” She squeezes my hand, turns, and goes back into the lounge.
What the fuck?
Did she just dump me? Given me a gentle nudge out the door?
What just happened? She didn’t say goodbye or anything, but her actions speak way louder than her words. I take a deep breath and slowly blow it out before following her back to where we were sitting with Chris and Aubrey. I have a feeling tonight isn’t going to be nearly as much fun as the previous two.
Chapter 22
Shannon
We stay up late, drinking champagne and talking with Chris and Aubrey. They finally go up to bed around two, and Ace looks at me questioningly.
“You ready to go?” he asks quietly.
“Sure.” I don’t know what else to do. I hate being so out of sorts with him, but my heart is wrapped in a lot of confusing and conflicting emotions. Love, lust, duplicity, and more than anything else, betrayal.
I trust Ace not to let anything happen to me, but I’m suddenly very protective of my heart. I’ve wanted nothing but to be with him for so long, and now that it’s happening, I’m not sure it’s the right thing.
