‘Well,’ Mandy frowned, aware there was more to this situation than seemed on the surface.‘We don’t have rules against men joining the groups, as long as most on the trips are women and the men joining us know this is an open, safe and accepting environment for women.’
‘And he’s agreed to that?’ I lowered my pointed hand, realising I was revealing too much.
Just smile, Lydia.
‘Yes,’ Ren replied.‘Of course I have, Lyd.’
My eye twitched, and I stared at Ren, smiling, whilst I tried to imbue all of my rageful thoughts through his thick skull.This can’t be happening.
‘Mandy,’ Ren smiled.Mandy gave a soft smile.Ugh, she practically melted.I wanted to stick pins in my eyes.
‘Do you think I could have a minute with Lydia before we head off?’
‘Of course.’
‘Come on,’ Ren said, pointing his head towards the tree at the edge of the hotel carpark.It provided shade and was far enough away that no one could hear us.
‘What makes you think I’ll go anywhere with you?’ I whispered through a smile.
Ren’s face grew closer, his smell enveloping me.‘Lydia, come on.I’m not some big scary monster.It’s just me.’
‘Fine.’
We stalked over to another tree in the middle of the green, feeling the eyes of the women behind us.
I whipped around.‘What are you doing here?’
Ren’s eyes shifted around.‘I’m coming on the trip.’
‘Why?’
‘Why what?’
Just smile, Lydia.
‘Whyare you coming on this trip?’
‘Because—’ he pulled his hair.‘I wanted to get out of Everly Heath, just like you.I could do with a new challenge.’
I knew this expression – the eye shifting, the frenetic energy, the vague statements.Something had happened and he wanted to escape.I knew better than anyone.
‘Surprise, surprise.You’re on the run again.What are you avoiding now?’
Ren’s voice was steady and sure when he said, ‘I’m not running.I told you I’m not going anywhere again.’
‘So why are you here?’
Ren cursed under his breath.‘I said I’d find a way to make it up to you.’
My eyes widened.Surely this wasn’t happening.I was dreaming.This was something I was going to wake up from in a cold sweat.
‘You don’t have to look so horrified, Lydia,’ Ren’s voice warbled.‘I just know you’ve been going through a hard time, and I thought you might need some… support.’
Ren scratched his jaw and shifted his feet.
I folded my arms.‘And following me around like a lost puppy will do that, huh?’
That riled him out of his coy performance.Good.
