“We’ll go home for lunch, sweet cheeks.We’ll see Dan later.”
After all, his entire belongings in the southern hemisphere were at the hut.He had to come back for those, at least, after he… After he’d finished doing whatever he was doing with Isabella.
Using reserves she didn’t know she had, Libby chatted happily to Serita in the reception area about the nonexistent New Year’s plans she’d made as she waited for her cab, half expecting Dan to appear in the doorway.But he didn’t, and the day his mom and Malek arrived sharpened in Libby’s mind.Dan’s heartbroken face.Left out in the cold.What was that he’d said about his belief that love lasted forever?
I will always love you, Isabella…
But last night, he’d said he wasn’t in love with her.Had he meant it?
The cab pulled up outside.
“Thanks, Serita.”Libby pushed up a smile and waved goodbye.“Give my best to Mr.Hehu.”
“I will.You take care, hon.See you sometime before you leave the island?”
“That would be nice.”
But not very likely.
Libby couldn’t imagine what reason she’d have to come back toAre Moananow that Isabella was here.It wasn’t like she’d be invited around for tea and cakes, nor that she’d accept the invitation either.
Desperately lacking air, Libby quickly strapped Karim into the cab and told the driver to go.She had to get away.She couldn’t compete with the history Dan and Isabella had together, and she didn’t want to mess with Dan’s head or ask him to choose.Where his heart lay was totally up to him, and deep down, Libby had always known that the future Dan and Isabella had once planned together hadn’t gone anywhere.They could easily be the Nation’s Favorite Couple again—and the British public would welcome it.Dan still hadn’t officially declined his BBC offer, and once he’d gotten his head out of vacation mode, he’d soon see the solid gold path ahead.Which was a far more robust path than the one Libby had very loosely spoken about last night as they’d drifted off to sleep.
Traveling Australia in a camper van?For god’s sake, Libby.
Daniel “the Lightning Strike” Jones was Britain’s national hero, a sporting legend.The other half of a showbiz couple.Not some eighteen-year-old on spring break, who’d leave his life behind to travel with her and Karim.
In a freaking camper van!
“Here we are.”
Libby blinked.The cab had already pulled up at Tia Rosa’s.
She paid the driver and got Karim out, singing to him about what they were going to eat, sprinkling sunshine and rainbows over the crappy ending to what had been such a lovely morning.
“Nibble, gobble, munch, it’s time for lunch.”Her voice cracked, and her eyes watered.
As she got into the hut, Karim darted off to his toys, and she headed to the kitchen.The sight of food didn’t help the sick feeling in her stomach, but she pulled a few items out of the fridge and called Karim to the table to eat.Her phone rang in her bag.Her heart leaped.
But it wasn’t Dan.It was Rick.
“Libs, hey!”
“Hi.You okay?”She switched the phone to her other ear as she helped Karim onto the chair.
“I’m fine,” Rick said quickly, “but listen.That Isabella?She’s on her way to Rarotonga.”
“Yeah, I know.”Libby sighed.“She’s already here.”
“You’re kidding me?Well, well, well.That sneaky…” Rick cleared his throat.“She gave me the slip in LA, but I didn’t think she’d get to you so fast.”
“You followed her to the States?”
“I had to.She was in a mess and completely alone—I got at least ten paps off her trail, and to thank me, she told me to fuck off.”
“Oh!What’s going on?”Then the bell of an announcement chimed in Rick’s background.“Where are you now?”
“Auckland.”
