First, holy mackerel had she screwed up in amazing proportions this time. Second, Crestone was worth that much? Wow.
She opened her mouth to speak but had no idea what to say so she closed it. Then she opened it again and closed it again. “I didn’t realize.”
He stared at her with raw intensity.
She glanced away. “I’ll talk to Sarah and I’ll find Rebecca.”
“No. No, you won’t. You won’t talk to anyone about this. I’ll call my attorney and somehow explain to herwhywe may need to issue a statement regarding my sexual health. She’ll love that.”
If he clenched his teeth together any tighter, they’d probably shatter. He waved a hand. “Not that I have much pride left anyway. It’s like the reality show all over again. The media will twist this, spin it, and tear me apart.”
“I am so sorry.” Acid burned her stomach. “So sorry.”
He studied his feet, and his right hand moved to his neck, rubbing the indentation near his back.
“You know what? So am I.” The emptiness of his expression when he glanced up didn’t only sting. No, it branded her.
“Will, it was an innocent comment. One I regret.”
“It wasn’t a comment. It was a lie.” This time he caught her gaze, and his disappointment colored every bit of his handsome face. “I thought I knew you better than this. But you know what? I don’t. I know nothing about you. Not really. I know you don’t like water, and I know the little crumbs of information you’ve tossed my way. What are you so afraid I’m going to find out?”
Where would she even begin? She didn’t want him to know so much, didn’t want him to remember.
“Lies of omission are still lies,” he said when she didn’t respond. His words were a direct hit that didn’t only burn, they cut.
She always sought out the truth and hated lies. William had paid attention to her in a way she wasn’t ready to acknowledge. No one had ever handled her with such care. He was genuinely compassionate toward her.
And she’d ruined it.
“I’m going for a hike.” The tone William used was neutral, like he didn’t care either way.
She couldn’t let him go alone. Not this upset. Not when it was her fault. Not when he had literally saved her life. “Can I come?”
He shrugged. “Whatever.”
She nipped her bottom lip with her teeth. “I’ll grab my shoes.”
Clearly, he was done pursuing her. And she could absolutely understand his reasons.
Good. It would be done.Theywould be done.
Damn.
Chapter Sixteen
In hindsight, wearing her Converse tennis shoes on the lake that morning was a bad idea. They were soaked. Unwearable. Which left her orange Hawaiian-print flip-flops. Looked like she was hiking in flip-flops.
She found William on one of the planked cedar benches. He leaned back against the outside wall of the cabin, his ankle crossed over his knee.
Lucy’s heart lodged in her throat. “Hey.” She took a step forward, unsure what else to say.
William had always treated her warmly, but this time he only gave a terse nod. His gaze didn’t meet hers. “I’ll carry the backpack.” He took the bag from her shoulder, avoiding any contact, before he slipped it over the strong muscles of his back.
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
She shuffled a few steps behind him in awkward silence, a nagging quiet that punctuated how badly she had screwed up.
William turned left at a fork in the trail.
