Jean leaned forward to clink glasses with their guest. “Hear, hear. And to the old ones. May the road rise up to meet them, so’s they ne’er forget where they’re meant to be a-going. Especially them what has a great deal on the line. Ahem.”
Okay. Hint taken. Time to get back on the Lillibet train. Libby looked around blankly, trying to remember where she’d left her glass.
Silently, Jefferson held it out to her.Hehadn’t lost track of her drink. Or failed to notice she was empty-handed. If he was this nice to a vapid, philandering disaster, Libby could hardlyimagine how well he must treat Hildy. Young, rich, and oh-so-lucky Hildy.
“Thanks,” she said quietly, before tossing back half of her margarita. Without thinking, Libby licked some of the tangy red salt from the rim.Oops.That wasn’t a very Lillibet thing to do. She rubbed her lips together, hoping no one had noticed.
Jefferson was staring at her mouth. Even though she knew he probably thought she had the manners of a preschooler, the cold drink turned to hot coals inside her.
“So what time is sunrise?”
Libby jumped at the sound of Hildy’s voice.
“We’re all doing yoga together, right?” the younger woman continued. “On the beach?”
The power of speech deserted Libby. All she could think of was blabbing to Jefferson that she wasn’t a morning person.
“Ach, no,” Jean said, shooting Libby a get-it-together glare. “She’ll not be a-stretching and a-panting like a doggie.”
It was Hildy’s turn to frown at Libby. “But I thought you said the countdown to Me-mas would start at dawn? With the union of body, breath, and spirit?”
Libby swallowed. “I did. Say that.”Because I am completely full of shit.“The truth is—”
“She’s gone and hurt herself, hasn’t she?” Jean supplied when Libby faltered.
“Yes! I… must have strained something. Doing my other yoga moves.”
“Hamstring?” Keoki guessed, apparently forgetting they were making the whole thing up.
Libby thought of Jefferson watching her run across the beach. “No, it’s not that.”
“She sprained her bloomin’ arse,” Jean announced. Like that would smooth over the awkwardness.
“Yes,” Libby forced herself to say. “I did. Strain a butt muscle.”
Keoki sucked in a breath. “Glute injuries are tough.”
“You should take a soak in the hot tub. With your friends!” Mr. L clasped his hands, delighted by his own suggestion. “I designed the jets to provide powerful deep muscle palpitation. Like making schnitzel.” He demonstrated the pounding motion.
“Sweet Jaysus,” Jean muttered, holding out her glass.
“Anyone else?” Keoki asked, clearly hoping to keep her from drinking it all.
“Why not?” said Hildy. “Since we’re sleeping in.”
Keoki filled her glass before giving the dregs to Jean.
Libby looked around the room. There were so many different agendas at play, and that was only counting the ones she knew about. Meanwhile, their cover story had sprouted more weird growths than an aging potato. It would take a spreadsheet to track the added flimflam, and this was only the first night.
Her attention strayed to Jefferson. Again. He shouldn’t be her main concern right now, and yet her thoughts kept tugging in his direction, relentless as the tide. Would he still tell her everything was going to be fine now that he knew who she was?
Orthoughthe knew.
Probably not. Because Lillibet would never let on that she was worried. That would require her to admit she didn’t have everything perfectly under control.
“Could I grab a quick shower before dinner?” Jefferson asked.
“You smell fine,” Hildy assured him.
