She takes my carry-on bag, which is all I brought with me since I had anticipated a few days in Brooklyn and not another week away from home.
“Drew, we only had to wait another six weeks, and you could’ve spent Christmas here. You didn’t have to rearrange your entire work schedule.”
We begin walking toward the exit, where the pickup line is situated.
“Did you drive here, or are we getting a taxi back to your place?”
She rolls her eyes, and we step out into the frigid November air; it’s even colder in Vancouver than it was in Brooklyn, and I instantly regret not packing my winter parka.
“I borrowed Greg’s car. Taxi prices are ridiculous around here.”
“You really should think about getting your own car,” I reply as she lifts my bag into the trunk.
She slams it shut, and I make my way to the passenger side, pulling open the door and climbing into Greg’s black SUV.
Marley slides into the driver’s side and cranks the engine, immediately pulling onto the road. From memory, the journey from the airport to her house is at least a half hour, giving me plenty of time to unload on the one person I can talk to freely about everything that’s happened.
Ordinarily, I would talk to Mom as well. But given the circumstances, it feels unfair to expect her to keep such a huge secret from Dad.
“With Greg working from home, we only really need one car, and auto insurance is so damn expensive!”
I look at her with wide eyes. “You know that our parents are millionaires, right? I’m sure if you asked them, they would get you a car.”
Marley shakes her head and joins the freeway. I’ve always considered myself humble, but my sister takes it to another level. Her stubbornness also reminds me a lot of Will, and suddenly, I’m thinking about our last interaction in the hotel lobby.
I really wanted to invite him to my room so we could reenact everything we’d shared the night and morning before, but falling into bed together wasn’t going to help clear my head.
It was supposed to be just sex—a hookup between two people who couldn’t resist the urge for each other any longer. That wasn’t what transpired though. The way he looked at me, the emotion that coursed through my body when he pushed inside me for the first, second, and third time—they weren’t typical of a one-night thing or the way I imagined it would be if I ever slept with Will.
I am scared of being discovered and the consequences that will follow. But I’m also scared because I don’t want to be another Hallie, falling victim to Will’s charm, only to be left brokenhearted when he’s done with me.
So, why did he look at me like I was holding his heart in my hands?
And why did his eyes linger on mine until the very final second when the elevator doors closed in the lobby?
“I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that wanting to see me isn’t the only reason why you booked a last-minute flight to Vancouver.”
I gaze over at my sister, her silhouette growing blurrier by the second.
Thisis why I needed to come to Vancouver.
“I think I’m in way over my head, Marl.”
We leave the freeway, and she pulls up at a stoplight.
Marley takes my hand in hers, resting them both on the center section. “Is it to do with a guy?”
I blow out a long breath, and we start moving again. “How did you guess?”
She squeezes my hand. “Because I know my sister and because you have that look in your eyes—one that screams that you’re in love.”
My laughter rings around the car. “In love?! What drugs are you taking this week?”
Marley doesn’t laugh along with me though, releasing my hand so she can take a right and merge onto another freeway.
“What’s his name?”
I stare out of the passenger window. Even though she’s my sister, I’m struggling to make eye contact, for fear of how she’ll react.
