Page 28 of Perfect Liar

Will grabbed my arm as I went to pick up Lissie’s bag.

“I don’t regret anything I’ve done. Keep that in mind.”

CHAPTER 8

Lissie insisted on sleeping in the guest room to be a big girl like Isabel had taught her.

She displayed her collections from the beach on the chest and positioned her stuffed animals by size on the bed. We chose her clothes for the next day and hung them over the chair as Isabel had always done.

“Leave the little light on, Aunt Ellie.”

I smiled.

“Okay, sweet girl, we’ll leave it on.”

After tucking her blankets around her little body, I kissed her cheek and shut the door.

Back in my room, I stared at my own bed…going near it would be like falling into a dark, isolated hole with no way out, a feeling that started haunting me in my first year at college.

Panic slunk around my neck, suffocating me.

I put out my hand, reaching for the wall or the doorframe or anything. I needed fresh air, the sea, something to make it go away….and then Will appeared on the other side of the French doors as if he’d responded to my silent plea.

He opened the door and extended his hand to me, waiting, not saying anything, just waiting to see if his offer would be accepted.

It was. I did. I put my hand in his, and he led me to the double-wide chaise, where he gestured for me to sit and then handed me an open bottle of red wine.

I wriggled into an awkward position at the edge.

“Thanks. Staying inside can be challenging sometimes.”

“You must not come outside without me.”

“I know.”

I tipped the wine bottle, sipping politely at first, but then gulped until letting up for air.

When I offered him the next drink, the corners of his mouth twitched. He took a swig and gave it back, then watched me pull deep from the bottle again.

And again.

I sank into the fluffy cushions with a light head.

His lips curved into a full-on crooked smile as he grabbed a throw blanket from another chair and covered me with it.

I was tipsy already…it didn’t take much. Liquid courage flowed through me, so with a flirty smile, I offered him the wine bottle again while holding it close to my chest.

An invitation.

I needed the peace that his closeness gave me.

With a raised brow he placed the bottle on the table before dropping onto the cushions beside me, then he lifted his arm.

I rolled against his side and placed my head on his chest.

“Go to sleep, Ellie,” he commanded.

For a short time, I slept in the cool night air on the chaise, safely nestled against the side of his warm body.