Page 66 of Playing for Keeps
“I was never on any side. I thought it might be good for you, but I also didn’t imagine you being gone for so long.”
Allie felt a stab of guilt that she’d been enjoying a leisurely lifestyle while poor Bella was left to take care of everything back home. At the same time she was slightly confused; she’d only been gone for two weeks, which was still two weeks less than her dad had wanted her to go for. Bella shouldn’t really have been expecting her home just yet.
“How are you finding it at the club?” Allie asked gently. “Is it stressful?”
“It’s fine,” Bella replied.
“Sorry. I’ve hardly even checked in with you to see how things are. I forget how exhausting it is to run that place.”
“It’s not that,” Bella said. “You had the place running like clockwork. And Uncle Richard’s here to help as well.”
“Is that why you sound so fed up? Is Dad hindering more than helping?”
“No.” Her voice sounded slightly lighter. “I just miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
“Do you? Or are you too busy going on dates?”
Allie bit down on her lip to contain her smile. “I really like him.”
“Is he the reason you’re in no rush to come home?”
“Partly. Though I really do think there might be something strange going on at the club.”
“Just be honest,” Bella huffed. “If you want to stay for a guy, you can say so. Don’t make up excuses, not for me.”
“I wasn’t. I’m also not denying that Hugh’s part of the reason I’m having such a good time. It’s also nice to relax.” She smiled to herself. “He even agreed with your theory about stress affecting my shoulder.”
“Oh right!” Bella’s voice was laced with mirth. “When I say it, you dismiss it, but when Hugh says it, the suggestion suddenly has merit.”
Allie laughed since she had no argument.
“Have you told Hugh the truth about why you’re there?”
“Not yet.”
“Isn’t that awkward? If you really like him, you can’t lie to him.”
“I’m not lying, I’m just not telling him the whole truth.”
“Most people consider that lying, you know?”
“I will tell him …”
“What’s stopping you? Are you afraid he can’t keep a secret?”
“No.” She drew in a deep breath. “Honestly, I’m just enjoying being myself. Hugh likes me for who I am, not for how much money I have or for my career achievements. It feels kind of freeing.”
“Except you’re not actually being yourself.”
Allie glanced overhead as a seagull screeched loudly. She wasn’t sure how to argue with Bella. Logically, if she wasn’t being honest with Hugh about her background, then she wasn’t really being herself. But she also felt more herself around him.
“I’m going to tell him, but for now, I’m just enjoying spending time with him. His daughter is away for the school holidays, so everything feels pretty carefree.”
“He has a daughter?”
“Yeah. She’s twelve.”