“Sorry. Your Del, then. School’s back in session, so I’d imagine crowds will be light. Think she’ll approve?”
A soft giggle rewards me. “I’ll run it by her. Why do you want to go?”
“It’s one of Sarabella’s main attractions.”
“I thought thesoft white sands and blazing sunsetswere.” She mimics my accent quite well.
“Those too. But there’s something at the aquarium that I think you’ll rather enjoy.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to ruin the surprise.” I smile at her, admire her.
After she finishes her ice cream, she stands up and places her bowl in the basin. “I have reports to do.”
I follow behind her toward her bedroom.
She stops just shy of her door and turns around. “What are you doing, Payton?”
“Walking you to your door.” I slip my hands into my trouser pockets.
“Why? We’re already inside.”
“If those romance books taught me anything, it was that you always walk the damsel in distress to her door to make sure she’s safe.”
Lily’s eyes appear almost misty as if my words hit an emotional place in her. “I’m not a damsel in distress, though.”
Perhaps, but I know what I just witnessed. Something tender and vulnerable peeked out just long enough for me to catch a glimpse, and I’m determined to see more.
She lets me touch her cheek. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
Chapter Twenty-One
LILY
I AM NOT a damsel in distress.
Payton lives in some mysterious romantic fantasy he’s devised from his dalliances with romance books. After tossing and turning most of the night, that’s the only explanation I could come up with for his behavior. And he’s mistaken me for his love interest in this make-believe world.
I admit, part of me wants to live and dwell in this mysterious place, too. A big part of me.
Okay, ALL of me.
But I can’t entertain thoughts like this. Too much is riding on the line for me. Yet once again, Del gave the all clear. And when I questioned it, because this is way out of protocol, she reiterated there was no imminent threat or danger.
That’s what she thinks. I’m the one in danger, and the threat is Payton.
I skim my conversation with Del again, convinced something is off. I’ve never seen her act so unprofessional. But since she’s cleared our excursion to the aquarium, who am I to argue? That’s subtle speak for, I don’twantto argue, although I should.
She even had the nerve to suggest I wear that sundress sheinsisted I bring. I shot that one down, reminding her this isn’t a vacation. It’s an ASSIGNMENT. I used all caps, too.
I am so going to rip one on Del when I get home later.
Again, acting as if this were a date, Payton purchased both our tickets, ignoring me when I tried to argue.
He hands me mine. “Shall we give it a go?”
I plaster a smile on my face. He seems so intent on showing me the nuances of Sarabella that I don’t have the heart to tell him that living sea life interests me about as much as the cooked variety. Although, he proved me wrong with that grilled mahi-mahi sandwich. My mouth waters just thinking about it.
