As he closed the door for Bethany, Frederick’s eyes met Anne’s from across the street. He raised a hand in a half wave, his mouth curving into a lopsided smile. Her hand, her mouth, her heart wanted to reciprocate, but conflict raged inside her, paralyzing her.
In the end, Anne slid into the back seat of Bethany’s car without so much as a nod, not at all sure she could risk breaking her cousin’s heart to fight for her love. No matter how desperately she wanted to make Frederick hers and hers alone.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Frederick wasn’t much of a conversation partner for Bethany on their drive back to Bosque Verde. He couldn’t forget the resignation on Anne’s face as she’d slid into the back seat without so much as acknowledging his awkward wave. Had he creeped her out with the refrigerator magnets? What was the big deal? They were justmatchingrefrigerator magnets.Shit.He wiped a hand across his jaw.
He had thought things would be easier now that they were friends, because being angry at Anne had felt sowrong. When he had run into her at the school, his old hurt had taken over all rational thought, and anger had seemed like the safest emotion he could allow himself to feel.
But the more time he spent with her, the harder it became tostayangry at her. And it became exponentially harder to bear the hurt that crossed her face whenever he made a cutting remark or took a cheap dig at her. It drained him to be an asshole to such a kindhearted person, especially when the anger just wasn’tthereanymore.
Frederick shifted his grip on the steering wheel and responded to something Bethany said with a distracted “Uh-huh.”
Until they became friends, he’d felt as though he had no choice but to be an asshole to Anne. Because no matter how nobleher reasons, she’dlefthim. She’d hurt him. How could he not be angry with her?
But she realized her mistake. She’d said she was wrong to leave him. Since her confession on Christmas night, he’d been sorely tempted to forgive her, but he didn’t know how to do that without opening his heart to her. But now that they were friends, he could finally forgive her without risking his heart.
It felt great not being an asshole to her today, and she seemed to enjoy his company. So what happened? What was going through that beautiful head of hers? Did she think he’d crossed the friendship line with his gift? Was maintaining that line so important to her? His brows dipped low over his eyes.
Frederick parked his SUV in front of the villa with a surprised jolt. He’d been so lost in his musings that he didn’t even remember how he got there. He glanced around the driveway. The other car hadn’t arrived yet, but they couldn’t be far behind. Should he talk to Anne? Find out what was bothering her?
It was only when Bethany huffed a forlorn sigh that Frederick realized he hadn’t said a word to her for God knew how long.Oh hell.He hadn’t meant to be rude.
“I wasn’t a very good conversation partner.” He scratched the back of his head. “My mind wandered…”
“Oh, I… didn’t even notice,” Bethany stammered. “I must’ve, uh, fallen asleep for a while.”
“Speaking of sleep.” Frederick quickly changed the topic at her discomfort and pointed his thumb at Joe and Aiden. “Those two conked out the minute I started driving.”
“The groom needs his beauty sleep,” Aiden defended his brother around a yawn and nudged him awake. “Come on, Joe. It’s our turn to make dinner.”
Frederick stepped out of his car and made to follow the Alvarez brothers when a small hand on his arm stopped him.
“Um, Frederick?” Bethany quickly withdrew her hand. “Do you want to take a walk? There’s a little hiking trail over there.”
He frowned at the darkening horizon. The villa was out in the middle of nowhere. “It’ll be pitch black soon.”
“Please? There’s a full moon to light our way, and I promise we won’t go far.” With a beckoning smile, she headed for the trail, and he had no choice but to follow her.
“Hey, Joe,” he shouted toward his lieutenant’s retreating back. “Bethany wants to go for a stroll. We won’t be long.”
“What’s the rush?” Joe turned around at the door with a Cheshire cat smile. “Take as long as you want.”
Frederick breathed a beleaguered sigh, then picked up his pace to catch up with Bethany.
“You got to hear a whole presentation about my job.” Despite his misgivings, he made conversation to atone for ignoring her in the car. “So what about you?”
“What about me?” she asked coyly.
“Do you enjoy being a teacher?” Frederick tugged on his collar, uncomfortable with her flirtatious tone.
Even with the full moon, the hiking trail lay in shadows, nestled between tall, looming trees. As they walked, the trail curved into an even darker area, the sky obscured by a canopy of dense branches. This wasn’t a good idea. They should turn back soon, while they could still make out the path.
“I really do,” she said with a bright smile, skipping down the dark trail much too fast for his liking. “It’s hard work and doesn’t pay too well, but becoming a teacher had always been my dream.”
“Your passion is more important than money.” When he’d first graduated from college, he made more money than he knew what to do with, but he was much happier now, doing what he loved with people he cared about.
“That’s very true, but not everyone agrees.” Her laugh held abrittle edge to it. “Even my cousin sometimes hounds me todo betterfor myself.”
