“I’m not sure you know what you’re doing, Hil.” Jorie’s voice softened again. “We leave tomorrow. Then what? Are you going to be running to—where—Washington to see him all the time?”
“He lives in Oregon.” Hilary picked up her bag. “And I haven’t thought that far ahead.” That was another lie. She could think of nothing but Dane. Earlier this morning she’d mapped out the route she’d take if she went to visit him. Hilary planned to ease Jorie into the possibility she and Dane might spend time together beyond the conference. But after this, it might be impossible without hard feelings.
“Let’s make the most of our last day, okay?” Jorie’s voice was still strained, the hurt Hilary inflicted still apparent in the clipped measure of her words. “We can talk more about this later.”
Hilary pulled her bag onto her shoulder again and followed Jorie out of the room and downstairs. The dining area was busy with guests and the clatter of dishes being cleared by the catering staff. She scanned the tables, praying Dane wasn’t here. She couldn’t bear to see him after this. Jorie had read their notes. The humiliation still burned her cheeks. If having Jorie and Dane together was awkward before, it would be even worse now.
Her jaw ached from clenching her teeth. What an idiot she was for keeping those notes. It had been an amazing morning at the lighthouse too. She touched her bottom lip, trying to recreate the softness of his kiss. She tried to imagine what might have happened if their time hadn’t been limited. And now she was trying to avoid him.
Hilary wondered if she were more angry at Jorie for making her feel guilty or at herself for allowing it.
Chapter Sixteen
The white tent on the lawn glowed against the darkened sky. People were already seated at the round tables and eating. More people drifted across the lawn toward the gathering, stopping to admire the pink-tinged horizon or prolong their hushed conversations before they joined the festive atmosphere under the tent. Dane wasn’t ready to eat yet. His stomach was knotted. Instead, he rested an elbow on the bar, swirling the ice cubes in his almost empty drink, watching.
Beyond the tent, waves on the lake flashed like fireflies before they melded into the shore. The steely strains of a banjo from the bluegrass band drowned out the sound of the water. Dane scanned the congregation of people under the tent again. It was impossible that he’d missed her crossing the lawn. He’d come early to grab every minute possible with Hilary. Despite spending almost two hours together that morning, he was greedy for more time. He kept replaying their kiss in his mind’s eye, the way her eyes grew hooded and her lips parted when she realized it was inevitable. The softness of her mouth on his. The way she clutched his bicep, pulling him closer, wanting the kiss to deepen. The images swam into his subconscious, infecting his ability to think of anything else.
Dane blew the air out of his cheeks. Where was she?
After they returned to the inn, Hilary disappeared. He’d waited for her to come downstairs before the day’s sessions began, but somehow he’d missed her. His texts went unanswered too. The sessions he attended weren’t ones she and Jorie chose. They’d spent the day away from Blueberry Point Lodge at an overflow space inside one of the churches in town, learning about catering for small venues like bed-and-breakfasts.
Dane downed the rest of his drink and set the empty glass on the bar as Hilary appeared on the patio, Jorie at her side. He cursed to himself. His work was cut out for him if he wanted privacy tonight. Like a protective parent, Jorie hovered.
Hilary gave him a little wave. Her gauzy floral skirt swished around her legs as she walked toward him. He sighed. Beside her, Jorie narrowed her eyes. Wonderful.
The dissatisfaction on Jorie’s face was almost comical. At least he didn’t take offense easily or her demeanor might sting. He waited for them to choose a table before leaving the bar to wander over. Hilary had an open spot on either side of her. He grabbed a seat next to her, silently congratulating himself before Jorie could somehow sabotage his chance.
“Busy day,” he said to her.
Hilary sat stiffly, her hands in her lap. She smiled though, her gaze sweeping over him as if the sight of him quenched her thirst. Her shoulders relaxed.
“A very busy day. I’m exhausted.” She feigned a pout. “I still have to pack too.”
Dane didn’t want to think about it. Sean was driving Dane and others to the airport at four in the morning. Hilary would head to Duluth later in the morning. He’d be in the air by the time she left Hendricks.
He brushed her hand with his and he saw her stiffen again. She met his eyes and gave him a small, discreet shake of her head.
No.
“What’s wrong?” he whispered.
“Nothing,” she whispered back, but her eyes widened in an unspoken message. Behind her, Jorie rested her chin in one hand, watching the band.
“Did something happen?”
Hilary squeezed his hand momentarily under the table while looking the other way.Not now, he guessed the gesture meant.
Yes, Hilary and Jorie had had words. Hilary had no problem being near him before tonight. Now with Jorie on the other side of her, Hilary could barely look at him. Whatever it was, Dane wasn’t going to learn anything while Jorie clung to Hilary.
When the band took a short break, Jorie rose.
“I’m going to get a drink. Want anything?” she asked Hilary.
Hilary lifted her water bottle. “I’m good.”
Jorie glanced at Dane’s half-empty glass. “You?”
“Thanks, but no.” All he wanted was for her to leave.
