Page 62 of What Started In Deception

Lydia subtly pulled her hand from Ty’s—or she hoped it was subtle—as the rush of guilt that swamped her made it hard for her to breathe. “I, uh, I imagine we should probably get going, Gram-Gram. I know you have your afternoon therapies, and we’re going to visit a few of the sights.”

Gram-Gram stood again, using the chair and her cane for assistance.

Lydia hurried over, helping her steady. “You look like you’re well on the mend.”

Gram-Gram nodded. “I’m certainly looking forward to some time at the beach.”

“We’ll soak up a whole bunch of sunshine.”

Gram-Gram nodded again as she smiled. “Give me a hug, my darling girl.”

Lydia hugged her tight, squeezing her eyes shut as she held on. “I love you, Gram-Gram.”

“I love you, too, honey.” She eased back, cupping Lydia’s cheeks in her bony hands. “You go have some fun with Tyler.” She inched her face closer to her ear. “I like this one,” she whispered.

Lydia nodded, beyond ready to leave. “We’ll see you soon.”

“Okay.” Gram-Gram held out her hand to Ty again. “It was lovely to meet you.”

Ty shook her hand. “And you. I’ll see you again in just a few days.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“Sit back down, Gram-Gram.”

Gram-Gram shook her head. “I’m going to make my way to the bedroom to change. Marrianne will be by to bring me down for my appointment before too long.”

“Okay.” She kissed Gram-Gram’s cheek. “See you soon.”

Gram-Gram winked. “Off you go, my girl.”

Lydia waved at the door, then closed it behind them, struggling to send Ty a small smile.

“That went pretty well.”

She nodded, spotting the women’s room down the hall, and headed that way, hurrying through the door.

She stopped dead in the center of the room as she met her eyes in the mirror, then stared at the floor, unable to hold her own gaze in the glass, never feeling quite so disgusted with herself as she did right now.

“What are you doing?” she whispered, as her breath rushed in and out. “What are you doing?” she said again before she covered her mouth with her hand and started to cry.

She turned toward the corner in the three-stall space, covering her face with both hands, struggling to stay quiet as she found it impossible to stop herself from sobbing.

Everything about the last few minutes had been horrible. Blatantly lying to one of the people she loved most…

It had been one thing to stretch the truth when she’d introduced Ty to Camille, Jamie, and Gregg, but this had been different. This had been a gut-wrenching reality check of what she’d signed up for when she told Ty that she would help him.

The door opened, and she knew that it was him.

“Lyd?”

She shook her head as the tears kept rolling.

“Lyd,” he said again, turning her to face him.

“I hated that,” she struggled to say, unable to shore herself back up. “I hated that so much.”

He nodded, holding her gaze. “I know you did.”