Page 78 of The Wedding Pact

‘Raffa. You can’t leave now. They’ll be really hurt if you skip out early to go back to work.’

He thinks about this for a second. ‘You could cover for me.’

I shake my head and pull a frowny, confused face at him. ‘What are you talking about?’

‘You could run some interference so they think I’m still here on the island. They’re getting a different plane back so they’ll be leaving before our flight anyway.’

‘You can’t ask me to do that.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because I don’t want to lie to them.’ My sadness and frustration are starting to turn into anger with him now.

‘They’re more interested in having you around anyway. They all love you.’

‘They love you too,’ I say, trying to keep my voice steady. I don’t want to fight with him. ‘And they want to see more of you because they love you. Believe me. It’s really obvious that they care about you.’

But I can see from the glazed look in his eyes that he’s not listening to me. Not really. He’s put up a firewall and I’m on the other side of it.

It’s like he’s closed down, shutting me out.

Walking closer to him, I put my hand on his arm to get him to look at me. ‘You know, I’ve not seen anyone here demand something of you. Particularly not your brother. He’s been nothing but happy and grateful that you’re here.’

‘Yeah, sure,’ he says in a tone that sounds like he doesn’t believe that. He takes a step away from me, breaking my hold on his arm.

This widening of distance between us stings and brings it home hard that there’s nothing here to fight for. He’s not interested in anything I have to say.

And he made it very clear from the beginning that having feelings for each other wasn’t part of the deal.

As devastated as it makes me feel, I know it’s time to step away from him now. He’s too entrenched in his work and holding on to past hurts and I’m not prepared to come second best to it all.

He’s frowning at me now. ‘Why are you so interested in getting me to spend more time with my family?’

I close my eyes for a second and shake my head. He really doesn’t get it. ‘Like I said, you’ve got the thing I want the most – a family that wants to spend time with you. You’re lucky to have that, you just don’t seem able to see it.’ I let out a low, steadying breath. ‘Maybe it’s time to have a proper conversation with your dad?’

He lets out a long-suffering sigh. ‘This really isn’t the best time for that.’

‘Then when is? If you’re waiting for the perfect time, I’m sorry to tell you this, but there won’t be one.’

‘Yeah, maybe. But I have more pressing things to do right now.’

His shuttered expression makes me think there’s no point in pushing this any further. He’s not going to change his mind because I suggested it.

He’s not letting me win this time.

‘Okay, fine, but at least say goodbye to your brother. He’ll be upset if you just head off without a word.’

Raffa sighs again, his expression stony.

We stare at each other for a moment in a battle of wills.

I break first. I’ve had enough of this now. If he’s not going to at least acknowledge I might have a point, then it’s a lost cause.

Time to move on.

As painful as that may be.

‘What time’s your plane?’ I ask.