Page 53 of Wanna Bet?

Something painful twisted in her chest. Because she'd been expecting condemnation. Not that.

Ellis shrugged. "You don't strike me as a bad person." His voice was quiet. "You just seem to make really bad decisions."

A laugh escaped her before she could stop it. Wet and shaky.

"My dad says that all the time."

Ellis blinked and then smiled. "Your dad sounds smart."

Myah rolled her eyes, “He’s actually a giant asshole, but yeah.” The tears finally spilled over anyway.

For a second, neither of them moved. Then Ellis opened his arms awkwardly. Myah stepped forward immediately. The hug caught her off guard.

Maybe because they weren't that close. Maybe because she'd never expected comfort from someone she'd only known for a short time. But it felt nice, like somebody was reminding her she wasn't beyond redemption. She couldn't remember the last time she’d been hugged by someone she hadn't slept with.

Ellis patted her shoulder awkwardly. The way someone hugged when they weren't entirely sure what they were doing. "You need to tell him."

Myah closed her eyes. The words settled heavily in her chest. "I know." Because she couldn't keep building something real on top of a lie. Not if she actually cared about him. And God, she did.

After another moment, she finally pulled away and Ellis handed her the maroon bikini she'd abandoned on the floor.

She laughed softly and took it. "Still think I should wear this one?"

"Definitely."

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Thanks."

Ellis walked her to the door. When she stepped into the hallway, he leaned against the frame. "Tell him before the lake."

Myah winced. "Yeah."

"I'm serious." Ellis gave her a pointed look.

She sighed. Then nodded. "I'll tell him." This time, she meant it.

Ellis seemed satisfied with that answer. Finally, he smiled. "Good. Because if you don’t, I will have to.”

Myah adjusted the bikini bag over her shoulder before turning toward the elevators. The knot in her stomach was still there. The fear. The guilt. The certainty that the conversation with Jace might go horribly wrong. But for the first time in weeks, she knew what she had to do. And somehow that felt a little lighter. Even if the truth was terrifying. Even if it might cost her everything.

Chapter Thirteen

From: Ellie Wellie

​Heard you have a date today ;)

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Jace hadn't stopped thinking about the date all week. It was ridiculous, almost embarrassing, honestly. He was a grown man who had his own place, paid taxes, and had survived enough heartbreak to know better than to build something up in his head before it happened. Yet every time he'd caught himself daydreaming over the past several days, it had been about today. About Myah and the lake. About spending an entire day with her without interruptions, without friends hovering nearby, without someone inevitably stealing her attention. Just them.

The realization made him grin as he loaded the last of the supplies into the back of his small sedan.

● Cooler.

● Blankets.

● Towels.

● Snacks.