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“Is there no chance then?” he asks.
“No chance for what? For us?” I say. “Caden, I’m getting married in three weeks! What are you talking about?”
Suddenly, he’s on his knees in front of me, clasping my hands in his. “Don’t marry Luke, Isla. Please. I—I love you. I loved you then and I love you still. I will never feel about anyone the way I feel about you. If there’s anything that coming back here has shown me, it’s that. I tried to run from you but I couldn’t. I tried to bury myself in work and it didn’t change a single thing. I want you. I will always want you.”
My hands throb inside his. His face is only inches away. I watch his throat bob as he swallows. I can hear the faint beating of his heart. His scent surrounds me, a siren’s call. I wanted this for so long—to hear these words. His father was the one who kept us apart. He loves me still.
My eyes dip to his mouth again. My thighs tighten. The craving beckons, the need for him that I buried so deep for so long.
No.The word resonates in my mind.
“You’re too late,” I tell him, holding up my ring finger. Pain splinters across his face before his expression turns cold.
“So you just wanted someone from the Way, then,” he spits.
He may as well have slapped me in the face. For a second I can’t breathe—that he would think so little of me. That I’m marrying Luke for hismoney.He seems to instantly regret the words, his eyes widening a fraction, his lips parting. “Isla, I?—”
“Fuck you, Caden,” I say. Tears fill my eyes as I stand and grab my sandals. I need to get away from him.
“Isla, wait,” Caden says. He grabs my arm and I jerk it out of his grasp.
“No,” I say fiercely. “You donotget to touch me without permission.”
He immediately takes a step back.
“I loved you too,” I say, my voice breaking. “I think I’ve loved you my whole life. Ever since we were at elementary school together. You were different than the other kids from the Way. You were kind. You were so much like your mom. I saw the little things you would do for this town, things no one else noticed. I thought that made you different. But it didn’t. Your explanations now don’t take back all those nights I cried myself to sleep. They don’t heal the scars you left on me. You promised me—this doesn’t change us. But it did. And you didn’t even have the decency to tell me why. And then you show up here, now, right before I’m about to getmarried,tell me you love me then call me a gold digger? That’s not love, Caden! That selfishness. That’s cruel.”
I shake my head, suddenly exhausted. “I can’t see you anymore. I don’t want anything to do with you. Leave me alone. If you really love me, you’ll leave me alone.”
Then I turn on my heel and storm off so he can’t see the tears streaming down my face.
I call Charlotte.
“Hey,” she says. “How are?—”
“I need a ride,” I say curtly. “Caden just told me he’s still in love with me.”
“That motherfucker,” Charlotte says. “Tell me where you are. I’m on my way.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CADEN
That could not have gone worse if I’d planned it that way.
Why did I say all that? What the fuck is wrong with me? But once I started talking, I couldn’t seem to stop. And it was all true—well, not the gold digger part. I’m kicking myself for letting my own pain, my own frustration at her choosing Luke, take over. I didn’t mean it. I know that would never be her motivation for marriage. I never should have said something so hurtful. I was just…lashing out. Another selfish act, like she said.
I can’t believe how badly I messed things up. If I’d just kept my mouth shut, at least I could have stayed in her life. Been her friend. Instead, I’ve been banished from her company for good.
I wait from the shadows of the dunes and watch until a car pulls up and Charlotte gets out. They embrace and then Isla gets in the car with her. As soon as they’ve sped off into the distance, I jump on the Ducati and drive. I don’t care where I’m going. I just want to leave these thoughts and feelings behind. I want to focus on the wind in my ears, dulling the world around me. I drive all the way out to Montauk, then turn around and head back. The sun is setting by the time I reach the mansion.
I’m in a black mood as I storm into the house and head straight to the blue study. But I’m brought up short when I see someone else is already in there.
Von sits on the desk next to the computer, legs crossed, scarlet heels dangling from her feet.
“What are you doing here?” I ask. I haven’t seen Von in weeks.
She hops off the desk. “What the hell isthis?”