Page 422 of On A Manhunt: Complete Series

ASPEN

“What I said on the show was the truth. I’ve never lied to you, tiger.”

We were sitting on the floor in my yoga studio, our backs against the mirrored wall.

We hadn’t talked as Luke drove us back to town.

Somehow, we ended up here. But it made sense.

It was the only quiet place to be alone.

Mrs. Waddle would entertain Sierra and Luke’s parents, so there was no way we’d have any privacy in my apartment upstairs.

Or maybe they were off in the woods to see the bulldog rock Mrs. Waddle knew about.

I couldn’t believe she knew about it and knew exactly where it was. All of this could have been averted entirely if I was aware of that from the start.

“I know,” I murmured to Luke.

His hand was on the back of my neck, as usual. It was as if that was his spot to hold me. To comfort me. To know I was his.

“You know?” He gazed at me with openness and a hint of worry or fear. His eyes flicked to my lips.

I nodded, wanting him to kiss me. “Your FBI friend stopped by.”

His eyes widened and his fingers tightened a touch. “What? When? Shit.”

“Before the show started,” I admitted.

“Please tell me you didn’t give money to your ex.” A hint of desperation tinged his voice.

“What? No.”

“Thank fuck.” He sighed. “I told Theo to make sure–”

“You talked to Theo?”

He huffed. “Yeah. I made an appointment as a patient at the clinic. Figured it was the safest way to see him without the chance of him bringing a woodchipper. I told him about the possible money trail from you to Duncan to your mother. I swear I knew nothing about it until after the party the other night. Mark called and… well, shit. It was my fault you had that money, and I couldn’t get in touch with you to warn you. I had to protect you.”

“That’s why he brought the lawyer,” I muttered. “Theo knew I didn’t give the money though so he must’ve expected the FBI guy to show.”

He sighed. “Good. He’s… I can’t believe I’m saying this since he told everyone in the clinic I have gonorrhea, but he’s a nice guy.”

“I hope that generosity extends to me because you’ll probably be getting a call from the hockey organization thanking you for your huge scholarship donation,” I said.

His eyes widened, then he laughed. “Best donation I ever made. God, tiger.” He kissed me, as if he couldn’t hold back any longer. “I had no idea it would all get so fucked up. I thought I was helping you and then it turned out I made everything worse.”

“I wasn’t keeping that money. Not when I thought you did it to get closer to my mother.”

He shook his head vehemently. “No, that’s not it. I–”

“I know. Now. You met my parents, and you can see why I’m so fucked up. I’ve been so jaded about love I just expect everyone to use it against me.”

“Ah, baby. No.”

“I couldn’t imagine why you’d really want to be with me. So it was easier to make it a fake relationship. Then I could keep you at arm’s length. It didn’t matter what I felt for you because I expected you to do something to hurt me. Then you did.”

His eyes closed and his fingers squeezed my neck once again.

“I’m so fucking sorry. I did it all wrong.

I should’ve told you that first night that I’d fallen for you.

That I never felt anything like it before.

I should’ve told you about Mark, but honestly, as soon as I saw you, I told him to fuck off because you were mine.

He texted the next day and asked what I thought about you.

Told him you weren’t involved because even though we didn’t do much talking besides answering trivia questions, I knew you were a good girl.

” He grabbed his phone. “Here. You can see the texts.”

I shook my head and set my hand over his. “I believe you.”

“After that, I forgot about him and the investigation. I swear, I didn’t know you were related to your mom. Not until the party.”

“I know.”

“You do?”

I nodded. “Mark told me. But I shouldn’t have doubted you. I kept my life a secret, not just from you, but from my friends. Mallory didn’t know about my mother being a senator or my dancing either. She got pretty mad at me.”

“I’ve fallen for you, Aspen Lane. Hard. I love you. I do, but I think we need a redo.”

“A redo?” I wondered. Was he telling me this was over? That–

He nodded. “Yeah.” He held out his hand and I stared at it. Confused.

“I’m Luke Graham. I’m an out of work actor visiting Hunter Valley with my parents. I think you’re the prettiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen, and I want to get to know you better. Tell me some things?”

Tears filled my eyes and I swallowed hard and shook his hand. Then he turned it over and brought it to his lips so he could kiss my inner wrist.

“I’m Aspen Lane. I have shitty parents who aren’t a part of my life and one of them might be in jail for a long time. I have a daughter who is my life. I’m a yoga instructor and…” I took a deep breath. “A ballet dancer.”

“Good girl,” he murmured. “Dance for me.”

I didn’t say anything, and he ran his thumb over my cheek.

“Dance for me,” he said again, then kissed my forehead.

I stood, went to my office and got my pointe shoes. Swapped them for the cowgirl boots.

Then, in front of an audience of one, I danced.