Page 91 of Secrets Beneath the Waves

It felt like déjà vu.

Ellie parked the speedboat in the same spot where she had taken Matthew the day before. The engine sputtered to a halt, leaving them with only the sound of gentle waves lapping against the hull. She dropped the anchor, raised the dive flag, then turned to Luke, her tone purposefully aloof.

“This is it.”

Luke grinned, his usual charm on full display as he reached for the gear bag. “Perfect spot. Let’s get started.”

“Not so fast,” Ellie said, her hand darting to his arm. Her tone was sharp to the point that he stopped what he was doing. “We need to talk.”

His grin faltered, replaced by a cautious look. “Talk about what?”

She squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes, so he’d know how serious she was. “I know you’ve been talking to Mark about me.”

Luke’s expression shifted, and his forehead creased. “Okay . . . I figured he’d tell you. I can explain.”

“Why would you talk to him?” Ellie pressed. “What exactly are you trying to find out?”

Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “Ellie, it’s not what you think.”

“Then explain it to me.” Her voice rose, the tension crackling between them. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re jealous.”

“Jealous?” he repeated, incredulously. “That’s what you think this is?”

She folded her arms, the intensity in her gaze unrelenting. “Well, aren’t you?”

Luke laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Jealousy isn’t the problem, Ellie. I was concerned that you might be compromised.”

Her breath caught. “Compromised?” That’s not what she expected to come out of his mouth.

“Yeah,” he said, stepping closer. She put her hand out, so he’d keep his distance. His voice softened, but his frustration was clear. “How well do you know this guy?”

“I don’t know him that well. We’ve only been out a few times.”

“Exactly. I wanted to make sure he wasn’t a threat to you,” he said.

“So you followed me?”

“I didn’t follow you. I saw the two of you together. I didn’t like it. So, yeah, I followed him. I asked him some questions. Can you blame me?”

“Yes. I can blame you. If you have a concern, then you come and talk to me.”

“I could throw that back at you. Why didn’t you tell me about him?”

“Why should I?”

“I thought we were building something real. And now I find out you’re . . . what, dating him too?”

“You and I aren’t exclusive,” Ellie shot back, feeling a twinge of guilt she refused to show. “We never talked about not dating other people.”

Luke bit his lip, then paused like he wanted to be careful what he said. “That’s the problem. I didn’t think we needed to talk about it. I would never date anyone else.”

“Just because we’ve had a couple dates doesn’t mean you own me. I can date whoever I want.”

Ellie could see the hurt on his face as his shoulders slumped, the fight briefly leaving him. “So that’s where we are? I guess it’s good to know where I stand. Got it. We’re keeping our options open.”

“I’m not keeping my options open,” she said, her voice lowering. “I’m figuring out who to trust. And right now, you’re not making it easy.”

Luke’s eyes darkened with anger. “I’m not making it easy! You’re the one splitting your time between me and him. Maybe I’m the one who shouldn’t trust you.”