without cell access. But it sounds like she needs a vacation as much as I do.â
Jenn pushed up from her knees to dust off the sand. âI saw a bunch of driftwood at that first dune. Iâll be right back.â Even though Chloe lay back on the cooling sand as if she didnât have a care in the world, Jenn breathed a sigh of relief as she hurried off.
She wasnât cut out for deceit and never had been. As a kid, when sheâd lied to her parents, all it had taken was one stern look from her dad to break her,forcing a weeping confession. Now the tears seemed to push behind her eyes, waiting for a chance to escape.
But it was too late to confess. There was no point. Chloe needed to move on and Jenn was going to help her do just that.
Anna couldnât understand that. Sheâd tried to convince Jenn that this time on the island would be a great opportunity to clear the air, get the truth out. Jenn had pretended to consider it, but, in reality, she wanted the truth buried under a hundred feet of earth where air would never touch it.
Jenn stole a look over her shoulder at Chloe stretched out on the sand, the slanting rays of the setting sun gleaming over her. Chloe deserved to be happy again. Jenn was determined to make that happen, even if it meant lying for the rest of her life.
Speaking of happiness⦠She used the excuse of bending down for wood to angle her head toward the other cabin. Sure enough, that guy was staring hard at Chloe, forehead creased in thought.
Jenn frowned at him. What could he be thinking about? Did he recognize Chloe? The whole point of this stupid getaway had been to hide Chloe away from prying eyes so she could take a deep breath before the charges were filed, because that was going to be a complete nightmare. Hints were starting tocome out that Thomas had done more than just fake his own deathâ¦
Jenn wanted to give her friend a little peace before the trauma. And maybe all that other talk would just die down.
Clutching the wood to her chest, Jenn hurried back toward the cabin, keeping her eye on the man next door. He was still frowning at Chloe.
Crap. She wanted Chloe to have a good time, but what if Jenn pushed her toward this guy and he really was a reporter?
Before Jenn could intercept him, he stood and stepped onto the sand.
Â
C HLOE OPENED HER EYES to find a man standing over her, profile orange in the rays of the setting sun.
âHello,â the man said.
She propped herself up on her elbows. âHello, yourself.â
âMy nameâs Max Sullivan. My brother, Elliott, and I are staying next door.â
When he extended a hand, Chloe shook it, then gave it a little tug to hint that she wanted up. Max pulled and she jumped to her feet with hardly any effort at all.
âI noticed,â she said. âItâs nice to meet you, Max. Iâm Chloe. This is Jenn.â She gestured toward Jenn,who was rushing forward with an armful of wood as if she were planning to storm a castle with a battering ram.
He glanced over his shoulder, then dropped Chloeâs hand and swung toward Jenn, saying, âHey, let me help with that.â
Chloe felt a twinge of unwarranted disappointment when he hurried toward her friend and swept all the driftwood out of her arms. He was probably interested in Jenn, like so many men were. But, sadly, Jenn was a waste of adorable blondness as far as Chloe was concerned. She was shy around guys, and only got more anxious the more attentive they became.
But maybe she liked this guy. Oh, well. Easy come, easy go.
Jennâs face pinched into worry as Max smiled at her.
âThis is Max,â Chloe said hurriedly. âOne of our next-door neighbors. He came over to say hi.â
âHi,â Jenn offered quietly.
Max winked and carried the wood to a spot about ten feet from the fire ring, dropping most of it on the sand before he carried a few pieces toward the pit. âSo what are you ladies doing