She had to admit she was sort of disappointed that he’d pulled away. Since the accident, sex had been the furthest thing from her mind. She was prepared to go years without even dating. But his kiss had definitely reminded her of how wonderful it felt to be close to someone in that way—when it was the right person and the right time. And now that sex was back on her radar, she couldn’t seem to stop craving it.

Why had he gone inside without a word? What was he feeling? Regret? Was he wracked with guilt because of his love for his late wife?

Maybe he regretted inviting her over to eat and swim...

She had no way of knowing, because he didn’t come back out, and she wasn’t about to go after him.

With a long sigh, she got out of the pool, dried off and went back to the guesthouse through the gate so that she wouldn’t have to go through the house. But after she changed and showered, she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t feel like lying around and watching TV for yet another day. She wanted go out, see the town and get dinner like a normal person. That kiss in the pool had taken her mind off the accident. But what would take her mind off that kiss?

Nothing, if she continued to stay inside the house, pacing like a caged tiger.

For the first time in what seemed like forever, she experienced a burst of energy at the prospect of being mobile again, enjoying the holiday decorations, playing some Christmas music in the car, maybe even buying a peppermint latte or a sugar cookie at that place in town—Sugar Mama—Aiyana had mentioned.

But it was the middle of the day. Someone could recognize her and potentially report the sighting to Kouretas. Besides that, since the accident, she was afraid to get behind the wheel. It’d taken a great deal of self-talk and willpower to drive from LA to Silver Springs, and if she had to brake quickly, she nearly broke into a cold sweat.

So she played a game on her phone, tried to watch another episode of The Office and scoured the cupboards looking for the supplies to bake cookies—without success—before she grew so bored she gave in and used thick makeup to disguise her face as much as possible. She was an actress. She could pretend to be someone else, couldn’t she? And she had to overcome her fear of driving, couldn’t let that debilitate her any more than what the accident had done to her already.

Pulling out her sunglasses to hide her eyes, she put on a hoodie, even though she’d claimed not to have one when Seth first suggested she go running with him, and headed out.