RJ paused by the door. “Audrey, you should join us on the boat.” He disappeared inside before I could correct him.

Vance closed the door and turned around. His cheeks were a warmer shade of bronze. I wasn’t sure if he was embarrassed or shocked. He glanced at the limo, making it clear it was an embarrassment, which in effect embarrassed me. Coming to the lake had been a mistake.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing.” I shrugged a shoulder and shoved my hands in my front pockets to keep from pinching him for making this so awkward. My body trembled with the effort of keeping it together, so close to crumpling. Couldn’t he see that?

“It can’t be nothing for you to drive out here in the middle of the week.”

I’d witnessed my father trying to take his own life, so it was far from nothing, but no way could I confide in this snooty version of Vance Cumberland. That made me want to punch him in the gut, the same spot where mine ached. “You said I was welcome anytime. Even gave me the code to the gate. Remember?” I whispered instead of yelling like I wanted to.

The door opened. We both twisted to see RJ popping his head out. “Cumberland, the chicks are whining that it’s too chilly on the dock. You have any sweatshirts they can wear?” He asked Vance but his eyes were on me.

“Yeah, man,” Vance answered in his public persona tone. He turned to me with a pleading expression on his handsome face. “I’ll just be a sec. Okay?”

Even though I completely opposed his audacity of putting other girls and that prep squad before me who was supposed to be his girlfriend, I gave him a reassuring nod. He was in fake politician’s son mode, so I knew to keep my mouth shut and remember my place.

RJ lingered after Vance went inside.

“Seriously, join us on the boat . . .” His dark eyes coasted over me. “I bet Vance will let you chauffeur us.” He bit his bottom lip and I bit my tongue.

Someone yelled from inside, so he finally shut the door and I took my cue to haul tail out of there.

A mile or two down the road, several stinging realizations hit me square in the chest.

Vance hadn’t touched me.

Vance hadn’t introduced me.

Vance hadn’t invited me in.

Vance had left me on the porch like an insignificant pet.