You have a better option?”
He didn’t. Neither did Sage. I borrowed Larry Steczynski’s cell phone to call Rayna. Personally, I never answer the phone if I won’t recognize the number. Rayna doesn’t feel the same way; she sees an unknown caller as a doorway to a possible romance.
“Hello?” she answered seductively.
“Hey, it’s me.”
“Clea! Are you okay? I’ve been phone-stalking you for days. What happened? Where have you been?”
“Sorry, I lost my cell. Everything’s okay.” Wow-that was easily the biggest lie I’d ever told anyone in my life.
“How okay?” she asked playfully. “Did you meet someone amazing at Carnival and get swept off your feet?”
I loved that those were the only two options for Rayna: Either something had gone horribly wrong, or I’d gotten wrapped up in a wild, whirlwind romance.
I glanced at Sage. “I did meet someone…”
“I knew it! I want to know everything.”
“It’s kind of a long story.”
“I’ve got nothing but time. Details!

Author: Hilary Duff