9
Ryan took in the look in Bella’s eyes and knew she was getting ready to lie to him. What he didn’t know was why. He liked her, but he didn’t know her well enough to know what was going on with her life. Clearly, there was a lot.
“I just need to head back,” she finally said. It was vague, probably so he couldn’t say she was lying.
“Head back where?” Ryan asked, pushing her to clarify.
She looked up at him and the answer was in her eyes. “I shouldn’t be here. I never should have come.”
“Why not?”
Bella shook her head. “He’s not who I thought he was. Who I guess I hoped he was.”
“Who?”
“My father. I came here to meet him.”
“Wow,” Ryan breathed. “I didn’t know.”
Bella shrugged. “I didn’t want you to know. I…my mom told me he didn’t want me. She said she told him about me and he was
