la

f Ronan's car, watching the s

g was today, and I had b

the window and my hands in my lap and tried to look like a woman who was simply quiet ra

ith the a

ing at me, dark hair falling

othing,

een ignoring my texts

ned. "What have I done that's so terr

even know why he still insisted on being wi

g the side piece in

I said, aver

g his extra work, and the rewrite was still sitting on my desk. Somewhere betw

nding," I added, ad

n the wheel, and I stiffe

had chosen not to remember. The way his an

wall, flipped the table, and the cruel

ents, but the slap he had given me in my last li

g, holding my hands in m

ed low. "You did. Your parents gave me a mouthful about

ping myself. I need to stand up fo

I said, keeping my eyes forward. "I have a job. A car

ng me hold on to my seat in fear

e almost crashed into him, cu

ned to look at me, face darkeni

ay. My face turned paler by the second,

his pho

tension, and he glanced

vi

e changed-the anger smoothing out almost instantly, hi

window, grateful fo

Don't provoke Ronan when he's driving. D

at against my thighs and stared at the passing streets and

scared

dressing his anger issues as something e

was sad that it took me dying

-

t without opening my door. I was used to it,

and felt my

e with Vivienne between them. All three of them laughi

aled

loved me once-until Vivienne arrived and I became

s arm, laughing, and felt something

r and walked toward

with a bright smile and pulled me in

et out of the car!" she sai

sickness," I

row at my lie, b

ood there for a moment waiting bef

hat's that expression? You d

rom work," I

u could try to look a little more e

this," Ronan muttered, already mo

my lips

is that face? Is that how you treat the man

kept my v

ointment. "Don't you dare let a good man like that slip away b

ambling, staring at

your problem toda

r voice gentle and certain. "Let's not get involved in her and

two-fac

pecific warmth he reserved for her

satisfied, before turning ba

htly, almost to herself. "Unlike some

hest tightening

y always did. She always mad

ling at Vivienne, unbothe

a little laugh in her voice.

ht," my fat

the three of them, and I stood on the p

p off th

ng with a casual smile, like I

llowed them inside. I could en

lmost immediately, pressing a small gift into

ticed she was ho

hought of you,"

se leaf tea sat inside-one of my favorite blends. The exact one I

ave been grateful that Vivienne was

d for years. Every tin replaced before it e

needed to

as I looked up at her. Could th

wrapped my hands around a warm mug and drunk whate

you,"

with a smile. "You're my sist

But I'm never tr