Page 40 of The Golden Hour

Lizzie sighs. “She’s had a celebrity crush on him for a few years. I think she’s hurt he didn’t reciprocate.”

We both know there’s more to it than that, but I shake my head and grab my purse. “It’s all good. Weirdly, her reaction is kind of comforting.”

Lizzie grins. “I get it. She’s not treating you any differently than before.”

I nod. “Neither are you,” I say softly, then pause. “You’d tell me if something were going on, right, Lizzie?”

She frowns. “Well, yeah. But what are you talking about?”

“I don’t know… like stuff with the family.”

Her gaze clears. “This is about my comment earlier, about being married off?” I nod and she chuckles, the sound so jaded, so different from her usual laughter that I wince. “I don’t have to explain it to you, do I, Calli?”

Her gaze hits mine, direct and challenging, and for a moment I think she knows. My breath stills. Spots dance in my vision.

Then she rolls her eyes, laughing light and familiar. “Don’t worry about me. I’m just having my first existential crisis. Figuring out what I want and all that shit. Ellie doesn’t get it.”

I choose my words carefully. “You can do whatever you set your heart and mind to, Lizzie.”

She offers a slight smile. “As long as it serves the family, right?”

No, God no.

Somehow I make myself smile. “Right.”

“Have fun tonight, okay? You deserve it.”

“I’ll try.”

She stands up and gives me a quick hug, then shoos me toward the door. I’m on the threshold when she murmurs, “Why did you come back here?”

My knuckles blanch as I grip the doorframe, my heart sinking. Blinking away the sting in my eyes, I glance back to meet her gaze.

“For you and Ellie.”

She nods, gaze dropping to the floor. “I figured as much.”

I swallow hard. “I love you, Lizzie.”

“Love you, too, big sis.”

I don’t want to leave her, but I do, my thoughts shifting gear to who waits for me, likely annoyed as he deflects the advances of my other sister.

Sure enough, when I get to the foyer, I find Ellie standing inappropriately close to my so-called date. In short-shorts that show off her lithe, tan legs, and lacy white tank, she’s pushing the fun-loving-SoCal-girl angle hard. Though Finn doesn’t look impressed, he doesn’t look unimpressed, either, his expression engaged as Ellie chatters nonstop.

It hits me that he’s used to women throwing themselves at him, used to flirting and probably sleeping with whoever he wants. Maybe Ellie is his type. The thought comes tinged green, which only makes me annoyed with myself.

I clear my throat. Finn’s eyes snap to me, a smirk blooming on his lips like he could hear my irritation in the sound.

“Hi, Callisto,” he says, that damnable smile growing, one eyebrow arching as he takes in my casual appearance. “You look beautiful. Ready to go?”

His execution is so flawless, for a moment I think he’s actually complimenting me. That he thinks I’m beautiful. Stupid, Calli. Reminding myself what a joke this is—that I’m being blackmailed of all things—resets my equilibrium.

“Yep. Have a good night, Ellie. Thanks for answering the door.”

Ignoring me, she touches Finn’s arm, encased by a leather jacket. “Now you have my number, so let me know about that thing, okay?”

He nods. “Will do. See you later.”

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