Page 115 of Take This Heart
“She had a meltdown apologizing after you left. Said she was so sorry. She’s always wanted a family and was angry that she’d always be on the outside.”
“Was that for the benefit of the sheriff or for real?”
“Who knows? It seemed sincere, but I don’t know her.” He sighs. “We have another sister and don’t know her at all.”
“And what I do know, I haven’t liked,” I say sadly.
I don’t want to say it. But it claws its way out anyway.
“I think I’m falling in love with him.” Tears drip down my cheeks. “And he knew. It’s another lie.”
“You’re definitely in love with him. And this is all very messy.”
“You think I’m stupid and I just attract liars?”
“You’re not stupid at all.” He pauses. “Hear him out. He’s in love with you too.”
“How do you know?”
“He’s spending his own money to surprise you with something. Not just a little money either,moneybagsmoney.” He looks at me with his eyebrows raised. “A man doesn’t just do that over a little crush.”
I sigh. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Then don’t do anything right now. Breathe. Be mad. Be hurt. But don’t make any big decisions tonight.”
I lean into him again and he rests his chin on my head.
We’re quiet for a few minutes and then he pulls away.
“Need some snacks?” he asks.
“Chocolate and something salty.”
He nods and leaves. I tuck my knees to my chest and there’s a quiet knock on the door.
I don’t answer.
The door creaks open anyway.
Milo steps into the room, looking haggard. His shirt is dirty and there are soot smudges on his jeans. His head has dark stubble where his hair is already growing out, and his eyes are wrecked.
“I had to answer questions at the sheriff’s office or I would’ve been here sooner,” he says. “They let me go after my statement.”
I don’t say anything.
He shifts, his expression pained.
“I’m so sorry that you found out like that.”
I let out a jagged laugh.
He flinches.
“You knew, Milo.”
“I found out today,” he says quickly, stepping forward. “Right before you did. Just as Ava was about to?—”
“Torch the pavilion?” I snap. “Yeah, I was there. I saw what she tried to do. And you were right there with her. Was this the plan all along? Gain our trust and then bring us down together? The perfect revenge for you as a Granger and the perfect revenge for her as our unclaimed sister?”
