Page 99 of Sunshine
I exhale with a little relief. My emotional reserves are almost spent, I’ve still got a big conversation ahead with Annalise andPoppy, and now my heart is pounding because all I can think about is Poppy in a white dress.
“Okay, Little Bee.” I rub her back in slow circles. “We can talk again tomorrow.”
She’s out in fifteen minutes, and my pulse is racing with the need to act, so as soon as it’s safe to move, I rush down the stairs to look for Daisy. She’s not in the living room or the kitchen, but there’s a note stuck to the fridge.
Taking Finn out for beers. Be home late. Don’t wait up. —Daze.
I scowl at the paper, then snatch it up and smash it into a ball. She did this to keep me here and away from Annalise. Thinking fast, I pull out my phone and send a text to Charlie.
Hey. Will you be home soon?
Charlie
I’ve got at least another hour of paperwork here. Do you need me?
I tap out a reply, then erase it and start again, removing all mention of Annalise in case my other sister thinks she knows what’s best for me too.
I was planning to do a little work myself, but Daisy is out. Any chance you could be here for Izzy tonight?
Charlie
I can be there in half an hour. Forty-five minutes tops.
Dammit. I reply with a thumbs-up, then swipe through to my chat with Poppy.
I’m stuck at the house for a little while longer. Wait for me.
I take a seat at the table and stare at my phone, leg bouncing impatiently as I watch the minutes tick by and let my thoughts wander. Poppy. Izzy. Annalise. Charlie. Daisy. Finn…
I can’t believe Finn is out for drinks with Daisy. Of all the nights for him to decide he’s up for a social outing, he decides tonight is the night to brave a crowd?
Suspicion raises the hairs on my neck, and I open a new message.
Hey, bro. Daisy said you two are out tonight. Where’d you go?
Finn texts back straightaway.
Finn
Don’t know what Daze told you, but I’m at home. If she’s gone out tonight, it’s not to see me.
Shit. There’s only one place she’d go and have to lie to me about it.
Can you come to the house? I’m on my own with Izzy and I think our little sister is about to pick a fight with Annalise.
But Poppy’s already there waiting for me.
And Annalise knows.
Finn
Be there in ten.
I sink into my chair with relief before my phone chimes again.
Finn
But I’m going to say this first. You should have told Daze the truth from the start.
