Page 19 of Tell Me Why
“Ramen.”
“We have a variety of food downstairs, Eve. Why are you only eating Ramen?”
“Because I can’t have anything with nuts in it,” I say quickly. “I’m allergic.”
He frowns, eyebrows pinched. “How allergic?”
My tongue darts out to wet my bottom lip. I’ve always been embarrassed to talk about this, because not everyone believes me when I tell them. The number of times I’ve been told that nut allergies “aren’t a real thing,” or that it’s “all in my head,” is pretty wild. Going into anaphylactic shock has happened to me twice, and it was terrifying each time. It definitely wasn’t “in my head.”
“I have an EpiPen in my bag,” is my only answer.
“Just peanuts or all nuts?”
“Mostly peanuts and almonds, but I stay away from all nuts.”
And that’s because I’ve never done an actual allergy test. My aunt, who raised me after my mom died, was one of those people who thought my allergy was just me being dramatic and acting out for attention. I’ve never figured out how hives erupting on my skin and my throat closing up could be considered “acting up,” but whatever. Sin was the one who finally got me the EpiPen.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asks.
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I was embarrassed, I guess.”
Christian nods once, pulls his phone out of his pocket, and shoots off a text to someone. Probably, Austin, who seems to be the errand boy around here.
He tucks his phone back into his pocket. “Okay, the food will be here in a bit. I’m having Austin pick something up.”
“Thanks.”
“Now that that’s settled…” He flicks the black envelope at me without releasing it. “Your invite.”
I snatch it from his hand and toss it onto the bed next to me. “I’m studying. I don’t have time for parties. So thanks, but no, thanks.”
“Attendance is mandatory. For you, at least. You’re the guest of honor.”
Dear God. Guest of honor for what?Ugh.Curiosity gets the better of me, and I snatch the envelope up, popping the gold wax seal.
You are cordially invited
to join the Burning Crown’s
Fox Hunt and Gathering
Tomorrow Night
Eight O’clock
Rush House
Full Hunt Breakfast to follow
Formal Hunt Attire Required
“You hunt foxes in Malibu?” I ask, looking up at him with a mixture of horror and disgust. We do have foxes around here, especially in the foothills, but to create an eventhuntingthem…that’s a new kind of evil, even for the Burning Crown.
“Not often, but we do,” he answers, something cryptic in his tone.
Whatever.I flick the invite and it lands at the end of the bed, then I go back to my textbook. “Not interested.”
With a grin, he sits on the bed next to me and moves the book out of my reach, so I can’t use it as a distraction. “Do you know what ‘mandatory’ means?” he asks, mocking me. His clean, pine scent surrounds me, reminding me of what happened just a few hours ago in the dining room—how effortlessly he taunted me.
