Page 36 of Wicked

“Wow, it looks fancy.”

She stops walking. “Oh shit, it isn’t cheap. Did you want to—”

I place a hand on her arm and shake my head. “It’s fine. I’m not that broke.”

She laughs, and we walk inside.

We’re led to a table by an attentive waiter. We order the sashimi and maki rolls to share, and both arrive beautifully plated and topped with edible flowers and crisp vegetables.

As soon as I take my first bite, I instantly know why this place is so popular; everything tastes fresh and delicious.

“So, what do you think?” Mia asks as I finish my last maki roll.

“It’s probably the best sushi I’ve ever had.”

She smiles. “Good. Now you’ll be suitably recharged for an afternoon of more shopping.”

“Your siblings weren’t kidding when they said you can shop.”

“No, they weren’t. Tell me more about the next book you’re working on?” She takes a sip of her cocktail. “It’s pretty impressive. You’ve already written and published a book at twenty-one.”

I shrug. “Mom didn’t think so. It’s a thriller. I’ve been working on it for a while, but...” I trail off, unsure how to explain why I haven’t been able to put any more words down.

“What is it?”

“My mom put my writing down so much I’ve lost confidence in it.” My throat bobs as I feel guilty that a part of me is relieved she’s no longer here. She’s no longer got me trapped, yet it’s like her ghost is still trying to trap me in a life I don’t want through Remy.

“That sucks.” Her brow furrows. “It’s a shame you didn’t have a better relationship with her.”

“Yeah,” I say, looking down at the table.

“Do you think your dad would have supported you if he were alive?” Mia asks.

It’s something I’ve thought about a lot in the past. “I think so. He was different from her.”

“Did they ever catch who murdered him?”

I shake my head. “No, but I know it was his employers. I don’t know who they were, but they were mafia. It’s why I was so angry when I learned what your dad does for a living.”

Mia sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “That makes sense. God, that’s pretty insensitive of her.”

Insensitive is the perfect word to describe how she was. All my life.

“Yeah, shall I get the bill?”

Mia nods. “Yep, and then we shop until we drop.”

“I hope that’s not meant in the literal sense.”

She wiggles her brows. “Maybe?”

I roll my eyes. I won’t be in a rush to go on another shopping trip with my stepsister. Lunch, yes. Shopping, no thanks. I should have heeded Massimo’s and Camilla’s warning.

I catch the server’s attention and ask for the bill. He brings it, and I give him my card. The total is eighty-five dollars. He tries to put it on the card, but it makes a beep.

“It’s been declined, miss,” he says.

My brow furrows. “That’s not possible. There’s more than enough for the bill. Try it again.”

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