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Foundation, if that. Her lips were naturally pink, her eyes the darkest

brown. Her lashes were thick and long, velvety soft. She had an oval-

shaped face, but her chin was angular, her nose tiny, and her cheekbones

sharp, giving her more of a fairy-like look. Her hair was jet black and hung

in soft curls down her back like a midnight waterfall.

Without warning, both women came and plopped down on the grass on

either side of Arabella. She lifted her head desperately, keeping her gaze

straight so she wouldn’t look panicked at being flanked. This was no more

than she deserved. What did she expect? That because June said everything

was fine, she was willing to let a year of being treated terribly go, just like

that?

“Arabella,” Summer purred, a smile on her lips. “It’s good to see you

again. It’s been a long time.” She stuck out a hand, and Arabella was forced

to take it. She shook gently, without any force, then dropped Arabella’s cold

fingers. She felt cold everywhere, despite the warmth of the day.

June stared at the group of kids playing football. “Nice day for a picnic,”

she ground out, barely audibly.

It was beyond clear that Summer had dragged June over. Not physically,

but by convincing her somehow. She’d probably threatened to come alone,

and June would have been worried that she’d probably make a scene. It

wouldn’t be the first time she was stuck playing intermediary between

Arabella and Summer.

Arabella swallowed the lump in her throat. She wasn’t going to give

anyone a reason to need a mediator. In her most passive voice, she agreed.

“I-it’s been a long time. How are you, Summer? Your parents? And your

brother?”

“They’re good. How are yours? Your parents, I mean?” From the glint in

her eyes, it was obvious Summer knew everything. She’d probably looked

Arabella’s dad up online. There had been tons of articles about what he’d

done, after all.