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“Don’t manhandle my sister in front of me.”

I wish that was a possibility right now. “You’re assuming she’ll let me get close to her.”

“Lauren thinks it can work.”

“Did she give you ideas?” I ask.

He wrinkles his nose. “No. I wouldn’t tell you anyway.”

“Then why am I talking to you? I need the professional on my side.”

He considers it then hooks a thumb toward the door. “Go get your intel. I’ll go save Lux.”

He stands and heads toward the group on the other side of the room.

I go looking for Lauren. I need all the help I can get to make this work. I don’t make it ten feet when my phone pings with a message.

Noris

I want Ayla to spend her birthday with me.

Her timing is always impeccable.

32

Lux

I don’t get inside my house until late. I had to fight my entire my family to be able to come home alone. My brothers, Lauren, and Adri wanted me to stay with them. Adri’s mom tried to sweeten the pot by promising to make me breakfast tomorrow. Even Winter tried to get me to go home with her and Grayson. Her Aunt Millie hugged all three of us so tight and whispered in my ear that if I didn’t go home with my brothers or them, I should go home with Ollie and Ayla.

It ripped a chuckle out of me. But saying goodbye to them had been hard enough. I’m not good company, and I am not going to subject anyone to that. Plus, things are complicated enough with all the shit happening around me. I need to be alone and breathe.

My cleaning lady came by while I was in Positano. Everything looks and smells like a spa. I have Lauren to thank for that. I know she’s been on top of it. My house is so beautiful, and being here is like the air is fresh and flows right through me. It’s cold and quiet and should be heaven to sleep.

But I’m not tired.

My footsteps echo in the silence.

And I need two sweaters because it’s so drafty.

I pull out my app and turn the lights in the house to a low turquoise. I strip out of my clothes and fill my freestanding tub. The water is almost boiling, and I dump in bath salts and aromatic oils. I pull up my hair and throw in a rubber band. I lie inside, a glass of wine on the wide ledge next to it and my phone in my hand.

I have a message from Eddha, letting me know she’s resting and feeling better. I thank her and go into a chat Adri, Lauren, and I started the other day.

Adri

I wish you would’ve come home with one of us, Lux.

Lauren

Yeah, you’re not alone. You have us, and me and the boys want to show you and Chase how much we love you.

I reply with a teary emoji.

Me

Love you too. I just need to be by myself.

As tempting as it is not to be alone, the kids and she shouldn’t have to split their attention between Chase and me. I put my phone next to my wine glass and lie back against the pillows. It’s eerily quiet, and normally, I welcome that. I know I’m not alone, but I can’t help but feel it when I breathe the quiet and can hear my own breath. I close my eyes and let the warm water soothe my skin, relaxing into it.