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That piqued my curiosity. “What do you want to do?”

“Be a cool influencer who takes downmeaninfluencers . . .legally.” She smirked and sipped her lemonade.

What was I going to do with her? How did Vivian handle her?

Needing to do something, I scratched an itch that wasn’t on my head. I didn’t know what to say. In front of me sat a brilliant girl with a bright future. I knew little about Kaylee. All I knew was that she was an orphan when Vivian took her in.

Today, Kaylee had acted out of anger—understandably so—but she also had the clarity to accept her punishment. She knew her crime, and she also knew to callmeinstead of her sister. Right now she was trying to help pay for the cost of the car.

If I could stop Sylvia from creating more trouble, the car was nothing to me.

How could I not help a special girl who was more aware of herself than some adults I’d encountered? To own up to one’s mistakes or accept an ugly truth was something a lot of adults couldn’t do. Sylvia had refused to accept that she and I were no longer a couple. That refusal had distorted her emotions, which caused her to hire people to attack the woman I love.

Kaylee needed guidance. Her brilliance could benefit this world one day. I saw myself in her. Things could take an ugly turn if she didn’t have guidance or a place to feel safe at this vulnerable stage in her life.

She didn’t know the extent of her successful Heartstrings dating app. She only knew what my team and I had told her. But the software team had analyzed data that showed success and the potential for immense growth. We could launch it after I discussed it with her and Vivian. This was Kaylee’s creation, and my company would give her the support she needed to take it further. But there were more important issues to deal with right now.

“A brand-new Mercedes would take you a long time to pay back.”

Kaylee made a face. “Why did she have to be so mean?”

“And being mean back solves nothing,” I retorted.

She looked at me. “What did you see in Sylvia anyway? She’s not a nice person! Did you see how she wanted to hurt me when I told her I was Vivian’s sister?”

It had taken some persuasion to calm Sylvia down. She hated bad publicity, as did most influencers. So replacing her car had forced her to drop the charges, especially when the police couldn’t find any proof.

After Kaylee finished her dinner, she got into the passenger seat, and I drove her home.

“Please don’t tell Vivian, okay?” She clasped her hands over her lap, looking worried.

“I promise.”

“Pinky promise?” She wriggled her pinky.

I rolled my eyes but curled my pinky over her tiny finger. This was the first time I’d offered a pinky promise to anyone. When Vivian entered my life, she brought a lot of unfamiliar things with her. A lot of firsts for me. I’d never chased after a woman the way I did with her. I’d never fallen for anyone so fast and so hard. I’d never given anyone a piggyback ride, and now I was giving her sister a pinky promise.

I didn’t have siblings growing up, so I didn’t know what it was like to care for someone younger than me. I admired Vivian for taking on the tough responsibility.

Was it difficult for her to juggle her life to ensure it didn’t conflict with Kaylee’s needs?

“I’m glad Vivian’s with you,” Kaylee said, looking out the window.

“You didn’t like her other boyfriends?”

“No. I only met Connor. They didn’t last long though. He was a dentist too, but such a jerk.”

Fascination grew. “How so?”

“One time, I went out to dinner with them. He drank too much and called her names. He also made fun of her scars. I was so mad. They fought, and he got violent. She broke up with him, but he wouldn’t leave her alone. His family was ‘influential.’” Rolling her eyes, she released a disgusted groan. “I’m starting to hate the word ‘influence’ and all its variations.”

I chuckled at her honesty. But my fingers itched to destroy her ex. “What do you mean they ‘fought?’ Physically or verbally?”

“Both. But she defended herself and punched him in the face, which pissed him off even more. I guess he’s not used to a woman disobeying him. He used to stalk her, but she got a restraining order. That did nothing in the end. He only moved on because he found another girl.”

I wanted to meet this asshole. I could imagine the fear he’d bestowed on her and Kaylee.

“Oh my God!” Kaylee shifted her body to look out the window. “Oh my God!” she repeated. “It’s Vivian! She’s doing the pimp roll!” A burst of laughter erupted from Kaylee.