Page 46

“Then why didn’t you come to the last outing with us?” Kiera narrowed her eyes.

“I had to take care of my sister.”

“What?!” Kiera scrunched up her pretty face.

“You have a sister?” Audri asked.

“How come we don’t know about her? Why haven’t we met her? She could have joined our girls’ nights.”

I opened my mouth and said, “Oh, I thought I already told you.” But then I realized I had shared nothing about Kaylee. I didn’t want to complicate my life in Providence when I would be returning to California as soon as I found Aimee. I hadn’t expected to find an amazing circle of friends.

“I’m her guardian, her big sister. Kaylee is only thirteen years old.”

“Girl, we know you’re a private person. Butwhen you’re friends with me,Ineed to know these things.” Kiera fluttered her eyes. “I don’t bite, you know.”

“You can trust us.” Audri squeezed my shoulder. “I’d like to meet Kaylee.”

I nodded. “Sure. She’d love to browse your jewelry store.”

“I’d love to give her a tour.” Audri got up. “Speaking of which, I have a new collection for you to check out.”

“Are you hiding anyone else?” Kiera asked.

“No.” I laughed. “It’s just me and Kaylee here in Providence.” I gulped down the wine, and Kiera opened the bottle of CheckMate Red since the black label was empty.

The red label had a lighter sweetness compared to the black label. Both were delicious in their own way.

“You can tell us how you became a big sisterafteryou tell us about Arrow.” Kiera winked.

Audri glanced out the window. “Speak of the devil. He just arrived with a box of wine. The boys are hanging out in the man cave today.”

Oh, God.Nerves spiraled in my stomach as though a thousand butterflies had broken free from their cocoons. But then the image of him smiling with his ex at the restaurant and on the sidewalk earlier popped into my head, and I scowled.

Iwantedhis attention.

“If you wanted me that much, why are you with your ex?” The thoughts came out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“Arrow can’t hear you.” Grinning, Kiera pushed herself up. “Want me to go get him?”

“You’d better not!” I yanked her back down and wrapped an arm around her neck as if we were dueling.

“Help me, Audri!” Kiera pretended to choke.

We both laughed like idiots.

Releasing Kiera, I sighed. “Yes, I’m attracted to him. But I don’t trust him.”

Audri and Kiera listened intently.

“He’s asked me out several times, but I’ve always said no.” Needing more warmth for courage, I gulped down the wine. “I think he moved on just as I was thinking of giving him a chance.”

“What makes you think that?” Audri asked.

“I saw him with his ex twice this week. She was all over him.”

“Who’s his ex?” Kiera turned to Audri.

“Sylvia Ormon. Social media influencer.”