Page 22 of Filthy Rich Temptation

‘You just described yourself.’

‘I’m not jealous of you, Sadie.’

‘No,’ I say, bitterness spilling out. ‘Just of Danny for taking me away from you.’

‘I just want what’s best for you.’

‘And he is what’s best for me. He loves me.’

‘That’s not love.’

‘And what would you know about it? You’ve never had a relationship last longer than five minutes. You hop from one bed to another, and you say I’m the one desperate to be loved? At least I don’t go around behaving like a?—’

I break off but the meaning lands like a slap to her flawless cheek. She stiffens, her face paler than pale. But hell, if she wants to stand there telling me how I should live my life, I can sure as shit do the same.

‘You can think what you like about me, but I love you, Sadie. And I don’t want to fight with you. You’re my little sister. You’re the only good thing Dad ever gave me, and I will always want to protect you and look out for you.’

‘I love you too. But you don’t have to do any of that any more. I have Danny now. And I want that for me. I want love. I want a family. A real one. Not the fucked-up mess we had.’

She swallows hard. ‘And what about college? Your diploma?’

‘I thought you’d be pleased I’m sacking it off.’

‘Sadie, that’s not?—’

‘I have my vlog now. I don’t need the diploma.’

‘You mean you have him, don’t you? You’re giving it all up for him?’

‘And so what if I am? It’s my decision to make, not yours.’

‘Don’t you mean mistake?’

‘For God’s sake, Tay, I’m trying to?—’

The horn blares again and I wince.

‘I should go before Old Man Leo takes his sweeping brush to Danny’s car.’

I step up to her, angling the box away as I lean in on tiptoes and kiss her frozen cheek. ‘I’m going to be fine.’

She nods, barely, her gaze fixed on the outer hall behind me. ‘Just… call me when you get there.’

‘Sure.’

But I don’t call. I text.

And just like that, the distance between us becomes more than just miles. It becomes a strained silence. A gulf. One that I’m no longer sure we’ll ever be able to cross.

6

THEO

Boat secured.Check.

Now for my passengers…

I turn to find Lottie doing laps around Sadie like a toddler-shaped firework – tiny, fast, and seconds from detonation.