Page 14 of Masked in Deception

“Oh, I know! Let’s play a game!” she says, clapping her hands before grabbing our glasses and the bottle and dragging me to sit down beside her on one of the sofas, apparently forgetting all about her inquiry of Ledger. “Truth or dare. If you don’t answer or you refuse the dare, you have to take a shot. But! If you take a shot, you have to go again, and youhaveto either do or answer what comes next. You go first. What do you want, truth or dare?”

“Um, truth, I guess.”

She wiggles her eyebrows before looking at me. “Do you have a girrrlfrieeend like Ledger does?”

“That's funny. No, I don’t.”

I can’t help but notice how she lights up a little at my admission. “Okay. Truth or dare.”

“Hmm. Truth.”

“Do you have a boooyyyfriend?” I try to mimic the way she said girlfriend, the alcohol causing her to cackle like a hyena.

“Nope, I’m a single lady.” She gives a little shimmy for emphasis, which has me laughing hysterically this time.

“Okay, dare this time.” Margot pauses for a moment to think before giving quite a diabolical laugh. “I dare you to text Ledger and tell him you think Sloane is the most beautiful woman you’ve ever s...”

I shoot my drink back before she can finish her sentence. “That wasnotfair, and you know it! I know not to accept another dare from you. Truth this time.”

“Fine.” She gives an exaggerated eye roll. “Whoisthe most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen?”

“Easy. You are, Princess.”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny.”

Her playful demeanor fades when she finally takes notice of my intense gaze. “I’m not laughing, Margot. Truth or dare?”

“Truth,” she whispers.

There are so many things I could ask, so many I would love to ask. But for the first time in years, our relationship has been on good, healthy terms, and if I complicate things right now, I could lose one of my very best friends. “Am I still your favorite brother?”

She’s silent for a moment, and I can tell she’s thinking hard about how to answer this. “Jack, honestly, I’ve never really seen you as a brother. You’ve always been, well, more. So, no. You aren’t my favorite brother.” She’s been looking down at her thumbs fidgeting during her answer, but when she looks up, she has the saddest smile I've ever seen on her face. “Still truth?”

I nod.

Our eyes are still locked on each other as she asks her truth. “Do you think of me as more than just a little sister?”

Fuck yes.I’ve always seen her as more. The problem is, that’s changed so much throughout the years, and I don’t know exactly whatthatis because I’ve never allowed myself to unpack those feelings. Her eyes search mine for any indication of a nonverbal answer. I should lie. I should lie and tell her no. I most definitely can’t tell her yes.

Instead, I do the only other thing I can think of. I take a shot, maintaining eye contact the entire time. I couldn’t look away from her if I tried. My admission causes her eyes to widen and her breath to hitch. “Jack…I dare you to kiss me.”

“Whatever you want, Princess.” What I wouldn’t give to taste those beautiful lips of hers. Instead, I lean over and kiss the top of her head like I’ve always done. When I sit back, the disappointment on her face almost kills me.God, if she only knew how disappointed I am as well.I have to force myself to do the right thing and go to my room.

“Good night, baby girl.”

Chapter eighteen

Jack:

Please explain to me why I just found out about your recital in Carnegie Hall next week? Where is my invite?

Margot:

OMG, so dramatic…Mom was supposed to tell you!

Can you come?

Jack: