“Yeah, they look like they’ll be just fine. I’ll call you later?”
“Even if you don’t, I’ll call. Can’t escape me.”
I flipped her off, but we both smiled. “Later.”
Neil joined me on the way to the elevator. The man was stealthier than a cat. “Okay, I’m ready.”
The small lobby with the elevators wassoakedin perfume. Lilacs and freshly brewed tea. Esme was perfuming, and suddenly things were making a bit more sense. My sister looked everywhere but at me. “You sure you want to go?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
I kissed Dante on both cheeks. “See you soon?”
“You bet,” he grinned. “Hopefully you, too, Esme.”
“Sure.” It wasn’t convincing.
The paps were still aggressive, but both of us were too deep in our thoughts to pay them any mind. That, and our security was on top of it. We were in the car as quickly as possible.
Once the divider was in place, I pressed the intercom and spoke to my driver. “Jeremy, please go to Esme’s first.”
“Of course, Miss Williams.”
“Okay.” I blew out a breath and turned to Esme. “What the fuck was that?”
“What the fuck was what?”
I rolled my eyes and leaned back against the seat. We weren’t in front of people now. It was just us, and she couldn’t hide from me. “One second you were dancing with Bennett-fucking-Gray looking like you’re in nine kinds of paradise, and the next you’re begging me to leave like you’re running from the law.”
“Yeah.”
Fear settled in my gut. Had I gotten it so wrong? If I had and I looked away… “Did he hurt you? Did he try something?”
“No. No, nothing like that. I just… I couldn’t be there anymore.”
Silence took over the car. The farther we got away from the party, the more she relaxed. Guilt began to creep up my throat. It was my fault she felt this way. So many people had treated her like she was my copy that she was terrified it was going to happen again.
How did I get her to realize that this was okay? “It’s okay to perfume for someone, May-may.”
“I know. I just can’t—” Her breath shook. “I just can’t get my hopes up about something and then have them think I’m going to be you. Not when I reacted like that. I’m sorry.”
“Esme.” I choked on a silent sob as I slid across the seat and pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
It was something I struggled with every day. My success and career made the life of my sister and best friend hell on a regular basis. Most problems in her life could be traced back to me, and I hated that. Even if it wasn’t directly my fault or my choice.
But I wasn’t going to burden her with that. She already suffered enough on my account. She didn’t need to bear my guilt too. “You going to be okay tonight?”
“I’ll be fine.” She sighed. “I’m done perfuming, and I’m going to take a shower and go to bed.”
“Okay.” I squeezed her hand. “Love you, May-may.”
She got out of the car but looked back and gave me a smile that didn’t even come close to reaching her eyes. “Love you, Va-va.”
She stood and watched us disappear, and I couldn’t help the rise of crushing guilt that she was alone once again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
