Smiling—because I know that’s what she wants to see—I nod. “I’m getting it. It’s too pretty to leave behind on a shelf, unworn.”
Looking down at her long, dark purple nails, she scowls. “Good. I hope you make Levi’s eyes roll so hard that he sees his brain.”
CHAPTER49
LEVI
“Where’s Lia?”
I look down at my little sister as she peers up at me with sad eyes.
Clenching my jaw, I stir the chocolate powder into her milk a little too aggressively at the reminder of the one person I’m trying to forget about.
“She’s busy.” I shrug, not wanting to break the news to her just yet.
I like seeing her happy and not sad, thank you very much.
“She still loves us, right? She’ll come back?” Her voice breaks, making my heart ache.
Ache so bad that I nearly double over.
“Of course she loves you,” comes out thickly.
My sister looks at me like she doesn’t believe me one bit. I’m sure she still adores Stella. Anyone would be crazy not to. But me? I’m not sure if she ever loved me. She wouldn’t have broken us off.
“Then, why isn’t she here?”
I hand her the glass, and she starts drinking.
“I told you, she’s busy.”
Letting out a cute sigh, she says innocently, “Can I talk to her on the phone?”
“Nope.”
Walking to my room, I hear her tiny footsteps following right behind me.
“Why not?”
“Because she’s busy,” I call out before hearing her grumble.
If only you knew, Stella. If only you knew …
* * *
“What’s been up with you lately?” Rowan gives me a strange look.
“Nothin’,” I grumble, not wanting to talk.
“We’ve known you for almost our whole lives. You think we believe your bullshit?” Axel remarks smartly.
“I think there’s a lot of bullshit in there”—I point to his head, making him frown—“that’s making you see things.”
“Shut the hell up and tell us what’s wrong.” Axel lowers his voice in what he hopes is a threatening tone, but he sounds anything but that.
I raise a brow. “How can I shut up but talk at the same time?”
Rowan shakes his head, and an amused look crosses his face. “Tell us, bozo.”
