Well, I didn’t want to do that either.
“Actually,” I started, “I remember Momma telling me she wanted to clear out her closet ... I should go check the pile she left out for me ...”
“Sure, she did,” Sean chuckled, shaking his head as he started gathering his tools. “Well, you do that. And tell Daisy I’ll be right out.”
“On it,” I said, turning to leave. But before I stepped out, I paused at the door and glanced back at him. “Hey, Sean?”
“Yeah?”
“Take care of yourself, okay?”
“Always, kiddo.”
CHAPTER 56
ROSALIE
By the time Friday came along, I’d already run through the many possible conversations I could have with Margot and her posy of social faux pas.
The soft hum of conversation and theclinkof glasses filled the room as I stood by the entrance to the house, scanning the growing crowd. I smoothed down my dress and took a deep breath.
Max had told me he’d be able to make it, yet I found him nowhere.
He’d promised.
I stepped further into the room, weaving through the guests, who had already begun to form tight-knit clusters. Familiar faces tried to greet me, some offering polite smiles and nods, while others were engaged in the unnecessary small talk I hated but entertained anyway.
My eyes kept darting to the door, hoping to catch sight of Max, but instead I found my mother. She gave me a subtle nod—a reminder to keep up appearances. I forced a smile and moved toward the bar, hoping a drink might steady my nerves.
As I waited for my martini, a voice called out to me. “There you are!” It was Daisy, her face alight with excitement. She was dressed to the nines, as usual.
“Daisy,” I greeted, managing a genuine smile.
She wore a black dress and had her hair tied back.
She started to ramble on about the other day, but all I could think about was Max. It had been half an hour, and he still wasn’t here.
“You didn’t happen to see Max yet, did you?” I asked.
Daisy shook her head. “No, but how is married life treating you?”
The bartender handed me my martini, and I took a sip, savoring the cool, crisp taste. “It’s treating me well.”
She smirked. “See? I told you that curse was just a bunch of nonsense.”
I let out a small laugh. “Oh, the curse was real. It just had a name, and that name was Max.”
Her eyes widened as she leaned in closer. “Both Derik and Simon?” she asked, her voice hushed.
“And Lucas,” I added regrettably.
Daisy’s eyes widened with shock. “He got Lucas too?” she whispered, her voice quiet compared to the loud chatter. “No one told me.”
I cringed. “Sean put him in my grave ...”
Her mouth fell. “I hate this family.”
I still couldn’t believe Max had gone through all the trouble of taking three lives just because of a kiss. The sheer absurdity of it gnawed at me. I was walking a fine line between passion and peril. I felt guilty for my attraction to Max, but it was impossible to ignore, no matter the circumstances. I liked to tell myself there were other reasons for him to have killed them.
