It was tucked away in the back of a drawer. I’d worn the locket January got me for Christmas instead. It was gold and shaped like a book. It opened to reveal an engraved quote from one of my favorite childhood novels. “‘Why, sir. I think—I don’t know—but I think I could be brave enough.’” It was fromTheLion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. And it made me cry because January always had a way of telling a person something meaningful without actually saying it out loud.
I didn’t know if she was right.
My fingertips grazed the locket. “It was a gift from Jan.”
Sebastian gave me a strained smile. “It’s nice.”
I shifted awkwardly. “How are your parents?”
“Talking. So at least that’s something.”
“Good.”
“Thanks for that, by the way.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“It was your idea to force Gemma to tell the truth.”
“I’m glad it worked. How’s Juno?”
Sebastian shrugged, his mouth tilting upward in one corner. “In love with Leona. So strange. The love part, not the Leona part. She’s cool. I get the attraction. They were supposed to be here tonight, but Leona surprised Juno with tickets to New York. Can’t really compete with New Year in Times Square.”
“I dunno. I’m a wee bit biased, but a Scottish Hogmanay is a special thing.”
“Is that because it lasts longer?” he teased.
“We Scots do like to draw things out, don’t we?”
“Sebastian!”
We turned to find the strawberry blond leaning casually against the entrance of the flat. Her eyes flickered over me, dismissing me, before warming on Sebastian. “Do you know what you did with that prosecco I brought?” Her accent was as crisp and classy as Sebastian’s.
“Uh, sure. Candice, this is my friend Lily. Lily, this is Candice. She moved to Edinburgh for a job and is a friend of my grandmother.”
A friend of Princess Mary?
Wow.
Okay, then. So she was gorgeous and ran in the same circles as Sebastian.
“Nice to meet you,” I said politely.
She gave me a small smile. “You too. Love your dress.”
“You too.”
“Prosecco, Bas?”
Bas?
She was calling him Bas like she was one of his close buddies?
“Sure.” He gestured for me to go inside first, and Candice stepped aside to let me pass. When I glanced over my shoulder, the newcomer slid her arm around Sebastian’s waist. I quickly turned away.
I wanted to go home.
I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing how much it hurt.
