“You love me.”
She shakes her head but her lips lift. “Stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Being right.” She groans and leans back against the couch in a huff. “I hate that we’re all so worked up over it and you say a few words, and now everything makes sense again.”
Lo rises with Lily in his arms. “He has a gift.”
“Given byme,” I say. I forget the cameras are even in the room until I hear the zoom of Savannah’s Canon as she focuses on me while Brett’s camera is on Scott. The blond-haired producer remains by the wall, glaring.
I came in and did exactly what he didn’t want.
I calmed every single fucking person.
I flicked over his rook, his bishop, and protected my queen.
I mouth,Don’t fuck with me.These five people mean more to me than words can express. I’ve never once felt like I had arealfamily.
But with them—I know I do.
CHAPTER 17
ROSE CALLOWAY
My parents have rentedout the loft to a ritzy hotel in New York City, complete with thirty sprawling flat screens, hors d'oeuvres and two hundred of their closest friends. They call it a screening party for the first episode.
I call it a nightmare.
Let’s be clear. This is arealityshow. We’re not going to look like proper, upstanding ladies of Philadelphia. I reiterated these sentiments to my mother and she waved me off. “I know what a reality show is, Rose,” she said. “But this way, we’ll be laughing with you and not atyou.”
I’m not sure that’s much better.
4 months and 25 days until the wedding– Mom
I slip my phone into my clutch and snatch a champagne glass from the nearest server, who wears a signature-fitted Calloway Couture black pleated dress. Another reason why a hundred plus people are here to watch our antics: they have big checkbooks. Ones that may want to invest or buy some of the clothes that Lily, Daisy, and I wear on the show.
I scroll through my phone, checking for the millionth time that the CC website is still online. God forbid it crashes during the show. That would be my luck.
The largest flat screen at the front of the room has a countdown before the show begins. 10 minutes.10 fucking minutes.
Where the hell is Connor?
My nerves have spiked to new degrees, and I restrain myself from pulling out my phone and checking the website again.
I scan the crowd quickly, and I spot Loren and Lily standing off to the side, nearest a large potted plant. This is their first Calloway hosted event since Lily’s sex addiction became public. Half the people in the room stare at them with curious, admonishing gazes. The other half gossip in whispers.
Lily and Loren look about as uncomfortable as they can be, shifting and avoiding eye-contact. Lo has his arm around Lily’s shoulder, touching her in comfort and rotating her body every time a camera edges too close.
There are twelve cameramen here. Just to ensure that every moment is captured for the show.
I’m about to walk over to Lily for moral support, but I barely take a step before Ryke approaches the couple. He hands Loren a can of Fizz Life and Lily his plate of Swedish meatballs. Whatever Ryke says, it has Lo smiling for the first time all night.
Two years ago, Lo and Lily would be standing miserable in a corner. Addicted and enabling. A few months ago, no one could persuade my sister to leave the house because of the gossip and ridicule.
Now they’re here.
Smiling.
