“Daisy doesn’t blend,” Connor says.
“When have you seen her?” I snap accusingly. I don’t like that these two guys have spent more time with mygirlfriend’s sister than me. I’ve been around the Calloways longer. I’ve known Daisy since she was a kid. I’m supposed to be the interim “big brother” figure. Though, I’ve done a pretty shitty job of it so far.
“I go to the Calloway Sunday luncheons with Rose,” Connor tells me. Oh. Shit.
If I marry Lily, I am easily going to be the worst son-in-law.
And then I pale at the idea of Connor and Rose.
Connor Cobalt cannot marry Lily’s sister. He’ll set unattainable standards that I will never be able to meet.
Loud, happy squeals resound from the bathroom. I relax at the mere thought that Lily is smiling. Last night she was near tears, and anything that can change her mood is something I wholeheartedly approve of. “I’m going to check on them,” I say.
Ryke takes a seat on the edge of the bed, scowling at the carpet. He seems deep in thought. About what—I have no clue. Could be Daisy. Could be Melissa. Could be me.
As I pass, I point at him, “You know what would make you feel better?” I open my mouth to finish, but he cuts me off.
“I’m fine.” And then he crosses his arms.
“Sure.” I give him a once-over. He’s probably pissed that he’s stuck with Melissa. The girl wears impatience like it’s her job. “A beer.”
“A what?”
“A beer would make you feel better.”
He glares. “That’s not funny.”
“It wasn’t a joke.”
“You better go to the bathroom before I punch you, whichwillactually make me feel better.”
I mock gasp. “But I thought you were fine.”
He actually stands off the bed. I don’t badger him anymore. But Christ, his annoyance mademefeel better. Sans beer and all. With a wide smile, I walk over to the bathroom.The giggles grow in octave, and I rap my knuckles against the door.
“Who is it?” Rose calls from inside.
“Lo.” I glance over my shoulder. Ryke and Connor watch me in curiosity by the balcony doors, not attempting to infiltrate the exclusive club that the Calloway girls have. For the first time, I’m a little nervous that the girls won’t invite me in. I’ve always been allowed to be with them. I’m Lily’s other half.
But things have changed, I realize. Rose has a boyfriend. I have a brother. Two more guys have been added to our dynamic, and I could easily be grouped off with them.
So when the door swings open and Lily grabs my shirt, pulling me inside, I can’t help but grin. I feel kind of fucking special. I kiss her almost immediately and while my tongue slides into her mouth, she pushes the door closed with her foot.
Rose clears her throat, and I break away, wrapping my arms around Lily’s waist. She leans back into me with a deep breath, and I finally take in the room. Hair products and makeup have exploded across the counter. Rose sits on the bathtub ledge with a flatiron in one hand and a tube of lip gloss in the other.
“Did Saks Fifth Avenue vomit in our bathroom?” I ask.
They all laugh, and Rose is even too happy to retort with her usual ice. She looks like someone saved her from a deserted island. When Lily untangles from my arms and kneels down over a huge suitcase, I see Daisy for the first time.
She sits on the other side of the suitcase where clothes upon clothes pile high, the stack threatening to topple over. Shopping bags are smashed into available corners of the luggage.
“Hey Lo,” Daisy greets with a warm smile.
And as I truly look at her, my face slowly falls. All I can manage to say is this, “You’re…blonde…” A million other thoughts cross my mind. Most of them circulate around one thing: Me, warning Daisy to stay far away fromeveryguy on the fucking planet. And I have a flash of having to beat the shit out of someone on this trip—just to protect a girl who easily looks as old as her two sisters. She can fit in with our group of college-aged kids. And she shouldn’t. She’ssixteen, despite being a high fashion model.
Great.
Now I know exactly why Ryke was scowling. He knew she was going to be trouble. Not because of her personality. But because…she’s beautiful and too young to be here.
