“Do you want to?”
Lying would be stupid. She’s my sister and the last person on earth to want to hurt me.
“I don’t know,” I admit, staring at Allora, who has just thrown her head back in a real laugh. One that shakes her entire body and is…breathtaking.
Just like her.
“I think she’s special,” Courtney says softly.
“Why?” I ask curiously.
“Partly because of how you met but also because she’s resilient as fuck. Look at her. Two weeks ago, she was being assaulted, on the verge of being trafficked or some other horrible thing. Tonight, she’s alive. Genuinely happy. Back in her element. Every minute isn’t like that but the fact that she’s able to be here tonight and enjoy herself is a testament to her fortitude. And I think it has a lot to do with you.”
I shake my head. “No. That’s all her. Yes, I’ve helped her feel safe so she could deal with everything on the inside, but this isn’t about me.”
She smiles. “When you find your person, it’s not black and white. There’s no more her and you—there’s just the two of you. And you’ve already become a couple, even if you don’t realize it.”
“What are you talking about, Court?” I give her an impatient look.
“Walk over there. Don’t be intrusive, just be her boyfriend, which is your role tonight anyway. Touch her back or her arm and watch how she reacts. Watch how natural it is for her to bring you into the fold. Go on. I dare you.”
I hate my sister sometimes.
But I’m not going to argue.
Instead, I stroll the twenty feet over to where Allora is talking and slide my arm around her waist. “May I join you?” I ask casually.
As Courtney predicted, she melts into my embrace and greets me with a welcoming smile. “Of course. This is my friend Serena Everhart. She’s?—”
“Marissa from Dusty Peaks,” I interject with a genuine smile.
Serena laughs. “I used to be, yes.”
“Serena, this is Landon Grimshaw.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Serena looks around. “My husband is somewhere but I seem to have lost him.”
“She’s married to West McGregor from?—”
“The hockey player?” I ask in surprise. “We’ve met. We have some mutual friends.”
“Of course. He lived in L.A. for a long time, playing for the Vipers. He’s with the Atlanta Thunder now. They’re in the playoffs at the moment but they swept the second round so they had some time off and he was able to come with me for the show.”
“They’re doing a reboot of Dusty Peaks,” Allora says. “And I’m angling for a one-liner cameo.”
Serena laughs. “Absolutely. Between Lacy and me, we’ll make it happen.”
They go back to chatting about people they know but it’s not awkward or weird because Allora doesn’t allow it. She includes me, explaining who they’re talking about and occasionally I already know them.
Suddenly a woman approaches us. She’s moving quickly, like she’s on a mission and I instinctively pull Allora tighter into my side.
“Allora Sterling.” The woman says her name like she already knows it’s her but has to doublecheck before she does whatever it is she’s going to do.
I feel Allora stiffen, and I unobtrusively step between them.
“Can we help you?” I ask.
She blinks up at me, clearly surprised that I would interfere.
