“Liar. You’re starting to look like him, you know?”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“I think you do.” She pulls Cavall’s head into her lap. “I won’t pry. But if you ever need someone who isn’t a Callowaymanor a Penngrove, we’re here.”
“Well I am gonna pry,” Felicity says. “Jules thinks herbrother’s up to something, and as her best friend I’m obligated to be concerned.”
Juliette shoots her a look. “I just said I wasn’t prying.”
“Lucky for us, we’re two separate people.”
Juliette picks at a thread on the couch. “I’m not stupid, Ginny. My brother has scars he won’t explain. He’s been disappearing for years, but lately he’s cut me out completely. We used to be best friends.”
My heart thuds. Because I know things but none of them are mine to tell.
“You know something,” she says. “I can see it.”
I take another gulp of wine and press my lips together.
“I’m not asking you to betray his trust. I just need to know, is he in danger? Is someone hurting him?”
The crack in her voice guts me.
“Because if they are, I can’t just sit here and watch him drown.”
He is drowning. I’ve seen it in every glance he cuts away, every wince when someone says Art’s name, every pause before an answer that sounds rehearsed.
“I can’t tell you everything,” I say. “It’s not my story.”
Her eyes fill. “But… He’s told you?”
“Yes.”
She tilts her head like she’s seeing me for the first time.
“He trusts you.”
“I’d hope so.”
I want to tell them everything. The email. Art’s coldness. The way Lance looks at me like I’m a problem he can’t solve and a hope he’s afraid to have.
But all I can manage is: “Thanks for all this. It means more than you know.”
Felicity scrunches her nose. “Have no fear, the bitches who keep it real are here.”
Juliette cracks a smile.
Felicity falls back on the couch, giggling. “This is nice. Being here. Away from everything.”
“Away from Alex, you mean,” Juliette says.
“God, you make it sound like I hate him. I love Alex, he’s one of my best friends. But, he’s so damn happy and optimistic, you know? It just feels like I’mstealing sunlight. Like grabbing whatever warmth I can before someone shuts the curtains.”
Juliette frowns.
“I’m fine.” The brightness snaps back into place on Felicity’s face. “More wine?”
Cavall’s head snaps up. A low growl rumbles in his chest, and we all freeze. He’s staring at the window, body rigid, hackles raised. The growl builds, and the hair on my arms stands up.
