I wanted to laugh.
I wanted to cry.
I wanted to drag him back to the airport, shove him into a family bathroom, and finally make him stop being so noble.
Instead, I lifted my chin, smoothed my face into the version of myself my mother understood, and opened the door.
“Try not to let my mother adopt you before dessert.”
Drew stepped out after me, all height and shoulders and impossible confidence under the Texas Christmas lights.
“No promises,” he drawled.
Chapter Seventeen
DREW
The Calloway houselooked like Christmas had taken out a loan and hired a decorator.
White brick. Black shutters. Gas lanterns by the front door. Wreaths big enough to have their own security detail. Every window glowing with candles. The lawn was manicured within an inch of its life, and the oak trees out front had been wrapped in white lights so precisely I knew somebody’s mother had screamed at a contractor.
Texas money.
Different from Miami money.
Miami money wanted glass, water, gates, and the illusion that rules were for other people. Texas money wanted columns, land, monograms, and for everyone driving by to understand there were heirlooms somewhere inside, even if half of them had been bought last year.
Isa sat beside me in the Suburban, quiet for the first time since we’d left the airport.
That was my first warning.
Isa Calloway handled nerves by becoming more polished. The more uncomfortable she got, the prettier her smile became. The sharper her posture. The smoother her voice.
By the time Wade pulled into the circular drive, she looked like a girl on a magazine cover.
Beautiful.
Untouchable.
Scared out of her mind.
I reached for her hand before she could open the door.
“Hey.”
She looked over.
I hated the vulnerability in her eyes. Hated more that she tried to hide it before I could do anything useful with it.
“You look beautiful,” I said.
Her mouth pulled to one side. “That’s your pep talk?”
“My pep talks are elite.”
“Your pep talks are mostly you complimenting yourself.”
“And yet they work.” I brushed my thumb over her knuckles. “They’re going to adore me.”
