She’s quiet for a moment, then says, “My mother does.”
“She won’t help us,” I point out.
She nods slowly, chewing on her lower lip.
“I have an idea.” I snap my fingers.
After discussing the plan, we leave the bathroom and get ready for the party. That’s why Avi is here.
I choose a long red dress; Avi picks a long yellow one. The design is identical, only the color separates us.
Once we get downstairs, we look for our mothers. Usually, Autumn and Lyn come to these parties, but this one isn’t that big. Besides, Lyn doesn’t want to see Leo, and Autumn’s busy with university. Our mothers are gathered with Aunt Stacy—Uncle Troy’s wife, Aunt Savi—Mom’s cousin, and Aunt Bella, who’s Aunt Savi’s sister-in-law.
Avi and I exchange a look.We need them alone to execute our plan.
“What do we do now?” Avi asks.
“We’ll have to adapt. Let’s work with what we have.”
She nods.
It’s impossible to get them alone now that their friends are here, and we only have this party to carry out our plan.
We walk over and greet everyone. I settle close to her mother; Avi sits near Aunt Savi, across from me.
“How are you?” Aunt Savi asks with concern.
“I’m good, Aunt.”
“That must have been a horrible experience.” She looks at me with pity.
“Oh no, it wasn’t. Her kidnapper was hot.” Avi winces the moment the words leave her mouth.
Aunt Savi pinches her cheek and glances at Aunt Abi. “When will your daughter grow up?”
Avi rubs her cheek and stands. “I’m going to complain to Uncle Maksim about your bullying.”
Everyone chuckles as Avi leaves.
Aunt Savi sighs. “I always wanted a daughter like her.”
Mom chuckles. “You have a son now. Marry him off and demand a granddaughter.”
Avi appears beside me, her expression disturbed. She leans in and speaks close to my ear. “I overheard someone talking, they caught your kidnapper.”
My head snaps toward her, horror spreading across my face. “Who?”
“What’s the matter, girls?” Mom asks.
I glance at Aunt Abi, then at Mom as I rise. “Nothing, Mom. We’ll be right back.”
Avi and I hurry away. We round a corner and peer toward the sitting area. Aunt Abi rises and walks toward where the men are gathered.
Avi and I exchange a grin and follow, keeping to the shadows.
Aunt reaches Uncle Alex and leads him out of the party hall. We trail them outside.
We can’t get close enough to hear, we can only read their expressions.
