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“At least you recognized it.” Patty sighed. “When this started, it was funny. Not the danger part. The hapless charade as a shifter part.”

“Patty…”

She held up a hand. “I’ve prepared a speech. Please let me say it. You got added by mistake. Everybody thought you were Loany. You learned bizarre family history. Grandma Ruth attempted to recruit you into events. It was chaotic, and you didn’t ask for any of it.”

“I still don’t understand how that became my fault.”

“It didn’t. Not at first.”

The last two words settled between us.

I leaned back.

Patty continued carefully. “But over time, things got more complicated.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

“You’re dating Hudson.”

“I’m aware.”

Patty looked toward the window. “You’re at family dinners. Caldwell expects you to come back. Grandma saves you a seat. Julie calls you when she wants help choosing decorations because she says you understand color theory better than Aunt Karen.”

“I mean, that last part is objectively true.”

“Sloane.”

“I know.”

“No, I don’t think you do.”

I looked down at my plate.

Patty crossed her arms. “This isn’t only duping a group chat anymore.”

The words landed harder because I had said the same thing to myself in quieter forms.

“It’s real now,” she continued. “At least it is for them.”

“It’s real for me too.”

“That’s exactly why I’m here. I gave you time and space and kept thinking you would tell them the truth. But I’ve seen no signs of you coming clean. It’s time, Sloane. You need to tell them.”

I looked up. Patty’s eyes were wet, but she wasn’t crying yet. That frightened me more than anger would have.

“I’ve never seen Hudson this happy,” she said. “Not ever.”

My heart constricted.

“He laughs more,” she continued. “He says no to people sometimes. He eats lunch. He makes plans that aren’t about fixing something or taking care of someone. He looks for you every time a door opens.”

I stared at the coleslaw on my plate, my vision blurring.

“I see how you look at him too,” she said. “You love him.”