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“That was odd,” Lyric frowns. “She was so friendly during the flight, and now . . .”
“Odd?” I echo, keeping my tone neutral, because seriously, what the fuck?
Okay, I’m not sure what I expected would happen if I ever saw Ameline again. She was pretty clear about not wanting to ever see me again.
In my defense, she came to my turf and was with my sister. I blame her for this encounter. But why is she here?
“You two used to be so close. I mean, she was your roommate, and we helped her when she was getting treatment. Now . . .” Lyric gives me a searching look. “Did something happen between you two, and you just never mentioned it?”
I shake my head, maintaining a neutral expression, because the less she knows about what happened between Ame and me the better. It’ll be pretty weird to suddenly say, “Well, you know, we got married, but for several reasons I won’t disclose, we couldn’t make it work and she left me brokenhearted.”
“Nope. She moved across the country, and we lost touch,” I say with an indifferent tone. “It’s not like I keep tabs on every old roommate I’ve had. Do you?”
“No, I don’t either.” Lyric’s gaze follows Ameline’s retreating figure. “She looked good, though, didn’t she?”
I deflect her comment because the less I think about Ameline, the better. I don’t need to ponder on how beautiful she looks. She looks so much older and more mature. Like a woman I would ask out for a cup of coffee, dinner, or to even share the rest of my life with me.
But it’s best if I forget all about her and this moment. I should concentrate on my family. “Why are you here?” I ask. “I don’t understand why you cut your trip short.”
She chuckles. “Maybe Ameline left because you don’t know social etiquette anymore. You didn’t even say hello when you saw her,” she says, narrowing her gaze.
Lyric is trying to figure out my behavior. She’s not buying the whole ‘I lost track and don’t care anymore.’
“I didn’t?” I pretend to yawn. “Well, I’m too tired. I must’ve forgotten.”
“Well, let me give you a little refresh.” She squares her shoulders. “You’re supposed to tell the person that arrived, ‘Hello, how was your trip? It’s good to see you.’”
“I’d like to say that it’s great to see you. Except I heard you’re here for an intervention.” I cut to the chase. “I don’t know why my work seems to be an issue among the family.”
She laughs and rakes a hand through my hair. “We’re worried about you, sure, but that’s not why I’m here.”
“Then what is it?” I frown, as we walk toward baggage claim. “Is it Ameline?”
“What?” She shakes her head. “No, I mean now I’m slightly concerned about her—since she came to visit her estranged sister.”
That news strikes me as odd, and I can’t help but feel uneasy about it. “Are they on speaking terms again?”
Lyric shakes her head. “No. This is the first time Izzy has contacted Ameline since the family disowned her.” She bites her lip. “Should we be worried?”
I’m bothered by this, but I intend to keep my distance from Ameline because I promised I would. Even when she wouldn’t believe me, I loved her. Loved her like I never did anyone before, and I doubt I’ll ever love like that again.
“Let’s not worry about her. We should concentrate on you,” I state. “If this visit isn’t about me, then who?”
“It’s Harper,” she says grimly, pressing her lips together.
Apprehension spikes through me as we head toward the luggage carousels. “What’s going on with Harp?”
Lyric puts a hand on my chest, halting my steps. “Listen. We’re handling it, okay? Nothing is confirmed yet.”
I cross my arms, jaw tightening. “I should be included in the part of ‘handling this.’ If anything happens to any of you?—”
“Stop it, Gabe. We adore when you take your role of big brother seriously, but we need you to sit down for this one,” Lyric states, meeting my gaze. “That’s exactly why the Decker women are in charge of this operation: Pipe, Winnie, Gracie, Indie, and I will handle everything.”
I give her a stern, concerned look.
“You, Jude, and the rest of the Decker men are too volatile,” she states.
“Lyric, I need to know if our sister is in some kind of trouble so I can fix it,” I insist.
