Because I’ve played games before. I know what it takes to win them. And I didn’t claw my way through every fashion house in Manhattan just to be outmaneuvered by a manipulative heiress with an ego the size of Africa and a flair for crocodile tears.
Sienna walks beside me, quiet, her arm looped through mine, but I can feel the tension radiating off her. Her eyes are flicking back over her shoulder toward Jake.
“Did you know?” she asks softly.
“About Jake?” I shake my head. “No. River told me there was something he was keeping from the others. I didn’t think it was a resurrected best friend.”
Sienna exhales a shaky breath. “It changes everything.”
“Maybe,” I say. “But not for us.”
I don’t know if I believe that, but I say it anyway.
“Of course it does,” Sienna hisses. “Brett has hardly looked my way since Jake got here, and River…”
“River and I will be fine,” I snap.
“But Emily… You and Sebastian…”
“Yes, I know. I’ll come clean.”
I look over my shoulder. The others are yards behind us, fussing over Misty.
Except for Jake. He and Brett are walking together off to the side, but they don’t seem to be talking.
“She looks fine to me,” I say, returning my attention to Sienna. “It’s all an act.”
“I don’t know,” Sienna says. “She looks kind of dehydrated.”
“You don’t know her the way I do.” I shake my head. “She’s always up to something. The thing I can’t figure out is how she’s involved in this whole Jake thing.”
“Who knows?”
We walk for twenty more minutes when the mansion comes into view.
Evangeline is sitting in the living area when Sienna and I enter. “Where have you two been? Ariel needs you for the wedding rehearsal this afternoon.”
Right. Sienna and I are bridesmaids.
“Just for a walk on the beach,” Sienna replies. “But the men are right behind us with Misty. She’s a little sick. They want Darby to look at her.”
Evangeline’s smile tightens, just enough for me to notice. “I’m sure she’s fine.”
“Sienna thinks she might be dehydrated,” I offer.
“I see.” Evangeline rises. “Ugh. I’m not feeling all that great myself. Anyway, I suppose we’ll see how good an actress Misty really is.”
I blink. “You don’t believe she’s hurt?”
“Oh, I believe she’s hurt,” Evangeline says. “But that girl doesn’t do anything without layering it in performance. Even pain.” She studies me for a moment, head tilted. “And you, Emily? Are you still playing your part?”
I bristle. “I’m not playing anything.”
“No?” she says. “Then do something about it. Because if you don’t, Misty will keep writing the script. And she’s not a fan of giving other women good lines.”
EPISODE 207
LYIN’ EYES
