I wish I could believe that. “So you’ve been telling me.”
“It does no good, since you’re a stubborn mule.”
I groan. I’m not revisiting the past. Not today. I have other things to take care of. “Thank you for calling.”
He laughs and hangs up.
The phone vibrates immediately, and I consider sending it to voicemail, but Lottie wouldn’t stop until I pick up. Or call the police if I don’t.
This day feels long already, and it’s barely lunchtime.
“Hey.” I swirl in my chair, my gaze wandering around the Manhattan skyline.
“Jesus, Liam! You really didn’t show up. Dad is fuming. Mom is beside herself, faking a headache.”
Leaving my younger sister and Mom to deal withthe aftermath of my actions is an unfortunate casualty of my plan. I don’t dwell on it.
Besides, my mother is very good at faking headaches, and our father has a soft spot for Lottie.
“You’ll be back in Paris soon,” I remind her.
My sister is studying art in France. Though I’m pretty sure it’s just her escape from the Stone mansion before Dad ropes her in with a husband.
“Are you okay?” The concern in her voice pulls at the remains of my heart.
“I’m fine.”
She is silent for a beat, so I add, “Lottie, I wouldn’t lie to you. I’m okay.” The number of words people require is exhausting.
“No, you don’t lie; you just cherry-pick the information you share. That’s like lying, Liam.”
“Agree to disagree.”
“I hate when you or Xander says that. Why am I the only one who cares? It was embarrassing when you didn’t show up.”
For some unfathomable reason, Lottie cares about appearances as much as our parents do. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s all on Dad, believing he can control me.”
She sighs. “I feel bad for Tawny.”
“Why? You think being married to me is better for her?” I snort.
“God no. I love you, and I can barely stand you most of the time. But Tawny was rejected by Xander and now by you. Not really a confidence-building situation.”
Only Lottie would go to such lengths considering everyone else’s feelings. “She will get over it. I’m sure she doesn’t want to be married off.”
“I’m pretty sure she grew up knowing this is her fate.”
“Maybe she is grateful the Stones are rejecting her.”
“Yeah, more time to enjoy her freedom. You might be right. I wonder what’s up with the other sister,” Lottie muses.
My door swings open after an abrupt knock. I turn to face a stocky, sweaty guy who stumbles in with a chunky monitor from the last century.
“I have to go, Lottie.”
“Liam,” she warns.
I hang up.
