She grimaces, then sighs. “I’ll be fine.”
My heart plummets into my stomach. This was a bad idea. I’m a bundle of nerves, and Auri doesn’t feel well.
“We really don’t have to?—”
“I’m already here, and I said I’ll be fine,” she says through gritted teeth.
I snap my mouth shut and dip my chin. My sister’s a master of powering through and downplaying her pain, but she’s also smart as hell and really good at advocating for herself. If she says she’s fine, then I owe it to her to take her at her word.
“The fun has arrived,” Flynn announces, striding toward us with his arms stretched wide. He pulls me into a hug, then claps Mia on the back. As he turns to my sister, his smile transforms from friendly to over-the-top enthusiastic. “Aurelia Miller-Bennett,” he says reverently. “As I live and breathe. You look radiant today, Sunshine.”
Auri plants her hands on her hips and gives Flynn a once-over, smirking. “Shut up and stay out of my way, Fly Boy.”
I press my lips together and side-eye Bea, who padded up a moment after her brother.
She’s also fighting for her life not to react. Flynn unabashedly flirts with everyone, but he’s extra cheeky when he’s in my sister’s presence. Like a sweet, chaotic puppy who’s desperate for head scratches. He’s been trying to get Aurelia to give him the time of day since he started driving for Kelly three years ago.
Either he’s a hopeless romantic or just utterly hopeless.
“Welcome, everyone,” an overly chipper intern shouts across the small backstage area.
While Auri winces, Mia snorts, probably thinking the same thing Iam. This intern doesn’t know the fury that’s going to crash down on her if she doesn’t tone it down several notches.
“Uh-oh. I’m only seeing seven of our ten fabulous panelists,” she chirps. “I’m sure the others will turn up soon. Ope.” She perks up, pointing at my sister. “Don’t forget to remove those sunglasses before heading out on stage, Ms. Miller-Bennett.”
I hold my breath, waiting to see how Auri will react. Mercifully, she ignores the intern and heads out onto the stage, sunglasses firmly in place.
“Oh, wait. Oh. Okay. Yes, that’s right,” the clueless woman babbles. “Everyone, follow Ms. Miller-Bennett. And note the seating assignments, please.”
Shelby and Ren wander over, both stifling laughter. The intern here is clearly the only one who doesn’t understand that Aurelia doesn’t take orders from anyone. Whoever sent this poor woman to wrangle us is truly diabolical.
As the drivers file past, I peer back, hoping to spot Alaric.
He’s still not here, but neither is Luca, and because I don’t want to risk running into my ex by waiting around in hopes of stealing a moment alone with his dad, I follow the others onto the stage.
Anxiety floods my veins once more, the precarious nature of this event overwhelming me as I step forward, ignoring all the cameras and people lined up in the first few rows of chairs.
Rather than long tables, the stage has been equipped with couches, and we’ve been grouped by team rather than by family.
I scan the nametags, sucking in a sharp breath when I finally find my name.
I’m on the far right couch, assigned to the middle cushion between Ren and Alaric.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
“This is cozy,” Ren murmurs as we take our seats. “How’s your week been?” They sling one arm over the back of the couch easily while we wait for the sound tech to make his way over to us.
“It’s—uh, well, I’ve…” I stammer.
My brain glitches. Ren is only making polite conversation, but I can’t seem to think of a damn thing to say that doesn’t include words likemagical, unforgettable, and orgasmic, all of which would prompt far too many questions about what I’ve been up to over the last several days.
Thankfully, the three missing panelists file in then, garnering attention from all of us.
“Ah, assigned seating. Cute.” Kenji saunters over, clapping Ren onthe back in greeting, then heads for his seat, ruffling my hair playfully. “Hello, gorgeous.”
I swat at his hand, hissing, “No way.” We’re about to be on camera, and I spent an embarrassing amount of time primping this morning.
“Evangeline. Is he bothering you?”
