“Aiden…” Sasha leaned back on the bed, letting out a dreamy sigh. “Speaking of licking someone like an ice cream cone.”
Charley gasped. “No! You’re not allowed to get that doe-eyed look in your eyes over Aiden Donovan.”
“What? Why the hell not?”
“You’re too young for him, for one thing. And he’s too old for you. And he’s a… No. Just no.” Charley had enough trouble keeping Sasha out of the criminal life. Now she had to worry about keeping her out of the supernatural life too?
“Aiden’s not ano-just-no. He’s ayes-hell-yes. A hot, sexy yes I want to—”
“I’m not listening!” Charley sing-songed, pretending to cover her ears, knowing damn well she could no more keep her sister from gushing over her new vampire crush than she could keep herself from obsessing over her own.
It didn’t matter anyway. Once they figured out this Rudy situation, she and Sasha would be out of Dorian’s life for good. Out of Aiden’s. Out of the lives of the entire Redthorne clan.
“Anyway,” Sasha said, sitting up again. “Aiden’s working today. But he told me there’s a movie theater in town, and guess what? They’re showing a double feature this afternoon—Romancing the Stone and Pretty Woman. I thought maybe we could go? And get a late lunch after?”
“Don’t you have to get back to the city? I thought you had to open at Perk tomorrow. And what about class?”
“Darcy picked up my shift, and I already messaged my professors I’d be out a couple days. I turned in my English paper early, so it’s no big deal.”
“Hmm. So you’ve got it all planned out, huh?”
“I like it here.” She shrugged, her voice softening. “Don’t get me wrong—I love the city. But here, I feel like I can actually breathe.”
“Itisbeautiful,” Charley said, her gaze drifting to the window. Her room faced some kind of orchard, the trees boasting leaves the color of ripe apples. “Especially with the fall colors.”
“Not just that, Chuck. I likeyouhere too. You’re way more relaxed. Not looking over your shoulder every five seconds, waiting for another stupid order from Uncle Boss.” Sasha glanced up at Charley, her eyes glassy. In that moment, she looked as young as she had when she’d shown up on Charley’s doorstep all those years ago. “Why can’t you and Dorian just, like, get married or move in together or something? You deserve your happily ever after.”
A deep despair welled up in Charley’s heart, but she smiled through it, joining her sister on the bed and wrapping her in a hug.
Sasha was right. Charleywasmore relaxed here. Inside the walls of Ravenswood, it felt like her old life couldn’t touch her. A momentary pause, sure—one that would shatter the moment she returned home to Park Avenue—but one she appreciated beyond words, despite her regrets over losing Dorian.
“It doesn’t work that way, Sasha,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to Sasha’s head. “Besides, I already have a kickass roommate, and I wouldn’t leave her for the world.”
Sasha cracked up. “Who said anything about leaving me? We’re a package deal, Chuck. Where you go, I go.”
“I see.” Charley nudged her in the ribs. “So this isn’t really about me and Dorian finding our happily ever after. You just want a permanent invite to that pool.”
“I mean, I wouldn’t sayno, but…” She pulled out of the embrace and blew a breath into her bangs, her eyes serious once again. “I really do want you to be happy. I want you to be okay.”
“Me too, baby. Me too.” Charley smiled and smoothed her hand over Sasha’s ponytail. “So is that movie and lunch date offer still on the table?”
“Definitely.” Sasha beamed. “Should I get an Uber? We need transportation.”
A slow grin stretched across Charley’s face. “You leave that to me.”
* * *
After taking the scenic route to town, Charley pulled the Ferrari into the parking garage on the main drag, expertly guiding it into the spot.
“This car was made for you,” Sasha said, still gaping. “You look so hot right now. Seriously.”
“I know, right?” Charley fluffed her hair and laughed. She still couldn’t believe Dorian had let her take it—she was sure he’d send Jameson to chauffeur them around. But then he’d surprised her by offering it up, with no more than a firm warning that she stay within the speed limit and not park too close to anyone else.
She had no idea why he was being so kind, given her treachery. But she wasn’t about to look that particular gift horse in the mouth. For now, it was all part of her fantasy life—the one where she got to live in a beautiful manor and eat delicious food and spend a fabulous day tooling around town with her favorite person in the world—and Charley planned on making it last for as long as possible.
Linking arms, the girls headed down to the theater at the end of the block. They’d just reached the entrance when Charley noticed a man lurking there, leaning against the brick facade and smoking a cigarette as if the tiny theater in the tiny town was his regular hangout.
Her stomach twisted, her heart giving her a swift kick.
