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“That’s amazing,” I choke out, vowing not to take a ride in one for fear of being sick all over the tube.

“You have to explore the Calhoun,” Alyssa said, practically dancing.

I glanced at my father for explanation.

“Sunken ship,” he said as we inched forward another few steps.

“So, Alyssa,” I asked, steering the subject matter to something more interesting to me. “What’s the difference between the AI at Paradise Atlantis versus the original Bennet Systems AI that made the company so famous?”

She turned to me, eyes lit like I just made her day. “It’s far more nuanced. It can alter its decisions in milliseconds depending on the emotional reaction of the guests. I can’t wait for you to see it yourself. You’ll have to let me know what you think. From what I hear, you’re almost as much a prodigy as I was.”

We continued forward in line as the awkward comment hung in the air. It reminded me of the real reason I hadn’t gone for my PhD yet. I wanted to separate myself from the dysfunctional Bennet “family.” Why couldn’t I have inherited my mother’s propensity for art instead?

“Well…” Apparently, Alyssa felt the need to fill the silence. “This is going to be a very healing trip for all of us.”

“How so?” I asked through gritted teeth I tried to pass off as a smile.

“I mean the timing is perfect. Not that there’s ever good timing for cancer of course. But it worked out perfectly for your mother, and it’ll be good for us to get along.”

What the fuck was she trying to say? My neck heated up, and I felt my nostrils flare. Little Dragon was in the house, and I seemed to have little self-control. Before I exploded, I felt my brother’s hand on my shoulder, squeezing.

“Excuse me?” he said, his voice strong, and when I heard he was on my side for once, I relaxed slightly.

Even my father turned to Alyssa, the lines on his face hard for once and not doting.

“I haven’t given them the letters yet,” he said in place of a reprimand.

“I thought that’s what you were doing when I left you alone on the pod,” Alyssa said, horror written on her face.

“What letters?” Jackson asked for us. At this point I was speechless.

My father sighed and pulled two envelopes out of his pocket to hand to us. My mother’s curling script sprawled across the back, spelling out our names. I took mine and stared at it. It was sealed to the edges. My hands trembled out of fear of what lay inside.

We were almost at the front. One more family ahead. I couldn’t look now. I couldn’t risk breaking down in front of everyone, least of all the Bennets, so I stuffed the letter in my own pocket for safe keeping. I would be alone when I opened it to give it the time and attention it deserved.

Jackson followed suit, a dark shadow covering his face.

“If it isn’t the Meadows clan!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, reaching her hands out to our father in greeting.

“Pleasure as always,” he said.

“And Dr. Forbes,” she said, moving along to Alyssa for a quick hug.

“Pleasure to meet you all,” Nicole said, offering a hand to my brother.

I hung back, but Mrs. Bennet reached for me and clasped my hand in hers. “I’ve heard so much about you, Samantha. But I haven’t seen you in person for years.”

“I’ve been busy with college,” I said coolly.

“I understand you’re on hiatus now,” she said, and I was flabbergasted that she somehow knew so much about me. “Not that I blame you with your mother’s health. I’m so very sorry. Family always comes first.”

I felt the color drain from my face, and I swayed slightly. What was it she knew exactly? What was in that letter? I couldn’t stop myself from nearly hyperventilating right there on the stage. What was wrong with me? I wasn’t usually this emotionally out of control.

“I’m so sorry for my mother’s callous comments.”

I looked up into the face that had hung on my bedroom wall as a teenager. Mason’s fame was the kind that came from being famous. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he was also filthy rich and stunningly handsome. Mason’s eyes were the blue the sea ought to be, and right then they were filled with concern for me, only inches away. The tropical scent of salt and hibiscus enveloped me. The urge to see what he tasted like overwhelmed me on top of the rest of my emotional loss of control. I stayed still for fear of doing something I’d regret.

“She meant well,” my father quipped from somewhere to my right.