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“Yeah. Didn’t I tell you I was bringing a date?”

Sterling sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose, and Val returns a few moments later with Victoria on his arm. Of course, she makes a brilliant entrance: her makeup is perfectly applied, sharp eyeliner and deep lipstick, and her dress is ironed.

I can’t remember the last time I turned on an iron.

“What are you doing here?” Farrah shakes her head.

“Surprise.” Victoria flashes a dazzling smile, and Val pulls out the chair for her.

I guess manners run in the family.

But Victoria likes submissive men. Does that mean…? I shake the thought off. None of my business.

“It’s great to have you here, Victoria,” Sterling’s dad says. “Valentino, get your date something to drink.”

Val runs away. “On it!”

I exchange a look with Sterling, who shakes his head. Auggie sinks into her seat and checks her phone, biting on her bottom lip. It seems like I might not be the only rivalry Sterling’s ever had—is it possible he has one with his brother, too?

It seems like it’s all in good fun. Victoria is quiet but polite, and she and Val kind of make sense together… if you squint. I don’t mind having someone around to take the attention off me, but Sterling’s fathers still pepper me with questions as we move into the dinner portion of the evening, switching from the casual kitchen to the dining room nearby.

What do I do for work? How long have I been doing it? They ask all about my mentorship with Jewel, my family, and then about the cottage.

“I hope it hasn’t been giving you a lot of trouble,” Sterling’s dad says, sighing. “I can’t help but feel responsible for it. Sterling was so⁠—”

Is this it? The moment Sterling opens up? And what does it mean if his dad is forcing him to do it? I lean in, waiting for more.

But Sterling silences his dad with a single look. “Dad. Kitchen?”

They disappear, and the conversation moves on, but I don’t. Something isn’t right, and it’s definitely not the dinner. The lasagna? Delicious, easily a top ten meal in my life. The dessert? Homemade cheesecake with fresh blueberry syrup. Spectacular.

And the vibes. The vibes are everything I’m looking for with my family. The only thing that’s off is me. Sterling. The cottage. Everything Jewel said. I need to know more, but I can’t exactly ask when his family is around.

At the end of the night, I hug everyone—even Victoria, who whispers in my ear, “Poor Valentino begged me to be his fake date. Please don’t get the wrong impression.”

I giggle. “Your secret is safe with me.”

Then, I get to his fathers, who fix me with the warmest smile I’ve received in years, and my heart breaks.

I miss my dad. Would he look at me like that? Would he approve of Sterling? I’ll never know.

“You have to come again,” his Pops says. “You were a wonderful guest.”

“Th-thanks.” I glance at the door. As much fun as this has been, I’m desperate to get home and mentally unpack. “I’ll definitely be back. Your home is lovely, and you’re the best hosts.”

“Soon, then,” his dad says. “Maybe Yule?”

Yule? That’s over a month away, and I’ve never been one to plan for the future. But I guess I am now.

Sterling sighs and shakes his head, but there’s no denying that he’s smiling. He takes my hand and leads me away. “Don’t make plans for the holidays before I can ask her.”

“Sorry,” Pops calls. “Just excited.”

“Drive safe,” his dad says.

Of course, Sterling is still perfect. I don’t have to ask him to drive me home. He opens his car door, and I get in. But I’m still thinking about what his dad said. What Jewel said.

What happened to Sterling in the cottage?