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“It’s about time you listened to me,” said Olivia. “I told you from the beginning—”
“Yes okay. I know,” Josh cut her off.
“But wait... Does this mean I can ask Olivia out?” Derek winked.
“Sure,” Olivia answered.
“Yesterday you told me you were thinking about marrying Charlie,” Josh fumed.
“I’m just a good actor. And it was all part of the master plan.”
“What master plan?” asked Josh with growing irritation.
“Yeah. What master plan?” asked Brad.
Grace signaled Derek, shaking her head and zipping her lips.
“Grace,” said Josh. “You seem to be in on this plan. Care to share?”
Brad furrowed his brows. “Grace, you promised me...”
“Don’t act so innocent, Brad. You were doing your part, too,” Emily said. “You were just more subtle about it.”
“What master plan?” Josh bellowed.
“Poor Josh!” Hannah chuckled. “You see, we all knew you were in love with Charlie, but you couldn’t see it or wouldn’t admit it. All we did was help you realize the truth.”
“And what about Charlie? Did you manipulate her, too?”
“Only a little bit,” said Emily. “We only had to convince her Olivia wasn’t in love with you, which was the truth.”
Josh felt a little nauseous. This was why Charlie had offered to marry him. They’d manipulated her to feel sorry for him. He’d hoped there was a little more affection behind her motives. Now he knew she truly only wanted to help him adopt the kids.
“I’m going to take a shower.” He needed to be alone, to nurse his depression.
“Don’t be mad,” said Olivia. “We all just wanted things to work out for you and Charlie. And they did. Right?”
“Right,” he murmured, retreating to his room.
“HEY SISTER.”
“Why are you here? You’re missing skiing.” Charlie saw her sister fighting against tears. Spencer had a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“No one felt like going today.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I kind of ruined the trip.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Spencer’s arched his brows. “You think we’d have had a better trip if Jace had been killed?”
“To be honest, I don’t remember the accident. And I feel guilty and frustrated.”
“You don’t remember anything? Not even when you were yelling at Jace to move out of the way?” asked Spencer. “And you don’t remember the snowboarder taking the jump?”
“It’s a total blank.”
“That’s probably a good thing,” said Emily. “Because it was pretty terrifying to watch. But suffice it to say, no one feels like skiing today. We’re just hanging out and watching movies and letting the two-year-olds entertain us.”
“So what’s this I hear about you and Josh getting married?” asked Spencer.
