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“Sometimes people need to be pushed in the right direction, especially if big, scary decisions are involved.” Kell beams a confident grin around the circle. “And I’m averygood pusher.”
Just like that, my heart’s balloon of sisterly gratitude is nearing a pinprick.
“Kell,” I warn.
“Kell,” Maximus growls.
“Kell?” Nancy rasps.
“Kara?” Veronica blurts, already inching closer. “Big, scary decisions? Of what kind?”
My sister rocks back on both heels.
“I insisted we come to the mall because these two need to look at rings. I mean, you can’t start planning a wedding without rings, right?”
NowI’m twisting the balloon—and exploding it as fast as I can. I use the figurative rubber remnant to hypothetically wring her neck.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MAXIMUS
Within seconds, Kara’s nailing her sister with a glare so intense, I can practically hear its message in my own head.
Are you out of your mind?
I step around as Kell thickens her answering scowl, hoping to be a human smokescreen for them—at least as far as Mom and Veronica are concerned.
And, of course, Zeus.
Who, the next moment, ensures thatno oneforgets he’s here—by snapping his fingers hard enough to whisk us all back to Oread.
“Well, well, well.” It’s no surprise that Hecate speaks first. “The day gets more interesting.”
“In ten words or less,” remarks her mysterious new companion.
I wheel around to stab a look at my father. He’s standing in the same spot we occupied a few minutes ago, knowing and serene. The sight makes me pull some of Kara’s agitation into my energy.
“Z.” I hike my stance to match his. “What is it now?”
If his answer is anything besides the wordnecessary, I’ll be officially hunting for an exit.
A plan that’s scuttled as soon as my mother’s delighted laugh floats into the air.
“Zeus? Oh, my goodness. This is all byyourdesign?”
“Well, I had some help,” he explains with the face cream smoothness of a pretty game show host. “I mean, just a little.”
“You’re being modest,” Mom protests.
Bullshit, my brain retorts.
“It has so many of your touches,” she says. “All the little things that make the difference.”
Sometimes I really hate it when she’s right. But now that I track her gaze and view things anew, I have to grudgingly agree. There’s a lot I’ve missed—perhaps that I chose to. But I admire it all now. Elements like the Greek embroidery on the napkins, the laurel wreath carved into the bottom of the reflecting pool, and the subtle smells of thyme and jasmine in the air. It’s all a pretty classy love letter to Greece.
But not just that.
Not tonight.
