XXXIII

Elodie was quickly trying, and failing, to come up with a way to flee the Holbrook estate and the discomfort of both Aiden’s and her own most recent discoveries when Astrid Fujimoto’s impossibly long, high ponytail lassoed her attention.

Elodie waved at her best friend just in time to stop Astrid from slipping into the Pearl’s open door and escaping without her.

Aiden staggered at her side. “Whoa. She looks just like Thea.”

And you look a whole lot like Blair. Funny how the whole sibling thing works. Elodie kept her snarky thoughts to herself. He wasn’t the only one guilty of keeping a relationship a secret.

She chewed her bottom lip.

Who Aiden was related to wasn’t a big deal. But being engaged . . . And to a guy like Rhett, who charged around saying whatever he wanted whenever he wanted . . .

Elodie’s stomach squeezed.

But being engaged shouldn’t matter to Aiden. Not if they were just friends.

Astrid leaned against the side of the Pearl, twirling the end of her ponytail. “El, I was literally just messaging you. I can’t stay at this . . .” with her free hand, she motioned toward the guests still gathered on the grounds, “ . . .Westfall show and tell.” She tossed her ponytail over her shoulder and gave Aiden a once over. “You look familiar.”

“Astrid, Aiden. Aiden, Astrid,” Elodie offered.

Astrid straightened. “Like, the Aiden? I guess the mohawk should have given it away.”

Aiden playfully hiked his shoulder. “Aw, you talk about me?”

Astrid crossed her ankles and resumed playing with her hair. “You’re a Scott too.” She fanned the ends of her ponytail and dusted them against her cheek. “I’ve seen your mom and sister at a zillion functions, but have only seen you at, like, one.”

“He doesn’t get out much,” Elodie said, shuffling into the vehicle. “If no one is getting in with me, I’m stealing this Pearl.”

Astrid slid into the seat next to her. “What got into you?”

Aiden crawled in and sat in the rear facing seat opposite Elodie. “I think it’s more like what came out,” he mumbled.

Elodie gripped the armrests. “Just need a change of scenery. Can you program this thing to take us to the waterfront?”

Astrid pulled out her holopad and began typing. “Sure, but the fair’s happening right now, so—”

“Exactly.” Elodie smiled. “We’re going to the fair.” She attempted a nonchalant shrug. “I thought it would be fun.”

Astrid and Aiden both wore the same confused expression.

Elodie pressed herself into the seat. Maybe getting into a smaller space wasn’t such a great idea. At least Astrid was there to break up the round of questions Aiden must be ready to fire. “Hey, Astrid. I’m sure Aiden hasn’t been in an updated Pearl. You should tell him all about it.”

As Astrid shimmied to the edge of her seat and began proudly explaining and demonstrating all of the new features she’d helped create for the plush ride, Elodie loosened her grip on the armrests and relaxed against the creamy soft upholstery when a line of text flashed into her field of vision.

Incoming call from Rhett Owens.

Elodie denied the call and turned off her comlink. She’d gotten lucky the night before. Gwen and Rhett had left her alone to sort out her feelings, as her mother had put it. But she didn’t think she’d get that lucky again. Rhett would not be happy about being sent for drinks and then stood up.

Elodie pulled up the transparent gray messaging screen and sent a quick text to Rhett.

The funeral was so sad. I had to leave. Going to Astrid’s. Call you later. Promise.

He wouldn’t think twice about that. After all, his Elodie was the most sensitive girl in the world.