get married or move in together or something? You deserve your happily ever after.”
A deep despair welled up in Charley’s heart, but she smiled through it, joining her sister on the bed and wrapping her in a hug.
Sasha was right. Charley was more relaxed here. Inside the walls of Ravenswood, it felt like her old life couldn’t touch her. A momentary pause, sure—one that would shatter the moment she returned home to Park Avenue—but one she appreciated beyond words, despite her regrets over losing Dorian.
“It doesn’t work that way, Sasha,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to Sasha’s head. “Besides, I already have a kickass roommate, and I wouldn’t leave her for the world.”
Sasha cracked up. “Who said anything about leaving me? We’re a package deal, Chuck. Where you go, I go.”
“I see.” Charley nudged her in the ribs. “So this isn’t really about me and Dorian finding our happily ever after. You just want a permanent invite to that pool.”
“I mean, I wouldn’t say no, but…” She pulled out of the embrace and blew a breath into her bangs, her eyes serious once again. “I really do want you to be happy. I want you to be okay.”
“Me too, baby. Me too.” Charley smiled and smoothed her hand over Sasha’s ponytail. “So is that movie and lunch date offer still on the table?”
“Definitely.” Sasha beamed. “Should I get an Uber? We need transportation.”
A slow grin stretched across Charley’s face. “You leave that to me.”
After taking the scenic route to town, Charley pulled the Ferrari into the parking garage on the main drag, expertly guiding it into the spot.
“This car was made for you,” Sasha said, still gaping. “You look so hot right now. Seriously.”
“I know, right?” Charley fluffed her hair and laughed. She still couldn’t believe Dorian had let her take it—she was sure he’d send Jameson to chauffeur them around. But then he’d surprised her by offering it up, with no more than a firm warning that she stay within the speed limit and not park too close to anyone else.
She had no idea why he was being so kind, given her treachery. But she wasn’t about to look that particular gift horse in the mouth. For now, it was all part of her fantasy life—the one where she got to live in a beautiful manor and eat delicious food and spend a fabulous day tooling around town with her favorite person in the world—and Charley planned on making it last for as long as possible.
Linking arms, the girls headed down to the theater at the end of the block. They’d just reached the entrance when Charley noticed a man lurking there, leaning against the brick facade and smoking a cigarette as if the tiny theater in the tiny town was his regular hangout.
Her stomach twisted, her heart giving her a swift kick.
She knew that fucking chain smoker.
And there was only one reason he’d be in Annendale-on-Hudson, mere hours after she’d gotten her phone back and texted Rudy that she and her sister would be spending some time up here.
Her uncle had sent him to spy on her.
He turned to glare at her, offering a creepy smile.
“Why don’t you head inside,” Charley said to Sasha. “See what kind of candy they have. I’ll be right behind you.”
“You sure?”
“Yep. I just remembered I need to text Dorian about something real quick.”
“Okay. Don’t take too long—I want to get good seats.” Sasha disappeared inside, and Charley stormed over to the spy, her skin hot with anger.
“How you doin’, Charley-girl,” Bones said, taking a drag of his Marlboro. “Been awhile.”
“What the hell are you doing here, Bones?”
He shrugged and blew a plume of smoke into her face, not answering.
Jesus Christ. She’d grown up with the guy. And now, he didn’t even have the grace to apologize or even so much as acknowledge how fucked up this situation was.
“If you don’t mind,” she said, waving away the smoke, “I’m here with my sister. Who’s nineteen years old and has nothing to do with this. So kindly fuck off.”
Bones shrugged. “No boyfriend today?”
Charley rolled her eyes. So Rudy had told him about Dorian, then. Which was odd, considering she was pretty sure Rudy had cut the other crew guys out of the Ravenswood gig.
“What part of ‘fuck off’ was unclear?” she asked.
Bones didn’t respond. Just stood there scratching his stubbled jaw, the cigarette burning to a nub between his fingers.
“I liked you better when you worked for my father,” Charley said.
“Yeah, me too. Catch