Me and you! I feel sure that we’ll be able to save enough money before Dad’s creditors call in the notes. Cash thinks we ought to go ahead and tell my parents the truth, so they won’t have to spend the next several months worrying.”
Tiny beads of perspiration popped across Luna’s nose. She felt like a noose was tightening around her neck. “I need more time,” she gulped.
“Time for what?” Ava asked impatiently.
Luna let out a heavy breath. She’d wanted to wait before telling Ava about Hudson and the engagement. She wasn’t sure how her sister would react to the news. However, since Luna was being pushed into a corner …
“Spit it out,” Ava demanded. “Something’s going on. I can tell from the way you’re chewing on your lower lip.”
“I am?” Yes, she was. Luna had not even realized it.
“I guess that’s one way you and I are alike,” Ava laughed. “I do the same thing.” Ava gave her a prodding look. “Whatever it is, you can tell me. We’re sisters, remember?” Her eyes went soft around the edges.
Luna sucked in a quick breath and let it out slowly, bracing herself for Ava’s reaction. “Okay, here goes. The engagement to Hudson is on. We’re going to announce it at Dad’s—your dad’s, she corrected—birthday party.”
“That’s coming up soon!” Ava blurted.
“I know,” Luna mumbled.
Ava frowned. “I don’t understand. Why would you go through with the engagement? It’s no longer necessary.” She tipped her head. “Unless.” A knowing smile spread over her lips. “You like Hudson.”
Luna’s face instantly flamed like she’d stepped into the path of a blowtorch. “Yes,” she admitted softly. “I’m crazy about him.” She looked down.
A startled laugh rose in Ava’s throat. “I’ve suspected for some time that you had a crush on Hudson, but I didn’t expect this.”
Luna’s hand went up around her neck. “Um, I hope you don’t mind.”
“I guess I just need a minute to process it.” Ava pushed her hair back from her face. “When did this happen?”
“From the moment I saw him,” Luna admitted. “He’s amazing.”
“You’re in love with Hudson.” She giggled. “Who would’ve thought?”
“You’re not upset?”
“No. I’m surprised, but not upset.”
“The tricky part is … Hudson thinks it’s you he’s marrying.”
Ava’s eyes turned to saucers. “Yeah, that could be bad. Even more reason why we should go ahead and tell everyone, especially him, the truth.”
“No!” Luna blurted.
Ava gave her an exasperated look. “Why not?”
The words spewed out. “Because I need time to make him fall in love with me.” She clenched her hands. “The real me. Not the memory of you. If I tell him the truth right now, I could lose any chance I’ve got.”
Ava sat back. “Yeah, I see your point.” She began twisting her finger around her hair. “How much time do you think you’ll need?”
Luna gurgled out a laugh. “I—I’m not sure. It’s hard to put a timetable on these things.”
A wicked grin flitted over Ava’s lips. “You’re in love with Hudson,” she taunted in a singsong voice.
More heat flushed over Luna’s cheeks. “It’s too soon to call it love, but I care about him a lot.”
Ava leaned forward a new light simmering in her eyes. “Okay, we need a plan—a way to make Hudson fall for you. We need to make it snappy,” she teased. “You might find this hard to believe, but I’m starting to miss Mom and Dad. And, I want them to meet Cash,” she added.
Luna heard the door open at the same time Rosalyn spoke. “Sorry to interrupt, but Margot is downstairs.” She jumped a foot when she saw Ava on the screen. “¡Vaya!” Rosalyn exclaimed, crossing herself.
For a moment, Luna just sat at the desk, frozen.
“Tell Rosalyn to close the door,” Ava hissed. “Rosalyn, shut the door,” she said loudly, but Rosalyn’s feet were rooted to the floor, her face ashen.
It took Luna’s brain a second to process what Ava meant. In her fright, Rosalyn had swung the door to the bedroom wide open. Hastily, Luna got up and went to close it.
“Que paso?” Rosalyn uttered, looking back and forth between Ava and Luna.
A wide smile spread over Ava’s lips. “Hey, Rosie,” she said affectionately. “I’ve missed you.”
Rosalyn’s jaw dropped as she looked at Luna for an explanation. She pointed. “Is that?”
Ava laughed with delight. “Yep, it’s me … Ava. What do you think of the blonde hair?” She touched it. “Kind of groovy, eh?”
“If she’s Ava, then who are you?” Rosalyn asked Luna.
Rosalyn’s face was so blanched that Luna feared she might pass