The Peer and the Puppet (When Rivals Play #1) - B.B. Reid Page 0,150

I would never hurt him like she did.” She sighed as she toyed with the blinding ring on her finger. “It seems only one of us is good at keeping promises.”

“So he’s got your back, and you’ve got his. How do I know you aren’t making this up?” In my mind, I knew she couldn’t be. Her story was too far-fetched to be anything but real. Men haven’t auctioned their daughters off for wealth and power in centuries with the exception of a few straggling cultures.

“Since the day I first saw him with you, I knew it was only a matter of time before he broke his word or told you my secret. Ever could have demanded that I tell you myself. He didn’t do any of those things. Instead, he fell apart over losing you.” She slipped the ring from her finger, and I was completely stunned when she laid it on the counter. “None of this is real, Four. It never was.”

She moved for the door, but I couldn’t let her leave. Not without answering one last burning question.

“What happens if your father realizes Ever has no intention of marrying you?”

She stared back at me with sad blue eyes. “He’ll sell me to the highest bidder.”

My heart was too heavy for sleep and no amount of tossing and turning could change that. After letting Jay D do his business, I decided to make a late-night snack. When I was done, the smell of perfectly toasted bread and melted cheese strangely offered me peace with my decision. If I could perfect grilled cheese, surely I could perfect life.

Right?

I stacked the sandwiches on a plate and grabbed a Gatorade. Upstairs, I bypassed my bedroom. It was one in the morning, but I knew he would be awake. The bags I glimpsed under his eyes earlier today told me he hasn’t been sleeping and the weight he lost…let’s just say I made more than a few grilled cheese sandwiches.

I was glad the door was unlocked because if I woke up Jamie with my knocking, I’d never hear the end of it about the importance of his beauty sleep and maintaining perfect skin.

Jay D rushed inside ahead of me and immediately began to sniff around. The room was completely dark, but I knew he was awake. When my eyes somewhat adjusted, I could make out Ever sitting in the shadows with his back against the headboard and his elbows on his knees.

“Hi.”

The silence stretched.

I held my breath as I waited.

And waited.

And just when I thought I might be too late…

“Hey.”

We hadn’t spoken since the night of my date—actually, he hadn’t talked at all. Thomas asked questions that I couldn’t answer, and Jamie had begun to look at me accusingly. It was a wonder he cared at all, but maybe, deep down, he knew there was never anything between Ever and Barbie.

“I made grilled cheese.”

“Not hungry.”

“With grilled cheese, it’s not about hunger. It’s about the yummy goodness.”

He didn’t respond, but I wasn’t giving up. I climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged in front of him. “Let’s make a deal. For one grilled cheese, I’ll tell you a secret. Two grilled cheese, I’ll show you what’s in my pocket. Deal?”

I chewed on my lip. The bed shifted when he moved. There was a click, and then a soft glow chased away some of the darkness.

“It better be a good secret,” he said with a smirk. “I hate cheese.”

“What kind of psychopath doesn’t like cheese?” Way to charm him, Four.

He picked up a sandwich without responding.

“You don’t have to—”

But he was already biting into it. A couple more bites and the sandwich was toast.

“Spill,” he growled.

I handed over the Gatorade, and he chugged it while keeping one eye on me.

I took a deep breath.

I could do this.

It was both impossible and not so impossible to believe I hadn’t spoken the words before.

Here goes nothing.

“I love you.” Damn, that felt good. And right and—

Did he just snort?

With my heart at his feet, I realized that maybe I was too late.

“It’s nice to finally hear you say it back, but it’s hardly a secret.” I was ready to remind him of all the reasons I didn’t say it until now, but he spoke first. “I love you too.”

But even in the dim light, I could see the wariness in his eyes. I gestured to the second sandwich and grabbed the last one for myself. I needed cheesy courage for what came next. I was still nibbling