A sharp knock echoed through the foyer.

Vienna Cruz was back.

Trailing behind her were four or five of Desmond’s friends. She clung to his arm, her voice dripping with an intimacy that set my teeth on edge. "Ran into them at the gate," she cooed. "They said they were coming over for drinks tonight."

She draped herself over the space as if she were the lady of the manor.

My brow knit together instinctively.

Fletcher Reed, one of Desmond’s regulars, broke into a grin. "Relax, Serenity, no need to be so uptight."

He shot me a wink and made a "hush-hush" gesture with his fingers. "We all know this is just a charade—you two are only hitched to keep the parents off your backs."

I looked to Desmond.

He was standing in profile, his face turned away. The soft, amber glow of the living room lamp caught the ridge of his nose, casting a shadow that swallowed the look in his eyes.

I forced a smile, tight and brittle. "I have an early start tomorrow. You guys have fun—I’m heading up."

Sleep was a ghost that night. I tossed and turned, listening to the muffled murmurs drifting up from downstairs.

"So, Desmond, what’s the endgame?" someone asked, their voice hushed but distinct. "You can’t keep Serenity on a shelf forever."

Desmond was quiet for a long beat. Then, he let out a dry, dismissive scoff. "It’s fine. When the time comes, I’ll vet the guys myself. I’ll make sure she ends up with someone stable." He paused, his tone devoid of warmth. "You lot keep your eyes open, too."

A wave of laughter rippled through the group. "Hard pass, man. Who doesn't know you’re protective of your little sister? If they even look at her wrong, or if they have a spat, you’d tear us apart!"

My heart felt like it had been put through a meat grinder.

I had never been with anyone else. From the time I was seven, when my parents died and Paul Knight took me in, he was the only sun I ever orbited. His parents loved me—perhaps even more than they loved Desmond.

Even his mother had seen it coming years ago.

"Do you have a crush on your brother?" she’d asked, pulling me into a warm embrace with a knowing, gentle smile. "Oh, my sweet girl, you’re growing up so fast. Don’t worry, leave it to Mom. I’ll make sure he realizes it."

Looking back, the irony was enough to choke on.