[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322A01459-495":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},495,2,"Chapter 2: \"I'll Help You Find a Boyfriend.\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A sharp knock echoed through the foyer.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Vienna Cruz was back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She draped herself over the space as if she were the lady of the manor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My brow knit together instinctively.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Fletcher Reed, one of Desmond’s regulars, broke into a grin. \"Relax, Serenity, no need to be so uptight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I looked to Desmond.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I forced a smile, tight and brittle. \"I have an early start tomorrow. You guys have fun—I’m heading up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Sleep was a ghost that night. I tossed and turned, listening to the muffled murmurs drifting up from downstairs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So, Desmond, what’s the endgame?\" someone asked, their voice hushed but distinct. \"You can’t keep Serenity on a shelf forever.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My heart felt like it had been put through a meat grinder.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Even his mother had seen it coming years ago.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Looking back, the irony was enough to choke on.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272915749]