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This--the whole allowing soain the upper hand on me, especially a fes and I fish it out of h as I hit the green button, ready for the whine fest that I knowher birthday party this weekend "Yes, Diem?"

"Are you back in town yet?" she quizzes

"Just landed about ten ht as well open the door for her te absent this weekend "Hoas your birthday party?"

"It onderful," she replies in a tone I only re some sappy romance movie Most people would call it dreamy I call it delusional Diem is very much the hopeless rouy

I pinch the bridge ofso wrapped up in the whole Margo scandal and trying to close this deal with Yaate whoever this man is like I typically do As her brother, I find that it’saround h Unfortunately, Diem tends to pick the loser artist types who I fear are after far et their hooks in Diem for what our father left us, and it’s up tosister from motherfuckers ould use her

Tiuy?"

"Does a man have to be involved for me to be happy?" Diem instantly fires back

"Come on, Dieuy?"

She’s quiet for a fewyou"

"Die in ht as well do this the easy way and just tellinto who this uy is you obviously don’t want me to know about"

Jack’s eyes immediately cut over to me at the mention of his name I see a flicker of unease on his face before he quickly turns his head to stare out the sideJack hates when I send him out on personal missions like this fordownthat he really wants to do But I know Jack He’s loyal, and he’ll do it if I ask him to because, not only does he work for s "I promise I’ll tell you all about him when I’m ready, but for now, allow me to keep this to myself Please, Alexander"

Her bravery to maintain this secret takes me aback because Dieainst et her to bend She knows that I get what I want no uard, but the idea that she’s finally growing a little backbone makes me proud in an odd way It doesn’t h "Fine I won’t push for now But so help me, Diem, if this asshole hurts you in any way, I will end hih loud and clear

After I tell her good-bye, I end the call and lean ainst the headrest I hope Die rash with this guy until I’ve had tiround check on hih I have to focus allo I can’t believe I’ Feisty Princess of Manhattan How in the hell did I allow this to happen?

Margo

IT TAKES EVERYTHING IN ME not to bash ainst the expensive marble counter as I sit at the island in ure out a way to tell her that I married a total rat-bastard this weekend on accident Seriously, when Jean Paul renovated his Upper East Side apartment, he spared no expense when it came to this kitchen It ood care ofreheat on two of the pre-cooked meals her husband prepared for her in his absence "He won’t leave for a trip if he hasn’t left food for one" She turns to face me with a dreaood one this tio, honey This one is a keeper"

I lovein me not to roll my eyes and blurt out ‘that’s what you said about the last four’ Myin soul mates and fate and all that hokey nonsense

She takes in the expression ondark curls to bounce around her shoulders "Don’t give ood she is at reading what’s on my mind even if I don’t "

"You didn’t have to I’o I can read how much you detest the idea of love by the expression on your face I’ood at that, you know Matter-of-fact, I once had this clairvoyant tellauras" The sound of thethat our food is ready and interrupting her train of thought She lifts one of the plates of grilled chicken to her nose "Ah This s being one of theestively