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“Things and things,” I repeat, raising an eyebrow at , Mel?”

“Nothing” Melody blinks too fast

“She’s helpingalone in the house when Mo out and sleep over, just in case you didn’t coht”

“Why wouldn’t I co to throw me off the scent of whatever she’s up to, but I can’t resist responding to the jab “I told you I would be hoht”

“Barely,” Aria says with a sniff

I cross my arms and nod at the kitchen table “What’s all this?”

“Just doing some research,” Aria says

“Research on what?”

“I’m not sure yet, but when I aet more cocoa Anyone else want some? Lark?”

“No thanks,” I mumble

So is definitely up, but Aria obviously doesn’t want to tell me what it is

“So the date was good?” Melody asks, still sounding nervous Melody is a terrible liar and hates hiding things fros She itchy and weird for days before our mom’s surprise fiftieth birthday party

It could be Aria and Melody are planning some kind of pleasant surprise for me, but I don’t think so My birthday isn’t for another threeto approve

Which is why they’re keeping their mouths, and laptops, shut

“Mason still on his best behavior?” Melody adds after a moment

“Yeah,” I say, unable to keep reat I think… I think we’ve turned a corner”

“What kind of corner?” Aria asks, e cocoa

“A trust corner,” I say, ignoring the tightening around her lips “He really understands what I went through when he left now, and I… I don’t know I don’t feel angry or afraid anyain”

“You do?” Aria’s brows shoot up “And why is that? People don’t change overnight, you know”

“It hasn’t been overnight,” I say, doing uht before bed “It’s been four years”

“And who knohat he’s been up to for four years,” Aria says “He could have slept with every woman in Manhattan Or been arrested Or joined a cult Or becoain You have no idea”

“He hasn’t done any of those things,” I say “And we talked about the other people we dated yesterday There’s been nothing serious for either one of us”