rship kid our fam

top of his class, the valedictorian from his city.

senior when I was a junior in high school, a

detail of my progress, or lack th

I managed my own st

lating look in his eyes. Back t

rous weekend at our

Mom a few too many times. It wasn't casual; it wa

punch him. M

r eyes, when she looked at Ryan after th

use again. He was relegated back to bei

d. He came to our house, fruit basket in han

d his secretary wire Rya

pposed departure. He ran into Chloe, h

returned the fift

e should be practical. He would work firs

looked at Ryan – dressed simply, face set

standard HR process, was hired

berately getting close

Chloe. He's after you

e is like you, only

in less than a year, she h

Ryan clutched the grab h

re pissed, think a

the house. I didn't go in

happen between Chloe and

n't j

ing Mom and Dad down with me, had shown me th

car, just before he

for her? She went abroad to get away from you. Sh

. Her going to Stanford wasn't just

ife, when she was drugged and tearing at

ut, Ryan had adde

n your sister. Get a girlfrie

worried I'd keep

had no feelings

or Ryan was too cons

night. When dawn broke,

rom her room, wea

fresh, dark hickeys. Her

you last n

aid. Mike was my best

be she'd let go too. Maybe we could go back

t rich," she said, her voice hardening. "But

is background?" I countered. "I

He put himself on the li

y mess? What are y

patience

t night? I was saving myself for Ryan for

like that? What do you t

never resort to such despicable tactics. I'd