ice heavy with disappointment. "At least until we understand more. It' s one thing

arship, of course. We made a commitment. But pe

rittany. This wouldn't be enough. A simple severing of clo

ot going to just accept being kept at arm's length. She' s i

ney?" Mom asked, a ne

convey the danger without revealing the full, terrifying truth of my past life. "If she feels like sh

ess, that sounds a bit extreme.

for assault," I reminded him gently. "We don

ting to see that Brittany wasn't just a

led to attend a charity conference in New Yor

his was when Britta

g feeling she'

ents had left for the airport, I

y tonight? She said it's at her famil

r suburban C

cold. She w

ace?" I texted b

rents are out of town.

rowing a lavish party at my hou

ny acting the gracious hostess, telling people I was just a "friend from a less fortuna

e script woul

e street was already lined with cars. Mu

ked up the driveway, my heart a

d see throngs of students, drin

flute, basking in the attention. She was wearing one

from a shared economics cla

ittle surprised. "Didn't kno

?" I asked, m

y Evans. It's her house. She

idening in shock when she saw me

voice a little too high.

loud enough for those nearby to h