Blythe nestled into Mrs. White''s arms, soaking up the warmth andfort.


    Jett nced over at Blythe with a fond, teasing smile. "Hey, you need your own time too, kiddo. Don''t put us at the top of your list all the time!"


    Then, as if remembering his manners, Jett turned to the stranger beside them. "I don''t think I caught your name yet. Funny how fate brings people together. Let me introduce myself—I''m Jett, this is my wife, Lillian, and our daughter, Blythe."


    "I''m Calliope," she replied, meeting Jett''s gaze. "Nice to meet you all."


    Jett studied Calliope for a moment, as if turning something over in his mind.


    Calliope could guess what he was thinking. With his status, Jett was probably used to people trying to cozy up to him, especially since he was so famously devoted to his wife. It wouldn''t be the first time someone tried to get close by sending in someone who looked suspiciously like Lillian.


    She figured he was just being cautious.


    "Well, I''ll leave you guys to it. My friends are waiting for me," Calliope said politely, giving a little wave before heading off to find Portia and the others.


    Blythe, still leaning on Mrs. White''s shoulder, watched Calliope walk away. Her eyes narrowed with barely concealed suspicion and annoyance.


    Stupid Calliope.


    Was she here to steal her family? She''d even chatted with Blythe''s parents, for crying out loud.


    Blythe looked up at Jett, her voice small and wounded. "Dad, why were you staring at that girl? She kind of looks like Mom, but you''re not interested in her just because she''s younger, are you? You can''t hurt Mom! I won''t let you!"


    Jett snapped out of it, chuckling and shaking his head. "What? No way, honey!"


    He pulled Lillian closer, grinning. "You know you''re the only one for me, darling. Don''t get the wrong idea!"


    Lillian was still ncing in Calliope''s direction, her hand unconsciously pressed over her heart. "I don''t know why, but there''s something familiar about her. Maybe it''s just the resemnce."


    "Yeah, it''s weird," Jett agreed with a


    looked like that, or if she got a really


    good stic surgeon. If it''s t


    the


    Hatter, she found a pro, that''s for


    sure."


    Blythe''s heart skipped a beat. They actually felt a connection to Calliope?


    No way. She couldn''t let them get close to her.


    She pouted, putting on her cutest voice. “Dad, there''s only one natural beauty dike Mom. If someone else looks like her, it''s gotta be on purpose. She probably had work done just to get close to us.


    "Mom, Dad, you know lots of people try to get into your circle. Don''t fall for it, okay?"


    Jett ruffled her hair, still amused. "Don''t worry, sweetheart, we''re not that easy to fool."


    "That''s right, Blythe," Mrs. White added with a softugh. "You don''t need to babysit us. Go have fun with your friends. Hanging around with us all evening would be a bore It''s not offer you get time off rx and. enjoy yourself."


    Blythe nodded eagerly. "Okay, I''ll go find the others. I''lle backter to check on you!"


    "Sounds good," Jett replied, watching her go with a look of pure affection.


    As Blythe disappeared into the crowd, Jett and Mrs. White exchanged a thoughtful nce, then both looked back toward Calliope.


    They both seemed a little lost in thought, watching the girl as she rejoined her friends.


    "I can''t put my finger on it," Mrs. White murmured, "but there''s something about her that just feels...familiar."