Layna''s sudden arrival put a damper on Andrew''s good mood in a heartbeat.


    What was supposed to be a chill hangout for three had just turned into four, and honestly, it felt a little cramped now.


    Layna looked a bit sheepish as she spoke up. "Justin brought me. Cousin, are you feeling better?"


    "It''s been months—I''m fine. If I wasn''t, would I be standing here? You''re clueless, can''t even hold a conversation, just good at whining and tattling," Andrew shot back, as blunt as ever.


    He never bothered to hide his dislike for Layna. There were plenty of reasons: mostly, she always seemed to stir up trouble for Paradise. Also, he just found her annoying. And that time she''d caught him writing a love letter-he was sure she told his mom, which had earned him a long lecture. Andrew had zero patience for girls who ratted people out.


    Layna''s eyes went red, like she might cry any second.


    Justin frowned. "Tattled? About what?"


    “I didn''t!” Layna blurted, her voice shaking.


    "Don''t cry. I''m not about tofort you," Andrew said, waving her off. "Girls are nothing but trouble."


    He quickly caught himself and turned to Paradise with a big grin. "Not you, though. I mean the other girls. They''re just too dramatic, so delicate, always blowing up over nothing."


    "Andrew.” Justin gave him a warning look, reminding him Layna was still a guest.


    Justin moved over to Paradise. "Sorry for the wait. Are you hungry? Want to start eating?"


    Paradise nodded softly—she was starting to feel hungry.


    She didn''t say anything about Layna being there. As long as Layna kept to herself, Paradise could pretend she didn''t exist.


    “Come on, let''s eat," Andrew said, plopping himself down and ignoring Laynapletely. If she wanted to sit, fine. If not, even better.


    Layna wasn''t about to leave and let Paradise win by default. She steeled herself, sat down, and shot Paradise a re.


    Paradise held her gaze, cool and unbothered, her eyes sharp with warning. She was telling Layna, loud and clear: don''t try anything.


    After a few rounds of these silent showdowns, Paradise didn''t even see Layna aspetition anymore. Anyone who had to cheat to win wasn''t worth her time.


    “Justin, let''s have a drink,” Andrew suggested, rolling up his sleeves. "No parents around tonight! Let''s have some wine-just a little. Nobody has to know."


    Paradise was about to remind him they were underage, but Andrew jumped in, “Come on, sis, just this once! Soda''s so boring. Let us have a little fun—”


    "You''re twelve,” Paradise pointed out, unimpressed.


    "Wine it is,” Justin suddenly agreed. "Tonight I''ll drink with you."


    "Justin, you''re the best!" Andrew whooped. "See, Paradise? Justin''s


    in! You stick to juice, we''ll have a bit of wine. Promise we wont get drunk.


    Yeah, right. Boys always say that-doesn''t matter if they''re twelve or twenty.


    An hourter...


    Andrew was more than a little tipsy, belting out "Good Brothers" at full volume in the karaoke room. His singing was, frankly, painful to listen to.


    Paradise tried covering her ears, but it didn''t help. Justin handed her a pair of earplugs.


    She grinned, slipping them in. “Thanks. How about you?"


    Justin just smiled. "I sing even worse than he does."


    In other words, he could handle Andrew''s off-key wailing.


    With the earplugs in, the world was a much better ce.


    Justin had had some wine too, but aside from a touch of red on his


    cheeks, he looked perfect his


    put


    together. He still had that calm,


    gentlemanly vibe, totally in control.


    Andrew, on the other hand, waspletely letting loose. Singing solo wasn''t


    enough he dragged Paradise and Justin up to sing with him.


    Layna, meanwhile, was left sitting in awkward silence, totally ignored.


    After everyone had eaten, drunk, and


    sung their fill, Justin was more


    rxed than usual, joining in with theughter and jokes. The wine hit Andrew hard he was stumbling as he walked, so Paradise and Justin had to help him out, with Layna trailing behind, clearly annoyed.


    Just as they reached the elevator, they ran into Carter and Hermaning out of the restaurant.


    Carter''s jaw dropped when he saw his son. "Andrew! Who let you drink?" he barked.


    Herman darted to Paradise, eyes wide with worry. "Pattie, you didn''t drink, did you? Girls shouldn''t be drinking out in public."