Elowen was taken aback. "What are you doing here?"


    "I''m here for the celebration dinner for your dad."


    Amara silently frowned. She appreciated Finnian''s unexpected arrival to bail her out, but what was this about a father-inw? They were divorced; Larry was no longer his father-inw.


    Amara stepped forward. "Elowen, maybe you should keep an eye on your friend. We wouldn''t want her saying something inappropriate around here, especially not in front of Dad. Imagine how he''d react."


    Elowen red at Amara with a look that could pierce steel, wishing she could strangle her for the embarrassment. Why was Finnian here at the Sullivan family event when he and Amara were no longer together? Were they still on good terms?


    Just then, amotion rippled through the room as Larry made his entrance. A crowd quickly gathered around to ask after his health and offer congrattions. Elowen promptly dragged Amelia over to join the throng.


    Finnian edged closer to Amara. "Were those two giving you a hard time?"


    Amara cast a nce at Elowen and Amelia''s retreating figures. "Yeah, but they


    can''t bother me now. Why are you here, anyway?"


    "Fiona sent me an invitation," he said. "Do you not want me here?"


    His gaze was fixed on Amara, genuine concern in his eyes.


    Amara pursed her lips. "It''s not that."


    With Elowen and Amelia gone, the air between them felt a bit tense, a stark contrast to earlier. After Finnian''s apology and his promise to leave her be, they hadn''t crossed paths much until now.


    Looking over at Larry, Amara said, "My father is over there. I should go talk to him."


    "I''lle with you," Finnian offered. "I need to discuss something with him."


    Amara was surprised. "What do you need to discuss?"


    Finnian gave her a sidelong nce. "Rx, it''s business. Nothing to do with you."


    Together, they made their way over


    vel


    to Larry, the crowd parting easily to let them through. Reaching Larry, Amara exchanged a few pleasantries to maintain appearances before excusing herself.


    Just then, Elysia approached with two sses of wine. Amara eagerly took one. "Where''s Dorian?" she asked.


    "He saw some of Jessica''s rtives and went over to say hi," Elysia said coolly.


    "Jessica''s rtives are here?" Amara frowned.


    She remembered the Sullivans and the Bishop family didn''t get along particrly well. The Bishops were quite a small frypared to the Sullivans. It seemed odd they were even on the guest list.


    "Probably Fiona''s doing," Amara spected before Elysia could respond. "She''s been on a


    build connections. But going for the Bishops? She''s really scraping the barrel."


    Elysia nodded, casting a nce at Dorian, who was chatting with Jessica''s


    cousin. Her expression was unreadable.


    Noticing Elysia''s gaze, Dorian approached them. "What are you two doing here? Come on, let''s get something to eat."


    "I''m not hungry. You go ahead," Elysia replied coolly.


    "I''ll eat with you," Dorian insisted.


    A hint of a sardonic smile yed on Elysia''s lips. "Why don''t you eat with Mr.


    Bishop? You seemed to be having a great chat."


    Dorian''s brow furrowed. "What''s this about? I was just talking to him."