“Are there any other Tristans I should know about?”


    “So, thepany you’re talking about is A&C Entertainment?” Liam’s eyes widened, his voice trembling slightly.


    “Oh, I didn’t tell you that, did I?” Alessia’s reaction was almost nonchnt,


    especiallypared to Liam’s shock.


    “Didn’t tell me–are you serious?” Liam stared at her, feeling a sudden tightness in his chest.


    “Does it really matter?” Alessia shrugged, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, leaving Liam at a loss for words.


    “It… it doesn’t matter?”


    “Let’s do this: I need to go to headquarters next Saturday. Take the next few days to think it over. If you’re interested,e with me,” Alessia cut in, deciding there was no point dragging things out.


    “…Alright.”


    “You can talk it over with Mom and Dad before signing anything, but leave out anything about me, especially what happened tonight. Deal?”


    After so many jaw–dropping revtions, Liam felt oddly calm. He grinned, reaching out to ruffle Alessia’s hair. “You really do know how to keep us on our toes.”


    “nning to use me?” Alessia’s words were matter–of–fact, but there was an unexpected note of vulnerability in her voice. “Whatever your reasons, if you agree, I’m confident I can make you a star.”.


    “No, that’s not it.”


    “Hm?”


    “I just hope that one day, we can be the ones you can count on.”


    Liam’s tone was sincere, his gaze steady. For a moment, Alessia found herself at a


    loss for words.


    She had plenty of people she could trust, plenty more who were tied to her by mutual interest. There were a few who might stick by her to the end, but no one had ever said they wanted to be her strength.


    It was a strange feeling. Alessia couldn’t quite describe it–maybe it was the sugar


    15:40


    Chapter su


    from her ice cream, but suddenly the summer night didn’t feel so stifling.


    An awkward silence settled between the siblings. Almost in unison, they both scratched their noses and looked away.


    “Lessie! Liam?” Zachary’s voice cut through the silence like a lifeline, and both of them gave a quiet sigh of relief. Sentimentality just wasn’t their thing.


    “Hey, Zach,” Alessia called out, while Liam gave a half–hearted wave, slipping back into his usual cool demeanor.


    “What are you two doing out here?”


    “I figured you’d be home soon, so I came down to wait for you,” Zachary said, not mentioning he’d already been waiting nearly an hour–didn’t want Alessia to feel bad about it. Truth was, Karen and the others had been hounding him toe


    down and look out for her.


    Zachary’s words jogged Alessia’s memory–she’d forgotten to text him. She nced over her shoulder; under the streetmp, a group of rough–looking guys were leaning against the wall, smoking.


    “So, how’d you two end uping back together?”


    “I-‘


    “We bumped into each other on the way,” Alessia answered quickly.


    Zachary looked at Liam, who nodded, in confirmation.


    <i>“</i>Alright, it’ste. Let’s head in.‘


    “Are Mom and Dad asleep?”


    “Not yet.”


    “How’s the food stand going?”


    “Not bad. They’re messing around with new recipes–keeps them busy, and things feel a lot lighter at home.” Zachary nced at Alessia. “What about you? Seemed like you got off work early today.”


    “Boss had somethinge up.”


    The three of them chatted idly as they walked, their shadows stretching long beneath the streetlights, close together despite the space between them. Alessia was sandwiched between her brothers, their shadows leaning into one another. There was no show of affection, nothing sentimental–just the quietfort of


    15:40


    διαμισι


    family.