After that conversation with Liam, things between us shifted. Not dramatically. There was no fight. No awkward silence. Just space.


    Days passed. Then a week. And slowly, summer settled in like azy guest who refused to leave. The weather turned warmer, the streets busier, and I was back to doing things on my own, just the way I liked it. Or so I told myself.


    I spent more time at my house, cooking in the kitchen with the windows open and jazz music humming in the background. I cleaned out my spice cab, tried out new recipes, rearranged furniture for no reason, and even took solo walks through the Sunday farmer’s market. I went to brunch spots alone with a book in hand and didn’t mind the stares.


    No drama. No ck family tension. No Liam. Just me.


    It was surprisingly peaceful. Lonely, yes, but peaceful. And I needed that quiet to think.


    I didn’t hear from Liam, nor did I see him, except when I talked to Sophia, who would tease me with, “Liam’s fine, thanks for asking.”


    Sophia’s advice kept echoing in my mind: Make him work for it.


    So, I decided that was exactly what I’d do.


    If anything were to happen between us, he needed to make it clear. No mixed signals. No confusing push and pull. I let the silence between us speak louder than anything I could’ve said. If he wanted me, really wanted me. It was on him now. He knew where to find me.


    That Friday, I returned to Liam’s house to cook. I figured I might as well fulfill my job while pretending not to notice how empty the ce felt without his unpredictable energy haunting


    the halls.


    0.00%


    19.01


    288 Vouchers


    When I stepped inside, Sophia was already there. She greeted me with a smile so suspicious, I nearly backed out the front door.


    “Why do you look like you’ve had three cups of coffee and a guilty conscience?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.


    She blinked innocently. “What? Nothing! I’m just energized.”


    Mhm. Sure. I brushed it off and made my way to the kitchen, slipping on an apron and mentally running through my meal n for the day. Sophia trailed behind, pretending to scroll through her phone, but I caught her sneaking nces at me more than once.


    She was definitely hiding something.


    I decided to see how long she could keep it in. Knowing Sophia, I wouldn’t have to wait long.


    I was halfway through chopping herbs when Jay walked in, looking like he’d just stepped out of a yachtmercial. Sunsses perched on his head, linen shirts unbuttoned a little too low, rxed like he hadn’t dealt with LA traffic a day in his life.


    “You’rete,<i>” </i>Sophia said pointedly.


    Jay sighed. “Traffic.”


    And then it began.


    I noticed Sophia giving Jay a very specific look. He returned it with a shrug. She pinched his thigh under the ind counter, and he nearly dropped the protein bar he was holding.


    I raised an eyebrow but said nothing.


    24.10%


    19:01


    288 Vouchers.


    They continued with their silent performance. Sophia ring, Jay whispering, “You say it,” and Sophia elbowing him like a five–year–old trying to get her brother to ask for dessert.


    I was more entertained than annoyed. I diced tomatoes and watched their scene unfold like a liveedy sketch.


    “Okay, seriously,” I said, not even ncing up. “Are you two possessed, or just plotting something ridiculous again?”


    They both froze like kids caught stealing cookies.


    Jay looked at Sophia.


    Sophia looked at Jay.


    Then she dropped it. Boom.


    “Emily,” Sophia said dramatically, “we want you toe with us on a little trip.”


    I blinked. “A trip?”


    Jay jumped in, clearly relieved she’d finally said it. “To St. Barts. Our parents are already there.”


    I set the knife down. “I’m sorry… what?”


    “It’s just a few days,” Sophia added quickly. “Maybe a week. We’ll be staying at our family’s summer vi. Pool, beach, shopping. You’ll love it.”


    I stared at them like they’d grown second heads. “Are you both okay? Do I need to drive you to the ER for a full–body checkup?”


    Chapter <b>29 </b>


    1288 Vouchers


    Jay chuckled. “It’s not that deep, Em. It’s just our uncle, dad’s brother. He and his family moved to Ennd years ago. They’re flying in. It’s their 40th anniversary, and one of our cousins is proposing to his long–time girlfriend. Big deal. Family bonding and all.”


    Sophia beamed. “And we want you there.”


    Iughed, a little too loudly. “Yeah, no. This sounds like a family event. I’m not crashing your cousin’s engagement or your uncle’s anniversary party. I’m not even technically part of the family.”


    Sophia waved her hand. “Oh, please. My mom’s been asking about you nonstop. She’s actually excited you’reing. It’ll break her heart if we show up without you.”


    That made me pause.


    Thest time someone’s mom was excited to meet me, I was fifteen, and it ended in a two- hour lecture about skirt lengths and purity pledges. I wasn’t eager to relive that.


    Still, something in Sophia’s voice made me hesitate.


    “Even if I wanted to go,” I said slowly, “what about Liam? I’m not sure he’d befortable with me tagging along to your family’s private getaway.”


    At that, both of them burst intoughter.


    Sophia pped the counter. “Oh my God, Emily. Liam is literally thest person we’re


    worried about.”


    Jay nodded. “He doesn’t run the family. You’reing for us, not him.”


    I crossed my arms. “This is sweet. Really. But it still feels… weird. What if I’m intruding?”


    “You’re not,” Sophia said gently. “Honestly? It would mean a lot if you came. You could use


    59.86%


    19.02


    288 Vouchers


    the break. Plus, have you seen yourselftely? You’ve been walking around like a zombie in an apron.”


    Jay snorted. “A very talented zombie, though.”


    I rolled my eyes. “You two are relentless.”


    “Remember, you’re my sister now,” Sophia added, jutting her bottom lip out. “And sisters don’t abandon each other.”


    Here ites, ssic Sophia and Jay. Stage Two: Emotional ckmail.


    I was torn. A part of me wanted to say yes. I mean, it sounded like an adventure, a new experience, something I’d never had growing up. But the practical side of me was screaming <ol><li>no<b>. </b></li></ol>


    I wasn’t used to being included in things like this. I didn’t grow up with sunny vacations, matching family outfits, or cousins proposing on private inds. It was foreign. And a little terrifying. <fn08d3> Follow current nov?ls on find{n}ovel</fn08d3>


    I stared down at the pan, pretending to check the heat.


    “Just think about it, okay?” Jay said. “We leave in three days. You don’t even have to pack much. We have everything there.”


    “We can go shopping,” Sophia added with a spark in her eyes.


    I mumbled, “I’ll think about it,” not quite meeting their


    gaze.


    Sophia smiled knowingly. “Good. That’s all we ask.”


    82.59%