Page 72 of My Favorite Sin

“Do you still want her?”

Felix gulps down the rest of his whiskey. “It doesn’t matter what I want. She made her choice and it was Tyler.”

My phone vibrates. I pull it out from my pocket, my heart racing when I finally see Ally’s name on the screen.

Ally

I got my period.

I should be relieved. Iamrelieved. But now, I have no reason to talk to Ally. Now, I have to find some way to get on with my life without Ally by my side.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

ALLY

Over two weeks have passed since I returned to the beach house after Dan’s birthday, and I have never felt more smothered by my parents in my life.

To say they freaked out about the knife attack is an understatement. I can’t blame them for their behavior when the media exaggerated and made the attack sound like a stabbing. I suppose what happens in The Scarlet Mirage isn’t a complete secret after all. Although, the speakeasy itself was never mentioned in all the news articles, and from the photos that were leaked, nothing within the images distinguished the location.

Regardless, Mom and Josh are treating me more like a child than before, asking to be informed everywhere I go. They’re not pleased with Dan, even though I told them the attack wasn’t his fault.

Sacred Heart was not impressed with the news reports either and had harsh words to me about my image and how I shouldn’t be placing myself in situations where a knife attack is in the realm of possibility.

It’s been a tough two weeks. Tougher without Dan totalk to. I think about that night we shared non-stop. About how he said he would wait for me. He’s so perfect in every way, except that he’s my stepbrother.

I’ve since gone on the pill, not because I intend on having sex anytime soon, but it seems like the sensible thing to do.

Wednesday night after work, I’m alone in the living room, practicing the piano, when Mom interrupts me. “Ally, honey, you have a visitor at the front door.”

“Who is it?” I stand from the piano stool, surprised anyone would visit me unannounced.

She doesn’t answer my question, just moves into the next room with a grin. Not suspicious at all. When I arrive at the front door, my mother’s happiness all makes sense.

“Liam. Hi.”

A nervous smile plays on my lips, as I’m not sure how to approach this encounter. Liam and I haven’t spoken in two and a half weeks. In all honesty, I’ve barely thought about him, being consumed with Dan. But it’s nice to see him. From the soft smile on Liam’s face, I’d say he’s pleased to see me too. Perhaps a little nervous from the way he shifts back and forth on his feet.

“Ally, hey. My band just finished playing at the local jazz club. I thought I’d stop by and see how you are. We never got a chance to speak properly about us.”

I nod to the veranda swing gently swaying in the evening breeze. “Would you like to sit and chat?”

We take our seats on opposite ends, the swing long enough that there’s a fair gap between us. I tuck my legs beneath me and turn to face Liam as we rock back and forth.

“I heard you playing the piano when I arrived,” Liam says. “It sounded beautiful.Moonlight Sonata?”

“Yes. I’m impressed you know it.”

“Most people know theMoonlight Sonata.”

“Not the movement I was playing.”

We laugh, and it’s nice. Talking to Liam is like talking to a friend. And I realize I miss him, not in a romantic way, but because of all the good chats we had about music. He taught me things about jazz I didn’t know I’d be interested in and gave me new experiences.

Our laughter fades, leaving us with a moment of silence. The mood between us is awkward, and I know we’re both tiptoeing around the topic of our last phone call. I decide to speak first, seeing as this is a less sensitive issue for me.

“Liam, I hope we can still be friends. I genuinely mean it. How have you been since we last spoke on the phone?”

He rubs the back of his neck, his face a little strained. “Not good. I told you I needed some time. The truth is, I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

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