Page 81 of My Favorite Sin

I do feel awful for hurting Liam. At the same time, there’s a massive sense of relief in me. Liam was a great guy who I could have been with in another life, but we weren’t right for each other, even if it took me too long to learn so.

I head back through the house, to the party, walking in on a discussion about bedrooms and where everyone is sleeping.

“Oh, good, Ally, you’re back,” Mom says. “Will you please convince Dan he needs to sleep here tonight. It will be so nice to have the whole family under one roof. Like old times.”

“You offered Dax and Jordan the room I used to sleep in. All the other bedrooms are taken,” Dan says, leaning back at the table while mindlessly shuffling his neon cards. A soft smile tugs at my lips, seeing him with those cards and knowing I have the Queen of Hearts.

“We can set up the couch,” Mom tells him.

“The couch?” Dan laughs. “You’re not really selling the idea of me sleeping over, Amabella.”

I return to my chair beside Dan, not saying a word, my thoughts still with Liam and the tense scene that went down between us. How he drove off in anger.

“Honey, tell Dan he has to stay for your birthday. We’re going to play board games after the cake and need correct numbers for each group.”

I look at my mom and shrug, my mind distant, hoping Liam is safe on the road.

“Ally, darling, what’s wrong?”

“Liam and I got into an argument. I don’t think I’ll be seeing him again.”

“What?” she gasps. All eyes whip to me, and I’m met with a million questions.What was the argument about? Who started it? Am I upset?

“I’m fine.” Liam’s anger wasn’t nice to experience, but with each passing second, I’m feeling a greater sense of freedom and… I’mhappy. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy, knowing I can finally let myself be with Dan. “I’m actually better than fine. I told Liam we weren’t right for each other.”

“You only just started seeing him,” Josh states in confusion.

“We weren’t seeing each other. We were only… It doesn’t even matter.”

“How did he take it?” Violet asks with the biggest grin on her face.

I roll my eyes at her reaction, resisting the urge to laugh out of respect for Liam. “Not well. He’ll be fine, though.”

Felix tosses a balled-up napkin across the table at Dan. “Now you have to stay the night. Baby sis needs her family around for comfort.” There’s a teasing grin on his face, and he finishes with a wink at Dan, to which Dan scowls back. I have no clue what any of that is about. “Come on, bro. I’ll take the couch. You have my old bedroom.”

“Fine,” Dan says, grabbing my thigh beneath the table. “I’ll stay.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

DAN

The night draws close to eleven o’clock. Violet has gone home, and now the family is scattered among the couches in the living room, drinking champagne and playing board games.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

Felix

I know you, bro. You snuck off after the presents were opened to fuck her, didn’t you? Tell me I’m not sleeping on the couch tonight for nothing.

I shoot him a look, sitting all the way across the room, and find him laughing quietly to himself.

Felix

One of us deserves to enjoy the night.

I read the hidden meaning in his words, directed at Harper. I’ve sensed the tension between the two of them tonight more so than usual. Not because anything between them has changed, but I have a greater awareness of theirsituation. They’ve stayed far away from each other during the party, barely interacting, other than anything that is required of them.

I now have a new appreciation for how difficult these family gatherings must be for Felix, not only because of Dad, but being forced to watch Tyler and Harper together. The way she’s sitting on Tyler’s lap right now, and him stroking her hair. Knowing that Tyler takes Harper to bed each night. I could barely stand watching Ally and Liam together earlier in the evening.

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