Page 29 of A Twisted Arrangement

“It’s fine. I’m not going anywhere,” Misty huffs seconds before wrapping me in a hug. She’s warm and soft, and suddenly, I understand exactly how she caught Damon. She’s a light in a world of darkness.

“Hi,” I breathe out, pushing the word out against her tight embrace.

“Oh, sorry!” She releases me, taking a step back, cheeks pink. “I know I can be a bit much. I’m working on it.”

“Please don’t do that,” I say, giving her my brightest smile. One I’ve hidden for years. “There’s no such thing as too much.” I hold the paper bag with two bottles of wine clinging together up toward her. “I think we’re going to be great friends.”

Misty leads me upstairs to her place, smiling as I step inside. Color fills my vision, and a smile grows across my face as I take in the cheerful decor that perfectly matches her.

“Cool, huh? Grab a seat, and I’ll grab the glasses.” Misty gestures toward the sofa, and I take a seat. I sink into the cushion, practically melting into the corner, where two large pillows support my back.

It takes a second, but in the sea of color, I notice small hints of the eldest Everette brother living here. Crystal liquorset, black jacket slung over the dining chair. Somehow, none of it feels out of place, like Damon’s stuff somehow makes the rest shine brighter.

“Your place is really nice.”

Misty hands me my wineglass, then sits on the other side of the sofa, pulling her feet up to tuck underneath herself. We look like a pair of college students getting ready to gossip.

I’ve heard a million different things about Misty and Damon, ranging from the mundane to the outright crazy. It would be rude to ask, right? I, of all people, know how fast false information spreads around here.

Misty’s keen eyes land on mine, a small smirk curling her lips.

I swallow hard, feeling like I was just caught sneaking notes in class. “What?”

“You can ask. I know you’re dying to.” She takes a sip of her wine. “I invited you here; it’s only fair that you get to ask first. Come on, I know you must be curious.”

I’m not going to bother pretending I don’t know exactly what she’s talking about. “I don’t believe rumors.”

She gives me a reassuring smile. “I believe you.”

“It’s just that…” I pull my legs onto the couch, happy I wore trousers to work, and face her. “Did he really throw you over his shoulder at the bar and drag you up to their private room?”

“Sure did.” She laughs, then leans in, her voice a mock whisper. “But that’s not the good stuff.”

“Good stuff?” There’s a giddiness filling my chest that I haven’t felt in years.

“There’s the whole marriage of convenience thing.”

“Convenience?” Shock ripples through me. There wasn’t a single thing in their interactions that ever gave me a hint that it wasn’t real.

“Oh no, don’t get me wrong. The marriage is real. It was like a weird trick he pulled to make me stay near him.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me.” I take a long drink of my wine, the smooth taste coating my tongue and warming my body.

“He did stalk me for a bit. But don’t worry, I had him take the cameras out of here.”

“The what?” I choke on the wine, leaning over in an attempt to breathe. A small hand pounds on my back.

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m not the only one with an Everette brother obsessed with her. God only knows what Matthias is doing.”

Shock mixes with confusion. “I don’t have cameras in my place. I’ve checked.”

She smirks.

That’s a skill I didn’t realize I needed.

She looks toward the balcony. “It led to some fun times though.”

I flip through the last few times I’ve seen the Everettes out, and I can’t remember seeing any of them with a particular girl around. “Who’s the other person who has an Everette brother obsessed with her?”

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