Page 16 of Fake Coral and Keys

Glad that he’s one of many men in banking who don’t like to talk about money losses at dinner, I see the perfect story forming. “The company went under after being hacked. When I saw what it did to him and the company, I knew what I wanted to do.”

Justine taps my arm again, drawing my attention to her. “How did you learn to hack software?”

“I was given an old computer when I was young,” I tell her. This isn’t an outright lie. The old man who used to bring me food would often let me mess around with his ancient desktop to keep me out of trouble on nights my father left me alone for long stretches. “I’d sit for hours playing on the old machine, trying to figure out the programs, when I discovered I had a knack for writing and recoding software.”

“How fascinating,” Justine says, her hand still on my arm.

I want to flick her hand away, but I also don’t want to let my distaste for the woman to show. Instead, I reposition myselfto lean closer to Daisy at my side. I look at George. “I would guess you’re familiar with security firms, such as mine,”

He nods slowly, picking up the knife and cutting into the bloody steak on his plate. His pale blue eyes meet mine as he takes a bite. I don’t like how he keeps watching me, but then again, considering his job, he has every right to question his daughter’s boyfriend. After he swallows, he says, “I’m familiar with firms such as yours.”

He turns his attention to Lily at his side. I hear something about the upcoming wedding. It seems we are done talking about me.Thank fuck.

I focus back on Daisy and find her staring at me. “What?”

She leans in close to my ear. “That’s what you do?”

“Yes.”Sort of.

She fiddles with the napkin in her lap and glances around the table.

I debate which parts I should tell her are false when I feel a cold hand press into my chest. I turn to find Justine pushing me back so she can look at Daisy on my opposite side. With a moment’s hesitation, because that was simply rude, I lean back so she can speak even though it fillsme with dread.

Justine plasters a smile on her plain face. “Did you get your appointment for sizing yet, Daisy?”

I hear Daisy take a deep breath. Her eyes dart to Lily across the table, then back to Justine. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“For Lily’s wedding.” Justine laughs. “Silly girl. So you can get your dress taken out to fit you properly.”

Keep. Your. Mouth. Shut.

I stab a green bean on my plate a little too aggressively. The metal screeches across the porcelain, drawing everyone’s attention. Ignoring the stares, I bring the food to my mouth to stop myself from commenting on Justine’s choice of words.

Daisy stiffens, but then an artificial sugary smile spreads over her lips. “I’m not in the wedding party.”

Justine places a hand over her heart. “I thought you were the maid of honor, being Lily’s sister.”

Erin giggles. “I’m the maid of honor, Justine. You know that.”

Justine shrugs. “Or at least one of the bridesmaids.” She looks at Lily. “There will be ten of us, after all.”

Ten?Who the fuck has ten bridesmaids? After having so many, she still didn’t have room for her sister? I clench my jaw to keep my mouth shut. My outburst at the last Gathering didn’timpress her family. If I do it again and in a public space, I’ll not only humiliate Daisy, but I’ll lose any small amount of favor I’ve made with her parents.

Daisy picks up her drink and throws it back. She’s upset and losing her ability to hide it well.

I look Justine square in the eyes. “I think it’s wonderful that Daisy can support her sister on her big day without the stress of being a part of the wedding party.”

Daisy smiles gratefully at me. “Yes, I prefer it.”

Justine’s eyes travel from Daisy back to me. I don’t like that she’s giving me so much attention. It feels deliberate. Like she’s doing this just to get under Daisy’s skin.

I turn to Kane, who’s been quietly eating and scrolling through his phone, doing his best to stay out of the conversation. “Kane.” My voice is a little too loud. He glances up long enough to let me know he’s listening, so I continue, “Daisy told me what you did for a living, but tell me again.”

Actually, Daisy never once mentioned what this man does, but I figured steering the conversation away from the wedding would be best for Daisy. It’s not like I don’t know his title. I had two months to dig into her life as I watched her in the coffee shop.

He gestures toward George. “I work in George’s office.”

Fuck. Okay, then.The guy is no help at getting the attention off Daisy.

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