Page 75 of The Glittering Edge

Alonso wasn’t going to kiss her. That would be impossible. But if he tried to—which he never would—how would Penny react? Would she let him?

Penny can’t answer that. Instead, she buries herself in microfilm. She goes back to the year before the curse began, then two years before, three years before. She’s not even sure what she expects to find.

Which is why she almost misses the photo.

It’s a feature from the Barrions’ annual gala, three years before Ellie and Giovanni died. Ellie and Charles Barrion smile at the camera as party guests mill around them. It’s black and white, which obscures the faces around them.

Except one.

In the background of the photo, mingling with guests, stands Giovanni De Luca. He’s watching Charles and Ellie Barrion, his expression dark.

Penny’s breath catches in her throat. She reads the caption:

Charles Barrion and his wife, Ellie, hug as they co-host their annual family gala at Meredith House.

Penny’s eyes find Giovanni’s face again.Wrong, her subconscious whispers. Something is so very wrong about this picture.

Because if this is really a photo of the Barrion gala, and if it was taken years after Ellie married Charles Barrion, why in the world would Giovanni be there?

Corey

“I’D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY, COREY.”

Corey looks up at his dad, who sits across the table. “You’re looking at your iPad.”

“I was reading, not texting. Texting around company is rude.”

Corey almost says they’re not “company”; they’re family. But why bother? Corey’s dad only sees him as an investment, not as his kid. Corey isn’t even allowed to have lunch with him without putting on a button-down shirt.

Warren brings in a giant plate of pan-seared chicken swimming in sundried tomatoes and olive oil. Corey fist bumps him as he walks by. “Thanks.”

“So,” his father says, not looking up from the article he’s reading, “how are things with Dylan?”

“Fine. Normal.”

“Anything we should be aware of?”

Corey has to stop himself from rolling his eyes. The Barrions treat romantic feelings more like a medical problem than the complex, mysterious, terrifying thing Corey has always imagined them to be. “If there was a problem, you’d already know about it.”

“We can never be too careful. Especially considering the Anita Emberly situation.”

The “situation.” As if Mrs. Emberly’s impending death is a mishap to be swept under a rug. The brush-off makes Corey’s mood turn dark, and he says, “I would never do that to someone.”

His implication is plain:Not like you did.

James drums his fingers on the table. Corey starts to sweat and before he knows it, he’s searching for a way to walk this back. But it’s his dad who changes the subject.

“I’ve been looking into internship opportunities for next summer. I have some connections in Chicago and Atlanta, so I’ve set up informational interviews for you.”

“For next summer? But I’m going to Cameroon to visit Mom’s family.”

James gives him a knowing look. “You need to think about your future, Corey.”

“That’sallI think about.”

James starts scrolling through his iPad again. “Cameroon isn’t a priority. You’ll see your grandparents when they fly here for Christmas.”

Corey doesn’t make a habit of fighting with his dad because he always loses. James argues with people for a living, whether it’s about investments or mergers or “rightsizing.” But this time, Corey can’t stop himself.

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