Page 103 of Broken King

“You were such a bitch.” The words are whispered but still sting.

She isn’t wrong. “In my defense, I was only doing my job. But I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”

“Here’s what I know now that I didn’t know then.” She shifts Nixon in her arms and glances lovingly at the dance floor where Declan and Cade are dancing with the girls. “You were doing what you do best. You were protecting your player, not that he needed to be protected from me or by you. But I’ve watched you for years, Scarlet. Before and after I knew you were my best friend’s sister.”

“Oh yeah, ballerina?” I smile at the nickname Amelia’s husband still uses for Annabelle. He doesn’t know I called her that first. “Why were you watching me so closely?”

“Because you were everything I wanted to be. You were confident and powerful. You didn’t need anyone’s help. When you spoke, people listened and did as you said. And after I gave you a chance, I realized you aren’t mean. You aren’t the ice queen you let everyone portray you as. You’re just very protective about who you show the real you to. I learned that from you.”

I glance back to the dance floor to see Cade spinning Brynlee so her dress can twirl out around her, the two of them laughing. Then I turn my eyes back to Annabelle. “What did you learn from me?” For the life of me, I have no idea what she’s going to say.

“To not care what the world thinks so long as Declan and my family know the real me and love me. I learned to not worry so much about the noise around me.” She lifts her crystal goblet filled with fruit-infused water to her lips. “Thanks for not being the bitch I thought you were.”

I lift my glass to tap hers. “I’m not sure anyone has ever said anything quite so sweet to me before.” We laugh at our strange interaction, and yet I feel we may have just erased a line. No longer Amelia’s sister and Amelia’s friend. Or Declan’s boss and Declan’s wife. I think this woman just became my friend.

Possibly my first female friend who wasn’t part of my family.

Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.

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