NO STRINGS, JUST LIES

g to Google myse

hat the actual hell?" from the kit

on't-care face messy bun, baggy sleep shirt, and

toward me. "Congratul

esterday. Rhyland's kiss on my cheek. Me snuggling Noah. A damn T

head

amed: Rhyland Cross's

protested.

," he said, scrolling. "The co

e." I lean

utiful, luc

ast. He's

s too cute

s best friend's sist

a sigh. "D

e them believe wha

"No way. This

I get the money. You live in a penthouse

d me this would be low-key.

d. "Blame

ad no business being

ed. "Tha

't a com

brow. "Fel

nd set it facedown. "I

wo

ives in a wif

he trus

ad. "You're e

n't de

oah clapped his ha

fee," I sai

ocks from the penthouse. Rhyland was wearing sunglasses like he was avo

ller, chewing on a plastic gi

othing," Rhyland said

ng. I'm having

but with wo

till more, o

g at me like I was a puzzle

et saying ye

u mean to this

up

sed.

y n

rough the night for the first time in weeks. Because I didn't

yes e

to open a wound

just reminded me

The hum of the city swirled around u

k it was that

t say an

your b

on the first flight. He got himself arrested.

owly. "You k

Which means living a lie w

But you do t

rel

l cou

hat if all this goes up

en we dodge. And

ed, as if

oah in new pyjamas and sat with him in the pla

ing in my head how r

uch I wished

m onto my lap, kissed his forehead, and started

tercom

tled.

for Miss E

ding a floral arrangement so huge

and set the thing

passed in t

reach. We nee

rigidl

itchen a second later

d him t

darkened.

had no idea

t your social media.

dry. "He's no

own the card. "But

was reser

ly. "You don't need t

all him or show up

n't sound

his for your

protection.

a matter of threatening

ou're not afraid of

d of lots

ke

k and for a moment, I saw a f

verything because I cou

s now on display on the investor's

sion wa

d. "Don't make this

attempt

like I'm the solution to

pped f

said. "Not the acting. Not

ause this

nful and bitter. "But ex

ed back

o stop rea

a

r hand trem

fore he cou

ed and the text

. He has no c