I don't know how long Tiffany stood there watching us.
Part of me hoped she would finally understand that waiting for someone who doesn't choose you will only destroy you. I learned that the hard way once. I paid with my life for loving the wrong person. Chasing someone who doesn't return your bond doesn't lead to love. It leads to ruin.
When I looked again, she had disappeared into the crowd.
I barely had time to breathe before something else caught my attention.
Riley.
She had slipped away and was standing far too close to Whitney.
My heart dropped.
Taylor wasn't far. His eyes kept drifting toward Whitney like a guard checking his territory. The Carlyns were not people to provoke lightly. Even though Whitney was my sister by blood, I couldn't act like it. Not here. Not in front of them.
Riley knew Whitney's situation from me. But she was reckless. Brave, yes. Loyal, yes. But reckless.
If Taylor sensed even a hint of a hidden connection, things would turn ugly fast.
