I patted his shoulder. “You want to go get out the waffle mix with Lyla? And then when I get inside, I’ll start cooking.”

“And the whipped cream,” Lyla added.

I grinned. “That, too.”

The kids ran for the house, and as soon as they disappeared, all warmth fled from Juliette’s face. I turned to find the cause and came face-to-face with Anna. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Jules, this is Anna. Anna, this is Juliette.”

Anna started to reach out a hand to shake, but before she’d fully extended her arm, Juliette was speaking. “You mean the con artist?”

Anna stiffened in my hold, dropping her hand to her side.

“Jules,” I warned, my voice low.

“What? It’s the truth. She barely exists on paper.”

And if I told my sister why, she would only see it as more evidence that Anna wasn’t to be trusted. “Don’t do this.”

Anna placed a hand on my chest. “No, it’s okay. Why don’t you and your sister go out to dinner so you can have some one-on-one time? I’ll make dinner for Justin and Lyla.”

My back teeth ground together. I didn’t want to leave, but I also didn’t want to force Anna to put up with whatever snit Juliette was in. “We’ll be quick.”

“Take your time,” she urged.

I brushed my lips against hers, and Jules coughed. I didn’t spare my sister a glance. “Save me a waffle?”

“I’ll do my best.”

When Anna disappeared, I turned to my sister. “Seriously, Jules?”

22

ANNA

Busy. That was the key. If I kept moving, then I wouldn’t think about Juliette calling me a con artist. I emptied the contents of Mason’s junk drawer onto the island counter. I grouped items. Scissors, glue, and tape. Band-Aids, alcohol swabs, and Neosporin. A Sharpie, pencil, and pen. A pile of keys to who knew what. A lighter and flashlight. I threw away stray paper clips and half-melted birthday candles.

Moving to the cabinet under the sink, I grabbed a container of multi-surface wipes. I went to town making sure I got every speck of dirt in that drawer. But Juliette’s voice still echoed in my mind. “You mean the con artist?”

Wasn’t that exactly what I was? Conning the courts into giving me custody of Justin and Lyla. Conning the world into believing Mason could really be mine.

Music. I needed sound to keep that ugly voice at bay. And all of the other voices that followed. My father’s calling me useless and a slut. Guards at juvie telling me I’d ruined my life and would never have a chance for a fresh start. Derek telling me he’d protect me forever.