“I agree,” he said then he leaned closer. “But let me point out that you didn’t give me that chance. You formed your opinion of me too quickly, by my appearance alone. You did the very thing you hate the most in men. You judged me on my looks.”

“No,” I snapped. “I didn’t.” But I had just said all that to him. I sighed heavily and looked up at the sky instead of at him. Frustrated that he had so easily walked me right into that corner. “Okay, maybe I did,” I finally admitted then looked back at him.

He smiled, but it wasn’t a bright one or an amused smile. It was more of a disappointed quirk on his lips. Then he shook his head in defeat. “You barely know me, Catalina.”

That was true. It was as it should be. I didn’t need to know him. I knew, from the little I had gotten to know of him, that I was attracted to more than just his appearance. That was dangerous for both of us.

“What I do know is that you got one look at Leanne and were immediately entranced. Drawn in by her empty smile. She’s stunning, just like our mother, but inside, she’s not a good person. There is nothing redeemable about either of my sisters. Both are perfect on the outside but there’s nothing beyond that. No depth. No kindness. Not even a small trace.” I used that explanation as my defense mechanism to keep him back.

“Yes, your sister is beautiful. Your entire family is stunning including you. But I wasn’t entranced. I was attracted sure but very briefly. It took me about ten minutes of talking to her to find she was vain, selfish, arrogant, cruel, and liked to hide it all behind a very conniving sweet smile. I’m a man, and yes, I like pretty things, but I have known enough girls like your sister to quickly recognize the signs.”

I didn’t respond immediately. I had expected him to get annoyed with me. I wasn’t sure what to say. Not once in my life had I heard a man say those things about either of my sisters. He was right, and men never looked past their beauty to see the evil lurking inside. They didn’t care, or they were too stupid to see it. Whatever the case, it was always their downfall. Most didn’t often meet death over this mistake, but those who allowed my sisters and mother to pull them in tempted fate. I’d stopped warning them years ago. It was pointless. They never listened.