“Okay, so now I have to ask the question. You’ve been publicly connected to Eva’s sister, Esme Williams. It’s said you’re courting her. How’s that going? Will we get a peek inside the relationship for the show?”

“No.” Luke’s voice. “We prefer to keep our private life private. Too much of it is already out there, and for everyone involved it’s better if it’s not talked about.”

“Fair enough.” The producer laughed. “What about your receptionist, Daisy? Seems like she was made to be a part of the studio.”

Ben’s voice. “Oh, that was totally by chance. We keep her around cause she gets the job done, but…” Laughter.

Shock rolled through me.

The interviewer cleared his throat. “So there was never any chance of making that situation permanent?”

Kade snorted with laughter. “No. Absolutely not.”

“No,” Avery said. “She’s a friend, nothing more. We’re definitely going to reward her though, she did a lot to make all of this happen. We at least owe her one for that.”

“Too bad,” the interviewer said. “Audiences go nuts over a love story.”

“The audience will have to go without,” Luke said. “This has been, and always will be, only about the tattoos.”

“Not to mention she has her own pack,” Rylan said.

The recording ended, and I couldn’t breathe. I hadn’t heard that last bit.

Shock and shame crashed down on me in a wave, and I was crying. They’d been talking about Daisy. Sweet Beta Daisy with her wild blue hair. She’d helped them set up the studio, and that was what they meant by making it all happen.

“Oh, baby girl.” Avery was by my side, pulling me into his arms as best he could without moving my injured leg.

“I’m sorry.” My voice was barely recognizable. “I’m so sorry.”

“Esme, you were blindsided by your mom and then heard your worst fear come to life. The universe has a bitchy sense of humor for that kind of timing, but the last thing you need to do is apologize.” That was Rylan.

I let Avery try to wipe my tears. “I feel so stupid. If I’d waited, or trusted you—”

“Stop, sweetheart.” Luke’s words were ragged. “It’s not your fault. I swear it’s not. It’s just…” He turned away for a second, shoulders heaving. “If something had happened to you and you thought that we didn’t love you, I would never have been able to live with myself. Because we do. I do. I meant it when I said it.”

I closed my eyes, unable to look at them and speak. “I love you,” I said, my entire chest releasing. “I was going to tell you I chose you when you came home. Eva knew about it, but no one else, and I’m sorry.”