“That was very kind of them,” I say through gritted teeth. “But I’m not going to Maine for the snow, I’m going to spend time with Dad.”

Mom rolls her eyes in a way I never saw her do before she started spending time with Sebastian’s mom and her friends. “Why would you want to spend the holidays with your father in his tiny apartment, when you could be in the Lockwoods’ beautiful home? Did you see how gorgeous their Christmas tree is? I swear it’s got to be at least fifteen feet tall, it’s just stunning. Sebastian is absolutely heartbroken that you won’t be spending the holidays together, Miranda told me he’d planned to use their jet to come and surprise you on Christmas, until your father refused.”

Closing my eyes and stretching my neck from one side to the other, I hold in the words that are dying to fall from my lips, but I know there’s no point. Mom won’t tolerate me saying anything bad about Sebastian or any of his family or friends. She’s completely brainwashed, to the point that when Miranda suggested I only apply to the college Sebastian is attending next year, my mom nodded and agreed.

“Their tree is beautiful, Mom, but I already explained that I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with Dad. When I visit in the summer he has to work, but he’s on vacation during the holidays and it’ll give us some real time together.”

The front door opens and my mom literally leaps with excitement, preening slightly as she smooths down her now permanently straight hair and locks a wide smile on her face. “That’ll be Sebastian here to pick you up for your date,” she singsongs.

“Hey, little bird, hey Cassidy,” Sebastian croons, giving my mom a hug as he passes her on his way into my room. Yep, you heard right, he just walks straight into our house now without knocking, because according to my mom, our casa is his casa and he can just treat this place like a home away from home. “You ready, baby? I made reservations for seven.”

“Oh my goodness, I’ve made you late. Starling, you should have said something. I’m sorry, Sebastian, I was just trying to convince her that we should accept your mom and dad’s kind offer to have the holidays in Vail, instead of her running off to Maine and leaving me all alone,” Mom says, winking at Sebastian.

“I think that’s a great idea, we could go shopping for ski stuff after dinner if you want?” Sebastian smiles.

“That’s okay, I won’t need ski equipment in Maine where I’m spending Christmas.”

His scowl is glacial, but even though I’ve stopped trying to prevent him from asserting his will on every other aspect of my life, there’s no way I’m giving up the opportunity to get away from him for two weeks. Mom pouts, yes, pouts her annoyance and then waves to Sebastian and leaves.