“Don’t forget about dinner with Ryan tonight,” Bex said.

“He won’t be here until seven,” I said, glancing at the clock. I still had an hour left.

The main entrance door slammed in the lower level, and I heard not one, but two pairs of light footsteps ascending the stairs.

Jared stopped in the doorway of my bedroom. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I said. I kept my back to him, but met his eyes in the mirror.

Claire appeared beside him. “I heard.”

The overly ceremonious door bell chimed throughout the house. Moments later, Agatha joined Jared and Claire in the doorway of my room. “It’s a gentleman, Love. A Mr. Scott to see you.”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s early.” I stood, tightening the belt of my robe, and then stormed through the path Claire and Jared made for me as they pressed their backs to the wall.

My bare feet tapped against the stairs as I quickly made my way to the spot where Ryan stood.

“You’re early,” I said, crossing my arms.

Ryan smiled, his eyes scanning every corner of the room. “I’m sorry. I’ll wait.”

“Agatha?” I called. When she didn’t answer, I gestured for Ryan to follow me. “I’ll show you to the Great Room,” I said. Too late I remembered we had rearranged the furniture for our sparring matches.

“Redecorating?” Ryan asked, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“Something like that,” I said. “I’ll just be a minute.”

Ryan nodded, and I jogged up the stairs. Jared and his siblings stood in the center of my room when I returned, seeming nervous and out of place.

“It’s just Ryan,” I said. Once the words came out of my mouth, Claire’s eyes widened, and she shoved me aside, pushing my bedroom door shut.

Her finger touched her lips, and she waited, keeping her hand against the door.

“Nina?” Ryan called, knocking twice.

“Yes?” I said, shrugging to Claire.

“I couldn’t help but notice the Lotus Exige you have parked out front. New car?”

Claire’s eyes squeezed shut, and then she looked at me again, shaking her head.

“Er…no…? I believe my mother has company this evening. I’ll meet you downstairs, okay?”

It was silent for a few moments, but then Ryan knocked on the door again.

“Yes?” I said, unable to hide the irritation in my voice. I glanced back at Jared, hoping he would give a sign as to what I should do.

“Isn’t that the same car Claire drove the night we first saw her at the pub?”

When Jared held out his arms and shrugged, I sighed. “I…can’t remember, Ryan. Do you want me to get ready or not?”

“The thing is,” he said, his voice just on the other side of the door, “I ran the plates, and it’s registered to Claire Ryel.”