Not missing a beat of what I mean, she says, “That’s a nice way of phrasing it.”

“I don’t blame him. I was a freshman at the university and wanted to party.” Shame rattles through me as if I’m saying something I shouldn’t. I would never want to make my family look bad. At least, not more than I already have. But, if my honesty ends what Lark and I have started, then it’s best she knows to get out now because I can’t change my past. I am who I am. “I partied hard.”

“A lot of people do,” she says, not a word of mine fazing her. “I have good friends who still do, but I guess if there were ever a time, it’s this time in our lives.”

“You sound like you didn’t.”

She ponders the question, a family walking by drawing her attention to the window. “I drink occasionally, but otherwise, I never had the time to party. Even most weekends now, I work a catering shift.”

“Is it hard to see others go out when you’re working so hard?”

“I need the money, so I have to work. But it’s hard to hear about the fun after the fact. My roommate goes out all the time. She’d love for me to go out after my shift.”

“But you don’t?”

“It sounds so bad because I’m young, but I’m exhausted most of the time.” Her eyes return to me, and she smiles, but some of the joy is lost. “Getting home at midnight, pulling on a dress and heels, full face of makeup, and doing my hair,” she says, her arms making circles in front of her, “and then going to party after all that? I don’t have the energy.”

“Sounds like a lot, but you know, you don’t need all that. You always look great.”

Her chin dips to her chest as she hides her smile. “Thank you.” Taking her water, she sips again, and then says, “You didn’t finish the story about when you moved out.”

“Right,” I start where I left off. “My dad had a point. He didn’t say that, but I knew I wasn’t setting the best example for my younger siblings. So instead of living by the rules, I decided to move in with my older brother who was already in the apartment. It’s two bedrooms, so that made the transition easy.”

“And that’s Loch?” Even though she sometimes appears shy around me, she’s not shy about asking exactly what’s on her mind. Adding that to the list.

“Yeah, Loch is my older brother.”

“I met him yesterday. He was nice.”

Not sure why, but she’s easy to talk to. I think it’s because she appears genuinely interested. Most girls I know don’t have that skill or natural inclination. “He’s a good guy. I also have a younger brother. Noah. Don’t know if you met him.” I’ll kick his ass if he hit on her.

“No, I didn’t.”

Thank fuck. I can give that kid some credit where it’s due. We’re all talented in the charisma category, but Noah’s turning into the biggest charmer of us all. “My little sister is Marina, and now you know my family tree.”