Veronica’s frown intensified. “I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind, but no. I didn’t. I decided instead to ask him for the truth. Adults should have conversations. I knew his answer would determine whether I could trust him.”

Justin arched a dark brow. “Ah, and he failed your test. Even though he admitted he went to her house.”

Veronica narrowed her eyes. She didn’t care for Justin’s tone…or his words. “What does it matter whether I saw him leave? Besides, he only told me the truth after I caught him in a lie.”

“But you chose to believe he was lying about nothing happening between them while he was there?” He blew another puff of smoke into the air. “And it matters because if you had seen him leave, you would know he wasn’t there long. Certainly not long enough to—”

“Spare me. I’m not a fool.” She turned and gave her brother a long-suffering stare. “Why else would he go to her town house? Besides, I shouldn’t have to tell you that some men lie.”

Justin nodded sagely. Of course she didn’t have to tell her brother. He’d been there, heard all of their father’s many lies through the years. “I know,” Justin said more quietly. “But…” He frowned and pulled the pipe from his lips again. “Wait. Are you saying Edgefield didn’t tell you why he went to Melissa’s house?”

Veronica sighed and rolled her eyes. “It seems rather obvious.”

Justin cursed under his breath. “The only thing obvious is that you two are the most stubborn fools I’ve ever met.”

She straightened her shoulders and turned back toward the landscape. “I’m a stubborn fool? Why? Because I’ve been angry with you for choosing your friend over your sister?”

Justin groaned. “I’ve told you a dozen times. I didn’t choose sides. And I’m not choosing them now. Even though my sister has hated me for two years and my closest friend has been in the devil’s own mood for the same amount of time.”

“First, I don’t hate you. And second, what has he got to be in the devil’s own mood for?” Veronica scoffed.

Justin shrugged and waved the pipe in the air. “Oh, just guessing, but perhaps because he hasn’t taken a woman to bed in over two years.”

“What?” Veronica’s jaw dropped.

“You heard me.” Justin took a puff from the pipe.

Veronica narrowed her eyes. She didn’t believe her brother for a second. It was an outrageous thing to say. She’d always assumed that after she’d left, Sebastian had simply carried on with Melissa. If they’d had a falling out, he’d have replaced her with someone else by now. The less Veronica knew about it, the better. But now she couldn’t stop herself from asking. “How do you know that?”

This time Justin rolled his eyes. “I just know. Look, the man’s not a cheater. I’ve known him since he was a boy.”

“You’d say anything to defend him.” She paused. But there was something else she wanted to ask her brother. The same thing that had been niggling at the back of her mind since Sebastian had mentioned it. “Did you know that Sebastian and his mother…” Veronica’s voice drifted off. She was uncertain of how to finish the sentence. “Aren’t particularly close?” she finally managed.