“See, I think you were with Ruby,” he said, tapping his fingers against the counter. “Which means you officially have to stop being pissed at me for stealing your girlfriend.”

“Oliver, first off, gross, you don’t own your cousin, and I especially hope that you don’t have the same feelings for her that I had for sweet, beautiful Gracie Belle Corban.”

“Circarelli.”

“Whatever. Besides, I’m over it. I just don’t like you.”

“You don’t like anyone.”

“Well, sure, I’m not suggesting you’re special or anything.” I put the glass down with a deliberate bang that made Oliver wince.

“Why is she here anyway?” I tried to sound casual. I mean, I was casual. What difference would the answer make to me? I was only making conversation.

Oliver gave me a withering look. “You two really didn’t talk at all, did you? Ask her yourself.”

I shrugged like I didn’t care enough to ask. Which obviously I didn’t. Because I didn’t ask.

Shut up.

“You want breakfast?” Oliver took a pan from a copper rack overhead and set it on the stove.

“Oh, I’m having fried caviar and oysters for lunch, so I’ll pass.”

“Is that what you think rich people eat for breakfast?” His mouth twitched.

“Loren Blake is asleep on your stairs, by the way. You might want to check on that.”

“I know. She drank her body weight in tequila last night, so I felt bad waking her.” He sighed. “I suppose I could move her to the couch.”

“You’re a regular hostess with the mostess,” I said on my way out the door.

Standing on the doorstep, I took my phone out to text Dad. There were two messages from last night.

DAD

Saoirse where are you?

DAD

Jesus Saoirse you could tell me you’re going out.

SAOIRSE

221 Holyden Park. Need lift. Bring food.

To be fair to him, Dad didn’t talk on the drive home. He handed me a bacon sandwich wrapped in tinfoil and let me eat in peace.

As soon as we parked in the driveway, he pulled on the handbrake and breathed in deeply through his nose, closing his eyes. A sure sign that he had serious things to discuss. I rolled my eyes and stared out the window, waiting for whatever it was he needed to tell me before my hangover had a chance to wear off.

“You’re old enough to make your own decisions. I don’t lock you in your room or stop you from going out. You don’t need to sneak around. If I can respect you, then you can do the same for me.”

“Did you spend all night coming up with that speech?”