Ketty nodded smugly. “If you liked him, you should have made yourself known a long time ago.”

“It’s new,” Leelo said. “I didn’t know about Reddy.” She glanced at her mother and Sage, who were watching this exchange with completely different expressions that both said the same thing: they didn’t believe Leelo in the slightest.

Fortunately, Fiona was willing to accept the lie from her daughter. She tucked Leelo under her arm and kissed the top of her head. “I’m so sorry, my dear. But not to worry. There are other boys on the island. I’m sure we’ll find someone for you.”

Leelo allowed herself to be comforted, but on the way home, Sage was still staring at her with those narrowed, suspicious eyes.

“So. Matias,” she said when their mothers had fallen behind. “It’s funny. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you mention him before.”

“Really? I’m sure I have.” Inside, Leelo was cringing at her own terrible lie. She wished she’d mentioned someone else, but she’d panicked. She should have known this would come up eventually, especially now that Sage was engaged. But she’d been so focused on Jaren that she hadn’t thought to come up with another lie.

“He’s a strange choice for you.”

“He is?”

“His father is a butcher.”

Leelo’s stomach twisted as she suddenly remembered that Matias often had bloodstains on his clothing from helping his father work. “Oh, that’s right. I’d forgotten.”

“Well, I suppose it’s for the best that he’s marrying Reddy. Otherwise you’d have to learn how to butcher meat, and I’m not sure you’d be able to stomach it.”

Leelo managed a watery smile. “Probably not.”

“Don’t worry, Lo. I’ll find someone for you. We’ll have you engaged by the end of the year, too.” She slung her arm over Leelo’s shoulder, gripping her a little too tight.

Whether Sage thought Leelo was lying about the boy or about liking someone at all, one thing was clear: Leelo hadn’t fooled her cousin for one second.

Leelo had a secret, and Sage wasn’t going to rest until she discovered what it was.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Jaren was sound asleep when he heard a tap on the door of the cottage. He opened his eyes, blinking in the darkness. He had waited for Leelo all day, knowing she had the afternoon free, and had fallen asleep thinking of her. For a moment, he was convinced he was having a lucid dream. Saints knew he’d imagined Leelo’s presence enough times lately. But then he felt a pain in his hip from sleeping on the hard ground, and he blinked fully awake, worried it was Isola. Or worse, someone else.