They had one minute. How the hell was he supposed to explain the clusterfuck of events that had led them to this moment in less than sixty seconds? “When I met you on the beach, I mean. I didn’t know.” Luke licked his lips. “And then I found out about the reviewer—”

She jerked her head toward him. “You know I’m the reviewer?”

“You’re the reviewer?”

Her façade cracked. He could see a dozen thoughts flash across her face in a nanosecond.

Luke’s heart beat faster as the pieces fell into place. It made sense. The way she’d always been more interested than her friend in how the game worked, the questions she asked the other guests. That fucking notepad she always carries around.

He was an idiot.

To Julia’s credit, though, she didn’t treat him like one. She didn’t try to weasel out of her accidental admission or backtrack from the truth. She simply nodded. She glanced down at her hands, and a sad, wry smile crept across her face. “Cards on the table.” She set the deck down and met his gaze. “I guess we both were pretending after all.”

He reached for her, but she backed up, shaking her head.

“I don’t want to play this game anymore.” She took another step away from him, and then another. She turned, stepping off the dais and running down the aisle, disappearing into the shadows.

Luke cleared his throat and sketched a quick, embarrassed bow before rushing off the stage. His instinct was to chase after her. He knew she was furious. He needed to find her. To talk to her. To try to make her understand. But understand what? He wasn’t sure he understood everything that had happened.

Distraught, Luke shifted direction. Maybe he should talk to Pen first. She could help him make sense of things before he tracked Julia down and ended up making the situation worse. As he slipped behind the curtain, he plowed into Vijay and Penelope. Luke was so befuddled that it took his brain a moment to register what he was seeing.

His best friend and his sister backstage. Alone in the dark. Kissing.

And not just any kiss. Not an Oh, you’re so cute and I love you like a friend kiss.

It was a kiss kiss. An I hear music when you touch me kiss.

“What the hell is going on?” he demanded.

Jay jumped back, shielding Penelope with one arm.

Did Jay think she needed protection? From him? Hurt and anger clawed at Luke’s chest as he stared at them, stunned into silence.

“Luke.” Jay held up a hand. “Let me explain.”

“Explain why you’re sneaking around behind my back and taking advantage of my sister?” Luke snarled.

“He is not taking advantage of me!” Penelope protested. “For once, mind your own business and stay out of mine.”