Kristen’s interning with some up-and-coming designer. “For what?”
“He wanted a place to chill, away from his parents, and asked me if he could go to the Hut.”
I start shaking my head. That’s a hard no. I’m not disturbing the idyllic heaven Liza and I are enjoying.
Kristen continues, “I told him you were probably still staying there, and asked him to let me talk to you first.”
“‘Probably’?” She knows exactly where I am.
“Well, he was so…weird. I can’t put my finger on it, but he looked really haggard and stressed. I’m sure Aunt Dorothy’s driving him crazy about quitting his job, but I also can’t help but remember what Liza told me.”
“What did she tell you?”
“Ugh. You didn’t listen when I told you, did you?”
“I’m sure I did, but you know, my brain’s usually full of super-important stuff.” Like Liza’s laughter earlier today. Her moans when I lick her nipple. Her—
“She told me to be careful of Andy.”
“What?”
Then something that’s been bugging me finally surfaces. Liza reacted badly when I mentioned Andy after my call with Dorothy. At that time, I didn’t know what to think because I thought she had amnesia, but if she never lost her memory…
It would mean that Andy did something to her. Something bad enough to break her calm and control by just mentioning his name. Liza isn’t the type to become hysterical for no reason. As a matter of fact, she’s one of the most controlled people I know.
“Tell Andy the answer is no. Tell him I’m r
enovating the place at the moment, and it’s not habitable. Got it?”
“Okay.”
“And next time, don’t answer his calls or texts. Forward everything to Antoine.”
“Really?” she says, her voice almost squeaky.
“Yes.” I hang up without another word even though it’s rude as hell. I can’t chitchat with my sister like everything’s fine.
I climb the stairs, two steps at a time. Liza’s in the studio, a palette in her left hand and a brush in her right. The canvas in front of her is almost covered with paint—the knight’s complete, and the dragon’s about ninety percent done.
And I finally notice the beast’s features. Its scales are yellow—the exact shade of Andy’s curly hair. The eyes are pale blue—just like Andy’s.
“Liza.”
“Hmm?” She turns, looking at me over a shoulder with a slightly dazed expression of a person just waking up from a dream.
“What did Andy do to you?”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Elizabeth
I stare at Dominic, my gut suddenly full of lead. How does he know about Andy and me? It’s not possible.
“Liza.” Dominic walks closer. “It’s okay. Tell me.”
After blinking a few times, I start putting away the palette and cleaning the brushes. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Hey. Don’t do that. Don’t pull away. I told you I’m on your side. Nothing’s going to change that.”