I check my appearance in the full-length mirror Dad hung on the back of my door.

Turning to my side, I study my profile and hope I look okay.

I’ve kept it simple with a black skater skirt and a white off-the-shoulder top that tucks into it. The sleeves finish at my elbow. I’ve paired the ensemble with my white Converse and my gold hoop earrings. I might take my short leather jacket too, in case it gets cold.

Trying it on, I assess whether I’ve killed the outfit with too much black. Maybe I should go for my denim jacket instead.

I switch it out and then decide that maybe I should go for the pink hoodie I always wear.

Crap, just make a decision, Chloe!

I can’t believe how nervous I am. I’ve been so excited about tonight…until I started getting ready to leave. Rahn texted me, asking for photos of my outfit choice, and that’s what set off the storm of butterflies. They’ve been fluttering in my belly all afternoon.

Grabbing my phone, I snap a quick selfie and ask for Rahn’s opinion.

She responds within seconds.

Love it! Sweet but hot. Casual but classy. You’ve hit the balance perfectly xxx

I bite my lip and check my appearance once more before reaching for my lip gloss. I’m not a huge makeup wearer, but I love having shiny lips.

I’m just dabbing a little extra gloss on when Max knocks on my door. “Can I come in?”

“Sure,” I squeak, ordering my nerves to calm down already!

“Wow, you look pretty.” Max points at my outfit. “I thought you were just kickin’ it with Rahn tonight.”

“I am.” I screw the lip gloss stick into the tube. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t look nice when I’m doing it.”

“True.” Max raises her eyebrows before crossing her arms to study me.

“Do you need something?” I keep my eyes as wide and innocent as possible.

“Uh…yeah, I was going to ask if I could borrow your leather jacket.”

“Sure.” I grab it off my bed and hold it out to her. “Where are you going?”

Max’s mouth curves up on the left side. “Where are you going?”

I pause and we eye each other for a second, like we’re waiting for the other to break.

“I’m going out with Rahn,” I repeat.

My sister snickers. “Do you want me to drop you at her place?”

“Um…no, I can… I’ll walk.”

“Okay, liar, liar.” Max starts putting my jacket on.

“Like you can talk.” I laugh and cross my arms. Not that I really have time to do this right now, but I am not the only liar in this room.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She frowns.

“Two words.” I hold up my fingers. “Cairo Hale.”

Max’s eyes bulge and she looks over her shoulder before shutting the door and whispering. “How did you hear about that? Did Maddie tell you about Saturday night?”

“No.” My eyebrows dip. “What happened on Saturday? I thought you were at Zane’s house playing PS4.”

“That’s what I wanted everyone to think.”

“Where were you really?”

She gives me a sheepish grin. “Holden and Mads took me to this club in Cullington.”

“So you could meet up with Cairo. I knew there was something going on between you guys. I saw you kissing outside the music room last week. Why didn’t you tell me?”

She blanches and shoves her hands into her pockets. “The music room? What were you doing down there?”

I deflect her question by repeating mine. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She gives me a pained frown. “Because I didn’t want you to feel like the only single girl in the family. You went on about how grateful you were that I didn’t have a boyfriend.”

It’s impossible not to smile. That was kind of sweet and thoughtful.

I have to fight the urge to tell her about Vincent.

But I don’t think she’s ready. Sneaking around with Cairo is SO different than sneaking off with Vincent Mancini.

“So, is he your boyfriend?”

She nods, her grin growing into a thousand-watt smile.

I giggle. Wow! Max has a boyfriend. I honestly thought it might never happen for her in high school.

I jump across the room and wrap my arms around her shoulders. “You are too cute. So happy for you, sis.”

“Thanks.” She squeezes me, then steps back. “Sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“No worries.” I brush my hand through the air, not wanting her to feel bad. Right now I kind of need to keep my own secrets, so I’m glad I don’t owe her any. Glancing at my watch, I move to the door but stop when Max asks me the weirdest question.

“Hey, sis, you’re not doing anything illegal tonight, are you?”

“What?” I spin around with a surprised laugh. “No! Of course not.”

“Then why won’t you tell me where you’re going? Why lie?”

Resting my hand on the frame, I glance at my nails, which I painted pink this afternoon, before looking at my sister. “It’s just one of those situations where Mom and Dad will never get it, and the less people who know, the better.”

Max nods like she totally understands what I mean. “Got it. I won’t ask again.”

“I’ll tell you eventually. I’m just figuring it out right now.”

“Totally get it.” Max raises her eyebrows. “Just be safe, okay?”

“I will be,” I assure her, believing it with every fiber of my being.

I’ll be with Vincent. There’s no safer place than that.