“Come on, Katie. Please?”

“I’d love to, but I have to work.”

I try my best to look disappointed, but it’s hard when not a single part of me wants to go with her. As much as I love my cousin, I can’t handle a weekend away with her. Hell, I can barely handle an hour of Lily. And let’s face it; if she’s asking me, it means I’m her last resort.

“That’s a bullshit excuse and you know it.” She glares at me accusingly. “You’ve worked every fucking weekend for the last six months, and news flash, Katie, you work for my father. One call and he’d give you the month off, if I asked him nicely.”

I wince. She has a point.

“Okay, fine. I just don’t want to go,” I say bluntly.

She gapes at me. “Are you kidding me? You should be honored I’m even asking you.”

“Can’t you go and honor someone else, then?” I laugh. “What about Stella? Or Ruby?”

“Don’t you think I’ve asked them already?” She huffs.

Her eyes blaze, then like switching on a light, she turns her glare into the most pitiful, sorrow filled look I’ve ever seen. She sighs loudly and then turns around to gaze longingly out the window. I groan and close my eyes, because I can’t stand that look on her face.

“It’s okay. You go to work. I guess I’ll just mope around the house, thinking about how the only guy I’ve ever loved is getting married this weekend.” She pauses. “To someone else.”

Shit.

I’d forgotten the wedding is this weekend.

How can I say no now? If she’s alone, there’s nobody to stop her from doing something she might regret, like forgetting Vegas and going to the wedding instead—which is totally something she’d do.

“Fine,” I relent. “I’ll see if your dad can find someone to cover my—”

“Thank you,” Lily cries. She throws her arms around me, nearly knocking me off my seat. “I knew I could count on you.”

“So, when do we leave?”

“It’s all organized. Flights, accommodation at The Cosmopolitan Hotel.” She pauses, probably just to make sure I caught that we’re staying in five-star luxury. “All you have to do is be ready when I pick you up.” She gives me a bright smile that instantly makes me suspicious.

“You booked everything before I agreed?” I frown at her. “What if I’d said no?”

“I knew once I turned on the tears, you couldn’t say no.”

She shrugs innocently and gives me a high-pitched giggle. I resist the urge to slap her as she kisses me on the cheek. She grins and scoops up her bag.

“I’ll be back at four to pick you up.”

“Four today?” I stare at her in shock. “Two hours from now? Lily,” I growl when she doesn’t answer. “It’s only Wednesday. How long are we staying for?”

I thought I was signing up for a night or two, not a whole fucking week.

“We leave today and come back Sunday.” She frowns at me, her pale cheeks turning pink. “Look, I’m sorry. I know it’s short notice, but Sierra canceled on me at the last minute. If we don’t leave tonight, I’ll forfeit the flights,” she babbles.

I groan. “Fine.”

She throws her arms around me, but then she jumps back screaming.

“Get it off me, get it off me,” she yells.

Laughing, I crouch down to scoop up the cause of her terror. Alfred, my nine-pound chihuahua glares at Lily, then he tries to lick my face. He’s the friendliest dog in the world, except when it comes to Lily. It’s like he can sense danger.

“Relax, Lily. He’s not going to eat you.” I giggle.

“You sure about that?” she snarls. “I heard he ate chunks of flesh when his last owner died.” Her eyes remain glued to Alfred as she backs up a few steps. “Evil little thing.”

“Oh, bullshit.” I chuckle. “First, he was locked out of the house and second; you’re forgetting that I found her body, remember?”

She doesn’t look convinced.

“Whatever, Katie. Just be ready at four.” She smiles at me. “We’re going to have a blast.”

With one last look of disgust at Alfred, she walks out, leaving the door wide open behind her. I stare after her, trying to not let the dog wriggle out of my grasp, while I process what just happened. Oh, that’s right. My emotionally unstable and lovesick cousin just blindsided me into going on the girl’s trip from hell.

After nearly two hours of frantically running around, packing my suitcase—thank God laundry day was yesterday—I flop down onto my bed. I’m exhausted, but at least I’m ready to go. There’s only a couple more things to do. I call Darcy first, to cancel our plans to see a movie Friday night.

“It’s not that funny,” I grumble into the phone. She’s been laughing for ten minutes straight.

“Vegas?” she gasps. “You’re going to Las Vegas. With Lily?”

“How could I say no when she started going on about Julian?” I groan. “You know what she’s like. She turns on emotions like a friggin’ tap.”

“You’re right. I do know what she’s like and so do you,” Darcy points out. “All the more reason her bullshit tactics shouldn’t work on you. She’s a spoiled little brat, Kat. All you’re doing by going to Vegas is enabling her. If she were an alcoholic, would you buy her a bottle of vodka?”

“I’m worried she’ll do something stupid if I don’t go.”

“How sure are you that’s not what this is all about, anyway?” Darcy asks. “Have you even checked to see where his wedding is? Maybe you’re helping her do something stupid.”

I frown. She wouldn’t be that sneaky and conniving, would she?

Oh wait. This is Lily we’re talking about.

“I can’t believe she’s still stuck on that dipshit, anyway,” Darcy continues. “Move on already.”

“Oh, come on, have a little sympathy for her,” I say with a laugh. “She’s vulnerable because he’s getting married on Sunday.”

“Which brings me back to my original question, how sure are you that her intention isn’t to crash that wedding in the first place?” Darcy interjects. “Or, knowing Lily, burn the chapel down with his fiancée inside and then kidnap Julian?”

“She wouldn’t be that stupid, would she?”

“It’s Lily,” Darcy replies. “She was born stupid. She needs someone to push her in line, something I’m not sure you’re capable of. What’s Julian’s last name again?” she asks. “Give me two minutes and I’ll tell you if the little rat is lying.”

I chuckle. God, I love Darcy.

We’ve been friends since first grade, from the moment she walked up and punched me in the stomach, because I told her that her hair looked pretty. She still doesn’t take compliments well, but at least these days, she refrains from violence—well, unless I mention Lily.

“Okay,” she says. “It’s at The Cosmopolitan Hotel, on Sunday.”

“Fuck,” I hiss. Coincidence? I think not. “That sneaky little bitch—”

“I told you,” Darcy cuts in, her voice smug. “You can’t trust her for a second.”

“I better go,” I say grimly. “I’ll call you when I get back home.” I pause. “If I get back.”

“Two go in. Only one comes out,” she says in a grave tone. “But seriously? Stop worrying so much about Lily. If you insist on still going, see it for what it is; a free trip to Vegas. Go out and have fun. Let loose. God knows you need it.”

“Since I suck so much at having fun, why don’t you go instead?” I say sweetly. “You and Lily will have a blast—”

“Ha. Not a chance.” She giggles. “Psycho Lily is all yours.”

Ending the call, I toss my phone on the bed and shake my head. I’m so annoyed at Lily.

I can’t believe she played me.

After disappearing while I was packing, Alfred walks in and jumps onto my lap, looking up at me with the same sad eyes he did the day I decided to keep him. I inherited Alfred about two weeks after I moved into this place. He’d visit me every day, giving me that look until I’d cave and feed him. After about a week, I finally met a neighbor and asked her if she knew who his owner was. She told me he belonged to the old lady opposite my place, so I walked over there to introduce myself. The door was locked, but I could see her lying on the floor through the window, so I called an ambulance and then forced my way inside.

She’d been dead for two days. I felt guilty for not going over there earlier. I’m sure the rest of her neighbors felt the same. I’d only been there for two weeks. Some of her other neighbors had lived on this street for ten years.

I looked after Alfred while she was being taken care of. I expected a relative to pick the dog up, but an animal handler turned up instead. When he told me that he was going to be euthanized, I asked if I could keep him. It turned out to be the best decision I’d ever made. And not just because of the sudden drop in visits from Lily.

My phone rings. I pick it up, answering it.

“What’s this about me looking after Alfred?” Mom asks, suspicion in her voice. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Vegas. With Lily.”

Mom laughs. “Oh. You’re serious?”

“Yes,” I say with a chuckle. “Is that really so hard to believe? Actually, don’t answer that.”

“You know it is,” Mom murmurs. “Your last vacation was over two years ago.”

I snort. “This isn’t a vacation. A vacation would imply fun.”

“Then why are you going?” She asks seriously.

“Because Vegas is where Julian’s wedding is being held. This weekend. I’m just keeping an eye on her,” I explain.

“Ah,” Mom says. “You’ve always been protective like that.”

“Because she keeps doing stupid shit,” I grumble.

“Language,” Mom reminds me.

I roll my eyes. “Anyway, back to Alfred. We’re leaving any minute, so can you pick him up after work? I’ll come over Monday after classes and pick him up.”

“Sure. Come for dinner. I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“Two days,” I remind her. “We met for coffee. Two days ago. Remember?”

“Well, it feels like forever,” Mom teases. “Is it so wrong of me if I miss my little girl?”

It is when it’s all you ever talk about.

Ever since I moved out last year, things have been strained between us. It’s just the two of us, and I think she depended on me more than I realized. We used to spend a lot of time together, but now there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything I need done and make her happy.

No sooner than I finish talking with Mom, Lily pulls up outside and honks.

Shit.

Flustered, I put Alfred in his pen, the I race around to double check I’ve locked all the doors. I gather my bags and walk out, locking the door behind me. All while Lily repeatedly honks that damn horn.

“Jesus, calm down. I’m coming,” I growl, stumbling down the steps.

I’m already hating this trip.

She’s still honking the horn as I make my way out through the front gate and down to her car. Even as I’m throwing my things in the trunk, she bashes down on it. It’s like she’s oblivious to how much the noise might be irritating the people walking past. Or maybe she just doesn’t care? I open the door and scowl at her, but she eyes me like I’m the crazy one.

“Come on or we’ll miss our flight,” she says, trying to hurry me into the car.

“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me the truth.” I stand there with my arms crossed and my eyebrows raised. “Is this trip about avoiding Julian’s wedding, or interrupting it?”

“I have no idea what you mean,” she says innocently.

“So, you’re telling me that you had no idea you booked us in to the same hotel that Julian’s getting married in?” I clarify.

“We’re going to miss the plane if you don’t hurry up,” she says again. This time, there’s panic in her voice. Her lip quivers, but I shake my head and stand my ground.

“Then we miss it.” I shrug. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me the truth. Did you know the wedding was being held there?”

“It’s not like that,” she finally says, her dark eyes pleading with me.

“Really? What’s it like, then?” I ask with a laugh. “Do you think I’m stupid, Lily? You didn’t think I’d find out?” I shake my head. God, she makes me angry sometimes. “And what are you planning on doing? Interrupting the wedding so you can declare your love for him?”

“Of course not.” She glares at me, her eyes flashing. “I don’t think you’re stupid at all. I just figured if we were already there when you worked it out, then it would be too late for you to leave me,” she mumbles. “And I’m not going to do anything, Katie. I promise. I just want to see him. Is that really so bad?”

“His fiancée might think so,” I mutter. I sigh and look her in the eye. “You know that this is a really, really bad idea, right?”

“I just want some closure,” she pleads. “Things ended so badly. He moved on so fast … I hate that I’m still so messed up over him.”

“I just don’t think this is going to help,” I say gently.

“But isn’t that my mistake to make?” she asks. “Besides, you’ve never been in a real relationship to understand what this is like.”

Did she really just say that?

I stare at her. All I can do is laugh, because it’s obvious she has no idea how offensive that sounded.

“You know what?” She pops the trunk. “Get your things. I’ll just go by myself.”

I sigh and close the trunk. I know exactly what she’s doing and it’s working. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t go alone, but I’m not confident enough to call her on her bluff. With a groan, I flop into the seat and slam the door shut.

“You’re coming?” she asks, surprised.

“Yes,” I grumble.

I quickly text Darcy a message, then I put my phone down.

“Now, let’s go before I change my mind.”

“Okay.”

Lily’s eyes dart nervously around the hotel foyer. I’m doing my best not to laugh at how obvious she’s being but fuck it’s hard. I’m surprised she isn’t dressed in black spandex and wearing a ski mask, because she’s acting like we’re about to pull off a heist.

“You go and stand over there by the elevator. I’m going to check us in. Then I’ll text you what floor we’re on. You go up first. I’ll wait five minutes, then meet you outside our room.”

She looks away from me as she talks, her lips barely moving as the words come out.

“Are we clear?”

“Crystal.” I nod and bite down hard on my lip, then I cough to cover up a chuckle.

God, if only Darcy were here so I could enjoy this with someone.

“You think this is funny?” She glares at me. “If Julian sees us—”

“Then you’ll talk to him like a normal person would, so we can catch the next flight home?” I say hopefully.

“Oh relax, Katie. Stop acting like this is going to kill you.”

“Yeah, Kat, you’re such a party pooper.”

My eyes widen at the sound of Darcy’s voice in my ear. I turn around and wrap my arms around her. I can’t wipe the smile off my face, because I’m so happy to see her. I sneak a look back at Lily, who looks less happy. In fact, she looks like she’s about to pop a blood vessel.

“What’s up, Lil?” Darcy grins. Her dark eyes shine as she raises her eyebrows. “Anyone would think you’re not happy to see me.”

“Then anyone would be right,” Lily snarls, when she’s recovered enough to speak. “What are you doing here, Darcy?”

“Kat invited me,” she says, shrugging.

“I did not invite you,” I retort, my cheeks heating.

“You didn’t?” She frowns, her brow creasing. “Well, fuck. This is embarrassing, then. So, you didn’t text me this text?”

She pauses while she pulls out her phone. I swallow, remembering the text I sent her just after Lily picked me up. She ignores the death stare I’m giving her as she starts to read.

“How much will it cost me for you to call in a bomb threat?” she reads. “Or anything to get me out of the girl trip from hell.” She shrugs. “I guess you’re right. It’s technically not an invite, but oh well. I’m here now.”

“Thanks,” I hiss, glaring at her.

I don’t think Darcy understands the concept of being subtle.

Lily’s eyes flash at me. “I do you a favor and this is how you treat me?”

“Hold on, who’s doing who the favor?” I say, laughing.

“Who cares? The important thing to remember is this.” Darcy puts her arm around Lily’s shoulder. “Inviting Kat to Vegas is like inviting Mother Theresa to an orgy. You think it’s going to be cool and different, but in reality, it’s just weird and uncomfortable for everyone.”

“Excuse me,” I interrupt with a laugh.

“But having me here?” Darcy continues, ignoring me. “That guarantees you’ll have fun, because I’ll make sure you forget everything.” She grins.

“You mean like that time you spiked my drink at Katie’s sixteenth birthday party?” Lily crosses her arms stiffly over her chest. “Because I still don’t remember much of that night.”

Darcy giggles. “Trust me, that’s probably a good thing. Remember how we had to rescue her from Mr. Dalton’s fish pond?”

I laugh. Lily naked and splashing around in elderly Mr. Dalton’s prized outdoor fish pond at three in the morning, frantically ranting about how cruel it was to keep them cooped up, is still one of favorite childhood memories. The annoyed expression on Lily’s face only makes me laugh harder.

“You want to reminisce?” Lily asks as she glowers at Darcy. “How about we talk about the time I stuck my tongue down your boyfriend’s—"

“Let’s go,” I demand.

I grab Lily by the hand and lead her over to reception, avoiding what I’m sure is seconds away from becoming a catfight.

“Just check us in. Please,” I beg her.

I stand back, ignoring the cold stares of the other clientele—who are no doubt wondering if we’ve stumbled into the wrong place. I smile politely at the elderly couple right next to me. They look away and pretend they didn’t hear me, then step back, as if to distance themselves. Okay then.

“Rude much?” Darcy mutters under her breath.

I turn around and narrow my eyes at her. She shrugs innocently.

“What?”

“You know what,” I hiss, walking over to her. “The only reason you’re here is to see this all blow up in Lily’s face.”

“That’s not a valid reason?” she asks, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, come on. I’m just having some fun. And that’s not the only reason. The real reason I’m here is because I thought you could use the help.”

“I appreciate that.” I say. “But right now? I’m more worried about whether you two are going to kill each other before we’ve even checked in. Or should I say, whether she’s going to kill you.”

“Relax.” She rolls her eyes, waving off my comment. “So long as I’m serving her a purpose, she’ll allow me to breathe in her air.”

“Please, just stop winding her up,” I beg her. “I’m begging you. I’m the one who’ll be stuck, listening to her bitch about you for the next six months.”

“Fine. I’ll refrain from saying things just to get a reaction out of her, if she refrains from being a fuckwit.” Darcy’s sticks her hand out, her eyes twinkling. “Fair?”

“Darcy!” I gasp, laughing, when she leans in and randomly licks my face. “What the fuck?”

“Admit it.” She gives me a sly grin and wraps her arm around me, while I laugh and push her away. “You’re stoked to see me, because now this vacation has a fighting chance in hell of being at least tolerable for you.”

She’s right. I am thrilled she’s here.

The strangest thing about Lily’s tantrums is that Darcy is one of the few people who can bring her back into line. It’s usually a few harsh words, followed by threat, but it works. I get the feeling I’m going to need a lot of that over the next few days.

“Done.” Lily stalks back over to us. She glares at me. “All checked in. Are you happy now?”

“Thrilled,” I say, dryly. “Can’t you tell?”

She turns her anger to Darcy, her face twisting into a scowl.

“I hope you don’t think you’re sharing our room.”

“God, no.” Darcy laughs. “I’ve heard you snore. I’d choose death before subjecting myself to that. I managed to get myself a room.”

“I hope it’s in the basement,” Lily mumbles.

“Not unless they work things backward here?” Darcy smirks. “Because I’m pretty sure floor twenty is just below the penthouse? Which means it’s probably a better room than yours.”

Lily smiles sweetly at her. “Sleeping your way to the top again?”

“My father has diamond status at this hotel chain, actually. They found me a room, even though they were fully booked.” Darcy gives Lily a pointed look. “But if I were sleeping my way to the top, at least I’d own it.”

Lily narrows her eyes. “You know damn well I don’t—”

“Don’t what?” Darcy taunts. “Swallow? Because those photos I saw in junior year suggested otherwise.”

“Why are you such a cow, Darcy?” Lily eyes flash as she glares at Darcy, her hands balled into tight fists.

“Me?” Darcy laughs. “Have you forgotten that time you took my phone and propositioned Mr. Barkley?” She shudders. “I couldn’t figure out why he followed me home, then insisted I let him inside.”

“Well, how was I supposed to know he’d do that?” Lily’s lips twist into a nasty grin. “I was just so sick of you always being on my back. Anyway, I bet you did let him in. Darcy would never pass up a free f—”

“You were the one who was constantly on mine.” Darcy cuts in. She laughs erratically, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Whatever.” Lily turns her icy stare to me. She raises her eyebrows. “Since you were so against the idea of coming here with me, you can stay with her.”

She flips her golden hair over her shoulder and flounces off, leaving Darcy and I gaping after her.

So much for not causing a scene.

Darcy turns to me, her eyes gleaming

“Do you think it was something I said?”