Chapter 2

Rosie hardly ever came home, maybe once a year if that.

And marriage or kids? Forget about it.

I never tried to tie her down. I had enough money to take care of her.

Megan said, "Rosie? Don't you have any other brothers or sisters?"

I grinned.

Megan flinched, like I'd caught her off guard.

I said, "Other siblings? They're not my mom's kids, so what's it got to do with me?"

Megan was fuming, but she didn't dare say anything more.

She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breath, then nodded with clenched teeth.

"Fine, I agree," she said.

I said, "Megan, you don't have to look so miserable. Honestly, I could just stay single forever, you know..."

She said, "Please, just get married already."

Megan hightailed it out of there, vanishing in no time.

Laurel was stifling her laughter, shooting me a thumbs-up on the sly.

I figured I should probably meet my so-called fiancé before the wedding.

But before I even had the chance, rumor had it he'd already been spotted at the Opal Lounge.

He was clearly putting on a show just for me.

Mia Hensley, my half-sister, showed up just to watch me squirm.

She said, "You've been bossing everyone around at home for ages, but now someone's finally going to put you in your place.

"I heard Kieran dropped a ton of cash today just to steal a kiss from Arely Byrd, the star of the Opal Lounge.

"Doesn't that make you mad, Aviana?

"Not that it matters if you're upset. Everyone says Kieran's got so many girls chasing after him, you'd lose count."

I barely glanced at her.

I said, "Pathetic. Still counting on your fingers at your age? Even a toddler's got you beat."

Mia said, "You! You know that's not what I meant."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So what did you mean? Came here just to watch me make a fool of myself?"

Mia swallowed hard.

"N-No, I just came to remind you. Maybe try not to be so full of yourself all the time. You really need to learn to let things go," she said.

"Well, here's a tip for you too. Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong, or you'll end up getting burned," I said.

Mia stormed off, fists clenched, looking like she'd just tried to punch a pillow, mad as ever, but nowhere to vent.

I grabbed a rolling pin from the kitchen and spun it in my hand.

Just then, I caught sight of my half-brother, Devon Hensley, sneaking in through the back door.

Our eyes locked, and he instantly ducked, clutching his head as he dropped to his knees.

"Aviana, I'm sorry! I swear I won't skip school again!" he pleaded.

He couldn't have picked a better moment.

I hooked his chin up with the rolling pin, grinning.

"Be a good kid. Take me to the Opal Lounge."

He jerked his head up, eyes flicking around nervously.

"O-Opal Lounge? Aviana, I swear, I have no idea what that place is! I've never even been!"

"You know, the Opal Lounge, where Kieran's always hanging out. Don't tell me you don't know where it is," I said.

Devon instantly perked up and scrambled to his feet.

"Of course I know! Just follow me!" he said.

I stood outside the Opal Lounge, brandishing a rolling pin.

It didn't take long before a crowd started gathering, everyone stopping to stare.

With my reputation, it didn't take them long to figure out who I was.

"Isn't that Aviana from the Hensley family? What's she planning this time?"

"Bet you didn't know. She and Kieran just got engaged yesterday, and he was already hitting up the Opal Lounge first thing this morning."

"He was making a huge scene, bragging that Aviana's just some plain girl, nowhere near Arely Byrd, who's drop-dead gorgeous."

"He was tossing cash down from the second floor like it was confetti."

"Now this is gonna be fun to watch! Who do you think's gonna come out on top, Aviana or Kieran?"

"Come on, which woman doesn't do what her man says? She's not even married yet and already trying to throw her weight around?"

But as soon as those words were out, the crowd went dead silent for a moment.

Then, someone murmured quietly.

"Did you guys forget what happened to Aviana's last fiancé?"

I cast a cool glance in that direction.

The whole group of men almost stepped back in unison, looking scared out of their wits.

Just then, Kieran came weaving out of the Opal Lounge, looking a little tipsy.

He paused for a split second when he spotted me, then swaggered right over.

He said, "You new around here? Cute face, but aren't you a bit past your prime for a place like this?

"Lighten up, sweetheart. Give me a smile, will ya? Don't be so stiff all the time!"

Kieran squeezed my cheeks, trying to coax a grin out of me.

I flashed a sly smile and batted my eyes at him.

I said, "Happy now, Kieran?"

Kieran stared at me for a good while, then actually shivered.

He said, "Why's it so chilly all of a sudden?"

"Soren! Bring me my cloak!"

"Cold, huh? Lucky for you, I've got a way to warm you up. Bet you'll be sweating in no time," I teased.

He hadn't even managed to get his cloak on before I raised my rolling pin, ready to make my point.

After that brawl at the Opal Lounge, my name was all anyone could talk about.

That day, Kieran had to be dragged out of there.

Everyone thought the wedding was off for sure.