Chapter 7

Zoe dropped her gift box.

It hit the floor with a thud, the lid popping open and sending white macarons tumbling across the hardwood.

My mom was still holding Julian's gift.

She looked down at it, then slowly set it back on the entryway table.

Julian's face went ghostly pale.

He reached out to me. "Mia, please, don't do this in front of your parents."

I stepped back, dodging his touch. His hand hung frozen in mid-air.

My dad stared at him, his voice dangerously low. "Is she telling the truth?"

Julian opened his mouth, but no words came out.