“I needed a break,” she says, picking up the conversation. Her soft voice is clipped, like she’s choosing how much to tell me. I glance over at her. “Is that why my little brother’s helping you?” The dazzling smile on her face drops my insides. My breath catches. Sharp, painful. “You and Grady?” I love my little brother, but goddamn if for one second, I don’t hate him. She laughs. The first light and twinkly sound I’ve heard from her. “No, he’s a friend.” Her smile fades, and her shoulders slump. “I wish I had more of those.”
