Technically, we'd started out in the pantry, but there was no way I'd be sharingthatlittle nugget with Livia – or anyone else while I was at it.
Even Arden, she was my best friend in the whole world, but I hadn't told her a single thing about what had happened between me and Mason.
It was incredibly frustrating, too, because I would've loved to tell her everything. But she was engaged to Mason's brother, and the last thing I wanted was to get the family talking – or even worse, put Arden in the awkward position of having to lie to Brody.
And besides, I told myself, it hardly mattered. My encounter with Mason had been a one-time thing. It was over and done.Now, if I could only stop thinking about him.
To Livia, I said, "I'm not doing anything anywhere. Seriously, there's nothing between us."
She laughed. "You are such a liar."
"Oh come on. You don't know that."
"Sure, I do," she said. "I've known you since kindergarten." She leaned closer to say, "So tell me, does he fuck as good as he looks?"
I winced. "Will youpleasebe quiet?"
"Why? Because of your no-cursing policy?"
"No," I whispered. "Because his little sister is in the kitchen."
"Oh, alright," she said, not looking too happy about it. "But seriously, let me in, okay?"
"I'm really sorry," I said yet again. "But I can't."
She sighed. "Fine. You want the truth? I'm locked out."
I glanced past her. "You mean out of the house?"
"Yes, if youmustknow."
"How'dthathappen?"
"I'll tell you how," she said. "Those little monsters tricked me."
"But how?" I persisted.
"Theytoldme – which was a total lie by the way – that Mason Blastoviak was in his backyard naked."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Why would they say that?"
"Because they're monsters, that's why. And just so you know, I wouldn't havedoneanything. I just figured I'd take a peek, you know?"
As someone who'd hadmorethan a peek, I couldn't exactly blame her.
She gave another sigh. "And now I can't get back in."
I asked, "So…did you try the windows?"
"What?"
"The windows," I repeated. "If the doors are locked, you could always climb through a window."
She gave me a look. "Are you freaking kidding me?"
"No. I've seen it done before." I leaned around her and pointed to same window that I'd seen the other nanny use. "Trythatone."
She rolled her eyes. "Gee, thanks for the help." And with that, she turned and began stalking back toward the dinghy.
