Page 166 of Perfect Satisfaction

Liza takes mine. “Liza Hina. I believe we have a close relation in common.” I expect her to say Arek, but she whispers a name publicly that she absolutely should not be saying.

I blink up at her, assimilating the fact she just dropped JB’s name because it means something—in fact, the way she said it means everything. Before I can process her words, I feel a hand on my bare shoulder—Dani’s. I catch Arek’s pale face out of the corner of my eye.

He’s also waiting.

I tune back into the leggy supermodel when Liza remarks quietly, “When Arek and I were kids, I used to tell him I was astounded by how the media twisted the smallest thing into a mega story. He had plans to change all of that when he became a journalist.”

My heart trembles. “You’ve known each other since—”

“He was my neighbor. I lived next door to his grandmother.”

One by one, the tumblers slide into place. I remember the name Edward used. My hands come up to my mouth. “You’re Likitha?”

JB’s Liki.

Arek’s Liza.

Liki, Likitha, and Liza—they’re one and the same.

“Yes. But fair warning, only Arek and his grandfather get away with calling me that name. Not even Joshua does, hence Liki.”

We share a hesitant smile before Liza’s eyes water.

“Joshua explained.” She pauses meaningfully. “Everything.”

My stomach tightens before it begins to quiver in anger. “Oh did he?”

She touches my arm briefly before pulling her hand back, like a butterfly too afraid to land. “I think it was an accident.”

“Nothing Joshua Basset does is accidental.”

Her words rush out. “He was telling me about what happened the first semester he came home from university. Of course, this was after I’d jumped to completely erroneous conclusions about finding you sobbing in his arms in his bed.”

My head twists away. My chest heaves with the force of my breath. “It was you.”

“Yes. And my supposed best friend hadn’t even told me his new wife’s name. All he knew was I found my lover curled up with a beautiful woman in the room where we’d...” My head snaps up when Liza’s voice trails off. Her cheeks are flushed warmly. Her eyes are liquid onyx. “I owe you an enormous apology, Sula. I had no idea until Joshua explained.”

“When did he tell you?” I manage to keep my tone even.

She bites her lip. “A few weeks ago. Not long after Arek gave up—‍”

I slash my hand in the air. “Stop.”

Liza’s face is awash with guilt and pain as I try my best to explain. “I’ll be honest. For a long time, I was upset with you, Liza. And Arek. But I dealt with that. It was in the past. Now? To find out Joshua knew and wouldn’t let me explain? Especially when I explicitly asked him to let me share the truth with myhusband? To know you were told without my being consulted?”

Her eyes flick to Dani, telling me she truly knows everything. Dani whispers, “I understand. I’ll let Brendan know.”

I squeeze her hand in gratitude even as my voice is resolute. “I’m done with him.”

“Why did you not tell Arek yourself, Sula?” Liza says in challenge.

I lean forward and hiss, “Because I believed in the vows I took with my brothers, Liza. I believed they did as well. I took them long before I married my husband. Brendan permitted Arek to know, so he does. My other brother, the selfish prick that he is, hadn’t recanted.”

When I pull back, her face is pale. I’m still fuming when I say, “Arek never said a word about your identity.”

“He wouldn’t. Despite what he does, he still protects me as best he can.”

“That sounds just like him.”And exactly the reason Joshua should have trusted me. That’s what hurts—the realization my brother didn’t trust my judgment. Just like my father. It hits harder than anything else I’ve learned in the last few minutes.