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I don’t answer. I don’t owe her anything.

She flicks ash into the garden bed and straightens.

‘She’s in her room,’ she says casually.

‘Thanks.’

‘I’m going to figure you out, Ash,’ she murmurs, scrutinising me through narrowed eyes. ‘There’s something not right about you.’

We stare at each other for a long moment, and then I turn my back to her. I don’t care to understand what that means, but if I’m being honest, I feel much the same about her.

‘I saw you once,’ she says quietly.

Hovering at the door, I glance over my shoulder, curious.

‘Outside our house. Looking at us from across the road. Were you stalking me?’

I laugh without meaning to. ‘Me? Stalking you? Don’t flatter yourself.’

She raises a brow. ‘You expect me to believe you were watching Bryn? That innocent, doe-eyed girl whose personality is as bland as a piece of stale bread?’

I spin back to her, anger flaring inside me.

‘You don’t get to talk about her like that.’

Isla smiles like she’s pleased with herself. There’s a smug glint in her eyes, and it’s clear she’s enjoying rubbing me the wrong way.

‘I don’t believe you truly think that about her. If anything, I think it’s you who is scared of being overshadowed by her.’

Isla barks out a humourless laugh. ‘Overshadowed by Bryn? She wishes.’

‘She is kind and beautiful.’

‘Am I not kind?’ she counters.

‘You’re cruel,’ I fire back. ‘You’ve been hurt, so you hurt others.’

For a split second, something ugly flashes across her face before she schools her expression.

‘You don’t know her the way you think you do.’

My hands curl into fists at my sides. ‘I know she’s kind. I know she trusts people who don’t deserve it. She’s much stronger than you give her credit for.’

Isla laughs again. ‘Careful, Ash. You talk like you’re in love with her.’

‘I am,’ I say without hesitation.

‘Good for you, then.’

‘Isla—’ I start. ‘Drop the act. You’re not fooling me.’

‘Fooling you?’ she echoes, attempting to look innocent. ‘Enlighten me.’

‘I see the way you deflect. The way you turn everything into a game.’

‘Do I?’

‘You’re angry at the world. Angry at him. Jealous of her. You don’t understand why he chose you.’