Chapter 109

“Then what are you doing here?” Cole asked a little plaintively.

The problem with pseudo-housesitting was not really knowing what the boundaries were. How far to make yourself at home. Was it her responsibility to make sure people she didn’t know didn’t cut coke on Aiden’s furniture? Was she supposed to be welcoming Aiden’s sister, or throwing her out?

“Needed somewhere to crash.”

“Um, okay. So I’ll just go back to bed then?”

“Stay if you like. This is—” And Aiden's sister reeled off a list of names Cole wasn’t in any state to remember.

Cole gave the group a halfhearted wave. Thankfully, they were mostly unconscious, distracted, or making out in that desultory post-party way.

“I’m Ellery, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you.” And, with a desperate attempt to be a good host: “Do you need anything?”

“Never. I like your tattoo.”

Cole looked down in this idiotic way, as if she’d forgotten it was