“Right.” It doesn’t matter what it was born out of. It happened. She ran off and married that fucker after having sex with me.
After giving her virginity to me. Like that’s some sort of parting gift before she became someone else’s wife.
Fucking weird if you ask me.
“Our mother paired her with that man. He wasn’t Sylvie’s choice.” Whit sneers. “And he creeped me out. Something about him was off.”
“I don’t want to talk about Sylvie,” I snap, earning a hard glare for my tone. I shrug. “If that’s the only reason you came here, I’m sorry. I can’t help you.”
Whit slowly shakes his head, his disappointment palpable. “I never thought you’d turn me down when it came to Sylvie.”
“The minute she took another man’s name, it was done.” A sigh leaves me and I sit up straighter, hating that little break of emotion.
“She’s run away, you know,” Whit admits softly.
“I don’t care.”
Curiosity blooms but I shove it aside. Fuck it.
I really do not care.
“No one knows where she’s at.”
“Not my problem.” It’s not.
“She planned it—even cashed out before she left. Took out a bunch of money before she disappeared. They have footage of her going to the bank and walking out twenty minutes later with a Chanel backpack stuffed full of cash.”
Sounds like something Sylvie would do.
“Again, like I said, not my problem.” I keep my expression as neutral as possible, refusing to react.
“Damn.” Whit makes a disbelieving noise, rubbing at the side of his neck. “Summer warned me you might react this way, but I didn’t believe her.”
Point for Summer. She understands what it’s like to come at a Lancaster from the other side. “Your sister isn’t my problem anymore, Whit. She hasn’t been for a long time. And what could I do for her in this situation, huh? Sounds like you need a private detective, not me.”
“You’re as good as one though, aren’t you? When it comes to Sylvie at least? You two always know how to sniff each other out.”
I hate the way that sounds. How he said that. Maybe we were like that when we were teenagers, but that was a long time ago. A lifetime ago.
“We’re not on the same wavelength. We haven’t been for years.” I check my watch again, not caring if I seem rude. I don’t want to talk about her anymore, though I can tell Whit isn’t finished. “I need to prepare for my meeting, Whit. If you want, we could meet for drinks later this afternoon?”
Whit shakes his head, not budging from the chair. “I can’t believe you’re not going to help me.”
“I can’t believe you’re trying to find her by asking for my help. You have more money than God, and you’re telling me you don’t know where she is? Maybe she doesn’t want to be found.”
Whit snorts. “Clearly. Look, I found Summer after she ran out on me. It wasn’t easy, but I did it. I know you can do the same for Sylvie.”
“The circumstances are different. You were in love with each other.”
“And you’re not in love with Sylvie now?” The doubt in his voice is strong.
I slowly shake my head. Fuck, I’m such a liar. “She’s not in love with me either. It’s been years, Whit.Years.We’re older now. She married someone else. She’s had lovers. So have I. We’ve both moved on.”
“Such bullshit,” Whit mutters as he rises to his feet. “You two drive me insane.”
“Sorry to put you through it,” I say, not sounding sorry at all.
“Fuck you,” he spits out before his demeanor changes in an instant. “Come on. Help me out. I’m your best friend. She was your first love.”