"Are you sure you don't mind? I know you were ready to leave."

"If my little sister is making public appearances on the island, I want to at least hear that she looked spectacular."

Alexis slid into the seat and Betsy began to brush her hair. "Joe and I are actually going out on Thursday night for the union Christmas party. Mom and Dad were going to watch the kids, but Owen asked whether you would do the honors."

Alexis was surprised but pleased. "Really?"

"If you're around. I don't know what your plans are."

"No plans. I would love to."

Betsy pulled and twisted Alexis's hair, sticking clips in as she moved from one section to another. "I call him Alex sometimes, you know."

"Who?"

"Owen. He reminds me a lot of you when you were little."

"No wonder I've taken such a shine to him," Alexis said, glad that her sister was aware of their similarities. She hoped Betsy would do better than her own parents.

"Maybe you can talk him out of this obsession with death. The pediatrician says it's normal, but I still think he's a bit young for it."

Alexis stiffened. "I don't think I'd be the right person for that."

In the mirror, Betsy looked at her quizzically but didn't pursue it. "Well, he's a bright little button, no doubt about it."

An idea occurred to Alexis. "I may invite a friend to hang out with me, if you don't mind."

"Sure, my house is always chaos. What's another body?" She arched an eyebrow. "And do you really need to say a friend? I mean, it's Tyler, right?"

Alexis blushed.

"So what's the deal with you two? People have spotted you all over the island together. You're a hot topic."

"Slow news week?" One thing Alexis didn't miss about her hometown was the rumor mill. Somebody always in your business. She figured that was a big reason she kept private matters to herself; she hated the scrutiny.

"Nobody said anything bad," Betsy clarified. "They mostly seem thrilled to see

Tyler happy with someone. He's such a catch."

Alexis shook her head. "He's not with me. We're just friends."

"Sure thing," said Betsy in a way that suggested otherwise. "It's nice karma for him, though. Watching him pine over you in school was awful." She clucked her tongue in dismay. "Let's just say I'm glad Joe and I were very open with our feelings for each other."

"Yep, I remember you being very open in the front seat of his golf cart."

"We were hot for each other," she said simply. "Nothing wrong with that."




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