Page 25 of Sincerely, Butterfly

Mom laughs as I resist the urge to look at Jasper and Wesley. “It’s okay. If they don’t want to, they don’t have to,” I tell Sylas. “I don’t want to force anyone to do anything they don’t want to.”

Wesley lets out a grunt, taking a step closer to me. I can feel the warmth of his body against my side, and fuck, he smells good too. I. Can. Smell.Him!I now have two of their scents locked into memory. The only one I need now is Jasper, and I’m disappointed that Sylas is between the two of us, stopping me from completing the trifecta.

“That's more like it,” Sylas purrs quietly so only we can hear.

“Okay, kids, smile,” Mom instructs.

Wesley leans his arm against the top of my head, and I have to remind myself to breathe with how much they are touching me right now.

This time when I smile, it’s not forced. Even if this is awkward as hell, Sylas cares enough to get a photo of this moment in my life. And that means a lot to me.

Mom takes the photo, then Jasper and Wesley move away from me and over to my dad.

“See you later, Lola Girl,” Sylas says. I tilt my head back to get a good look at him. God, he’s so pretty. He smiles down at me, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement and something darker. “Be good this summer.” He says it with such a carefree way, but there's a warning in his eyes, like he's telling me to stay out of trouble because they won’t be around to protect me.

A warm, giddy feelingfills me.

“I will,” I lie.

I’m a woman on a mission, Sylas. The last thing I need is to be good. It’s what's gotten me into this position in the first place.

With a wink, he takes off, joining the guys. They walk away with my dad, leaving my mom and me by ourselves.

I take my phone back from my mom, going to my photo album. I’m unable to stop the smile that creeps onto my lips when I see it.

Sylas is giving his best playful smile, Jasper is scowling—not that I’m surprised about it at all—and Wesley has his arm resting on my head, his hand lifted to give the camera the middle finger. And me? I’m smiling like an idiot. Or more accurately, a girl in love.

It’s perfect.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen those three.” Mom smiles. “I didn’t know you all were still friends.”

“We’re not,” I tell her.

“Could have fooled me.” She smiles. “I see the way Sylas looks at you, honey. I know your dad said no boys, but he seems like a nice, kind young man. You never know.” She wiggles her eyebrows up and down with a giggle.

Oh, my sweet, sweet mother.

Mom isn’t stupid, she knows that the society we’re a part of isn’t all rainbows and sunshine, but my dad works hard to keep that darkness away from her. He says she’s too much of a shining star for him to allow anything to risk dimming her light.

I’ve always wanted the kind of love my parents have. He would do anything for her. And I believe that would include killing someone.

My dad might work for the Brotherhood, but he could be just as dangerous and scary as the rest of them.

Mom and I remove ourselves from the massive crowd, both of our social batteries drained for the day. Not that I really had much of one in the first place. But we linger on the outskirts until Dad is done and we can get the hell out of here.

“Oh, there’s Cassie. I’m gonna go say hi. Are you okay on your own?” Mom asks after we grab a few refreshments.

“Of course.” I nod.

Mom takes off, leaving me on my own. Justthe way I like it.

Taking a few bites of the cupcake, I wander around, observing the crowd, with no real destination in mind.

Would it be rude if I just left and sent my parents a text letting them know?

“Hey, Wesley!”

At the mention of his name, my ears perk up.