Yes, I lied to Alice, but I had my reasons. I explained myself, and if she chose to hold a grudge, that was her decision.

So, I let it go.

Alice was smart. If she was willing to be reasonable, she'd figure it out eventually.

Still, as I left her place, I called Ken. Not because I liked meddling in other people's drama, but because Alice mattered to Ashton, and that made her important to me, too. Like the saying goes: love me, love my ...