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to have fixed.
    She suddenly found herself thinking of Jace Cutler, of the memories he’d lost. A theory began to take shape in her mind, but she quickly crushed it. “You’re losing it, Lia.”
    Perhaps insanity was contagious, after all.

Chapter Five
    Cassie opened the front door, her eyes still glazed by sleep, her hair a wild tangle of gold curls framing her beautiful face. She wore a white tank top and a pair of silk boxers that exposed her long, sculpted legs. Lia couldn’t help the sting of envy that traveled through her. Like their mom, Cassie was the kind of person whose mere presence demanded attention. People were naturally drawn to her. Lia had always dutifully walked in her sister’s shadow, trying her damndest to keep her out of trouble.
    “Don’t you ever sleep?” Irritation tinkled in Cassie’s voice. “The sun’s barely up.”
    Lia ignored the less-than-enthusiastic greeting and quickly displayed the box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts she’d picked up on her way there. “I brought your favorite breakfast.”
    Cassie softened a little. “Come in. I’ll get a pot of coffee going.”
    Lia followed her sister to the kitchen, where Cassie fished out a bag of Seattle’s Best. “So what brings you here at this ungodly hour, sis? Your house burn down or something?”
    “Happy to see you, too.”
    “I’m always happy to see you.”
    Lia tamped down a snort. “Yeah, right.”
    “I’m cranky in the morning. You know that.” Cassie flipped open the box and grabbed a doughnut, which she promptly shoved into her mouth. “Sugar always helps,” she mumbled. “But you know that, too. That’s why you brought the doughnuts.” She joined her at the small table. “I’ll ask again. What’s on your mind?”
    “I’ve had a really rough couple of days. I just needed to see my big sister.”
    A dubious expression drenched Cassie’s features. “Why do I have a hard time buying that?”
    “Because you were born to mistrust anyone who doesn’t have the benefit of a penis.” Where had that come from? Regret knifed through her. Like most siblings, she and Cassie often brought out the worst in each other. “Sorry. I’m a little edgy today.”
    “More like bitchy, but I dig it. It sure beats that wilting flower thing you’ve got going most of the time. Have a doughnut.” Cassie slid the box across the table toward her. “It’ll cheer you up.”
    Lia complied. There was nothing like freshly baked doughnuts to improve a girl’s mood. The sugar glaze coated her mouth, and she nearly gagged. “These taste awful.”
    “Okay, what’s up with you? You love Krispy Kreme as much as I do.”
    She did, but her taste buds were apparently off this morning. “They’re too sweet.”
    Cassie looked at her as if she didn’t recognize her. “You sound just like Jace. He can’t stand the things, either.”
    Her sister’s observation made Lia’s stomach lurch more than the doughnut had. Last night’s dream returned to pummel her. “I was meaning to ask you, when you two were together, did Jace happen to talk about his childhood? Did he ever mention being bullied?”
    Crystal blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why the sudden interest in my ex? I thought you were happy when I kicked him to the curb.”
    “I was. I hated the way he messed you up.”
    “Don’t remind me.” Cassie stood and hastened to the percolator, where she poured them both a hefty dose of caffeine. She handed Lia a steaming mug.
    “Thanks.” Lia was grateful when the bitter brew chased down the sweetness of the doughnut.
    “Since when do you drink your coffee black?”
    Only now did she realize she hadn’t spiked her mug with her usual three teaspoons of sugar and an impressive splash of milk. “I like it better this way.”
    “Now you’re seriously creeping me out.”
    She was creeping herself out, too. “Does Jace take his coffee black?”
    Cassie reflected. “Yeah, actually he does. Black with a side order of slut.”
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