On Monday morning, I arrived at the company with Mom’s voice lingering in my head. Lynn wasn’t bullshitting me. She told Mom, and now my ever-nosy, curious, overly caring mother wants to meet my new boyfriend. I would have cussed Lynn out if she weren’t my baby sister.Joe met me at the door. He wasn’t his usual cheerful self, and Lord knew I needed someone to rant to about Waylen. If the girls knew for real that I was still single, they would try to hook me up with someone. Mom was the worst. She only met Ian a few times but had high hopes. At my age, she was already married. I didn’t want to hear that story again. It was why I never let Ian around her often. That way, she couldn’t whisper marriage into his ears.“What’s up?” I asked, nudging Joe. He knew I had broken up with Ian. That was the story I was rolling with. The idiot called my ex didn’t have the decency to block me from viewing his Instägram

WAYLENBeth had been chatting with someone called Joe. That was the much I could see from the CCTV footage. If she was aware of the camera, she didn’t act like it. But I seriously doubt she knew of its existence. It was placed high up the wall and hadn’t been in use. Father wanted to protect her privacy, not me. Her privacy belonged to me.Her stomach grumbled for the second time as my car glided down the road. Len was so intent on keeping her safe, and it was hard to ignore him. She tucked her handbag between her legs and wrapped her arms around her torso. Her scent drove me mad. It was nearly impossible to have her this close without wanting to touch her. The hours spent in the office were torture. To think I would have to do this for months until I caught the bastard who killed Father or received the council’s approval gutted me.I made a sharp turn, and Beth jerked forward. Her arms automatically reached out to stop her head from

Dinner was more fun than I imagined. Hank and I walked out holding hands like a real couple. Under different circumstances, I would agree to another date with him. But for now, I decided we would be just friends.We stopped beside a red Benz. “That’s my ride,” he said. “Cool.” “Can you drive?” he asked. “Not to save a life, and that includes mine.” Laughter tumbled out of his lips. A shiver raked down my spine when his hand dropped to my back. He was in my space, but I didn’t feel threatened. His head lowered, maybe for a kiss, but he smiled.“Do you mind me dropping you off?” “No. Not at all. My mom and sister will stop by the house, so it’s best you know where you’ll visit now. And we are friends, right?” “Yeah.” Hank’s hand disappeared into his hair, and his cheeks flushed as h

On Tuesday morning, I had ten missed calls from Waylen. The fool didn’t drive me home yesterday because he was too busy throat fucking that whore. He would have known I didn’t go home if he had. That I went straight to a hotel and from there, went to my mother’s house. I didn’t want him on my trail; something told me he was watching me. How could he claim control over the life of someone he didn’t care about? I tossed the phone when it rang for the third time. Waylen’s name was on my screen. I didn’t pick up. Soon, he would take the hint that I was done working for him. But I needed the money. I would also have to find a job that paid as well as Parker Agency did to cover the bills from caring for my mom and sister. Ugh. Why did his father have to die? Now would be a good time to go on that spa date, but I wasn’t ready to inform my best friends that I quit and desperately needed another job. Besides, I didn’t want to listen to one more thing about Becca’s wedding. I buried my fa

On Wednesday morning, I missed calls from Joe. By the end of the day, I had more calls and texts from Waylen. Joe’s calls went unanswered, and his texts ignored. Joe was still my friend, but I knew better than to pick up. It could get him into trouble with Waylen. Plus, he might have been calling because of Waylen. I wouldn’t let him use my friend to get to me. He was sorely mistaken if he thought a fuck could earn my forgiveness. That was all it was. A fuck. But the fear of moving around still stayed with me. Waylen has a meeting today that should last the whole day. That was the only reason I dared to drop by the house. I also convinced the girls to book the spa appointment for today. Another reason I was home. The first time this week since I left on Monday. Becca buzzed me to be sure I wasn’t canceling again like I did last time. A faint smile lifted my lips, but the guilt wiped it off. I replied with a promise to be there in a few min