The moment I turned the corner onto my street, my stomach twisted.“Kath-er-ine Hall! Perfect timing!”Mrs. Periwinkle’s voice cut through the evening like a delighted foghorn. She stood on her porch in her usual floral housecoat, one hand clamped possessively around the arm of a tall, good-looking man in his late twenties. He had a set of warm brown eyes, a set of bright teeth, and an easy-going face.Oh no. Not tonight. Please, not tonight.I kept walking toward my own door, legs aching from the endless day, the image of that bodyguard’s gun still burning behind my eyes and Heath’s cold ‘to keep you safe’ still echoing. Every step felt heavier than the last.Mrs. Periwinkle wobbled down her steps with surprising speed for someone of her age. “Don’t you dare pretend you didn’t hear me, young lady!”I stopped, forcing a tired smile. Daniel looked as mortified as I felt. “Auntie, please,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.She ignored him. “This is my nephew Daniel, visiting fr
Last Updated : 2026-06-29 Read more