“Just Blake being Blake,” I said with a shrug. “Talking nonsense.”
I took Snow from her and sat down, running my fingers through his soft fur. “He helped with that kidnapping report, so I gave him five minutes. That’s all.”
Astrid flopped onto the other couch with a dramatic sigh. “God, that man.”
“When you were married, you couldn’t find him with a search party. Now you’re divorced, and he’s everywhere like a rash.
She twisted to look at me. “Maybe he realized what he lost? That’s why he’s always making up reasons to see you?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right.”
“He was literally just downstairs telling me how I’ve got his precious Laurel all wrong. Who talks about one woman while chasing another?”
Astrid made a gagging noise. “I still don’t get what he sees in her!”
“Not my problem anymore.”
“Okay, but what did you see in him?” She rolled onto her side. “You never told me how you fell for Blake Parker.”
“Did you really meet him at that nursing home while taking care of William?”
I set Snow down and got up to open cat food. “Sure, let’s go with that. Love at first sight.”
Five years ago on that beach when I pulled Blake from the water…
I pushed the memory away. I didn’t want to think about it.
The promises he’d made back then. How he’d told me when his eyes healed, I’d be the first person he’d see. How we’d be together.
Then he disappeared without a goodbye. Forgot I existed.
Even now, remembering it made my chest ache. I didn’t want Astrid carrying that weight too.
“You’re hiding something.” Astrid narrowed her eyes.
She swung her legs up onto the sofa back, getting comfortable. “Well, forget it. What’s your plan tomorrow? Wanna race?”
I watched Snow attack his food. “Work first. I’ve already skipped two days.”
“And after?”
“After…” I hesitated, thinking about my promise to convince William about Laurel. “I’m heading to the Parker mansion to see William.”
“Want backup?” Astrid sighed. “If it’s just William, fine. But if Blake’s mom and sister show up… they’re brutal.”
1/2
Chapter 209
I can handle myself now,” I said with a half–smile. “Not the pushover I used to be.”
“Plus William will be there. They might hate me, but they won’t try anything stupid in front of him.
After work the next day, I grabbed a taxi straight to the Parker mansion.
Astrid texted me the whole way there. If you see Thalia or Rebecca, just leave. Don’t argue. Stay calm. Text me updates.
I typed back short replies to each message, trying not to roll my eyes.
Turned out Astrid was psychic.
The moment I walked into the Parker mansion, I spotted Rebecca and Thalia sitting across from William, faces wet with
tears.
“Dad, you can’t do this…” Rebecca’s voice hitched through a sob as I stepped into the living room.
“Miss Sinclair.” Charles nodded to me at the doorway.
The crying stopped instantly.
Rebecca and Thalia’s heads snapped up, their tear–streaked faces morphing into looks that could freeze hell. “You actually showed up?!”
The hatred in their eyes was like a physical thing.
I had no idea what I’d supposedly done this time, but whatever.
I walked toward William, shooting the mother–daughter duo a cold look. “Why wouldn’t I? I’m here for William.”
“Audrey!” William’s whole face brightened when he saw me.
He waved me over eagerly. “Perfect timing! I need to talk to you!”
I quickened my pace, surprised. “You needed me for something?”
“Yes!” William grabbed my hand, grinning. “I have something important to announce…”
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