Buried Crown

ai

wasn't

wn their defenses and find the cracks underneath. It had served

Cele

as hiding

o private. He would never admit if something was wr

made a

ing to tes

going to be g

t

d his second cup of coff

sig

on who would show up th

tly composed as always. She held a bag in one hand and her

ed his arms

sant, but her eyes held that sharp, asse

do you

g slightly. "I br

rowned.

Oliver. And because I figured I should get to know

stomach

ready maki

d've exp

ped aside, mot

id, watching as she strolled pas

already scanning the house, her

eyes landed

e counter, mug in hand, lo

e if that was a

le

w what Clai

t the energy shift. Claire wasn't just here to drop

i

ould play

said smoothly, set

e smile. "Celeste. How

even though they both kne

breakfast," Celeste said. "I'm

she didn't move t

o Ethan. "How about y

hesi

ker of concern in his e

ht back

d about leavi

o

exactly what Clai

t, Ethan exhaled and nodde

as he disappeare

was just th

on

nter and pulling out neatly packaged breakfast i

gainst the count

htly. "Ethan and I... we

said n

d of man who does things impulsively. Especially when it comes to Oliver. So you c

r head. "Surprise

gaze sh

her expressio

sweet of you. Looking out fo

yes, the polite facade s

n you and Ethan," she said softly

d her groun

ent. Then, casually, she ask

barely

expecting t

ffee, drawing out the silence j

. One of those fancy charity things Ethan was forced to at

ed an eyebr

all

Funny. Ethan nev

be because it wasn't i

didn't

el her trying to pok

uck wi

there was an edge to it.

ond, Oliver's small voice

om

rway, his gaze flicking between her and Claire. His expressio

nstantly, shifting into s

g toward him. She crouched slightly

nly a second before wa

held him tightly, pressi

brushed a hand through Oliver

behaving, h

odded. "

sharp gaze flicked back to Celeste. "I'd hate to

unfazed. "Everyt

urning back to Oliver. "Why don't you go get yo

Oliver hurried off. His brows

hin. "I want to spe

already tired of this

t a reque

ilent as tension

this-hated how Claire always ac

este co

reach her eyes. "Lovely chatting with you, Celeste.

r heel and walked out, leav

slow breath and

murmured. "T

didn't

knew this was on