Falling For My Father's Friend

g shopping bags and laughing with friends. Couples strolled hand in hand and families stopped to look at the giant screen in t

is life, it's the golden stress reliever" Isla mused, flipping

arest counter "Well, miss shopping, I'm not the shopping type, I'll ju

sighed dramatically. "But b

of men Isla kept trying to set her up with. And certainly not when he

abric felt soft and silky beneath her fingers but her thoughts were in a mess; a serious one. Her run-in with Dominic at the party

eckless.

dn't stop herself

n you," Isla said, holdin

on the hanger. But knowing you, it

er eyes. "Det

la's phone vibrated. She rolled her eyes when

Probably calling about wedding plans

, leaving Serena al

as when sh

air. A presen

ed aroun

mi

piercing blue eyes fixed on her, like he's staring into her soul.

ed towa

a," he

e greeted, her puls

d but it vanished bef

I would run into

d, willing herself to remain

osest thing to a smile she'd seen from him. "

, a man who thrived on power games and backroom dea

ilence fell

old chain around her neck bef

ent" He said wit

h tinged with a hint of i

tated.

word. Older. Not beautifu

that to people,"

longer, then gave a slow n

the conversation. She

he di

she found hers

ren

ent sha

joined them. She had noticed Dominic and

darts between Serena and Dominic. Her lips curve

he heat creep

lways, remain

greeted, his

ed. "Uncl

nearly

's cousin. She had

ent dancing in her eyes. "I couldn't help but not

stomach

," she

rinned. "It's a

is gaze flicking toward t

racing while Elena watches her like

d. "You're

a tight smil

er against her chin

There's noth

head, unconvinced

ted to str

ed as she put her phone back into her purse. "Julian is stil

before turning to Isla. "Speaking of p

a gro

ally not

talking about drinks, we're

was too exhausted. And maybe a d

hat she needed to kill whatever feelings she h

lasted exactl

she lay in bed, her pho

her m

tance from th

wondering wha

e screen, readin

a new kind of fear set

dn't say thin

rned her abo

why

the Bl

he re-read the message, t

tance from th

when she had walked away from Noah, not even when she had nearly drowned herself in work to escape the

h

ibilities. Was this abo

t someth

e screen as she typed out a

eared. Then th

wa

urned int

th

on her chest. Her mother never left things unfinished. Whatever

e wasn't sup

e had to fi