oup, and Kailey's eyes drifted to Ol

taking the satisfaction in her gaze-she seemed

othing important. Julia just asked if I'd

oth things over. "That's right. Kailey's about to finish sc

g, "She'll be starting her internship with one of Owen Grou

iley's been doing very well at university. She's bound to do great wh

lied without thinking, "She hasn't spent much time in the

hed. He always mad

esolve, replied, "I'm almost twenty-on

surprise flashed in Ryan's eyes b

just for the sake of it, convinced

n the spot, but remembered

gure it out. While you're here, don't wander o

walked away with Olivia, not giving

he wanted to ignore her, she'd let him. After all, her time here was

r voice full of sympathy. "Honestly, I didn't expect Ryan to act this way. There's r

wholehearted. "He's not going

not to introduce her to the other guests. Instead,

g streams, the manor offered a kind of

h her. "Julia, I hope I'm not ke

er eyes sparkling with mischief. "If Ryan ever yells at you again, j

ure plans to herself. It wouldn't matter

sts doting over Julia's baby boy. As people began to say

any younger. Don't keep us waiting! And when you finally have you

ell into a

thetic glances at Kailey, thei

she hadn't picked up on any of it and responded swe

after a few more rounds of banter,

oice, Kailey climbe

ite playlist. She turned around and offered a stick of gum to Kailey. "Ryan broug

erful gaze with a blank

arview mirror caught Rya

her eyes glued to her phon

led awkwardly before turning to Ryan instead.

Olivia chattered away about upcoming weddings, high-end brida

a little too pointed, as if he wanted

on her phone as she sent Kyson a message. "Julia's

d, "Only a

's his one-

r phone buzzed wit

g mischief, conve

abies that much? Let

ng, but the idea made

s on her in the rearview mirror, his brow f

ught a glimpse of Olivia's so

he'd done wrong. Hadn't she ke

lousy maintenance-complaining that the management never fixed anything o

laughing at Olivia's story. That couldn't be further

tched until they pulled up to Olivia's pl

or Olivia, his voice gentle. "Next time, don't try to d

know. I just don't w

r. If you need anyt

the window, unwilling to wi

seat, his eyes briefly meeting Kailey's wit

ome, Kailey got out

e sharp. "Kailey, how many times have I told you-if you have a prob

is gaze, steady and unblinkin

at was s

she'd been smiling at Kyson's playful message about h

ou won't say it, let me be clear-I am your uncle, Kai

time still left a dull ache. This time, t

a cool detachment, "Don't worry. I know exactly whe