Page 72 of Accidental Fiancé

“He's not mine to get. He took off after we finished. What am I supposed to think about that?”

I heard her fingers snapping for attention. “He's held on to this secret for fifteen years, and he's terrified that he's going to make you feel bad about what he did. Considering what he’s said about the fight, I imagine he's filled with his own guilt about it. Regarding both Grant and you. Since he took off after sex, it’s obviously eating away at him. Don’t overthink it. No thinking, just doing. Go get your man. And if Chloe acts up again, I will drive up there, and kick her ass.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one doing that?”

“Well, yes, in an ideal world. But Doll, you've never stood up to her, not really. So if you need to tag me, please do so. I am feeling froggy, and I'd like to jump.”

“Sounds like you need to deal with Senator Filthy Pig Boy more than Chloe right now.”

She laughed heartily and said, “Whatever it takes to get my stress out. Now, can you handle this, or do I need to come up there?”

I wasn't sure if Icouldhandle it, but I didn't want her to stop what she was doing and come up, even though I knew she would. “You stay put. I'll sort this out. Thanks for letting me interrupt your night.”

“Anytime. You know I've got you.”

“So, which senator is it? The young one or the old one?”

Another laugh. “You know I don't divulge such things. When it comes to celebrities, anyway.”

I knew what that meant. “Bodyguard standing right there?”

“Giving me the evil eye as we speak.”

“Good luck with that.”

“Yeah, you too.”

We hung up and I felt lost, untethered. What the hell was I going to do?

Chapter 26

Julian

Our estate wasn't the biggest around. Twenty-five acres wasn't that much compared to some of our neighbors. But it gave us enough room to weave some trails between the trees, the road, and the driveway. Plenty of mileage for me to run my feelings out.

The problem was, I wore the wrong shoes.

By the time I headed back to the house, I'd slowed down considerably on account of the blisters on my heels. I'd wound around the mansion I don't know how many times, but I ended up walking up to the pool area. There, on the loungers, were Mom and Yaya, each with a bottle of ouzo, a pitcher of water on the table between them.

Yaya smiled up at me, patting the empty lounger beside her. I’ve always thought that Yaya was one of the prettiest women I'd ever known. She had smiling eyes, the kind that looked as if she was about to break into laughter at all times. Her hair was always done perfectly, her outfits always pressed. She took a lot of pride in her appearance, telling us often how no one believed her age. “Sit. Drink with us. I've hardly seen you since I've been here.”

How could I say no to that? She poured me a glass of ouzo splashed with water, and I took it. I raised the glass. “Yamas.” Ouzo always tasted like licorice gone bad, and tonight was no exception. “Happy birthday, Yaya.”

She folded her small hands over herself. “Thank you, Julian. Now, tell me, what of this girl you brought with you? Piper likes her.”

It wasn't news to me, but I had to ask, “What makes you say that?”

“She can't stop talking about her.”

Mom smiled and nodded. “She’s smitten. You’ve done well.”

“Thanks,” I said stiffly. “I am having a little bit of a crisis right now, however, so if you two don't mind, I'm going to head back inside.”

“You will stay here,” Yaya emphasized each word. “You tell us your troubles.”

That was not going to happen. “It will pass. Nothing to worry about.”

“That's for us to decide,” Yaya said.

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