Page 50 of I Knew You Were Trouble

‘It’s that he’s been really helpful, you see,’ she adds feebly. ‘So, it’s only fair to keep him in the loop.’

She does have a point – about keeping Willem informed. ‘Marie,’ I say, ‘would you be willing to liaise with Mr de Vries? He may have pertinent information to share.’

She regards me for a moment without speaking, and I have no idea how she’ll respond. Marie is a lone wolf, but she’s also been known to surprise me.

‘I’ve heard of him. I will contact him.’

Case in point: Marie already knowing who Willem is –andbeing willing to work with him.

‘Great,’ I say. ‘Now, the last thing to discuss is Ms Rossi. She may not be our client, but she is associated with this case. How do we go about informing her of Dunn’s duplicity?’

I look at the others in turn. Marie won’t want the task – she’s about as far from a people person as one can get. Ursula seems too caught up in her honeypot scheme. And Kate is way too close to it.

I suppose that leaves me.

‘I’ll do it,’ says Kate.

‘Are you sure? It’s a big ask.’

‘No, I want to. I know how it feels to be in that position.’

‘If you’re sure?’ I ask again, and she nods. ‘I s’pose you could ask Adriana to go with you.’

‘I don’t think she’s up to it, though.’

‘Oh right, of course,’ I reply.

‘But I’ll talk to Willem, and we’ll figure something out.’

Now I’m more convinced than ever that Kate’s hoping for something to happen between her and Willem de Vries, and I’m not sure what to do about it.

‘Excellent,’ says Ursula. ‘I love it when a plan comes together.’

‘Hah!’ barks Marie – her version of a laugh. ‘The A-Team. I love that show.’

‘It’s a classic,’ Ursula agrees.

If I wasn’t already reeling from everything else that’s happened in this meeting, I’d die from shock at Ursula Frayne and Marie Maillot fangirling together over an eighties TV show.

* * *

‘Tris? I’m home!’

‘Hello, darling,’ he calls out. He comes out of our bedroom, having already changed into his typical post-work outfit of jeans and casual button-down shirt.

We may have been married for a year-and-a-half, but the sight of my husband’s washboard stomach beneath semi-sheer white linen and his denim-clad muscular thighs is enough to set my body alight.

As soon as I tell him my news, I’m dragging him back into the bedroom to have my way with him and get on with our baby making. Especially as my parents are visiting from Tassie soon. It would be extra special to break the news that they’re going to be grandparents while they’re here.

Tristan crosses to me as I deposit my handbag on the hallstand, then step out of my shoes. ‘Welcome home,’ he says, capturing me around my waist and dipping his head to kiss me.

I snake my arms around his neck as the kiss deepens, and it’s soon obvious that I’m not the only one thinking about sexy bedroom antics. But thoughts of today’s meeting keep intruding, ruining the moment.

‘Tris,’ I whisper against his lips.

‘Mmm?’

I lean back, breaking the kiss, and his eyes slowly open.

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