Page 75 of A Secret to Die For

“I’m gonna kick his ass.”

Brooke got a compost tumbler, and I got a glass-handled flogger that looked more like a piece of art than a sex toy. But I definitely wasn’t going to announce that in a crowded bar.

Brie’s suggestion was the best so far, and the time spent in Roseburg had given me room to think. Physically, I could be in a worse position, much worse. I had a roof over my head, no debt, a small cushion of savings, friends who cared, and a supportive boyfriend. Mentally, I still felt fragile, but every day, my foundations grew stronger. The monster was back in his cave, sharing my secrets with Garrett had lightened the load I carried, and I spent most days floating on a cloud of dopamine.

“I think I’ll take some more time to consider my options.”

“Marrying a billionaire is a perfectly acceptable career move,” Addy told me. “Just saying.”

“Garrett isn’t actually a billionaire. It’s family money.”

“So, have you met his family yet?”

I nodded.

“And?”

“They’re nice.”

His father had been intense but surprisingly amenable. I’d expected to feel intimidated and way, way out of my depth, but he’d been polite and asked about my hobbies and life in Baldwin’s Shore and the work I’d done in events. There were a lot of questions, a lot, but nothing about the Baldwins themselves, and I suspected Garrett had briefed him not to mention them. And Letti was lovely. The kind of stepmom I wished I’d had. She’d invited me out to lunch when I felt ready, or to the spa, or shopping. Garrett’s biological mom had died when he was young—from cancer, I’d found out on the internet—and he said memories of her were like a faded photograph. He felt her love, but her face was faint, dulled by time.

Accepting, that was the best way to describe the Dorsey family. They didn’t judge me for not having blue blood or money and seemed happy that I was a part of Garrett’s life. When I’d blurted that out to Garrett in a moment of honesty, he’d laughed and said everyone was just relieved that I wasn’t a reckless fool like Trey’s girlfriend.

I’d only crossed paths with her once, other than at Hadley’s party, and she was the one person who’d been snooty with me. Elina Mandell was definitely the type of person to judge a book by its cover.

“Has Garrett met the Baldwins?”

“Not exactly.”

“What does that mean?”

“He’s familiar with the twins and Easton from the party circuit, but that was before we met. I’m hoping to put the formal introductions off for as long as possible.”

“But the Baldwins know you’re dating him?”

“Nope. Parker knows I’m seeing someone, but not who. The others don’t care.” Or at least they didn’t right now, but that would surely change when they realised the Dorseys’ net worth. “Let’s talk about something else. The Baldwins have occupied way too much of my headspace.”

“We should eat,” Paulo announced. “Who wants to share a plate of nachos?”

A burger, a plate of nachos, an ice cream sundae, and far too many cocktails later, Prince Charming came to rescue me. We’d made it to the tiny dance floor by then, and I was desperately trying to avoid Paulo’s feet when I felt hands on my hips.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he whispered in my ear in a faux English accent.

“I’d meet you anywhere.”

“Are you ready to leave?”

“I—”

Addy wasn’t so lucky with Paulo’s feet, and she staggered past us on her way to a spectacular face plant. Garrett made a grab for her and missed, but luckily, Deck Langdon was closer. He caught her a moment before she hit the floor and set her back on her feet.

“Careful, Addy.”

“Oops.” She stroked his face. “Delicious Decker, you’re so purdy.”

“You might want to ease up on the cocktails.”

Addy clung to Deck with one hand and reached for me with the other. “I’m good. We’re good, right? Sara? We’re good?”

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