Yvaine ca to have lunch with at the studio the next day.
We chatted about this and that, then she waited until the mood felt right before saying, ‘By the way, Mira, there’s sothing I’ve been aning to tell you.’
‘What is it?’ I looked up.
‘I’m thinking of taking a little trip sowhere, just to relax for a bit. Want to co with ?’
‘A trip?’ I hesitated.
Truthfully, I hadn’t been anywhere in ages. But could I even go?
Earlier today, I’d only stepped out of the studio for a short while and Ashton hauled back with a long lecture. If I were to travel, I’d have bodyguards following everywhere. Just picturing that scene made feel as if I might as well stay ho.
In the end, under Yvaine’s hopeful gaze, I shook my head.
‘You’re not coming?’ she said, sounding genuinely pained. ‘Why not? You used to love going out. Don’t tell it’s because you’re pregnant.’
I sighed. ‘You already know the answer to that.’
‘You’re worried about Ashton and all those guards,’ Yvaine said knowingly. Then she smiled. ‘If that’s the problem, leave it to . I promise it’ll just be the two of us.’
‘Really?’
Yvaine nodded confidently. ‘You’ll see. Tomorrow your husband will happily agree to let you co with .’
‘If he says yes, I’ll go.’
‘Deal. Now finish your lunch. You’re so skinny, how are my godson and goddaughter supposed to grow properly?’
‘Your godson?’
‘Of course. I call dibs on godmother. Don’t you dare say no.’
I didn’t.
I still don’t know what Yvaine did, but sohow she really did manage to persuade Ashton to let go away with her.
It was only later that I found out he actually owned the resort, which ant I was technically still staying under his roof, and very much under his watch.
But at the ti, I was simply thrilled to be going anywhere at all.
I packed with childish excitent, and soon the driver dropped off at Yvaine’s house.
The car rolled to a stop outside her gate, and as I looked up, I saw Yvaine facing off with a man.
The mont the car stopped, both of them turned their heads towards , their tense expressions shifting in an instant.
The man’s face was unreadable, and his hand, which had been gripping a suitcase, loosened slightly.
Yvaine seized the chance, snatched the suitcase from him, and hurried over to at a half-run.
‘What happened? Need any help?’ I asked as she approached.
‘Nothing. Just so lunatic,’ she said breezily, waving a hand.
Once we’d loaded the luggage and were about to get in the car, Yvaine glanced back at the man.
He was still standing there, staring at her, unmoving.
Yvaine turned away quickly and climbed in.
I teased, ‘Boyfriend?’
‘Ex,’ she said.
I raised an eyebrow. ‘Is he why you suddenly want a trip?’
She shrugged but didn’t deny it.
I didn’t push it. Yvaine was a charming woman. She’d had more exes than I could rember, but never once let any of them trouble her.
The drive to the resort took about forty minutes. It was a lovely ranch-style place, and since it was off-season, there were hardly any guests.
I spent three carefree days there, and when it was ti to leave, I made all sorts of excuses to prolong the stay.
After a long call, filled mostly with pleading and Ashton grunting, he finally relented.
The next morning, when I woke up, the sky was still pale and dim.
Ever since arriving at The Copper Spur Ranch, I’d been waking at about this hour every morning. The place was far from the noise of the city, surrounded by greenery and quiet enough to feel almost frozen in ti. Even life itself seed to move at a slower pace.
There wasn’t much to do in the evenings, so I’d been going to bed early, which ant I woke naturally with the dawn.
As I stared at the misty light outside the window, my mind still foggy from sleep, I felt that sothing was missing. There was a hollowness in my chest, as if so part of had been left behind.
But for the life of , I couldn’t think what it was.
Knock knock.
Soone rapped on the door.
I quickly threw off the covers and sat up. ‘Yvaine, give a mont!’ I called.
The noise outside went quiet.
Moving a little sluggishly, I got out of bed, pulled on a dressing gown, and walked towards the door. As I reached for the handle, I said, ‘What’s with the knocking today? You usually just barge in. The door’s never locked anyway.’
When Yvaine didn’t answer, I looked up and stared into a pair of familiar blue eyes.
For a second, it felt as though whatever had been missing inside these past few days had suddenly been restored.
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