I watch as he heads back down the driveway. The gates open, and I check on the camera to ensure nobody enters as he leaves. We don’t need any uninvited photographers waiting in the bushes. I wait until they close before returning to the kitchen. I inhale deeply before I enter, the smell of the food making my mouth water. I didn’t realise how hungry I was until now.
“He sounds like a nice kid,” Elijah says, having clearly listened in on my conversation with Jeremy.
“He is. He works hard and has a lot of potential. His mum and dad run the post office in town. I overheard her telling one of her friends he was struggling with his assignment. His teacher was off on sick leave, and the supply teacher wasn’t an expert. Since it was not something that could be taught by reading a textbook, I stepped in and took their classes for a couple of weeks. I have my police check from working with the foundation, so it was easy enough.”
“That was kind of you.”
I smile. “You forget, I wasthatchild once upon a time. They’re good kids, all of them. But Jeremy is a natural if given the right support and encouragement.”
“Well, if he doesn’t enjoy gaming, send him in my direction.”
I laugh. “Are you trying to poach my potential staff, Mr Frazer?”
My heart stills when Elijah grins back, the sight making me draw in a breath. It’s been a long time since I last saw him smile like that.
I hold up our dinner and it is then I notice Elijah set the table while I was gone.
I move across the room and begin unloading the containers. We’ve over-ordered, but then we always did. Elijah always had a voracious appetite. But that was a long time ago. He’s enormous now. Years of working out have made his shoulders broader and his legs and biceps wider, although his waist is still trim. I doubtthere’s an ounce of fat on him. His physique has always been impressive; summers spent by his parent’s pool proved that.
I stop my thoughts from going any further. I will not think about him naked! I’m about to marry another man.
I turn away and grab two plates from the cupboard before taking a seat opposite.
Silence descends as we both tuck into the food.
“Have you spoken to Kat recently?” Elijah asks.
“We were due to meet in New York, but I’ll see how things go here,” I tell him.
He nods, and we continue eating, each lost in our own thoughts.
When we’re done, he helps me clear away the leftovers and puts the plates in the dishwasher. Robert and Franny ensured their children pulled their weight, even though their house had an army of staff. No billionaire brats. According to his parents, the staff were there, not for picking up toys, but so Franny could raise her children when Robert was away. Their stately home was too large for one person, and Franny refused to employ a team of nannies. When I asked her about it, she replied, “I wanted children. They are my and Robert’s responsibilities. The men and women they become will be due to the values and lessons we bestow on them, not a stranger.” When I stared at her wide-eyed, she rubbed my arm. “I am blessed, Pen. My husband has money, which means I can raise my children myself. Not everyone has that luxury, but I do, and I’m making the most of it.”
She knew my situation and how hard my mother worked to keep a roof over our heads, but I appreciated her sentiment. Mum didn’t have that luxury, even though I know she would have loved it. But lack of resources meant she had to work. My grandparents and the after-school club cared for me in her absence, and it was fine for me. But I could also appreciateFranny’s philosophy and loved that she was always around when I stayed at the Frazers during our university breaks. And I’ll give her kudos. Her dedication to her family has paid off. Every one of her children has gone on to make something of themselves.
When we’ve finished, I look over at Elijah, who is leaning against my kitchen side.
“What now?” he asks.
As if on cue, my watch chimes.
“Well, time to see what Tiffany has uncovered.”
“And then?”
“We make sense of the code changes and set a trap.”
CHAPTER 20
ELIJAH
We make our way back down into her cave. Despite the food I’ve just eaten there’s an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, and my imagination is running riot withwhat-ifs.
Pen walks ahead, her shoulders back as she carries herself with new confidence in her poise. It’s not new. It’s only I wasn’t there to see it grow. Her jean-covered hips sway from side to side, and my eyes lock onto the movement, distracting me. Her jumper hugs her breasts and small waist. Gone are the sloppy oversized sweatshirts and long skirts of old, that hid her body. The new Pen carries an air of confidence. One I’m finding myself increasingly drawn to.
A heaviness enters my body at the realisation. I’ve enjoyed our talks. I didn’t realise how much I’ve missed her and them until now. Someone willing to call me out on my shit, someone who knows me…knew me. Suddenly, I want to uncover everything my onetime friend has done. Is she happy? Has she achieved everything she wants to? I know she wants a family, but the rest of her life? She was always a goal person. Would drive me nuts with her lists of long, medium, and short-term goals. Does she still have those? Have they changed?
My senses are telling me there’s more to Pen than she’s letting on, and I wonder if my brother and sister know. I want to press her and uncover all I can, but I know I lost the right years ago. The day she walked away from our business venture and accepted a scholarship from my parents, our relationship went into free-fall, one it never recovered from.
