“His sister-in-law.”
“The pregnant woman from my backyard.” You’re damn right I listened in when two more strangers popped into my backyard while two dudes in suits hung out next to a black SUV in my driveway. I’ve also googled Jonas’s family and bodyguards to make sure I was piecing things together correctly.
“She came in this morning and completely charmed Laney to pieces before either of us caught on as to who she is. Which I don’t think was intentional, by the way. She spotted Jitter and thought he was Laney’s dog and asked to pet him. And she had her own dog with her and he’s adorable too. So it was this dog love-fest. But as soon as Laney introduced herself, she went beet red and was like,oh, crap, this is awkward. They’re hanging out in the kitchen right now.”
“Oh my god.”
“Laney’s a pro. She’s not letting anything slip. They’re comparing pregnancy notes. I put them in the kitchen because I didn’t want anyone recognizing her. She’s basically due the same time as Laney, but it’s twins, and she hasverydistinct hair. But she was a normal person before she married into the Rutherford family, and Laney and I both get good vibes off of her. Not that I’m saying you should listen to her. Just that she passed the first test. And we’re beingverypicky about lettinganyonewho so much as listens to Jonas’s podcast passanytests.”
“Was she sent to negotiate?” I ask.
“You know it’s a really good sign that they haven’t said the wordlawyersyet, right?”
Someone knocks on my window, and we both jump.
But it’s Willa with two coffee tumblers.
Sabrina hits the button to roll down my window.
“The bodyguard just told me Jonas threatened to disown his parents if they get involved,” she murmurs as she passes the drinks to us.
“You know?” I squeak.
“Unfortunately, because of the scuffle at the wedding, more people than we’d like have started having suspicions,” Sabrina tells me while she rolls the window back up. “We keep telling them the story about Jonas wanting to do a movie about Theo’s life, and the locals aren’t completely buying it. But don’t worry. They’re keeping their mouths shut.”
I sink lower in my seat. “I hate secrets.”
“We know.” Sabrina squeezes my arm. “But you’re in good hands. No one wants a repeat of the reporters in town after Theo was unmasked.”
I wasn’t here for that, but I’ve heard stories. Theo never showed his face on his adult entertainment channel, so when my ex called him out during our wedding that wasn’t, and the whole clip went viral, apparently reporters descended on Snaggletooth Creek en masse to try to get more dirt on him.
The idea of reporters showing up because Jonas Rutherford has a secret son here makes actual goosebumps break out all over my arms. “I was secretly glad when he didn’t reply to any of my messages. I didn’t want Bash growing up with the world knowing who he was.”
“Don’t worry, Em. We’re not agreeing to anything with Jonas Rutherford that involves putting you or Bash in the spotlight. As for anyone who suspects the truth here, everyone knows ifthey’re even thinking of leaking the news, I’ll spill every bit of gossip I have on them in retribution.”
“Off gossip, my ass,” I mutter.
She grins. “They also know that if I don’t, Zen will. I think they’re better than I ever was.”
“Someone will leak this and you won’t be able to stop it. Neither will Zen.”
“Which is why I think you need to talk to Jonas.”
I make a face.
The back door of the SUV opens, and Laney climbs in. “Good news and bad news, Em,” she says. “Good news, Begonia claims she’s on our side. Bad news, Jonas is staying here and canceling everything on his calendar to be here for you and Bash until you decide what you want, and people are going to notice he’s missing again. He’s even canceled a few virtual podcast recordings in case you call. Against the advice of his family, according to my sources.”
My head officially hurts, but not as much as my heart.
Or my heartburn.
I haven’t needed Tums like this since I was pregnant.
“Also, Sabrina, don’t let Begonia’s dog into your kitchen again. He, erm, opened the fridge and brought us a bottle of mustard. Also, Begonia’s offered to pay for cleaning the kitchen sincebrought us a bottle of mustardisn’t actually the full story, nor do I think you’d believe me if I told you.”
“We’re gonna need that full story,” Sabrina says.
“Imagine Theo was a dog and got hold of a squeeze bottle of mustard.”
