When I received the notification that a parcel was waiting for me, I initially chalked it up to spam that often gets sent whenever a PO Box is created.
I hadn’t even had time to update my website with my new shipping information.
So, for this to be delivered. It’s concerning.
Cherry,
I’m so glad I found you, darling.
I’m still waiting. I need my piece.
-D.T.
The letter doesn’t sound incriminating, but “D.T.” has been sending me messages for the last year. Some with a threatening tone, some sickly sweet.
Letters, including hate mail, come with the territory when you live behind a popular alias. But this? Finding out about my new box without me ever posting it?
That has me second-guessing everything.
I shove the letter deep into my bottom drawer just as Claud calls.
She’s perched on a step stool, clutching a printout. “Can you help me down?”
“Sure. What did you forget?”
When she’s safely on the ground, she holds up a picture of a dress. “Mom said I can go to the mask party tomorrow for one hour! This is my dress.”
I freeze when she says “Mom,” my mouth gapes, and then it hits me like a ton of bricks…she means Juliette.Not Camila.
Like a blow to the stomach, I’m unable to speak.
Juliette has recently adopted Claudina, so it shouldn’t surprise me, but I wasn’t expecting it to affect me so much.
A large, muscular hand massages my shoulder, grounding me. “It’s taken all of us some time to get used to it.” Nate’s voice is soothing. “But when you get to know Jules better, you’ll realize how perfect she is for the job.”
I nod. “I was just caught off guard.” I turn toward Claud, who is looking at us with concern. “Let me see your dress, little one.”
She holds up her picture as high as she can, and it’s of a silver dress, full of tulle. “I’m going to match Aunt Becks. We’re stars.”
“Juliette’s best friend,” Nate whispers.
“That sounds so fun. It’s beautiful, you’re going to be the best dressed there.”
“Really?” Her eyes bug while she jumps up and down, filled with excitement.
“Yup. Definitely better dressed than your uncle.” I bat my lashes playfully.
She covers her mouth and laughs.
“Hey,” Nate protests, feigning offense. “I’m pretty stylish.”
I smirk and look over my shoulder at Nate, to be completely shocked. He’s casually standing in the doorway, a basket ofcherries in one hand and a silly smirk on his lips, waggling his brows. “Want one?”
“Pass.”
“Hmm. I thought you had better taste than that.” He winks, then turns back to Claud. “All right, Claudina Rosa, Uncle Leo is waiting in his office. You two are off to your Friday night movie date.”
“Yessss!” She pumps her arm up. “Can Skye come?”
