“Let me drive you.”
“No need. I’ll catch a taxi outside.”
His expression fell, and I felt awful for abandoning him, but he had his parents here to support him. I was only his ex-wife.
“See you in the morning, though? You’re still taking Zara to school, right?”
“Right, yes.” Jace stood and approached the door. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.”
I stepped past him and felt his hand briefly touch the small of my back before it fell away. It was obviously an instinctive thing, and he had to remind himself that touching me wasn’tappropriate anymore. I knew because I had to remind myself of the same thing whenever he was near.
Several pairs of eyes watched us as Jace walked me back out through the gallery. I said a quick goodbye to Roan, still rocked by the notion of him being in love with me. I wasn’t sure how to feel about it or to believe it at all. But like Jace’s father had said, he was rarely wrong. Still, my brain refused to fully accept the idea. It was just too disconcerting to know that the person I’d considered a close friend, and who I’d shared so many private things with, was harbouring a secret like that. Then again, it wasn’t like confessing would be easy. I was his cousin’s ex-wife, and besides that, I’d have to let him down. I loved Roan like a brother, not in a romantic way.
Once again, I received wary, unhappy glances from both Angus and Kami which I did my best to ignore. Leaving the building, I stepped outside with Jace, and luckily, a taxi approached only a few moments later. I managed to flag it down before I had to exchange any more conversation with my ex-husband. He waved me off, the sadness and tension around his eyes filling me with worry and concern. He’d been in recovery for two years, and it was the best thing for our daughter. Zara was so happy to have her dad around this week, and I suddenly realised that I wanted it to continue. I wanted Jace there for her every day, even if it was tough for me personally. I’d work through it for her sake.
The following morning, Jace arrived just as Zara was ready to leave for school, and he didn’t come into the house. I was disappointed because I’d hoped to ask if any more details had come to light about the catfish. Peering through the window, I spotted not only Jace’s car pulling away from the kerb but another dark car with tinted windows. So, Isla and Dixon had been called in already. That was fast.
I was relieved because having security around meant Jace would be safe from being approached by any more possible catfish victims. I knew it was mean to think it because these people were being preyed upon and lied to, but I’d witnessed enough of Astro’s success to know how intense people could get inside fandoms. Even when well-intentioned, fans could act out of character when they met their idols.
It was the whole reason why I’d always hated attending awards shows and events where Jace and I would be pictured together. The amount of hate I used to receive online was overwhelming and scary, with every little thing about my appearance and who I was being picked apart. It was also why we went out of our way to keep Zara’s image private until she was old enough to decide for herself.
Since it was Wednesday morning, I headed out for my usual midweek treat. I typically visited the café around the corner for a cappuccino and an almond croissant. The weather was mild, and I enjoyed the stroll, but then a (metaphorical) dark cloud fell over the entire day when my next door neighbour, Viola, appeared just as I was passing by her house.
Ugh.
Viola and Gary were honestly the worst thing about living in this neighbourhood. They were a retired couple and the sort of people who took offence to every little thing, then acted like you were doing it with the sole intention of ruining their entire lives. They were the reason I often found myself scrolling through listings even though I adored my house and really didn’t want to move.
One time, Viola had gathered all the leaves that had fallen from the cherry tree outside my house and left them on my doorstep. Never mind the fact that we lived on a street lined by trees. Thinking you could avoid falling leaves in autumn was insanity.
Another neighbour, Derrin, from three doors down, had a dog that barked for maybe thirty seconds once or twice a day. Honestly, you’d have to be unhinged to find it bothersome, but Viola and Gary had been so incensed that they’d called the dog warden and reported Derrin for neglect. The warden had soon decided the report was rubbish, but those were just two examples of countless others we’d had to deal with, and I was honestly on my last reserves of patience.
They were the most unbearably uptight couple to ever have walked the planet, andIhad the severe misfortune to live right next to them.
6.
Shannon
“Miss Guerin,” Viola greeted coolly as I headed for my front door. After the divorce, I’d switched back to my maiden name, so she always referred to me as such. In fact, I was pretty sure she had no idea that I was ever married. It wasn’t something I went about advertising.
“Hello, Viola,” I gave her a curt nod and continued walking, but she cut me off. I noticed then that Gary was standing by their door, watching the exchange with his arms folded, eyes squinting.
“There were two cars this morning,” Viola stated.
Her skin was pulled tight across her cheekbones in a way that made her expression look permanently pinched, as if smiling might crack something. Her eyes—thin, assessing slits—flicked over everything with the kind of suspicion reserved for fingerprints on glass or scuffs on marble floors. Even the angle of her chin suggested she was smelling something faintly unpleasant, her nose tilted a fraction higher than necessary.
Her clothes were immaculate, too. Tailored to the inch, crease-free, the colour palette so coordinated it bordered on aggressive. There was nothing accidental about Viola. Every detail existed to send a message. And for a moment, the sight of her tugged at something old and unwelcome in my chest, a flash of my own mother. That same cold emphasis on appearances. That same silent judgement that made you straighten your spine even when you didn’t mean to.
I’d adopted a strategy of avoidance over the years, going out of my way not to do anything to garner hers or Gary’s attentions.But enough was enough. I wasn’t going to entertain the madness any longer.
“Indeed, there were.”
She huffed. “Is this going to be a regular occurrence?”
“Cars parking on a public street? I imagine so.” I motioned to our other neighbours’ cars parked nearby before shooting her a look of challenge. For a moment, it seemed like my response didn’t compute. She wasn’t used to me standing my ground.
“The vehicles block the natural light to our living room when Gary and I are trying to enjoy our breakfast in the window nook. I’d like you to please request that yourvisitorspark elsewhere in future.”
The way she pronounced visitors like there was something untoward going on had a blood vessel in my forehead popping. It was on the tip of my tongue to fire back at her that both cars were parked on the road outsidemyhouse, not hers, and if I owned a car, it would be parked there all the time. In fact, I was half tempted to buy some unsightly old banger and park it outside permanently just to spite her. But then a better idea occurred.
