Page 67 of Contentious

“There’s more in the back.”

“Both ends? How’d that happen?”

“We got hit from behind and pushed into oncoming traffic.”

“Whoa, that could’ve been bad.”

“Thankfully, we’re both fine, and the car can be repaired.”

“Sorry about the Range Rover,” Ty said to Carson, who leaned against the passenger door.

“It’s okay, buddy. Nothing that can’t be fixed.”

“Are you sure you guys are okay?”

“Yep.” Carson held the door for Ty to get into the back seat. “We’re fine and happy to see you.”

“Sounds like it was pretty scary.”

“Just for a second, and then it was over and done with. Nothing to worry about, pal.” When they were on the way home, Carson said, “Who wants ice cream?”

“I do!” Ty said.

Cresley gave him a grateful smile for coming up with something fun to break the tension. She’d rather go straight home and activate the security system until the police located Marlon, but a quick stop wouldn’t hurt anything. Or so she hoped.

How long would it take for her nervous system to calm down and her hands to quit shaking? That Marlon had had the gall to smash into them and then show up at Ty’s school and try to sign him out…

He knew exactly what would send her panic into the red zone and had succeeded in terrifying her. How could someone as perfect as Ty have come from such a man? That was a question she’d asked herself more than once over the last seven years.

Her contact at D&G texted to ask if she’d forgotten the fitting.

Shit, she’d failed to tell them she wouldn’t be able to make it.

I’m sorry. I have to reschedule. Was in a car accident earlier and am dealing with that right now.

Oh no! Hope you’re okay. Will check in later to reschedule.

I’m okay, but the car isn’t. Thank you for rescheduling.

“Everything all right?” Carson asked.

“I forgot to notify D&G that I wasn’t coming, and they were looking for me. We’re rescheduling the fitting.”

“Mom, what kind of ice cream are you going to get? She can never make up her mind.”

“Maybe coffee Heath bar crunch today.”

Ty laughed. “You always get that because you can’t decide on something else.”

“It’s my old standby.”

“I get something different every time. That’s how you figure out your favorite.”

His delightful commentary was exactly what she needed after a stressful hour.

“He has quite the system,” Carson said. “He shook them down for ten different samples the last time.”

“That’s how you get the most ice cream.”