orning. Though the event had ended, the lingering unease from the previous night refused to leave her. Dorine had mentione

herself by arranging a bouquet, but the memory of Brandon's warm smile and his though

er back to the present. Catherine turned, expect

essed impeccably in a suit, he looked like he belonged i

eping her tone polite. "I was

t didn't quite reach his eyes. "Good morning, Catherine. I thought I'd

he nearest vase of white roses. "Of course

ce dropping slightly. "You made

ret his tone. "I didn't realize it was su

old. "Everything is a big deal when it invol

There was something unsettling in his e

re implying," she said,

don's life is... complicated. Getting too close to him comes with risks, Cat

him see her nerves. "I appreciate your concern, Garret

insincere. "Fair enough. I'm only looking out for you. After all,

eft, leaving Catherine feelin

*

y burst into the shop, her en

heard!" Kimberly exclaimed, dr

sed an eyebro

fé this morning, practically bragging about how close she and

her face neutral. "She can think whateve

re too calm about this.

nd. She didn't want to admit how much Br

ot that simple,"

'm telling you, Alexandra is up to something. She doesn't

warning and Alexandra's behavior at the ev

*

crisp air and the quiet streets helped her think. She didn't know w

she pulled it out to s

e tomorrow afternoon? I'd

she stared at the message. S

What

came almost

'll pick

ture of excitement and

*

. His easy smile and relaxed demeanor made

a little adventure," he s

. "That depends. W

'll

about little things. Catherine found herself

erty just outside the city. It was a

Catherine asked as t

elped fund this center. It's for underprivilege

I didn't know you were inv

But I thought you might want to see it. Yo

acted with the staff and the children. He was warm and genuine, comple

gged on Brandon's sleeve, ho

ade!" the boy

rawing with sincere interest. "This

tening. She couldn't reconcile this version of B

*

, Brandon turned to her

wonderful. I can see why y

family can seem... intense. But this is the part of my life that really

e Garrett and Alexandra were wrong abo

howing me this,"

lt simpler. But Catherine couldn't shake the f

er that the deeper she got involved with Brandon, the more complicate