but she still caught the warning b

shot back, "The one I should re

ight for the car whe

two a

him, so she forced a smile

issue, gently wiping awa

ment. "Just the wind

me excuse. Instead, he said softly,

How do you know abo

whole time. Elsie, a guy like that isn't worth your time.

ing the silhouette of William and Gra

ps are weird. You can kind of tell who so

Elsie's eyes turned dim, her voice

t had always b

too blind to s

mood, Aiden's

ually leaned toward her. That usually said a lot-like he didn't reall

bother to bring t

dimples showing. "Come on.

s, but I live close. I'd lik

ant it, Aiden

, but oddly there hadn'

, was still shar

breath, a Bentley

s mocking voice came from inside. "W

"Didn't you tell me to stay a

off with Grace? Wh

ripped from her words

n fact, he almost seemed pleased. "S

I'm not getting in. I'm not in the mood t

abruptly shut up. He'd just rem

. "The car hit something that time. It was too risky to drive. I c

, I'll stick around for the role, But don't worry-aft

not for y

t want hi

she didn't spare him anothe

tley fo

the same slow pace, Elsie finally snapped. "

from the car. "And I thought I'

ning. "Go ahead, argue with me some more. Maybe

ff for a while, and passersby start

hoice, Elsie g

hem spoke du

ally took her ages to walk, William got them

e ride," Elsie

with her, mocking her formal tone on purpose

.

ue-she didn't ha

e in the past three years, so

im, switching into he

face was full of disbelief when she saw Wil

his coat, frowning as he glanced at her.

Of course

and hung it up, then grabbe

f the slippers Lisa had chosen, she quick

made both of them t

y in Lisa's hands, and Elsie

explanation. "Um.those jus

anced at t

s on Elsie's feet-sa

ked, but his brows relaxed and he eve

his was exactly what he'd say when he saw tho

purchase-something she h

other matching, cutesy things in

een the only one usi

opped daydreaming about buildin

her chest, she said flatly,

't bo

to see William already finish

ws, she figured he must be

ears, her bear slippers finally had

but look him ove

red with silly bear slippers-the

hroat tightened. She wanted to laugh

kind of married life

as three years of

ers; brushing her teeth and freezing in place looking at the couple

n't laugh

she stepped around William and hea

ything out of the ordina

pers, something stirred in his che

ing had compelled him to

ething up for you?" Lisa offered

d her off. "

said. "Add some honey-she can't ha

g pad ready. She's just getting over a cold and was out in the win

on the stairs when his