“Yes.” Mrs. Humphreys nodded. “The first one was two days ago. When you weren’t here, I went to your sister’s place.”
Why hadn’t Izzy mentioned the social worker had stopped by? And more importantly, why was she here? We’d had these unscheduled visits in the beginning, but they became less frequent over the years.
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this,” she said. “But these visits will have a huge impact on your case.”
Panic rose inside my chest, shoving the air from my lungs and clogging up my throat. “Wha-what do you mean?”
“Well,” Mrs. Humphreys started.
Her mouth moved, but I couldn’t hear a thing past the whooshing inside my ears. I blinked and there were two of her. Why were there two of her? And why the hell wouldn’t my damn lungs work?
The anxiety took over. It drowned out everything else until a warm hand slipped through mine and grounded me.
“...could exploit this since she doesn’t work and will probably argue she can be there for Millie at all times.”
I’d only caught the last part of her sentence, but that’s all I needed. I wasn’t here enough, and Taelyn could and would use it to her advantage.
“Right.” The word barely made it past the grogginess inside my throat.
Pity flashed in Mrs. Humphreys’s eyes, but when her gaze dropped to Tristan’s hand tightly wrapped around mine, that pity turned to curiosity within the space of a breath.
I probably had to introduce them.
“Mrs. Humphreys, this is Tristan. He’s my...” I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t lie. And apparently, I didn’t have to.
Tristan, oozing confidence, held out his hand—the one not holding mine. “Her fiancé.”
What?
My gaze snapped to him so fast, my freaking head spun.
“You’re engaged,” she gushed. “That’s wonderful. I didn’t even know you were seeing someone.”
In the back of my mind, I knew I had to answer her. I just couldn’t stop glaring at myfiancé.
Not that me staring daggers at him fazed him one bit. Oh no. Not this man. Laying it on as thick as ever, he released my hand to wrap his arm around my waist. One tug and I was pressed tight to his side.
I almost choked on air and the delicious smell of his stupid cologne.
“We’ve kept it quiet,” he said smoothly. “We work together and didn’t want to get the rumor mill going. You know how it is, right?” The bastard drew me even closer.
Mrs. Humphreys all but melted into a puddle at his feet. “Aw, this is wonderful.”
You’ve got to be shitting me.
“I’m so happy for you, Kate.” Her smile was way too big and way too bright. With her lovesick gaze flicking between me and Tristan, she leaned in. “This is fantastic. When is the wedding? Oh, I hope it’s soon.”
Giving me a quick, and maybe a little creepy wink, she pulled her purse strap higher over her shoulder and strode away.
I waited until I was certain she couldn’t hear or see us.
“What the hell?” Stepping out of his grasp, I backhanded him in the chest. It was hard and my hand hurt, but I ignored the throbbing and shoved my finger in his face. “What were you thinking? Fiancé. Fucking fiancé.”
I covered my face with my hands and groaned.
“Oh. Kitty Kat’s claws are out again.”
I didn’t have to see it. Iheardthe damn smile in his voice, and it just infuriated me even more.
