His confidence wavered.
“Within reason.”
“I’ll decide reason after seeing the filing system.”
Caleb coughed to hide a laugh.
By the time Marian left, everyone knew.
“She’s terrifying,” Owen said.
“Perfect,” Reid replied.
I ordered lunch while Reid contacted the agency.
The task required one phone call and three clarifications. By the end, my words had begun to slow.
I did not pretend otherwise.
“Done,” I said. “Going upstairs.”
Reid looked at me.
“Need help?”
“No.”
He waited.
I reconsidered.
“Walk me to the stairs.”
His expression remained neutral, but warmth softened his eyes.
“Of course.”
At the landing, he kissed my forehead.
“I’ll bring food.”
“I ordered enough to feed the harbor.”
“I heard.”
I slept for almost four hours.
When I woke, afternoon light had moved across the bedroom wall. Marlowe lay along my legs, warm and heavy.
My phone showed five missed calls from an unknown number and three messages.
The first began:
I am still your mother whether you like it or not.
I did not open the others.
My heart began beating too fast.
