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It’s light and flowy, elegant, and probably the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen on a woman.

Or maybe she’s just the prettiest woman I’ve ever been this close to.

Whatever it is, I’m momentarily incapable of thought. The most breathtaking woman in the world is just five feet away from me, and no one moves for a beat.

Frankie because she thinks it’s literally Cinderella, and Briar because there’s no way she doesn’t recognize Willow St. Claire.

“Holy…” Briar’s voice trails, leaving her speechless for what’s probably the first time in her life.

“I told you Cinderella was here!” Frankie snaps out of it and claps her hands in excitement.

“Please don’t blame Hudson,” Willow continues in a soft, friendly voice that shows no sign of her previous concern. “I asked him not to give me away. I’m trying to stay under the radar because…” She glances down at Frankie. “Well, I have some stuff going on in my personal life and Hudson has been kind enough to give me somewhere to lie low until I’m ready to go public.”

“You were… I mean… when did…” Briar is sputtering, which would be hilarious under any other circumstances. My sister is rarely speechless. Nor does she sputter. She’s the executive assistant to one of the toughest, most cutthroat businessmen in the world—Briar is always at the top of her game.

Except now.

“How about some ice cream, kiddo?” I ask Frankie since I can’t think of anything else to say.

“Yes!” Frankie climbs up onto one of the stools next to the island, and I absently dump what’s probably too much ice cream into a bowl.

“You should take that and watch some TV,” Briar says, reaching for her daughter’s hand.

“No. I’m good.” Frankie grabs a spoon and takes a big bite of ice cream.

Yeah, she knows something is up and isn’t about to leave the room.

The kid cracks me up sometimes.

If only this wasn’t such a serious situation.

“I’m sorry about this,” I whisper to Willow.

She gives me a quick nod and holds out her hand to Briar. “You must be Briar. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“You have?” Briar cuts a dirty look in my direction. No doubt she’s annoyed. “Unfortunately, I can’t say the same.”

“Again, that’s on me. I’ve been trying to stay off the radar. I made Hudson promise.”

Like anyone can make me do something I’m not willing to do.

And Briar knows that.

But right now, I think she’s a bit starstruck.

“You… you’re Willow St. Claire.” Briar blinks a few times. “And you’re staying with my brother. You were…in a coma… How did…” She shakes her head and then snaps her fingers. “You were in the hospital together.”

“Yes.” Willow seems more at ease than I thought she’d be, but if Frankie found her, what else can she do? I’m actually kind of impressed at how quickly she’s adapted to this unexpected turn of events.

“The press is reporting that you’re in some kind of rehab facility.”

“Dylan is reporting that,” I mutter.

Briar’s eyes snap to mine and I can see the wheels turning.

“No one knows where I am,” Willow reiterates quietly. Her gaze travels to Frankie, who’s happily slurping up the last of her ice cream. “And it has to stay that way. For my safety—and for Hudson’s.”

I snort. “I’m not in danger from that punk. Bum hip or not, I’ll snap him in half if he even looks at me wrong.”