Page 50 of Fated Love with You

Autumn

One Week Later

Ryder

How is Adeline?

Send me pictures of what she’s doing at this moment.

Thank you.

Outside of sending me those same daily three messages, Ryder hasn’t said anything else to me since he’s been away.

I’m his employee and nothing more, and a part of me actually appreciates the separation. With every page that I flip in the binder—every murky detail from his family that doesn’t quite add up—it’s helping me gain perspective on reality. Helping me see that whatever trance or twilight zone I’ve been in since I met him isn’t real.

“What do you want to eat for lunch today, Adele?”

“One and a half Philly cheesesteaks from Steak Escape, with spicy fries.”

“That’s… very specific.”

“I saw a commercial for them yesterday. I need to see if they taste as good as they look.”

“Your dad doesn’t like you eating fast food,” I say. “Are you trying to get me fired?”

“He likes you too much to fire you.” She smiles. Then she gives me the saddest puppy look ever.

“Pleaseeee, Miss Jane.” She wraps a towel around her waist. “Just one cheesesteak sandwich and spicy fries. It’s right down the street, and I’ll practice the entire time it takes you to get there and back.”

“So, an entire fifteen minutes?”

“Every second counts.”

I hold back a laugh.

“Let me see if the restaurant can…” I stall on the worddeliver.“I’ll get it, but I’m taking the scenic route, so you’ll get thirty minutes of practice, and I want it recorded.”

“Deal.”

I towel off and slip into a pair of yoga pants and a sweatshirt. Then I follow Adele down the hall and into her custom practice room, setting up the three pieces that I want her to play.

I refuse to admit it, but I actually enjoy hanging with Ryder’s daughter, and I don’t see it as “work” at all.

When I’m sure she’s set, I slip into the hallway.

“Miss Jane?” A security advisor eyes me as I approach the garage. “Where are you going?”

“To grab some lunch for me and Miss Rochester.”

“Has Mr. Rochester approved it?”

“I don’t see why he wouldn’t.”

He moves in front of me. “Let’s make sure he will…”

I stare at him, waiting for him to make the call, but the look in his eyes makes it clear that this will fall on me.

Holding back a sigh, I pull out my phone and call Ryder.