Page 30 of Filthy Rich Temptation

Like, after everything I put her through, she still thinks I’m her responsibility. A duty to carry, not someone to care for.

When I called and said I needed help, she came running. Of course she did.

But she didn’t offer her own home as a place to crash.

She offered his. Theo’s.

And if that’s not a bad sign, I don’t know what is.

‘Why don’t you go for a drink together?’ Theo offers. ‘And I’ll watch Lottie.’

My mouth falls open. ‘You’renotserious.’

‘Why not?’

Because yesterday, I was pretty sure we werethisclose to getting evicted.

Today, he’s taking us out and offering to babysit.

It’s too kind, too considerate, too… just way too much.

‘I can’t ask you to do that.’

‘You’re not asking, I’m offering. Besides, I owe you, Sadie. You were there for me during the worst time of my life. Or do you think I’ve forgotten?’

‘I—’

I falter. I don’t know what to think. I know howIfeel about that time. The bond we built, or the bond Ithoughtwe’d built, before the kiss that broke everything. The kiss I can’t forget, no matter how much I prayhehas.

‘I thought you said I was a natural at all of this.’

I wet my lips. ‘I did but?—’

‘No buts. Just pick a night. Find out when Taylor’s free and talk. No excuses, no distractions. Clear the air before it festers any more. She loves you and she only wants what’s best for you.’

‘So… she handed me off to you?’

The tease slips out, tangled up in the truth.

My sister, askingherbest friend to take us in instead of offering her own home. Her best friend, who I’m half-convinced I have some kind of emotional PTSD over. The same best friend who went from accusations ofinvasionto outings in the sun, and is now offering to babysit so I can patch things up with Taylor.

Is it any wonder my heart is spinning along with my head?

‘Yeah…’ He grins. ‘Her motives are without question. Her decision, less so.’

I give a breathy laugh. Maybe hedoesremember the kiss, after all.Gulp. ‘On that, we can agree.’

He cocks his head, and I feel the heat of his stare behind the shades. ‘Careful, Sadie,’ he murmurs, ‘I’ll start to think you don’t like living with me.’

My heart flutters. My laugh catches. ‘Ha.’

If only he knew the real reason why, he’d be the one running away this time, not me.

As for meeting up with Taylor… maybe he’s right. Maybe wedoneed a proper heart-to-heart.

I think back to the airport – the way Taylor held herself apart, stiff and guarded, while Lottie clung to my chest. The flicker of hurt in her eyes when she’d looked at my daughter –her niece– and saw, all at once, how much she’d missed out on.

Because of me. Because of what I did. What I let Danny do.