Page 63 of Filthy Rich Temptation

My theory? If getting Sadie out more has made her stronger, maybe the same could be said for me.

More exposure. Better resistance. Vaccine, anyone?

Says the guy still rocking a semi after almost kissing her – with Lottie in the room, too.

Real resilient, that.

‘Maybe you should come with me tonight…’

I refocus on her, catch the way her smile fades as she says it, her hands wringing together, and it slaps the heat right out of me.

‘…You and Lottie would make a good buffer.’

‘Hey.’ I reach for her hands, stilling them with a gentle squeeze. ‘You’ve got this, okay? Just like you’ve had everything else. You’ll feel better once you and Taylor have cleared the air. I promise.’

She lifts her shoulders, takes a deep breath through her nose, and nods.

‘Now go.’ I release her hands before my body can recharge. ‘Have a good time.’

She offers a weak smile. ‘I’ll try.’ Then she sweeps past me to kiss Lottie on the head. ‘Be a good girl for Uncle Theo, kiddo. And you…’ she turns to me, her smile widening into a tease ‘…remember who’s in charge?’

I chuckle. ‘Thatisme, right?’

She leaves on a cloud of perfume and laughter – a spellbinding mix that leaves me staring helplessly after her…

…until a plush cow smacks me in the face.

‘Right, you.’ I pluck the little missile-launcher off her chair and prop her on my hip, tickling as I go. Her giggles fill the room. ‘Yoghurt war’s over. Let’s get you cleaned up and?—’

Ping.The elevator announces its arrival. The doors slide open.

‘You forget something?’ I call, turning towards the hall.

‘Theo, darling, I really wish you would learn to answer your phone when?—’

‘Mum!’

She freezes, her mouth falling open. If she wasn’t already platinum grey, she would be now. Not even her bright summer dress or natural tan saves her pallor.

‘I can explain.’

She shakes her head, like that’ll somehow erase Lottie – and everything else about my pad that screams,Small child lives here now.When that doesn’t work, she folds her arms, purses her lips, and gives methatlook.The patented, world-class Mother look that sees her green eyes narrowing into a laser beam worthy of Superman.

‘I’m waiting.’

* * *

Sadie

Want to know how to supercharge your anxiety?

Almost kiss the man you’ve wanted since forever. Then walk straight into a meeting with your estranged sister.

No pause. No real breath. Just an ache that won’t quit, a belly full of nerves, and a head so loud, it feels like it could split in two as I push open the door to Taylor’s Soho wine bar and?—

Oh my God.

My boots hit marble – too blunt, all wrong. It’s like I’ve stumbled off the set ofYellowstoneand landed smack in the middle ofSuits, and any second now, someone’s going to spot my mistake and politely show me the door.