Page 171 of Scandalous Contract

“Then stay a few days. You need to, because this won’t be reconciled overnight.”

I sighed, already dreading Julian’s reaction. “I need to text Julian and tell him that I’m staying a couple of extra days.”

Ronnie tilted his head. “Are you gonna tell him about India finding out?”

I shook my head. “I don’t want him to worry all night. I’ll stay, talk to her, and convince her that this isn’t as horrible as it seems. I’ll ask her to give it a chance.”

Ronnie’s phone buzzed. He glanced down at it. “This is from Joanie. She said India’s at her house. Her daughter just asked if India could stay the night. Joanie said she told her yes. She wants to know if that’s okay.”

“Hell no, it’s not okay,” I snapped. “I’m calling India now and telling her to bring her ass back.”

“Girl, that’ll just push her further away,” he said, raising a hand to stop me.

“So what am I supposed to do?” My voice broke a little.

Ronnie tapped his fingers against his thigh, thinking. “Let her stay the night.”

“Hell no.”

“Hear me out. And in the morning, I’ll play mediator. I’ll tell her to come back for breakfast. I’ll moderate things while you two talk it out. Right now, she’s angry, Stef. She’s not trying to hear what you have to say.”

I pressed my hand to my forehead and exhaled. Every bone in my body resisted the idea of letting her stay away angry. But Ronnie wasn’t wrong. If I pushed, I’d just push her further away.

Finally, I sighed, long and heavy. “Okay.”

Ronnie nodded and started texting Joanie back.

“Come on in the kitchen,” he said, standing. “Looks like you need a drink. And I’m a damn good bartender.”

I didn’t follow him right away. My eyes drifted to the door India had stormed out of, the weight of her words still heavy on my chest. My heart was being pulled in two directions. Julian. India. But there wasn’t even a choice to make there. India always came first. Always.

I hoped I could convince her to give this a chance. I hoped she’d let me show her that things wouldn’t be as horrible or as embarrassing as she thought. But if she wouldn’t do it, there was only one thing I could do:say goodbye to Julian.

Even if walking away from him would shatter me in ways Archie’s betrayal never could.

Chapter Forty-One