Page 56 of Tangled Desires

And just like that, the wall goes up.

“How much more do you have left?” I pivot, deciding not to push.

“All done,” he replies, stepping back and slamming the hood shut. “Fixed it in record time, too. Not bad, huh?” Not bad? The man just went from weird and brooding this morning to energetic and playful, like a switch flipped.

“So… are we going to talk about this morning?” I ask, my tone light, though the question lingers heavily between us. He doesn’t tense this time. Instead, his smile softens.

“What about it?”

“You tell me. One minute, you’re grinning like an idiot, and the next, you’re… somewhere else entirely.”

His gaze holds mine. “You could never do anything to piss me off.”

A laugh bubbles up before I can stop it, sharp and loaded with sass. “Then I’m not trying hard enough.” Harrison’s grin widens, something darker flickering in his eyes as he closes the space between us. The air shifts, thickening, and my breath catches as he leans in, a little too close, a little too intoxicating.

“Trust me, sugar,” he murmurs, his voice a low drawl that sends a shiver down my spine. “That’s a game you won’t win.”

As we step inside, I glance at him sideways, second-guessing myself. “Are you sure you’re all good?”

“Yeah, Immy,” he says, flashing a quick wink. “Sometimes there’s just a lot going on up here.” He taps his temple with two fingers. “Nothing to stress over, though.” That wink throws me, but I bite down on the urge to dig deeper, swallowing the questions bubbling up.

“If I walk into one more shop where nothing fits, I’m going to scream,” I mutter, glaring at the boutique-packed centre of Clifftop Haven. Amelia’s been on about this place for ages—better stores, better cafes, yada yada. Naturally, I dragged her along. It’s overdue girl time and a much-needed break from Harrison.

Amelia laughs. “Same here!”

I shoot her a look. “But you’re not growing a grapefruit inside of you, forcing you up a dress size, are you?”

Her cheeks flame instantly. “Well… not yet.”

“Wait. Hold up. Are you dropping some kind of baby bomb right now?”

She waves it off with a giggle. “No, no! Not pregnant! But Brad and I, well… we’re ready, you know? Although, I’d like a ring first,” she adds, all bashful.

“That’s so sweet,” I say, smiling. “I’m sure he’ll propose soon. I mean, you two are completely inseparable. That man is so smitten.”

Amelia blushes, waving her hand. “Oh, stop.”

Her reaction makes me grin even wider. “I’m serious! It’s sickly adorable.”

As we continue walking, I place a hand on my stomach, a soothing habit I’ve picked up lately. Just as my fingers press gently against the small swell, something—or rather, someone—across the road makes me freeze. Holy shit.

My stepbrother.Cameron Ivers.

The resemblance to my mother is uncanny. I’ve only ever seen him in a photo, but there’s no mistaking it. He’s tall, built, wearing a backward cap, jeans, and boots. And now he’s looking right at me.

Amelia notices my sudden halt. “What’s wrong? Do you know him?”

Such a loaded question.

“Yes and no,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper. The real question is, does he know me? How would he? There’d be no reason unless… unless my mother told him. But she probably didn’t. Probably doesn’t care to. I swallow hard as his gaze flickers to my hand on my stomach. My pulse quickens. We’re standing outside a boutique calledVelvet Rose,and I can’t do this right now. Grabbing Amelia’s arm, I pull her toward the door, breaking whatever this weird, silent standoff is.

The moment we step inside, my eyes land on a ruched baby blue dress in the window, and it’s game over. All thoughts of Cameron? Gone. For now, at least. That colour is screaming my name.

Amelia catches me staring. “Try it. You have to.”

I shrug, my voice more even. “Sure. As long as it doesn’t piss me off in the fitting room, we’re good.”

Ten minutes later, the dress fits like a dream, and it’s mine. We step outside, but I hesitate, my gaze flicking around, scanning for him—or worse, my mother. My pulse quickens, but there’s nothing. Just people going about their day, oblivious to the storm inside me. As we walk, a lingerie shop catches my eye. I stop, a small grin tugging at my lips like I just struck gold.