Page 99 of To the Chase

I would never get over losing her. That I had accepted. But parenting her children was the best thing that had ever happened to me. The dichotomy of those feelings sometimes stymied me.

Talon had no such problem.

He shrugged. “Yeah, I know.” Then, without missing a beat, he leaned in and asked the important question. “Do you think I should go to the International Butler Academy or the British Butler Institute?”

Thechange in topic didn’t slow me down. I easily shifted back into character.

“I have no opinion, good sir. A butler’s duty is to be invisible and indispensable.”

He patted my leg, perfectly solemn. “Don’t worry, Uncle Sally. You’re indispensable to me.”

My smile lingered after he’d turned back to his book. It wasn’t big or felt deep down, but it had to be enough until she came back.

I was slipping into bed when her text came in, not to me, of course.

Bea:Hey, Ant. Thanks for sending me dinner tonight.

Me:You’re welcome, Bea.

Bea:If I mention I’m craving diamonds, should I expect a pile to show up on my doorstep?

Me:As always, I’m at your service. If you would like a pile of diamonds, I would find a way for that to happen.

Bea:We’ll stick with dumplings. I’m not much of a diamond girl. I could go for some clarity, though.

Me:If I can provide that, I will.

Bea:How do I decide to trust someone who lied to me?

Me:Do you want to trust them?

Bea:I don’t know. I’m still working that out.

Me:If there is a chance you might want that, start withwhythe lie was told and if you believe you would have been given the truth eventually.

This game was maddening, but these were her terms and my one connection to her. Just like with Talon, I took my role seriously, answering her asAnthonywould, even with my real answers screaming in my skull.

Bea:I don’t know if it matters anymore.

I knifed upright, my back against my headboard, heart thundering in my chest.

Me:Would you care to clarify?

Bea:I’m tired, Ant. I don’t know why I messaged you. I guess I had a lot on my mind, but I think I need to work it out on my own.

Me:I’m at your service, for whatever you need.

Bea:Sure. I got it.

Me:Is there anything else I can help with?

I stared at the screen for several minutes, hoping against hope for another message, but it never came. She was gone.

Chapter Thirty-seven

Bea

Aminuteortwoafter I got back from walking Benjamin, a frantic knock rattled my front door. I was halfway up the stairs, ready to swap my work clothes for pajamas.