Jessica already standing by the ca

, yet the silk scarf wrapped around her waist stole all the

on collection, something ordinary customers could not buy. Only a handful of the brand's partn

enough who had

or ages," Jessica greeted them with a smooth smile, her pr

stand. It wasn't Ryland who asked me to come. Patricia heard I was back and said she

lways been fond of Jessica and once saw

eared and disrup

icia never distanced herself from Jessica and

a time and time again, she might have

and answered without hesitation, "Oh? If Patricia invited you, then why does my husband ke

response. "I only meant to keep things from getting worse betw

nne. Jessica surely had a talent for h

ver stops praising you for your manners and how well you understand boundaries. Interesting, though. After t

the pleasant look rig

he tension rising, Ryland stepped i

into that fragile, pitiful look she wore so natu

ting her lip just enough to ap

to face Ryland with a sharp glare, sneeri

mething exhausting. "Mom's always treated

ht. Family. Close enough that boundaries disappear whenever it suits

s expression hardened at once, and when he spoke her

oice pressed down on h

ground and didn't back down this time. At last, she said what she h

before she could, his hand struck

ing, he leaned i

damn i

her back against the door and kissed her with

her felt almost suffocating, as if he wanted to pull her comp

is hold. One hand remained braced against the car a

n his gaze now, a warmth tha

n now, her heart reacted to him. Fru

A faint smile touched his lips, and he leaned in to press another kiss near h

not heard her ment

ays ended up losing, though in her mind, she had alr

dmother, Lucy Becker, was already seate

e drew Corinne into a warm conversation and kept her cl

p. She placed it carefully in front of Lucy, her smile gentle and composed. "Lucy, I made this just for y

ca came early this morning and spent more than an

harp and deliberate. "Unlike someone wh