Page 16 of Adrian

“Nope.”

“And not following in your parents’ footsteps isn’t an option.”

“Exactly.”

“I assume you have your own money since you bought a mountain property that needs a lot of work.”

“Yes. My grandparents left me a sizable inheritance separate from what was willed to my mom and dad.”

“Well, that’s good.” I stare at her. There’s more. She hasn’t shared everything. “So, you bought some land in the mountains, left the city, and moved out here… Are you breaking all ties with your parents? Did you not tell them where you went?” What am I missing?

“Whether or not I’m breaking all ties is up to them. I don’t mind being in contact with them as long as they don’t spend every second trying to manipulate me into coming home. It’s not going to happen.”

“Do they know where you are?”

“Probably. I assume there’s a tracker on everything I own that they could attach such a thing to. If they could have had one inserted under my skin at birth, they would have done so.”

My brows are furrowed as I piece this together. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-six.”

“So they really have no say in your decisions. You’re an adult with money and your own freewill.”

“You would think…”

“Do you think they will show up here and try to drag you home?”

“Maybe.” She sighs. “I don’t know. I kind of hope they won’t. They aren’t the sort to spend time outside of civilization. Their employees aren’t, either. I was hoping they might simply badger me over the phone. But I’m not sure. I could be underestimating them. It was a risk.” Blair bites into her bottom lip, holding my gaze.

“There’s more.”

She nods.

“Lay it on me,” I encourage.

“It’s embarrassing and so absurd you won’t believe it.”

“Princess, a lot of crazy shit has happened to my family and me in our lives. If I told you Rebekah and Hannah’s life stories, you would shit yourself. Lots of people have skeletons. Maybe your saga seems worse in your head than it really is. Perhaps if you trauma dump it, you’ll feel better.”

She scrunches up her nose again.

“Let me ask you this. Have you told anyone your ugly secret?”

“Not a soul.”

“Then you’ve probably blown it out of proportion in your mind.”

“I don’t think so.”

I shrug. “You never know. Maybe I can help fix it.”

She hesitates and then laughs. “You could fix it, actually. All you’d have to do is marry me first thing tomorrow, and all my problems would be solved.”

She’s joking. Well, I’m certain she’s serious from a factual standpoint. Somehow, marrying her would fix her problems. And I intend to find out why. But she wasn’t seriously suggesting we get married.

My mouth opens, but I’m not sure what to say in response. I’m trying to think up a witty retort, but it’s not coming to me.

She shakes her head. “I’m kidding, Adrian.”