Page 53 of Best Kept Secret

“Um-hmm.”

“Reading this book got me thinking.”

“About what?” Kelsey stopped wiping the counter and turned and looked at her friend.

Stacy shook her head. “It’s probably just me and my overactive imagination…”

“Just say it, Stace.”

“I noticed that Hudson seems to have a set schedule for when he sees Annie. It’s almost like what co-parents do. Have you ever noticed that?”

Furrowing her brow, Kelsey said, “I don’t see what that has to do with… Wait a minute. You don’t think…”

“I just find it odd, that’s all.”

“She’s his niece, Stacy. He talks about Emily all the time.”

“But have you ever met her?”

“No, but why would I have? We just started dating. It’s not like he’s had a chance to take me around and introduce me to his family.”

“You’re right. Forget I said anything.”

“Do you think he lied about having a sister named Emily?”

“I’m not questioning her name.”

“What are you questioning?” Kelsey said, her voice rising along with her heart rate.

“What about the mole on Annie’s cheek? The one that matches his.”

Kelsey blanched. She’d sort of forgotten about that. “It’s a family trait, or it might just be a coincidence.”

Stacy sighed. “I shouldn’t have brought it up. I’m sorry.”

Kelsey hated to admit it, but she’d had similar thoughts when she’d read The Sweetest Mistake. She’d quickly dismissed them, though, refusing to believe that Hudson was anything like the book’s hero, Connor. Besides, why would he have hidden the truth from her? What would he have to gain? When she’d first met Annie, they hadn’t even been dating. None of this made any sense.

Stacy rubbed Kelsey’s hand, which was clenching the countertop. “Just forget about it.”

How could she, though? She wasn’t mad at Stacy because she’d thought some of the same things herself. However, she didn’t want to believe Hudson would lie to her.

Then she said, “I’ll ask Jared. He’ll know the truth, unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless that’s why he’s been warning me about Hudson.”

“Why wouldn’t Jared just come out and tell you about Annie?”

“Maybe Hudson asked him not to.”

“But why?”

“I have no idea, but I’m going to find out.”

“Don’t go playing Nancy Drew, Kelsey.”

“But I have to know!”