Chapter 67
Harrison let out a derisive snort, swinging his legs out of bed and realizing how much lighter he felt. After a quick shower, he stepped out of the bathroom in a bathrobe, toweling off his hair.
The moment he looked up, he spotted Felicity leaning sleepily against the sliding door, rubbing her eyes.
Like a cat, Felicity stretched, her yawn arching her back just enough to reveal the toned lines of her waist.
“Harrison, you’re up early.”
Harrison froze, the towel slipping from his hand and dropping to the floor. He didn’t even bother changing out of his damp slippers as he hurried out of the room, practically taking the stairs two at a time.
He rushed into Selene’s bedroom, yanked back the covers on the bed, then spun around, scanning every corner as if convinced Selene had come back and was hiding somewhere.
With a sharp motion, he flung open the wardrobe doors. Inside, the closet was packed with high–end tailored clothes.
When Selene had left the Vaughn family with Daph, she’d taken only a single suitcase–mostly filled with outfits she’d bought for Daph over the years.
Everyone in the Vaughn family believed that, during those seven years, they’d treated Selene more than fairly. After all, she’d had closets full of designer dresses, luxury purses, and expensive jewelry.
But every last item had been bought under the Vaughn family name, registered to either Harrison or Gemma. If Selene had tried to take any of it with her, it would’ve been considered theft.
Even Selene herself had been brought in at great expense–an ornament to polish the Vaughn family’s image.
Felicity watched Harrison’s frantic search, frowning in confusion. “What’s going on with you?”
He stood there at the closet, then turned abruptly to face Felicity–who was now wearing Selene’s pajamas.
Suddenly, everything clicked into place.
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“You slept in Selene’s room last night?”
Divorced, and he’s still calling it Selene’s room, Felicity thought with a roll of her eyes. Out loud, she replied, “Yeah. Your stomach was acting up last night–how could I just leave you alone? Since no one’s using Selene’s room, I figured I’d crash there for the night, so I could keep an eye on you.”
Harrison’s expression iced over.
Felicity caught on instantly, her voice suddenly dry. “Wait–did you think Selene came back?”
She pressed, “Harrison, do you regret divorcing her?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Harrison snapped. “From now on, remember to use the guest room.”
Felicity bristled. “What, am I a guest here? I’m your best friend! You divorced Selene, so why can’t I sleep in her old room?”
Harrison’s tone was chilly. “I’ll have that room torn down if I have to.”
Felicity shot back, “Fine! Next time I’m here, I’ll just sleep in Natalie’s room.”
The mention of Natalie
Harrison’s gaze, just a little.
Natalie’s room had always been left untouched. Felicity had been her closest friend;
if Felicity stayed there, surely Natalie would be smiling down from heaven.
*
Harrison came downstairs, freshly dressed in a suit.
Felicity was already at the table, entertaining Dames over breakfast.
Dames lit up when he saw Felicity. “Flick, are you going to live with us now?”
Felicity waved him off. “No, no, last night was just special circumstances. I just stayed in the room next to your dad’s.”
Dames immediately thought of the room next door–Selene’s old bedroom.
He glanced at his father, then looked hopefully at Felicity. “I wish you could be my mom!”
Felicity burst out laughing. “How many times do I have to tell you? I’d rather be your dad!”
Harrison’s voice cut in, cold and stern. “Eat your breakfast.”
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He added, “And you’re not allowed to be late for school again.”
Dames grinned mischievously. “I want Flick to take me to school today!”
“Take the family car,” Harrison replied flatly–he wasn’t asking. He shot Felicity a look. “And don’t ever let him ride on your motorcycle again.”
Felicity stuck out her tongue. “Yeah, yeah, got it.”
She winked at Dames.
He got the message instantly–Felicity would sneak him to school on her bike again.
For the past week, he’d been showing up every morning on Felicity’s motorcycle. He’d never felt cooler in his life.
Chapter 6
