A sleek black SUV waited for us, and as we drove along the coastline, I couldn’t stop staring at the water. “This is insane,” I murmured. “How did you pull this off without me knowing?” Liam smirked. “Let’s just say I had to pretend I was working late more than once.” I felt a pang… CONTINUE READING »
When Martin, a wealthy restaurant owner, noticed a young dishwasher slipping into the locker room often, he grew suspicious. Convinced she was stealing, he humiliated her in front of everyone and snatched her bag—only to regret it the moment he saw what was inside.
Martin Price was the kind of man who thought he had life figured out. In his early fifties, wealthy from running one of the most popular restaurants in the city, he walked through life with the confidence of someone convinced the world bent to his will. He liked to think of himself as charming and… CONTINUE READING »
In his mind, he still had the same appeal he’d enjoyed in his twenties. Age, to him, was just a number — one that didn’t stop him from sending flirtatious winks toward waitresses or tossing lazy compliments at young women who worked under him. He didn’t flirt constantly, but whenever an opportunity presented itself, he… CONTINUE READING »
Lila was twenty years old, with a quiet, graceful presence that somehow drew attention without her trying. She’d been working at the restaurant for just over a month, her diligence and speed earning her the respect of her coworkers. But behind her soft smile was a recent tragedy — she was a widow. She’d married… CONTINUE READING »
Her coworkers warned her early on about the boss’s wandering eyes. “That man thinks his bank account makes him irresistible,” one of the waitresses whispered. “If he’s nice to you, it’s not because he’s generous. He’s… fishing.” Lila brushed it off. She wasn’t there to make friends, and she certainly wasn’t there to entertain advances…. CONTINUE READING »
When Nia takes her daughter to a long-awaited family gathering, she expects joy and connection, not the sting of exclusion. As tensions flare by the sparkling pool, one moment forces Nia to face how much her sister has changed… and to decide what family lines she won’t let be crossed. It’d been too long since… CONTINUE READING »
When my sister, Lena, invited us to her estate for a poolside afternoon, it felt like the perfect chance to reconnect. Vince and I wanted Zoe to bond with her cousins, and this seemed like the ideal spot. Zoe, our little sunshine, as Vince called her, was eight, bright-eyed, and endlessly curious. She loved swimming… CONTINUE READING »
It was a far cry from when she’d let her old dog nap in the bathtub just for fun. I wanted to believe Lena was happy, but sometimes she felt like a stranger. I wondered if she noticed it herself—the careful way she spoke, like she was matching someone else’s standards. The drive took us… CONTINUE READING »
“She’s gonna love it, Nia,” he said, glancing at Zoe in the rearview mirror. “I know,” I said, though a knot tightened in my stomach. “I just hope Lena remembers what’s important. She’s living this fancy life now… so different from how we grew up.” When the mansion came into view, Zoe pressed her nose… CONTINUE READING »