Page 41 of Make You Mine

My frustration flares hotter than the stove burners. I don’t know if I’m more annoyed at myself for not noticing or at her for being so casually unhelpful.

“Can you please just go keep an eye on the kids?” I snap, sharper than I mean to, but too frazzled to take it back.

Her expression barely shifts. Just a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze before she nods and backs away. “Of course. I’ll keep them entertained.”

A minute later, I hear laughter from the living room. Willow’s silly high-pitched giggle and Chelsea’s warm, amused chuckle. Emmett squeals in delight. Their little cocoon of joy feels like a personal insult.

I press my fingers into my eyes, breathing in the kitchen’s chaos—fish sizzling, oven ticking, greens boiling over with the wrong damn flavor. My fingers tremble as I put down the cumin. This is supposed to be a special dinner to impress Declan’s boss. A chance to prove I can manage the family, the food, the whole damn fantasy.

I blow out a long breath and tell myself I can fix it. For Declan’s sake.

I smooth a wrinkle from the table runner with the side of my hand, then step back and take in the setup. The candles are lit, the dishes arranged just so, and the gold-rimmed glasses catch the soft light like they’re showing off. Across from me, Willow carefully lays down a folded napkin, her little fingers fussing with it until it sits just the way she wants.

She looks up at me with a hopeful smile. “Does it look okay, Mommy?”

I smile back. “It looks perfect, baby.”

It’s the first time all day she’s really smiled at me, and I feel a wave of relief. Maybe we’ve gotten past the grocery store incident after all. Her earlier pout has given way to a sweetness that tugs at my heart.

Chelsea appears in the doorway, holding a glass vase with a bundle of tulips she’s arranged into a centerpiece. She carries it like it’s something precious, but her expression is casual, like she just threw it together on a whim.

“For the finishing touch,” she says brightly, setting it in the center of the table. “I plucked them from the garden.”

“Thanks. Your green thumb continues to come in handy,” I tell her, stepping aside to give her room. “And thank you for staying late to help out tonight.”

She waves a hand dismissively. “No trouble at all. At least here I get a proper meal. If I’d gone home, I’d be eating a microwave ready meal out the carton.”

She releases a light laugh and turns to adjust one of the place settings, but as she passes me, I catch it—that familiar musky warmth, sweet with a hint of spice.

My perfume.

I frown, not saying anything at first. Maybe I’m imagining it. But the scent’s too distinct, too familiar. I glance at her, hesitating before I ask. “Are you wearing Velvet Sin?”

Chelsea pauses mid-step, then laughs like I’ve caught her hand in the cookie jar. “I am, actually. I liked it so much I picked up a bottle from Harrods last week.”

My brows twitch. I nod, trying to play it off, but the knot forming in my stomach tightens. Why would she buy it without saying anything?

That doesn’t sit right with me…

The sound of tires crunching on the gravel driveway saves me from responding. A moment later, Willow’s eyes go wide and she sprints for the front of the house.

“Daddy’s home!”

Chelsea watches her dart off, then smiles as she disappears after her. “I’ll get the door.”

I stay behind, still gripping the edge of the table. Maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe it’s nothing. But the feeling in my gut isn’t nothing. It’s a low thrum of irritation I can’t seem to shake, and it’s building.

Quiet but steady.

Declan’s voice carries through the foyer, then he enters the dining room with Willow in his arms. She giggles as he hoists her up higher before setting her down again.

“Go wash up, little lady,” he says, giving her a gentle tap on the back as she scampers off. He turns to me and presses a kiss to my cheek. “You alright?”

I blink, caught off guard. “Yeah… I’m fine.”

His mouth quirks into a grin. “Good. The Doyles’ll be here any minute.”

And just like that, the pressure kicks up another notch.

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