Page 85 of Playing to Win

“You love it,” I say with a wink.

He surprises me by kissing me in response and wiping me down with tissues. It’s a small gesture that feels intimate and tender. Yep, I am head over heels in love with this man.

We move downstairs to the weighing scales, passing through reception on the way. Charlie is back behind the front desk.

“Sorry about that, Charlie. Did you take a message?”

I can feel my cheeks turning scarlet.

“Yeah, but it was really odd. She wanted to know where you live and where Izzy lives. She seemed to know you are living next to each other.”

“Press?” Brooks asks.

“I don’t know. It didn’t really seem like a professional approach. Anyway, here is her number. She said her name is Mrs. Perriwinkle. She didn’t give a first name.”

I dart forward, taking the notepaper from Brooks’s hand. “Let me see that.”

“Do you know who she is?”

I close my eyes and bite down on my lip. “Yes. It’s my mother.”

“Perriwinkle?” he questions.

“It’s a code name she uses when she doesn’t want people to know who she’s talking about. Like when she’s gossiping about someone at lunch. She’ll call the person Mrs. Perriwinkle so she doesn’t get caught out or overheard.”

“What? Why would your mother call here asking for me and why would she leave her number with a fake name?”

I sigh, knowing my mother too well. “Because she hoped you wouldn’t tell me that Mrs. Coulthard called. She wants to speak with you.”

“Why would she want to speak with... Because of us?”

I nod. “And she asked where we are staying, which means… Fuck.”

“She’s here?”

“Or coming.” And I know exactly what she’s coming to stop.

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