's

nd of Tristan's excited footsteps padding down the hallway. It was Saturday, and while I was scheduled to go in

er than I'd hoped, but Tristan never really let us sleep in on week

an we make

d myself out of bed, slipping on a robe before heading toward the kitchen. As I neared

e helping," Andrew said, his

r in front of him. Tristan was beside him, his face scrunched in concentration as

, watching as Tristan's f

He cheers, and does a mini danc

frame. "I can see that. I hope you

"No promises. This one's more interested in eating

nother handful of chocolate chips. I crossed the kitchen and ruffled his

azed. "But they make the

ristan the whisk to mix the batter. "I thought you wer

o get it done. I'm not going over to London th

ess yourself Ava, you c

Derek off my hands as soon as possible" I sa

u say

lp, and I filled in where I could. The smell of pancakes soon filled the air. As the three of us worked together, I cou

lready diving into his plate with enthusiasm. Andrew took his seat across fr

em like we're the only ones here"

e turned out better than I thought they would," he adds, cutting into hi

s mouth full of pan

hen together is chaos waiting to happen. I think we sho

ning offense. "Are you saying

ng. "I'm saying I trust Tri

ack-and-forth, while Andrew just grinne

e wanted to play later. Andrew chimed in occasionally with advice or witty r

play chess after this" Tristan says prou

boy" Andrew says,

this morning, the clock was ticking. Work waited fo

hing as I glanced at the time. "Alr

tly, but he didn't argue.

his head. "I'll try, but no promi

the dishes. "Don't worry, we'll keep

ppointment in his eyes. I smiled softly at

abbed my bag and kissed Tristan goodbye before heading to the door. Andrew stood near the

d day," he

ting his gaze for a momen

er between us, unspoken but ever-present. But I wasn't ready to face

uld get the driver or drive myself. "Well, it would be nice

uzzed in my bag. I glanced at it, expecting the usual flood of emails or texts f

locked my phone and bega

n a while, but I can't

a. More than yo

ening. The messages continued,

slip away. I made a mistake.

. just ta

ly familiar, in a way that made me anxious. But the number

uld th

of the car. The messages were unnerving, and something in my gut told

e buzze

you, Ava. I've

t just spam or some stranger trying to get a reaction. These words were too specifi

No. It couldn't be. He wouldn't do something

oing to let it ruin my day. I had too much to focus on; meetings, reports, clients and more importa

n my stomach remained, a constant reminder that something