Chapter 0362

I say nothing, but when Ivan looks back at my face he grins a little, shaking his head. “See?” he says, reaching out to put a hand on my shoulder. "I’m

onto something there. Don't trust him, Fay.

But I frown and pull my shoulder out from beneath Ivan’s hand. “You should go.” I say, hard. Because even if lvan has a point? Jerome has done

nothing but be good to me, and help me, and prove himself a good and loyal friend. And I’m not going to let Ivan shake that faith now — not when he

directly benefits from it.

“Fay,” van says, his face suddenly sad. “I’m sorry —I didn’t mean to —*

“Yes, you did.” I snap, glaring up at him. “You were deliberately nasty up there tonight. to Daniel and to Jerome — you threw that in their face and

couldn't keep the smile off your mouth. And now you're trying to drive a wedge between us. You're being deliberately manipulative, Ivan,” I say,

shaking my head at him, “and itis not a good look on you. So would you please go, and stop trying to destroy what's left of my life?”

Ivan purses his lips as he looks at me, but I can see that he’s well aware that what I've said is fair.

“lam sorry, Fay,” he murmurs, and then he sighs and looks down again. “You're right. I...wasn't trying to be nice.”

“Well at least you admit it.” I sigh, stepping away from him.

“Can I at least —“

“Good night, Ivan.” I snap, glaring at him. And lvan sighs and meets my eyes again.

‘I'll see you soon, okay?” I don't respond, and after a few seconds he climbs into his car and drives away. I stand alone in the driveway for a few

minutes after he’s gone, thinking through what he said.

Because even if he was just trying to rattle me?

Well, it worked. I am rattled

Should I be trusting Jerome as much as I have been?

I turn when I hear the house door creaking open behind me.

“You coming inside?” Daniel asks. “It's cold out here.”

I blink at him for a second and then

slowly walk over to where he's. 2

waitingwith a blanket. He wrapsit

wa miy around my shoulders and I

smile-up at him, touched thaPhe's Xe)

thoughtful.

“Thanks, Danny,” I murmur, stepping closer and letting him wrap his arms around me.

“He shook you up, didn't he,” Daniel murmurs.

“Yeah.” I reply, sighing deeply. “He's good at that. isn’t he?

“The best,” Daniel replies. “Do you want to talk about it?"

“a

ope,” I reply;knowing that it’s true.

Because ever if he did sow a seed

of doub in my mind...it doesn’t >

matter. Jerome's so thoroughly a>

part oAMy plan now that even if did

decidé not to trust him...well,<~

everything would fall aparttneed

hin, and if he decides to.betray me?

Well, then I guess I'm going down.

My only option now ~ at all — is to.

trust the-guy who bought me mys

pregnancy test, who has always”

beerkind to me. And not the one

who put my baby daddy in jail

“Come on,” I say, pulling away from Daniel and smiling up at him. “Let's go inside. I've got a lot to tell you.”

“What?” he says, his eyes going wide. “You're — you're actually going to fill me in on part of the plan?”

“On the whole plan.” I say, grinning up at him. “And then tomorrow? We're going to a bar.

“Wait, what?” he says as I take his hand and pull him into the house, kicking the door shut behind me. “We're... which bar? Why?

“Patience, Lippert,” I laugh, pulling him up the stairs. "All will be revealed in due time. But I think you’re going to like it.