Zoey was taken aback; truth be told, she had been on edge all afternoon. After all, guests at the Fitch residence were invariably affluent or influential. The last thing she wanted was to inadvertently offend someone important and make things awkward for Fitch. Especially since it was only her second day in their home, and here she was, getting into a brawl. How could Fitch trust her with his son after such a display?

But his reassuring words warmed her heart, and she felt an unexpected lump in her throat.

Fitch's fingertips gently brushed over the imprint on her cheek. “Did you put something on it?"

"Yes, I was worried it might have been someone important."

"What's important is that you're safe."

Feeling even warmer inside, Zoey was about to respond when Fitch's phone rang. It was a call from the Haskins family.

Fitch frowned slightly, released her chin, and answered the call. "What is it?"

"Fitch, Mia's back. Why don't you and Nolan come over for dinner tonight?"

"No need, Nolan doesn't want to come."

"Are you really going to cut us off like that, keep Nolan away forever?"

"Mom, I've said it before, don't bring her and Nolan into this."

gaze unfazed. He even

But that was Fitch's private matter, and she didn't feel it was her place to pry. During dinner, when the three of them

"Is this wine?"

a new release from a local vineyard, supposed to be popular with ladies, but it

was delicious. Perhaps buoyed by Fitch's support that afternoon and Nolan applying ice to her bruise, she happily

could hold her

dad, Curtis.

shared a few

she

and drank five glasses, squinting her eyes with

"This wine's pretty good."

was nearly empty, his eyes darkening. He had warned her about the wine being strong; she

Zoey made her

on the first step, Fitch swiftly

watch your show, don't

Nolan nodded, "Okay."

heard his son ask, "Daddy, are you going to tease

rare flush of embarrassment crossing his

"Okay."

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