After Cecilia left, Stefan and Keith walked in together.
"Stefan, bro, what brings you guys here?"
Lucinda greeted them with a warm smile.
Neither man had brought their bodyguards; in Pinehurst, Keith always felt most at ease.
He had great faith in his brother-in-law's ability to keep things safe, believing that on his turf, there was no need to worry about any threats.
"Is it unwelcome for your brother to come for a coffee? Or do you think I'm just being a third wheel?"
Keith spoke with a playful grin, not pausing as he picked a spot to sit down, making it clear that even as a third wheel, he was there to stay.
Stefan's gaze was tender as he looked at Lucinda. "Cecilia's not around, right? I thought I'd come over and lend a hand. I'm just loafing around at home anyway." Since tying the knot, his weekends were always spent with Lucinda.
Their friends teased him for abandoning them for his woman.
Stefan, however, stood his ground firmly, declaring that it was Lucinda he'd be with for life, so of course, she took precedence.
That left his friends without a comeback.
"Where's Dad?"
"He's with my dad." Stefan replied.
Lucinda nodded in understanding.
"Need any help with anything?"
I might need
do you want some coffee?"
had a rough night
went to prepare coffee
chipper to me, not like someone who had a rough night," she teased as she
watching his little sister with
moment, someone
husband saw who it
was
only boyfriend before
moving on to someone else. Lucinda had told his wife about his antics, leading to their divorce. Mrs.
lost his status
hadn't seen him in months, and had almost forgotten him completely until he walked
Lucinda, George was a
first move in their relationship. They had kept things
at how she and Stefan seemed
marriage with George, but he chose betrayal. Even knowing that Stefan
prompting her to set up blind dates in hopes of healing the wounds
voice was calm as she looked
glanced between his sister and brother-in-law, leaning in to ask Stefan in a
before replying
he stepped forward with a
freedom to handle her personal matters, even if it pained him. "Just give me a moment," Lucinda said. "You can take a seat and I'll be right there after I finish
as if to say something, but ultimately stayed silent and took a seat in the corner, a far cry from his
Mitchell,
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