Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 84

Simon flashed a confident grin, casually wrapping his arm around Quinn's waist like it was no big deal.

"Hop in, Quinn," he said with a nod towards the car.

Quinn slid into the front passenger seat, and Simon, ever the gentleman, leaned over to buckle her seatbelt.

After shutting the door, he turned to Clara and gestured towards the back. "Come on, Clara. We gotta get going. Mom's waiting."

Clara wasn't having it. Ignoring him, she dialed roadside assistance for her flat tire and started walking towards the street to catch a cab.

Simon jogged a few steps forward, urgency in his stride.

Just then, Quinn rolled down the window. "Simon..."

That single word seemed to ground him. It hit him-maybe Clara was ticked off because Quinn snagged the front seat. Clara had once laid claim to that seat, no questions asked. But ever since Quinn came along, that changed.

Simon's frustration simmered inside, and when he got back in the car and hit the gas, his eyes flickered to the side mirror where Clara stood, hailing a cab.

Next to him, Quinn's face twisted with irritation. Her lips pressed into a tight line. "Simon, maybe we should pick up Clara. You know how Mom is—it'll be a whole thing if we don't."

for a reason to speak to Clara, but his pride held him back. Now, with Quinn's suggestion, he was tempted to roll down

softly, "But she texted me today. It's almost like she wanted me to catch you two

once threatened to jump off

mirror, Quinn clenched

Simon's really into my sister.

message tapped into Colton's protective side as if he were some knight ready

Nate and decided to call him again. "Nate, Clara's heading to your sister's place for

his back, no matter what trouble he stirred up. Clara had embarrassed him once, and now he was

the familiar-looking house, she rang the doorbell and

Ada. "Ada, you're looking younger every time I see you. Here's some tea Simon said you'd

know how to

chatter flowed like a seamless duet

handing over her gift to the housekeeper, who rolled her eyes and inspected the gift box. "Clara, did you skip the scented candles for

thrown off,

before. It's been months since you visited, and I'm out. Did you

making Clara

else? Never mind. I can't believe you'd forget about it.