The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 9 Ethan is different

While we wait for the security footage to load, the waitress recounts her transaction with Jane’s lookalike. “She was beautiful, and very friendly. I wish all customers were like her.” She gushes, “She bought a box of cookies and asked if she could use the service exit, because she parked in the side street. The young woman glances back and forth between her manager and me, uncertainty painting her features. “Was that wrong?”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.” I assure her, trying to keep my voice gentle even though her decision has actually inconvenienced me greatly. If only she’d said no! The blonde would have been forced to walk out the front, right past me. “Have you ever seen her before?”

Unfortunately the waitress is too young to have been working here when Jane and I were married, but maybe she’s seen her on other occasions. “I’m sorry, no.” She replies. “I think she was from out of town.”

“Why do you say that?” I question sharply.

“Well, she said she loves our pastries but she never gets to eat them anymore because she moved away.” The waitress explains.

“Can you tell me anything else about her?” I implore, keeping my fingers crossed that she’ll remember some small clue to the woman’s identity.

“Well, I can tell you she has money.” She answers, “Her clothes were designer and the perfume she was wearing costs

thousands of dollars.”

I leap at the detail, “What was the perfume brand?”

“La louve.” The young woman flushes, “I’ve been saving up for a bottle for months. I think it was the signature line.”

attention to the security tape. We all watch with bated breath, but the grainy footage doesn’t reveal any helpful hints. In addition to the oversized sunglasses obscuring the woman’s features, she kept her face. averted from the

head straight for my closet, reaching up

woman who brought Paisley home

Linda

last person | expect to find waiting on the other side is the Alpha. Nonetheless, there Ethan stands, a

I choke, “Alpha, to

coolly. “I came to thank you for bringing Paisley

he chose to

to ask,” the Alpha continues shrewdly, “Why did

uncomfortably, I say, “You clearly didn’t remember me, I didn’t want

remember you.” Ethan frowns, “I should have – you

stop looking at me

gesturing around at my law firm. “Though I wonder – why did a high price lawyer need a reward

I wanted you to stop. I think dryly. “You know what they say about lawyers.” I quip, chuckling softly. “We’re

on my bookshelf. “And the woman who actually

no, oh no. “What do

eyes narrow, pinning me in place. “Paisley told me another woman found her near Eve’s shop, but

me just in time. “You mean Isabel. You remember Isabel – she was one of Jane’s bridesmaids.” I remind him, describing another one of our friends. Like Jane, Isabel is a small blonde who moved away for work a few years ago. “She’s in town on business and had to get to a meeting, so she

Ethan nods, looking unconvinced. “It must be

is doing well. Instead I dab at my eyes, pretending to be caught up in emotion. “She wasn’t the type of person who would want her friends to go on mourning her forever. I know she’d want me to be happy, so I focus on the good memories – not