Free Blurred Lines (Behind Closed Doors Book 2) by Erin Cawood Page A

and we've already moved into the new huge house that Wayne picked out. It has five bedrooms and three bathrooms and there's a separate lounge, kitchen, dining room and a study. We have gardens and a driveway. We even have a garage and a new car, thankfully. I find myself lost in all this space. But Wayne loves it. So if he's happy then I'm happy.
    We're having a house warming party. We've invited all of his family and mine. Half of his precinct are here too and our friends. Ash hasn't made it. She's taken a short break from LA Sunset , said she was going to hide away on some exotic beach somewhere while she had the chance. Honestly, I'm relieved because Sean and Anna have flown over for the weekend. It's the first time he's been since last July and they both refuse to discuss the other so I'm happy I only have one of them here for the party. I don't think I could host and worry about the two of them coming to blows.
    I've been sent up to say goodnight to Stephi, my niece who will be eight years old this coming August. As I push open the door I hear a soft weeping sound from underneath the blanket. “Hey, cupcake,” I whisper. “What's the matter?”
    “Daddy won't let me take Luca for a walk or give Ashleigh her birthday present,” she cries.
    I’m a little confused. One; Luca is in New York, and living with Sean because Mimi won’t have her at the apartment. And two; why would Stephi have a birthday present for Ashleigh? Even if my brother was going to buy her anything this year, which I seriously doubt, Ashleigh’s birthday isn’t until May. “Luca's in New York, baby, it's too far for you to go to walk her. You'll have to do it when you get home.”
    “No,” she cries. “Ashleigh came and took her home last week. She was only with us because baby Macaulay is 'lergic.”
    I had no idea Mimi was pregnant until Liv said Mimi had gone into premature labor before Christmas so the shock of the newest addition to the Valentina family, Macaulay, has only just begun to wear off. Although Ashleigh, who acts like she has no sister at the moment, knew about the baby. Of that I’m certain from the way her eyes narrow whenever anyone mentions Mimi and the baby.
    It suddenly hits me that Stephi said Ashleigh was in New York last week and not hiding on an exotic beach somewhere remote and away from prying eyes. So where is she? She hasn't returned to LA.
    “Well.” I'm puzzled. I never used to feel like Ash could keep anything as important as a trip to New York to visit my brother a secret from me, but ever since she came back to LA she's been more guarded than ever before. “Ashleigh and Luca are on holiday.”
    Stephi gives me one of those intelligent half frowny, half contemplative expressions that says she thinks I’m lying but knows she'll get in trouble for pointing it out. “Aunt Julia?”
    “Yes, sweetie.” I smile at her.
    “Will you give Ashleigh her birthday present? I saved my allowance and then it got lost in the mail and took forever. And then Ashleigh moved and I never got to give it to her. So I brought it with me.”
    Air gushes from my lungs and my shoulders deflate. “Sure, cupcake, where is it?” She opens a zip in the teddy bear backpack that she's carried everywhere with her for a few years. She brings out a jewelry box. It's not wrapped up. “Can I have a look?” She nods and I open it. It's a ring, a beautiful chain of blue flowers. “That's so pretty, Stephi. Did you choose it?” I know she has. Sean would never buy Ashleigh jewelry because Anna would be hopping mad. She nods. “Would you like me to wrap it up too?” She grins, nodding enthusiastically as she yawns. “Okay.” I lean in to kiss her again. “Sweet dreams, cupcake.”
    As I step out of the room, Anna is hovering just outside the door. I hold the ring box out to her as I say, “I guess you heard most of that?” I expect she didn't know Stephi brought the ring with her. No doubt they'll want to take it back for a