Protecting What's Mine

if I throw a small p

ng him over the rim. "Exactly how small are we talking?" Because small in m

le with humor. Yep, he knows exactly what's running throug

table. "A hundred? In what uni

y would b

ow one hund

e're throwing this shindig. We need a way to get you ba

k I was ever out there to begin with. "Who would y

non-issue. "Oh, some work colleagues. Fri

be desensitized to it by now, but I'm not. The pain still has the ability to slice through me at the most unexpec

closing up. I appreciate what Dominic's trying to do

ed that you're here. I think a party would help you meet some new p

as been wonderful to me these past two years. I'm grateful for everything he's done. Without me asking, he

fune

ho

wi

nheri

urance

cident. Almost two years later, and he's still dealing with all of it. The sale of this

someone to force me out of the self-imposed hibernation I've been stuck in. It'

e C

hood bes

egularly. But after my parents died, even Chloe couldn't penetrate the deep fog that sucked me under. The yawning physical distance separ

iendship to fall

getting back in touch with her. For right now though, I'm taking things one step at a time. Slow,

this party wil

that thought pierc

I finall

is party proposal. "Okay? That's it? No cajoling? No begging?

rds out loud, I say, "You're right. A party is exactly what I need. Meeting some new people along with a few old ones who

, "All right, Grace Elizabeth Castile, what kind of sly trickery are you trying to pull? A little reverse p

trickery at work here." An evil smile spreads acro

, he folds his arms acros

new condo, which has been furnished with a few antiques from my parents' house along with some new

the dorms with a roommate. It's nice to have a place all to myself. "I think I've spent more than enough over the last t

I should b

y, Gracie. You're fine. Quite honestly, you won't have to worry about mone

I don't need an income. Between the inheritance from my grandparents and the insurance policy money from my parents' death, I'