Zoey was taken aback; truth be told, she had been on edge all afternoon. After all, guests at the Fitch residence were invariably affluent or influential. Thest thing she wanted was to inadvertently offend someone important and make things awkward for Fitch. Especially since it was only her second day in their home, and here she was, getting into a brawl. How could Fitch trust her with his son after such a disy?


    But his reassuring words warmed her heart, and she felt an unexpected lump in her throat.


    Fitch''s fingertips gently brushed over the imprint on her cheek. “Did you put something on it?"


    "Yes, I was worried it might have been someone important."


    "What''s important is that you''re safe."Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Feeling even warmer inside, Zoey was about to respond when Fitch''s phone rang. It was a call from the Haskins family.


    Fitch frowned slightly, released her chin, and answered the call. "What is it?"


    "Fitch, Mia''s back. Why don''t you and Nne over for dinner tonight?"


    "No need, Nn doesn''t want toe."


    "Are you really going to cut us off like that, keep Nn away forever?"


    "Mom, I''ve said it before, don''t bring her and Nn into this."


    His tone was icy, his gaze unfazed. He even hung up the phone.


    Overhearing the conversation, Zoey realized Fitch''s strained rtionship with his family wasn''t just a minor issue. But that was Fitch''s private matter, and she didn''t feel it was her ce to pry. During dinner, when the three of them sat together, she noticed a bottle of fruit wine on the table.


    "Is this wine?"


    Fitch nodded, "Yeah, it''s a new release from a local vineyard, supposed to be popr withdies, but it packs a punch."


    Zoey took a sip and her eyes lit up. It was delicious. Perhaps buoyed by Fitch''s support that afternoon and Nn applying ice to her bruise, she happily drank a bit more than usual.


    Zoey could hold her liquor, having


    with her dad, Curtis. But toket


    asionally shared a few drinks


    she


    indulged and drank five sses, squinting her eyes with satisfaction.


    "This wine''s pretty good."


    Fitch noticed the bottle was nearly empty, his eyes darkening. He had warned her about the wine being strong; she had chosen to drink it.


    As Zoey made her way upstairs, her


    steps were unsteady, the world before her a blur. Nearly stumbling on the first step, Fitch swiftly steadied her, ncing at Nn obediently sitting on the couch.


    "Stay on the couch and watch your show, don''te upstairs."


    Nn nodded, "Okay."


    After helping Zoey up a few steps, Fitch heard his son ask, "Daddy, are you going to tease Mommy again?"


    Fitch paused, a rare flush of embarrassment crossing his face. "Quiet."


    "Okay."


    With Nn silenced, he focused on Zoey, feeling a heat coursing through him, especially after that question, recalling the events of that night.


    Zoey, after drinking, waspliant.


    met


    She announced she needed a shower. Fitch prepared the bath, advising a fifteen-minute soak. In those fifteen minutes, he took a quick shower himself, his thoughts his own.


    When Zoey returned in her nightgown, back to the bed, Fitch sat beside her, hearing her mumble, "You''re quite handsome."


    He stiffened, murmured an acknowledgment, and watched as she approached the bed, lifting the covers to lie down.


    He had promised not to trouble her, but a kiss would be harmless, right?


    Just as he leaned in, Zoey stared at him intently, seemingly pleased.


    "You look like that guy."


    "Who?"


    "Can''t remember. Must be a celebrity. But he''s only a third as handsome as you."