Wicked Liar (Dark Syndicate 3)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Candace

“How are you doing?” Isabella asks, folding her fingers together.

She looks at me from across the wicker table we're sitting at on Dominic's terrace.I stare back at her, not sure how to answer the question.

She insisted on coming to see me today.

“I’m okay,” I assure her, and at least that feels like some element of the truth.

She leans onto the table and bites the inside of her lip.“Candace I know what happened with the auction.I shouldn’t know what happened, but I do.”

I give her a nervous smile. I left the auction out of our conversation yesterday.Tristan wouldn't have told her.I know he wouldn't have.

“How?”

“I heard Tristan and Massimo talking.It was late, and they thought I was asleep with the baby.But baby number two thinks it’s a good idea to keep me awake at night.”

“Oh, my God. You’re pregnant again?” I gasp and I can’t resist getting up to hug her.

She nods, and I feel happy for her and Tristan.

“I’m a few weeks along. Tristan and I found out a few days ago.Its early days but happy days.”

“Oh, Isabella. I’m so happy for you both,” I bubble sitting back down.

“Thank you. I know you are. Emelia doesn’t know yet, but I’ll catch up with her later.I know she would have liked to come here today because she’s worried about you.I am too.”

“Please don’t worry about me. I'm fine.”

“Are you kidding me? Candace, you entered an auction.It's cool if you wanted to do something like that, I'm not here to judge but it's not like you and not like you either not to answer my calls."

I sigh, trying to think quick about what to tell her that won't make her worry.

"I'm sorry. Last week was crazy and I guess I'm going through a strange time.I didn't enter the auction because I wanted to, but..." She looks at me with anticipation."Can I promise to tell you the reason why another time?" It's best I say it like that.

She considers the request for a moment then nods her head.

“Alright, but I'm holding you to that promise."

"I promise." I nod.

"Okay, so... what's happening with Dominic?You don't exactly look like you're having a bad time."

“I'm not. He wants me back.”

“How do you feel about that?”

I stare back at her, not knowing what to say.“I don’t know. It feels like what I should do is different from what I want to do."

She laughs. "Candace, I'll be the first person to encourage you to do what you want to do.You're a levelheaded woman who's always thinking about the rules, but sometimes you have to take risks."

I bring my hands together. "Risks... I was so hurt when he left Isabella.I never knew how much I loved him until he left."

She reaches across the table with a smile."Sweetie, if you can say that, then you should give yourself a chance to explore this."

"I want to, but there are so many questions lingering in the air."