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Since he’d taken his shoes off earlier, he padded barefoot into the kitchen, surprised to find Helena in there, too, as she peered into the refrigerator, her back to hiirls arrive ho on his nerves when Elle was so sick in bed Considering he’d driven Elle home from the office and he’d parked at the curb and Helena had no idea it was his car, the other woht Elle was still at work

Out of pure spite, because this wo hell, Hunter reerator door and realized aa few feet away froasped and nearly dropped the chilled bottle of wine she held in her hand After a few seconds of staring at hinition of who he was finally dawned across her heavily Botoxed features No formal introduction was necessary since Helena had seen hiht of the fairy-tale ball

“Helena,” he said in greeting, his tone cool because, as far as he was concerned, this woman didn’t deserve an ounce of warmth

Her gaze narrowed on him as she tentatively set the wine on the counter “What are you doing here?”

“I brought Elle ho doith the flu,” he said

A wary, cautious look passed through her eyes “That was very kind of you, but why are you still here?”

He shrugged casually, even though he was feeling anything but nonchalant around Helena “Because Elle needs someone she can depend on to take care of her” It was a sh to let this woman know that he was now a part of Elle’s life—even if Elle wasn’t ready to accept that fact just yet But she would, eventually

“If it’s the flu, there’s notwith annoyance “Now that I’o home and I’ll check in on her”

Not a fucking chance, lady “No, I’ I won’t be a bother, really I just came out to make her a cup of hot tea”

Helena reached into the cupboard and pulled down a coffee“I’ll make it for her,” she insisted

“No, I’ll do it,” he said just as ada the jar that Elle had described that held the loose tea leaves But beyond that, he couldn’t remember what she’d told him to do Fuck

“Do you kno to make hot tea from loose leaves and a ball strainer?” she asked, clearly realizing that he had no goddamn clue “I didn’t think so Watch what I do and then you’ll know for next time”

He begrudgingly let Helena handle the process, though he kept a close eye on her every move He just didn’t trust this wo toward Helena at the moment was ridiculous, but he couldn’t help what he felt

When she finally had a generous a water, she turned toward him, her mouth pinched with a noticeable a ideas into Elle’s head about selling the house?” she asked him point-blank

He crossed his arainst the counter, refusing to confirm or deny her accusation “What makes you ask that?”