Valerie hadn't expected him to bow out so quickly—just a few token protests before retreating downstairs.
Well, apparently she was utterly useless here. No point being a decorative bystander.
When Ryan slipped back into the conversation, he did so effortlessly this time. Justin was downright perplexed—hadn't he just laid everything out for Valerie? How had they patched things up so fast?
Before anyone noticed, the clock edged toward ten. Ryan, as if programmed by some internal alarm, declared, "Val and I have early starts tomorrow. Dad, we won't be staying overnight."
Kenneth had caught wind of Valerie returning to university—the campus was a solid hour's drive. He nodded. "Understood. Come back for the weekend, then."
Kayla's grip tightened around her champagne flute. Wait until the
