Madison
I slid into the cab, grateful to finally be done with work for the week. Friday night’s freedom felt especially sweet after the week I’d had juggling two roles at Knight Industries while trying to ignore the lingering questions about Alexander’s past.
As the cab pulled into traffic, I leaned back against the seat and pulled out my phone. Before I could stop myself,
I opened a browser and typed “Katherine Knight Industries” into the search bar.
Nothing relevant appeared.
I tried “Katherine Alexander Knight girlfriend” next.
Hundreds of results popped up, but none seemed connected to Alexander. Just random Katherines and Alexanders from across the world. Without a last name, this was pointless.
I could ask Caroline. She clearly knew more about Katherine than she’d let on.
My finger hovered over Caroline’s contact.
No. Bad idea. Very bad idea. Caroline would use my interest against me somehow. I deleted the search history and shoved my phone back into my purse.
Twenty minutes later, I was knocking on Hazel’s door.
“It’s open!” she called from inside.
I stepped into Hazel’s apartment, the familiar scent of her signature vanilla candles welcoming me.
Hazel emerged from the kitchen area, her hair piled in a messy bun on top of her head, wearing a tank top and
yoga pants.
“Make yourself comfortable,” she called over her shoulder as she disappeared back into the kitchen. “I’ll be right out.”
I kicked off my heels and collapsed onto her couch, which had seen us through countless movie nights, breakup consolations, and impromptu dance parties since college. The soft cushions seemed to hug me, and I sank deeper, letting the stress of the week melt away.
“So, how’s the dual job life treating you?” Hazel asked, the sound of cupboards opening and closing punctuating her question.
“Exhausting,” I admitted, “but I’m managing.”
‘And the boss man?”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “He is… demanding.”
“I bet he is,” Hazel said with a suggestive tone that made me roll my eyes.
She emerged from the kitchen carrying two steaming mugs. No wine glasses in sight.
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“I thought you invited me for drinks,” I said, eyeing the mugs suspiciously.
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Hazel placed one in front of me with a flourish. “Tea is also a drink. I bought this fancy blend yesterday from that new shop in SoHo.”
“Since when do you choose tea over wine on a Friday night?” I picked up the mug, inhaling the fragrant steam. It smelled like berries and something floral.
“Since I discovered this magical concoction has adaptogenic mushrooms that supposedly boost your libido.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Figured you might need it with all that… overtime you’re putting in.”
I nearly choked on my first sip. “Hazel!”
“What? Am I wrong?” She plopped down beside me, tucking her feet under her. “You’ve been glowing lately. It’s not just from career satisfaction.”
I took another sip to hide my smile. The tea was surprisingly delicious and sweet, with a hint of tartness. “This is actually really good.”
“Don’t change the subject,” Hazel said, poking my arm. “Spill the tea while drinking the tea.”
“There’s nothing to spill.” I sipped more tea, avoiding Hazel’s laser–focused gaze.
“Alright, keep your secrets for now.” Hazel leaned back against the cushions, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “But I’ve known you since kindergarten. Your face is like an open book with highlighted passages and sticky notes.”
“My face does not have sticky notes,” I protested, touching my cheek self–consciously.
“Metaphorically speaking.” She tapped her temple. “I see the way you light up when your phone buzzes. I notice that little smile you try to hide. Something’s happening with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Demanding.”
“He’s just… intense.”
“Intense, how?” Hazel waggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Like, intense–staring–at–spreadsheets intense, or intense–staring–at–you–while–you’re–naked intense?”
“Hazel!” I nearly spat out my tea.
“What? Valid question. The way you’re blushing tells me it’s definitely the naked kind of intense.”
I drained the rest of my tea. “This tea is really good.”
“Don’t change the subject.” Hazel poked my arm again. “Is he good in bed? He looks like he’d be good in bed.”
“I’m not discussing this.”
“Fine, fine. Just blink twice if he rocks your world.”
I deliberately kept my eyes wide open, making her laugh.
“You’re no fun.” She collected my empty mug. “Want another?”
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I shook my head, gathering my courage. “Actually, can you do me a favor?”
Hazel paused, studying my face. “What is it? You want money?”
“No, it’s nothing.” I waved dismissively, suddenly feeling foolish. “Just leave it.”
“Oh no, you don’t.” Hazel set the mugs down on her coffee table with a decisive clink. “You want something. What is it?”
I bit my lip, hesitating. “I want you to find someone.‘
Hazel’s eyes widened dramatically. “Is this person missing? Someone kidnapped? Do we need to call the police? “She reached for her phone. “I knew that job was too good to be true. Is Alexander Knight running some kind of criminal enterprise? Are you in danger?”
“Nothing like that!” I grabbed her wrist before she could dial 911. “Her name is Katherine.”
Hazel froze, her expression shifting from alarm to intense curiosity. “Who is she?” She narrowed her eyes. Wait, is this Alexander Knight’s wife or girlfriend? Since you’re his girlfriend, she must be an ex–girlfriend or ex -wife.” She gasped. “Oh my god. Is he married?”
“Ex–girlfriend,” I clarified quickly. “At least, I think so.”
Hazel sank back onto the couch, visibly relieved. “Thank god. I was about to stage an intervention.” She tilted her head. “So why are you looking for your boyfriend’s ex?”
I fidgeted with the edge of a throw pillow. “It’s not like that. I just… overheard him say her name once or twice.”
“Mmhmm.” Hazel’s eyebrow arched skeptically. “And that’s why you’re asking your best friend to stalk her online?”
“I’m not asking you to stalk her,” I protested. “Just… see what you can find out.”
“Which is basically stalking, but with a prettier name.” Hazel grabbed her laptop from the coffee table. “Lucky for you, I excel at this particular skill set.”
I scooted closer as she opened the laptop. “You don’t think it’s weird?”
“Oh, it’s definitely weird,” Hazel confirmed, typing rapidly. “But I’d do the same thing in your position. What’s her last name?”
“That’s the problem. I don’t know.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I just know she was with Alexander at some point.”
“Hmm, that complicates things.” Hazel’s fingers flew across the keyboard. “Katherine and Alexander Knight… let’s see what comes up.”
We both leaned forward, staring at the screen as search results populated.
“Nothing useful,” Hazel muttered, scrolling through generic social media profiles. “Wait, when did you hear
him mention her?”
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1 hesitated, “It wasn’t exactly a conversation. He… called me Katherine once.”
Hazel’s head whipped toward me so fast I worried she’d hurt herself. “He WHAT?”
“It was just a slip,” I said quickly. “And then I heard Anthony mention her name too.”
“Hold up.” Hazel closed her laptop. “He called you by his ex’s name? During what exactly?”
My face burned. “Does it matter?”
“It absolutely matters!” Hazel’s eyes widened. “Oh my god, it was during sex, wasn’t it?”
1 grabbed another pillow and buried my face in it. “Can we focus on finding her?”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Hazel reopened her laptop, but her fingers paused over the keyboard. “You know this is a red flag, right?”
“It happened once,” I mumbled into the pillow.
“Still.” Hazel’s voice softened. “Are you sure you want to know about her? It might just make you feel worse.”
I lowered the pillow. “I need to know what I’m dealing with.”
Hazel nodded, understanding in her eyes. “Let me try Discord.”
Chapter 219
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Chapter 219
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
