It was Edwin and Naomi.
Edwin reached into his coat and pulled out a box of pastries.
Even from way across the street, Kay could almost see the steam rising from
them.
Years ago, Edwin used to do the same for her.
She''d still been in school back then, while Edwin was already working his way up
at a Garcia Group subsidiary.
Back in the day, Mr. Edwin was nothing like the timid man he''d be now.
If she ever craved something-pizza, donuts, you name it-one call, and after
ss, there he''d be at the school gates, holding exactly what she wanted.
But now...
Naomi was looking at him the way a high schooler might look at a rock star.
Kay couldn''t hear her, but from the way Naomi''s lips moved, she was clearly
calling him "babe."
Ha, as if someone like her could pull that off.
Edwin said something, took Naomi''s hand, and the two of them walked off
together, carefree and oblivious.
Kay took a deep breath, turning to Tristan with a wry smile in her eyes.
"If the right person never shows up, being single doesn''t seem so bad."
"Didn''t realize you were the sentimental type," Tristan replied, always quick on the
uptake.
Kay just smiled, her thoughts elsewhere. "Right now, I just want to see Reese''s
wedding go off without a hitch. It was her mother''sst wish, and I don''t want to
let her down. It''s just..."
"What is it?"
"It''s the holidays, and Sylvia''s making a huge mess. It''s bad luck, honestly. With
all the drama she''s had with Mr. Rupert before, and now there''s this whole sugar-
daddy rumor... How am I supposed to trust the Garcias with Reese?"
Kay''s face was troubled, obviously torn.
Tristan''s brow furrowed at the mention of Sylvia-he couldn''t hide his distaste.
A marriage between the Sanfords and the Garcias was a big deal; any scandal
could hurt both families.
But Tristan could see right through Kay''s act-she was always hard to read, but
he knew her game.
So he didn''t bother with small talk, just cut to the chase: "So what do you think we
should do?"
Kay had to admit, Tristan''s experience really showed.
She gave a smallugh. "Sylvia''s not
exactly a kid anymore. Sure, she''s a
jewelry designer, but let''s be
real-she just wants to marry rich
like everyone else in our circle.
Maybe it''s better if we help her find
someone decent and let her settle
down as a proper housewife."
Tristan stood with his hands behind his back, giving Kay a stern, knowing look-
he could already guess where she was going with this.
He didn''t say it outright, but asked, "Got anyone in mind?"
Kay pretended to think it over, her sharp eyes watching Tristan''s reaction.
She might have been Reese''s aunt in name, but she wasn''t actually a Sanford by
blood-she had to tread carefully.
Tristan could read her mind, and couldn''t help but feel a little regret.
If Edwin had married Kay back then, none of this mess would''ve happened.
Rupert and Sylvia never would''ve even met.
And when it came to Sylvia, Tristan''s patience wore thin. He finally said, "Sylvia
needs some discipline. Maybe marrying into a strict family would do her some
good."
With Tristan''s tacit approval, Kay''s smile grew a touch smug.
"Honestly, Tristan, I''ve been in talks
with the Hansons on the west side
of Kingstoria about a business deal.
Had lunch with Mrs. Hanson the
other day-she was justining
that her son can''t seem to find the
right woman."
"The Hansons?" Tristan echoed, raising his eyebrows as he nced at Kay.
Not bad, he thought. She really got things done.
"The Hansons are a big name in
Kingstoria. Mr. Hanson''s a real
catch, and Mrs. Hanson''s as
traditional as theye-very
proper Sylvia would be marrying up,
honestly. Give it some time, and
she''d fall right in line."
Kay''s smile was full of meaning.
"You''re not wrong," Tristan said, "but I''ve already kicked Sylvia out. She''s not my
responsibility anymore." His tone was loaded with implication.
"What about Naomi, then?"