He turned his attention to Joseph and Ivan.

Elodie couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling left by that brief look from Jarrod- there was something about it she just couldn’t name.

“What are you two doing here?” Joseph sounded genuinely surprised.

It was Sylvie who answered, her tone tinged with annoyance. “Maurice had something come up last minute. He specifically asked us to handle this. What happened?”

She shot a pointed glance at Elodie. Why was Elodie here again? Lately, their paths seemed to cross far too often.

Especially considering this was supposed to be their inner circle. Somehow, Elodie had slipped in, calm and unruffled as always.

Joseph felt a headache coming on. This was not how things were supposed to go. Trust Maurice to throw a wrench in the works.

Jarrod strode into the room, his steps long and purposeful. His brow furrowed as he asked, “Mr. Harcourt? What’s going on here?”

Joseph frowned. How was he supposed to explain? Admit they’d gotten into it because of Elodie? That would only invite more questions.

Ivan’s dark eyes flickered with a hidden emotion. He pulled Queenie close and replied with a lazy drawl, “Just a misunderstanding. A little scuffle, nothing serious.”

He clearly had no intention of elaborating.

Jarrod’s expression revealed nothing. “If that’s all, then fine.”

He didn’t even bother to press further.

Elodie wasn’t surprised by his attitude. There were probably plenty of people and things Jarrod cared about—but she definitely wasn’t one of them.

Ivan, ever perceptive, seemed to pick up on Jarrod’s indifference as well. He shot Elodie a sly, ambiguous look, then, with Sylvie by his side, completely ignored her presence.

How awkward.

Queenie broke the tension, turning to Sylvie with a quick, “I’ll take Ivan to get his hand looked at. Let’s catch up another time.”

Sylvie nodded in agreement.

Ivan didn’t spare Elodie another glance. Arm around Queenie, he left with an easy swagger, murmuring softly to comfort her as they walked away.

Elodie watched them go, then said simply, “Well, that’s settled. Let’s get going.”

As she spoke, Sylvie pulled a tissue from her purse and handed it to Joseph. “Here, your lip’s bleeding.”

Joseph took it with a small smile. “It’s nothing.”

Jarrod checked his watch. “Let’s talk outside.”

No one objected.

Elodie said nothing more, following behind them like a stranger, detached from the group.

Once they reached the car, Jarrod glanced at Elodie with a barely-there flicker of attention. “I’ll take Sylvie back to the office,” he announced in his usual understated way.

He paused, then looked directly at Elodie. “Where are you headed?”

Of course, Elodie understood what he really meant: he was giving her an easy out, so she could say she’d make her own way home.

She replied coolly, “I’ll call a cab.”

It was obvious Jarrod only asked because she was standing there he just wanted her to say she’d leave on her own so he wouldn’t have to offer.

Joseph shifted uneasily, feeling it wasn’t right for Elodie to go alone, but it would be even more inappropriate for him to offer her a ride-after all, Jarrod was her husband.

Elodie didn’t care what they thought. She pulled out her phone and started to order a ride.

Just then, Jarrod’s phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID and answered, “Yes, ma’am?”

His grandmother’s voice came through, sharp and direct. “Are you finished yet? Pick up Elodie and bring her back to your house. I’m here today, and Cara just told me you two rarely come home. The place is cold and empty-what’s that supposed to mean?”

If she hadn’t shown up, she’d never have known the two of them had all but abandoned the place.