“The owner said it’d be great exposure. She said her daughter went to our school, so she’d love to give back.”

“That is amazing. I can’t believe it.”

“I told you this is going to be great.”

“Thanks, Mary. You’re the best.”

“See you tomorrow, Rae.”

I end the call and squeal. “We don’t have to pay for the animals. That’s one less expense to worry about.”

Jaxon leans over and crosses it off our list. “That’s great news. Looks like we won’t have to pay for much. This is amazing, Rae.”

I’m beaming when my phone rings again. “It’s my mom. She’s probably wondering if I’m coming home for dinner.”

“We could go grab a bite if you’re hungry.”

Dinner with Jaxon? I reach for my phone and press the green button while I toy with that idea. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

“Raegan, are you still at work?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“You need to come home.”

“What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”

“Uh, I’m not sure. Do you know why the police showed up at my house with a search warrant?”

My face twists in confusion. “A search warrant? For what?”

Jaxon’s head whips around, eyes wide as he stares at me.

“Apparently someone thinks you stole a piece of his jewelry, so the police are here to look for it.”

My hand clenches around the phone. “I’ll be right there. I’m leaving now.”

I end the call and my hand drops to my side. I can’t believe I fell for it.

Jaxon rushes around the table to where I’m standing. “Raegan, I can explain.”

My words come out slow and robotic. “You got a warrant to search my mother’s house.”

“It wasn’t my idea. It was my dad. I didn’t know he was going to—”

Jaxon’s sentence is cut off by the sound of my palm slapping against the side of his face.

My bottom lip trembles and I use all of my strength to fight back the tears. “I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you. I knew your truce was a fucking lie!”

“Please, Raegan. Just let me explain.”

I shove my feet into my shoes and grab my purse off the table. “I don’t have time for your bullshit. I have to get to my mom.”

“Let me come with you. I’ll tell the police it’s a mistake.”

“No. Let them search. Let them turn the entire fucking house upside-down. Maybe when they don’t find your grandmother’s ring, you’ll actually believe me when I tell you that I didn’t steal it.”

I storm toward the door and take off running down the hallway. I’m in my car and at my mom’s house in five minutes. Two police cars are double-parked outside. Several neighbors are standing on their porches to watch what’s happening.