"You certainly have a way of keeping things straight. But do you remember, back when you got your first period-it was me who bought you your first pack of pads?"

The moment those words left Andrew Lane's mouth, Emily Blair's mind practically short-circuited.

Once her brain finally processed what he'd said, she could feel her cheeks burning with a heat that crept up from her spine, prickling all the way to the top of her head. A wave of shame and embarrassment surged through her, making her toes curl into

the carpet.

The arms she'd been casually crossed over her chest now dropped to her sides. Emily glared at Andrew, jaw clenched. "What are you even talking about? Do you hear yourself right now?"

She never thought Andrew would dredge up that memory.

She'd been not quite twelve when she first entered the Lane family. Years of poor nutrition meant she developed later than most girls, so she didn't start her period until her freshman year of high school.

It happened for the first time while she was riding in Andrew Lane's car, dressed in her school's blue-and-white uniform. When she got out, there was an obvious stain on the back of her pants, but she hadn't noticed-she'd only felt a dull ache in her lower stomach.

Emily had always been comfortable and at ease around Andrew. Besides, they weren't heading back to the Lane estate, but to his apartment in town. Before Andrew could even get out of the car, she hurried off toward the building.

Andrew called out to her, stopping her in her tracks. He slipped off his suit jacket and, without a word, tied the sleeves around her waist so the jacket hung down and covered the back of her pants.

She blinked up at him, puzzled. "What's going on? I'm not cold. This looks weird. I don't want to wear it."

She started to untie the jacket, but Andrew gently caught her hands, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Leave it on."

He slung an arm around her shoulders, his voice soft. "Go on inside. I'm going to run to the store for a minute. I'll be right back."

Emily had always listened to Andrew, and by now, the ache in her stomach had only gotten worse. All she wanted was to sit down, so she just nodded. “Okay, come back soon. Dinner's almost ready."

"I will," Andrew promised.

Once she got inside, Emily grumbled as she took off the jacket. "This is so weird. I don't need it."

Aunt May, the housekeeper, called out from behind her, "Oh, Emily, sweetheart, why don't you go wash up first?"

Emily turned around, confused. "Can I eat first and shower after?"

Aunt May hesitated, then snapped a quick photo of Emily's back and showed it to her. That's when Emily saw the very obvious stain on her light blue uniform pants.

Only then, through Aunt May's awkward explanation, did Emily finally understand the reason for the ache in her belly.

Her face turned beet red as she crouched down, both hands covering her face. That's it. Andrew definitely saw. No wonder he gave me his jacket.

Mortified, she bolted into the bathroom, peeled off her pants and underwear, and stuffed them into the laundry basket.

Staring at the clothing, her mind wandered to Andrew's car.

If her pants looked like that, the car seat must be ruined... And that was a real leather seat, expensive, too.

She glanced up at her reflection, her face still flushed, eyes wide with panic. Then, defeated, she dropped her head—she'd been so flustered, she forgot to bring clean clothes in with her.

She eyed the laundry basket, torn between her embarrassment and her need for clothes. After a moment's hesitation, she finally braced herself and reached for her pants.

Just then, someone knocked at the bathroom door.

"Emily."

It was Andrew.

She padded over but didn't open the door. Her voice came out small, “What is it?”

"Open up. I brought you something."

Emily bit her lip, whispering, "I'm not wearing any pants."

"...I know," Andrew replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Just open it a crack."

She almost asked how he knew, but shut her mouth just in time.

She understood, and her cheeks burned even hotter.

She cracked the door open just a little. Through the gap, Andrew handed her a pink package of pads and a basket with clean clothes.

"Get changed and come out when you're ready. Do you... know how to use these?"