pen disdain. This was a place for ladies who lunched, no

Vance," Avery said,

checking his Rolex, tapping his foot. He looked annoyed. He loo

't wait for him to stand. She sat down, t

He took a sip of his espresso

o you too, Pres

the way he rehearsed his hand gestures. "With the scandal... and Ernest cutt

ook. He was going to dump her, and then two wee

" Avery i

blinked.

. The script is

ing. Five carats. Cushion cut. It caught the lig

arble. It made a sharp c

ry said. Her voice was clear. It car

d like a fish. He had expected begging. He had expecte

His face flushed a patchy red. His eg

ie anyway," Avery said, leaning back in h

. He leaned forward. "How dare

ing up. "Pawn it. You might need t

the nearby tables was abs

is hand shot out and grabbed her

he whispered. "Ke

nd on her wrist. A col

her wrist against his thumb-a simple leverage po

ntly. He stumbled back, knocking int

ry said. Her eyes wer

shing over. "Is th

rt. She picked up the

ing politely at the manager.

now. The air tasted sweeter. The "fiancé" plot

in her pocket.

6 on Sunset. Ro

ber. She selected

sitting in the spilled espresso. He was shaking

our crazy sister just did