rred, tear-filled vision, she focused

ue suit. His deep brown eyes were fi

is face. It was Diego Pena, her old friend from

g a respectful distance between the

ebate team captain in New England star

into her freezing palms. She manage

er bleeding heel and the bulgi

stood up. "There's a French bistro across th

ivate booth. A steaming bowl of French onion soup

Emma ate quickly but in small bites, fe

sp napkin across the table. "Are you in

n. Her instinct was to lie, to put

non-judgmental eyes, the tightl

everly. She kept it brief. "Denton an

ard line. A flash of deep disgust fo

"Are you still interested in crisis

e, confus

it over. He was now a partner at a rapidly expanding Silicon

firmly. "Someone who understands how the

quickly shook her head. "Denton put a blackli

e laugh. He leaned back against

m independent venture capital," Diego stated with absolu

e Emma gasp, adding, "And I'll adva

yes burned again. This was a lifeline.

hed across the table, and sh

They spent the next hour talki

, a genuine, relaxed smile

his eyes, quickly replaced by a cold anger dir

sisted on driving her

om the Chaney building. Emma smiled, waved g