ited whisper. "That girl looks ju

asked as she moved closer. "Someone a

told me himself. He and Dr. Car

ed Ethan's strange behavior

ek. Apparently, she resembled the

ute for his lost love? Perh

d to Blake Tower. Aurora Studio, her cou

hite, to retrieve every order they

ures from beginning to end. Each ne

business came from clie

world, and Aurora Studio had a

the studio for so long tha

sible to ignore. Brenton was the onl

n fluttering around inside the

ge these clients from now on. Don't offer them any new collectio

face. "But most of our inco

tter. I'll bring

of fresh sketches and h

red around Gillian. Brenton remained next t

s first official day with Blake Group's design department

illed th

. Before she could leave, Clare Moore grabbed her arm.

e. "I'll pass. I a

grudge against Nicole. In her mind, Nicole had no

excluding you. Aurora Studio may operate independently, but the design department still

n't mind her, Nicole. And come with us. I've been hoping to discuss motif de

a corner. Everyone was watching h

place in a VIP boot

middle of the long couch and natu

er along the edge of her soda water. The loud cel

later, the group became

e each draw a card, and whoever gets the lowes

it," Clare excl

agreed witho

d on us, Gillian!

three shots, while another was challenged to ask someone in the nei

he drew a safe card every time a

nstead, he observed the game

r at him, he answered with

d Nicole during

illian said softly. "R

d her hand tow

de her, knocked over a glass as if by accid

napkins and rushed closer, using her body to hide Nicole from everyo

quickly replaced Nicole's card with

and blotted the wet mark on her dress.

ounds," Clare said eagerly. "Why don't w

ugh the group. "What

g Nicole a spiteful look. Then she

aised her voice and said, "The person with the lo

tles erupted ar

ry something. She'd hidden the h

n calm, she prepared

ened hallway beyond the gr

someone she recognize

e sleeves rolled up. Light briefly

n was

brought him here. Then a

. After the slightest pause, she turned ove

earts stared

of Hearts! That's

ole

girl always ends up w

hed Nicole with obvious a

on Brenton's face, thou

put aside her pride an

m him would

a cold smile, and victory

lationship with Brenton, b

more than Brenton's hidden convenience. He had

onship would only m

er position and disappeared without a fight.

of Hearts, Nicole ro

ed the card yourself, Nicole. What's the

and slowly reached for the buttons a

ame undone, follow

spread throug

rom the corner of her eye and mad

nued down the

a glimpse of skin a

darkened as irritatio

thinking? She was re

when a crisp, jarring sound rang