von

growing irritation. Three hours. This budget meeting had

ce a smooth, confident melody as she outlined her vision for the team'

at my elbow. With it, he set down a courier envelope that loo

t. The sender'

d to you. You know, she is always so ro

s felt that there was something hidden behind his words. B

s letter and to

ther's surgery as an excuse to stay away, all because I missed a damn

Blake, waving the letter

than to argue. He retreated, placing the letter on the corner of his own desk just o

t. "Jocelynn," I said, a smile finally breaking through

view in the building, the one I'd been saving

like wind chimes as she leaned against the vast

d, stepping behind her, my

ngers tracing the lapel of my suit

rry. I'll handle it." Cordia was a part of my life, like the

her to sponsors, executives, the people who mattered. When someone asked where Cordia was, I gave the eas

her toes and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to my cheek

ad decorated, every detail tailored to my tastes. But

, the words echoing in the empty s

e hospital, playing the de

on leave, but I hadn't expected her to be so spi

ing over me. I ordered a pizza. As I chewed on the grea

fleeting. No. I couldn't let her think sh

department heads were grumbling about Jocelynn's

yping back a

can talk to me. Cordia? She's a sales dire

down, dismissi

kiss, and how much simpler life was with