nt of coffee and cakes wafted through the atmosphere-their chuckles bursting mid-conversations as they s

frazzled all the time, you could probably pass for

t least if they paid me with stress r

her croissant for emphasis. "Honey, you need a break. W

lena replied

been running yourself ragged. Between Lucas, the gallery, and

ng at her heart. "I'm fine," she said softl

. "You're doing an amazing job, but it's ok

hing from Jennifer's latest row with her husband to Annabel's disastrous dating app experiences. The laughter bubbled up

asn't until Mia glanced at her watch that El

bag. "I need to pick up Lucas's pres

with you?" Mia offered,

later!" she called, dashing ou

l the cab pulled up in front of the pharmacy that the lights were already dimmed

r, her gait slowing down. Standing

pharmacist spotted her. "Ms. Mich

h surprise. For a moment, they stared at each

is voice smooth but

she replied

er. Her cheeks flushed at the sight of the merchandise

ding fascination with the line

Dominic filled

" her voic

ing it on the counter. "Here you g

he price but handed over

oo closely. "What's wrong?" he asked sudde

ly, snatching the bag and

he pressed, taki

ce in her voice. "It's

clenching. "You can't ju

ill," she replie

continue arguing, but th

r total i

ound and left, h

s bag and pursued her

n the pavement as she made her wa

again, his voice

laring at him. "What

ng on," he said, clear exa

to discuss," sh

Elena opened the door

lammed the door shut, and pulled away from the curb, leavi

er encounter with Dominic had rattled her. She hated even more

took a deep breath. She couldn't afford

sat on the couch waiting for her,

said in a mu

oing to her knees beside h

eplied with a

and handed him the new medicatio

straying to Dominic. No matter how hard she tried to blo

, she couldn't help but wonder how lon

stock-still on the curb, his mind racing. He couldn't get the unyielding cast of her chin, t

wasn'

ld on it tight as he punched in a number. I

the cautious voic

address," Dominic barke

ant hesitat

him off. "I don't care what it t

and strode toward the black SUV idling by the cur

aelstrom of conflicting emotions. "Follow her route," he

iver said, deftly

leaned back against the leather seats. What