led-faster than he

led blond hair. Exhaustion weighed on him, evident in

been there, but not really. His thoughts h

or his sister to reconnect with their childhood friend. If all went well, a marriage between Anna and Mauric

switch pad illuminated the be

omething off. The room wa

runted.

pening. He hated when people touched his things-but tonight

oved toward it instinctively, and he saw his luggage,

ulders

ft motion, he let himself fall o

le's words cam

was

was making plans for her future with

e kids. But back then, it hadn't seemed like anything serious. Tonight, though, he cou

te to talk to her firs

auric

they still sat together in business meetings, shared the same circles. Maurice was no

where the man st

off the walls. His gaze lingered on the white-patterned ceiling,

claime

-

after dinner, when Giselle

s snapp

ft and right, scanning the room as

on

haled

ered. Then, firme

k, k

t.

ghtly, a tremor craw

re she would be right now-curled up beneath the wooden f

exhaling through her nose. Then, running a hand through

just

y. Her legs hit the carpeted floor, and with her toes, she

ned the knob, she found Anna standing on the other

blank expression. Over time, she

ttle awkward, a

she said. "C

steppe

at do you want

en clear enough, she ad

f. She stepped inside, moving toward

rossing. "And you couldn't fi

ady to complain, only to

me

Giselle suggested

, not my best friend, Izy. I can'

her way to the bed, finally si

s list

would be enough to keep Giselle's nigh

about?" Giselle asked, to

eathed in. Then ex

urice. M

hen, flatly: "I kn

. "He's different from how I rem

d knows that. You sho

dn't been prepared when she met him again. She pushed

ent of being subt

rs me," Anna admitted, her expre

elle's hand. "He didn't

othing. She si

g. Giselle's eyes tracked her

f the month." Anna stopped, brows furrowing. "He didn't object. Bu

of?" Giselle asked, voice laced wi

"That he might change his mind. That this won't wor

a brow. "As kid

t's not the only

xhaled. "

finally, she declare

r this was-whatever Anna was about

tha

in Anna's eyes, her lips t

g close

le st

Anna's idea wasn't so incredibly