e y

t eventually faded, of reb

he simple cotton

iced these days, a quiet

's birthday, a rare outing into

Sterling,

t smile to her lips, a warmth

quiet power and even greater kindness, a

uarded thing. Alex valued his privacy, and

ndependent bookstore

amiliar, grating laugh cut thro

h fr

ew tha

er intern, now clinging

more polished, his suit expensive, his expressi

ccessful, according to the occasional, una

n't seen

to slip away unnotice

lways scanning, always a

smile spread acros

voice dripping with mock surprise. "If it

widening slightly, then

aze lingering on her simple dres

was clear, an

feigned politeness and disdain. "It's

ighten in her stomach, but s

e acknowledged, her v

, her eyes flicking over the books in Sarah's hand. "Or ma

m was un

d, a low, unp

d, though his eyes gleamed with amuse

er, invading he

library, Sarah? Or did you finally move

oks tighter. "I'm doi

ning. "Because you don't look 'fine.'

ably still pines for you, Ethan. Some women just can't let

ing, and they did, but not

ty, the unearned arroga

n girl from five years ago, the

uch her life had chang

he had in