it. But it buzzed again, and again, a persistent, insistent rhythm. Finally, annoye

it, but somethin

. It was crisp, clear

who's

elle Chadwi

high school graduation, when I went to culinary school and she went off to some Ivy League college to study comp

... how did you

r voice. It was the same confident, slightly mischievous ton

heart attack," I said, the

ne. I expected her to laugh, to tell me I wa

her voice firm.

'd misheard

ied. I need a husband, you ne

d you possibly need a husband? You're... you're Gabby Chadwick.

y think a single woman in her late 20s running a billion-dollar company is a flight risk. They want to see 'stabil

ing. She would offer me complete financial support, help me open my own rest

eeling. I was a chef, not a businessma

an. All of it. The emotional commitment, the physical... everything. I'm not looking for a roomma

e had just thrown back in my face. It was an escape ha

ord coming out before I had even

er relief through the

dden resolve hardening my voice. "I ne

ed," Gabby said. "Just...

hing. "And Ethan? Change my contact name

ed it, and created a new contact. Gabrielle Chadwi

W