ste

silk still clinging to my skin like a bruise. I hadn't unpacked the night before. I hadn't undressed, either. I'd sat on the edge of the bed for what

" he'd

ho couldn't name three things about me, and swallowed

oor. I ignored it. A knock followed twe

replied crisply. "Let me in.

white tank, not a wrinkle in sight. Her hair was in a braid today, her make

iting for permission and

ce. Langley wants to discuss your revised staff schedule. An

ked. "

ow-chairs, food, two peopl

lize we were

he narrative. Husband and

at this is?

all shrug. "E

go, then pause

st night. That matter

she

══════

later, trailing her usual c

hurricane," she said, sweeping into the room wi

," I mu

n and looked at me-

ow you were doing.

sita

N

ng. "Good. You're being

the bed and nudged

Polished. That dress? A masterpiece. You were the o

softly. "I just want to feel real, to

rest of us will play the game for you whi

══════

an –

me to breakfa

o

to deal with he

y something that resembled a compliment. She'd torn it

per, but there was something a

eductive women hoping to land a billionaire, but she looked at me like she saw

ched drink in hand, and watched the evening settl

me feeling miserable, that wa

══════

ste

was a

No notes. Just Marla's parting words, "You'll

l was nothing

ed sea, the other a stag standing in a wintry forest-hung at either end of the room. A crystal chandelier stretched the lengt

n high-backed chairs upholstered in navy velvet. Only two were se

e dark. No city skyline, no distant lights. Only the

p and sleeves rolled to the elbow. He looked tired and sleep depriv

ttings, soft

nt pour

k for the firs

y said, "You h

ctly normal conversation. Then again, I was s

"I hate what

hat's

had to give

aw te

the arrangement

ught I

e poured himself more wine

d that night,"

lin

use

he said. "I

pa

r than

ps twi

push yo

r, surprised by the s

ment," he added. "You

en it comes from y

head. "And w

en that versi

me that night. This time, it wasn't

d how much

was finished

ght, Ce

h part of that scared me more. The fact that he was star