he whiskey bottle. The bitter taste burned down his t

small side table beside him

om the dark sky to the empty glass in his hand

daring to fool him, daring to walk out wi

stride calm but deliberate. It was James, Alex's closest frien

s quietly scanning the bottles, the a

yourself into pieces like this... it almost looks like heartbreak. Could it be you'r

ing on his own voice. "How can I fall in love with someone who has no vision, no talent, no spark? Someone

not convinced. "Then

. "Enough of this interrogation. If you don't

g of those words. He had known Alex for years, but t

harpness, telling himself

his voice steady. "Here's the add

so suddenly the chair nearly toppled. "Good!" He

unned by the sudd

long strides carrying him toward

ke war drums. His fists clenched and unclenched

the car was going until James sl

had a

open and rushed out. The urge to see Amara, to confront her, to

s the compound when

is through. Is it not better to take it easy? To calm d

. For a long second, he said nothing. Then, without a word,

, he dashed straig

eeply, then fo

**

, and Alex stopped dead. His breath caught

quiet steps. They carried chairs, arrange

ething solemn, something heavy. It lo

x as much as what stood

e cloth stood a large pictu

n time. Around the frame were fresh flowers, n

es burned low, their flames fli

his was no party. No tr

was

t closed up. His legs trembled, betraying him. The p

nder him. He staggered, collapsing halfway, but James rush

ames's voice was

icture again. His lips shook. His chest heave

the frame, on Amara's calm face staring back at him from another

an't be