3 AUDIOBOOK COLLECTIONS

6 BOOK COLLECTIONS
 CLAI
RE
Copy
right© 2019Gr
aceGer
vas

Al
lr ight
sr eser
ved.No par toft hisbookmaybe
r
eproduc ed ortrans
mitt
ed in anyf orm orbyanymeans ,
el
ectronicormec hani
cal,and includingphotoc
opying,
recording,orbyanyi nformation storageand ret
riev
al
syst
em,wi t
houtt hewritt
enper mi s
sion oft
hewr i
ter.
Thisbookisaworkoffic
tion;Allnames,c
harac
ters
,inc
idents,
places
,ins
tit
uti
onsandbus ines
sentit
iesi
nthestor
yareeither
fi
cti
onalorusedfi
cti
ti
ously.

Resemblancetoanyot
herworkofar
t,l
ivi
ngs
ituat
ion,peopl
e
(deadorali
ve)i
sapurecoi
nci
dence.
CHAPTER1

Cl air eLev y;beaut i

ful
,s mar tandi ntelligent.Shewasanonl y
nat ur alchildtoMr .Will
iam Lev y;oneoft hebes tarchitect
si n
thec ount ry.Claire'slif
ewas n'ttheonet oc allper f
ec t
,buts he
washappy ,atleas taslongashermot herwasal i
ve,andher
fami lywasi ntac t.Butthenhermot herdi ed,andCl airewasj ust
twel v e.Herl i
fes uddenl ybec amet inted;t hef ather ,whowasa
fri
endt oher ,tur nedint oawor kaholict hatc oul dn'tevennot ice
whens hehadt ur nedint oawoman.Shehat edhi mf orthat.
He' dal s omar riedanot herwoman,ay earlater ,whonev er
treat edCl airefai rlyatall,buts henev erc ompl ained;s he
l
ear nedt obes trong,bol d,andaf i
ght erofherownbat tl
es.She
hat edCi nderellaf orbei ngtoogoodt obet rue,f ors he'dalway s
retal iatewhens hef el
tt heneedt o.Allt het alkabouthav e
cour ageandbeki nd,wasat ot
alabs ur dityinheropi ni
on.

For t
unat el y,Clai
remetDeni swhens hewasi nhi ghs c
hool;
as onofherf ather '
sbus inesspar tner,andac hildhoodf ri
endat
somepoi nt.Deni swast hey ounges tteacherandCl ai
r e'
spr i
vate
tutor ;theyf ellinl ovebutbr okeupaf terfewmont hsl at
er,and
hehadt oqui tteac hi
ngwhenhi sf amilymov edabr oad.Onc e
agai nCl airelivedhers olitarylif
easbef ore.Shedi dwel l
,
howev er,inhers tudies,butnev erhadf ri
ends ;s
heal way s
believ edt hey 'dhav et oleav ehers oonerorl ater.Butdur i
ng
college,s hemetGena,andt het wobec amebes tfriendss ince
then;per hapsbec auseoft heirsimilarbac kground,f orGena
wasanadopt edc hildinherf ami l
y.
 DuringherJ uniorcol
legey ear,Clair
el ostherf atherfrom a
caraccidentandt hatwast hel astt i
mef orhert oheart hewor d
famil
y.Howev er,Shenevergotac hanc etot el
lhi m howmuc h
shedes pisedhi m att
imes,buts ti
lllovedhi mr egardless;i
twas
heronlyr egret.Thebattl
elef tbehi ndwast hefightov er
i
nher i
tanc e.Herstepmotherwant edhers on,Jor ge,totakeov er
thecompanyal thoughtoCl aire,thec ompanywasl i
keadi sease
thatshewant edtogetridof ;shehadnoi nterestont hesubject
whatsoev er.Seasonswentby ,andy earsincreasedi nnumber s.

Itwasonebeaut if
ulnight ;thegr aduat esofLi sbayuni versit
y
werehav i
nganaf t
erpar ty,adayaf t
ert hegr aduat i
onc eremony .
Clai
rewass it
ti
ngatoneoft het ableswat chi
ngat tentivelyot her
ex-studentswhos eemedbus ywi t
hdanc ing,tal
kingandt aki ng
photoswhi lesomeguy swer el ookingatherf l
ir
tatious l
y .She
smiledands t
aredatherc oolmoj it
of oramomentbef or et aking
as i
pc almly,i
gnoringanyat tention.Shet ookherphoneoutand
star
tedbr ows i
ngthephot osofwhens hewasal ittl
egi rl;s he
l
ookeds ohappywi thbot hherpar ents.Theyof tenus edt ogot o
Mont esbydur i
ngv acati
ons ,oras impleweekendget away ,
wher etheyhadabeac hhous ebyt hes ea.I twasal way sl ikea
beaut i
fuldream beingther e.Sheknews hehadt ogot her e;
soonert hebet t
er.

"Aren'ty
oujoi
ningus ?Comeondon'tbes
hygirl
,it
sonlyf
or
t
oday!"itwasGena'
sv oic
ethats
urpr
isedherf
rom herdeep
t
houghts,shewassti
llshaki
ngherhi
psinadanci
ngmode.

Clai
res
taredatherbest
ie,al
lstart
led,thenl
aughed" No,
I
'ml
eavi
ngsoon."s
herepli
edwhi l
ef i
nishi
ngherdrink.Gena
wass ur
pris
edhenc easkedifs
hewasalri
ght
,whichwas
retur
nedagr eeabl
y."I
'mspendingt
heweekendatthebeach
house,wouldy ouli
ketocome?"Sheas
kedGenaaf t
erhesi
tat
ing
forawhile.

"I
'dl
oveto!whowouldmisst
headv
ent
ure?Shal
lIt
akeour
gr
oup?"Genaaskedanxi
ous
ly.

"Um--Ithi
nki
t'
sani
cei
dea,i
t'
llbec
ool
!Inv
itet
hem.
"she
c
ons
ented.

Andthenextday ,jus tasagreed,theyarrivedatMont es

by
threehourslateraft
erani cevanride.Itwasabeaut if
ultown
withattr
act
ivenat ur
als cenery,l
ikeat ropi
calparadis
e;
for
eignersnevermi ssedt hechancet ogother ewhent heyvisi
t
thecountry.Theygotof fthevan;theywer es evenintotal
,and
gotwelcomedbyanol dmanwhowast aki
ngc areofClair
e's
countryhouse.

"Cl
air
e!Whatasurpri
se,y
ouhav egot
tentallmychi
ld,I
near
lyf
orgoty
ou."Thecharmingol
dmanr egardedherwitha
hug.

"Iwi
llt
akei
tasac ompl
imentgr
andpa!Howarey
ou?"
Cl
air
eret
urnedhappi
lyandallt
heother
sdidthes
ame.

Theywerees
cort
edins
idebythatol
dmanandfounda
t
abl
ef ul
loff
oodanddri
nksforbr
eakfas
t,r
eadyf
ort
hem.

"Wow!Whendidyoupr
epar
eal
lthes
e?"Genaas
kedwhi
le
t
her
estkeptt
heec
stas
y.

Hes
mil
edc
ordi
all
y."
Jus
tenj
oyt
het
ast
eofourf
oodher
e
ki
ds,cal
lmeifyouneedany
thi
ng.
"her
epl
iedhappi
lyandt
hey
al
lthankedhi
m.

"ThanksGr
andpa,Idon'
tknowwhatIwoulddowi
thout
you.
"Clai
resai
dandsmiledathi
m whi
lemarchi
ngout
side,
handinhand.

"Whattookyousolongtoc
omechil
d?"Heas
kedheri
na
l
owtoneofv oi
ce,onthei
rwayt
othes
eas hor
esj
ustf
ewmetr
es
f
rom t
hefrontyard.

Clair
elookedathi m ands ighedwithal i
ttl
eforcedsmi l
e."I
wasj ustwait
ingf ortheperfec tti
me,I '
ms uremys tepmot her
call
edher e,Didn'tshe?shet houghtt heremus tbes omething
preci
ousi nher e,Ireal
lypit
yher !Whyc an'tshejustbesatisf
ied
withthec ompany ?
"Clair
eut teredc ontemptuously
.

"
Cryifwanttoc r
y,youcanc urseifyouwantt o,It
'stheonl
y
waytot hr
owy ourbitt
ernes
st owardsy ourfather!
"Hes mil
ed
t
ender l
y."Yourf
atherneverforgotabouty ou,trustmemy
chi
ld"hetoldher.

Cl
airest
aredathi
m,s urpri
sed;it'
sli
keheknewhow
repres
siveshehadbeen."That'
snotc omf ort
inggrandpa,pl
eas
e
don'tt
rytomakemes eehim dif
ferentl
y."shesaid,hereyes
fi
ll
edwi t
htears.

"Heismys on,al
thoughhei snotmyf les
handbl ood,butI
s
awhi m gr
owingups i
nc eIstar
tedworkinghere;Hewass orry
f
orneglect
ingyouwheny ouneededhimt hemos t
,heknewhow
y
oulivedbutallhewant edwastoprepareabet t
erfuturefor
y
ou!"Thisti
mehewast akingaseatonthebr ownsand,
watchi
ngtheseawaving.Clai
refoll
owedhisl
ead."I
'l
lgiv
eyou
somethi
nglat
er,Ihopey ouwillt
rytounders
tandhim."he
added.

Theytalkedf
orawhileandheadbac ktot
hehous e,wher
e
herfr
iendswerewalki
ngaimlessl
yar
ound.Shehintedthem
aboutthebeachandshowedt heway,bef
oret
urningtoGena.

"Gena,I
'm goi
ngs omewhere,
"shesai
d."
sopleaset
akec
are
oft
hem,andas kgrandfat
herf
oranythi
ngyouneed."

"
Okaybut...ar
eyoual
ri
ght
?Youl
ooks
ad.
"Genaas
ked.

Cl
aireforc
edas mi
le."
I'
m okay
,don'twor
ry,we'
l
ltal
klat
er;
Iwon'
ttakelong.
"Shet
oldherandwalkedaway.

Shegr abbedat axiafter

wards ,thattookhert othec emetery
withi
nhal f
-an-hour.Onc earr i
ved,Shet ookfews tepsahead
hesit
antlywhi l
elookingaroundt heplace.Nothinghadc hanged,
shethought .Ithadbeenf oury earssinceherf atherdi
ed,and
thatwasherf i
rstvi
sitsi
ncet hebur i
al.Shesigheddeeplyand
walkeds l
owl ytowardsthec emet erygate,wher eshewent
str
aightaheadt owar dsherfather '
sgrave.Shes toodupinf r
ont
ofitwithapens i
velook;asthoughs hehadal otofques ti
ons
withnoans wer s.

"Howam Is upposedtounderstandwhatgr andpatoldme

today?Didyoureallynegl
ectmeformyownwel l-
being?"She
utter
ed;Sheknewi twaspointl
essblamingt hedead,yetshe
neededt ovent
.Nomat t
erhowhar ds het
riedtounder s
tandthe
l
ifeshe'dledbyfar,shecoul
dn't
.Itfel
tunfair."
I'
lltr
ytof i
nd
peaceinmyhear tforyoudad,sopleasehelpmef orget
every
thing;myangui shandhatred.
"s hesobbed.Shewi s
hedhe
wastheref orher;sayi
nghewaspr oudofheronhergr aduat
ion
dayli
keal lotherst
udents;buts
hewasal lalone,nowandev en
then.

Whil
eleaving,abitl
ater
,Clai
respot
tedamanont heway ,
doingsomethingwi t
hhiscamera.Shedidn'
tpayanyat
tenti
on
andc ont
inuedwal ki
ngpasthim,butsur
pris
edly
,sheheardhim
tal
king;

"
Areyoufeel
ingbett
ernow?
"Heas
kedwhi
lekepton
c
hecki
nghi
scamer a.

"
Pardon?
"Cl
air
esnapped."
Arey
out
alki
ngt
ome?
"She
added.

Helookedathersmil
ingl
y ;hewashands omeenough,wi
th
funkycurl
s,i
nhismid-
twentiesors o;t
allwi
thacheerf
ul
personal
it
y,eveninaf
ir
stglanc e."
Yesyou."Henoddedhis
head,approvi
ngly
.

Clai
relookedathim,puz zl
ed."I'
m notsur eifI'
ms upposed
tor
eceiv
et hatfrom ast
ranger,butthanksfory ourconcern
any
way .
"sher epli
edtohimc asual
lyandt urnedt owhereshe
washeading.

Themanc ont
inued."I
'ms orryifI
'veof
fendedyou,I
s
hould'
vei
ntroducedmys elffi
rst,maybe?HiI'
m Br
uno."he
s
aid,i
nateasi
ngmanner ,whilstlet
ti
ngoutakill
ers
mi l
ethat
c
ould'
vedri
venanywomanc r
az y
;butnotClai
re.
 Shepacedf ewstepsbacktowardshim,nonc
halant
ly,and
st
opped."
Ar eyouaj our
nali
stbyanyc hanc
e?BecauseIdon't
haveanyscoopf ory
ou,incasethat
'syouriss
ue.
"

Brunoburs
tedoutlaughi
ng."Ajournal
ist
?MyGod!No,I
j
ustsawyouinthereandIfel
tconcernedthat'
swhyIc
ouldn'
t
i
gnoreyou.
"hes ai
d.

"Ohr eall
y?Hows weetofyou!Youshoulds t
ayhereanddo
t
hec hari
tyjobthen!ThankyouforyourconcernBruno,buti
t
wasn'tnecess
ar y
,tr
ustme."shesnapped.Hes t
aredather
t
ender l
y,whichmadeherl oos
enabi t
,andas kedwhyhewas
l
ookingathert hatway.

"
I'
ms or
ryifIwasrude,buty
ouhones t
lylookeddev
astat
ed
t
her
e,butwell
,Icanseeyouareful
lofenergynow;soI'
llt
ake
myl
eave.
"hes ai
dcal
ml yandwavedgoodbyet oher.

Ashewast urningaround,Clair
elookedathi mforawhile,
anddec i
dedtos t
ophi m."Wait,
"s heur ged.Br
unoturnedhis
head,blushi
ng,beforeher es
umedhi sc omposur
e."I...I
'm
sorr
y !I
'm Cl
air
e,andt hankyou,sincerely!
"shesai
ds of
tl
yand
smil
ed.

Shewasv erymuchawareofherfaul
tysoci
alski
ll
s,butt
his
t
imes hewantedtomakeaneffort
;sheneverhadpeople
worr
yingaboutherexc
eptherfri
endGena;shedidn'
tknowhow
i
tfel
ttobeprotect
edbysomeoneel s
e.

"Apologyac
cept
ed!
"Hebeamed,andsher
etur
nedasmuc
h.
"
Soar
ey ounewaroundher
e?I
'venevers
eenyoubef
ore.
"
 "Ohar en'tyouaknow-i
t-
all
?Howc anyouknowt hatI
'm
new?"Sher epli
edandhelaughed.Theywer
ealreadyouts
ide
thec
emet ery.

"
Wellyoucansaythatl
oud.Iknowev
eryonear
ound,but
thi
sisthef
irstc
harmingfac
etomeettheeyes.
"Hefl
att
eredher
andsheblushed.

"
Ohs
othat
'showy
ougeti
ntot
hem l
adi
eshuh?
"

Hel
aughedagai
n."
You'
ref
unnyCl
air
e!"

Al i
tt
lec hatledintot hei nvi
tat
ionforacoffeeatthenearest
restaurant,andCl ai
redi dn'ts eeanyreasontodecli
ne.They
rodei nhisreds portcart hat '
sbeenpar kedaway.Apparently
,
Ther ewasat er
rifi
crestaur antthatClai
rehadn'tknowabout .
Thec arpul l
edov er,andt heywentt ooneoftheempt ytables.
Someoft hepeopl etheregr eetedBrunoands omemadef unny
signalstohim,l i
kear egul ar.

"
Yous
eem v
erypopul
arher
e."Cl
air
eremar
kedc
asual
ly

Brunosmil
ed."That
'sbec
auseIl
iveov
erther
e."hesai
d
whil
epoi nt
ingafi
ngeratthesec
ondfl
ooroft
hebuildi
ngina
chi
ldis
hway .

Sheques ti
onedhi miftheyrentedroomst here,andhes ai
d
thathewast her estaurantowner ;shewasimpr essed.Itwasher
dream tohav esomet hi
ngonherpos ses
sionthatshewor ked
hardfor.Shekepti ttoher sel
fthough.Theytalkedev er
y t
hing
andany thi
ng;forac hange,sheturnedveryhappyf ormaki nga
newf ri
endc apableofbr eakingherr i
bsinashor tmoment .
Nevert
heless,Clai
reneverstoppedst
aringatBrunowhenhe
tal
kedorlaughed.Hewashands ome,charmingandboyi
shi
n
manners.Butt hatwasall
;shehadnot i
met ocrushov
ersome
guyshe'
dj us
tmeti nthec emetery
.

Herphonebuzz
eds uddenl
y,andItwasGena'
sc al
l."Hel
lo?
"
Sheans
weredwhil
elookingatBrunowhowasalsolookingat
her.

"
Hey
,wher
ear
eyou?
"Genar
epl
iedf
rom t
heot
herend.

"
Um-
-wi
thaf
ri
end,why
?Doy
ouneedany
thi
ng?
"

"
Whichfri
endthatIdon'
tknowabout
?you?Spi
lli
t,hav
e
youmets omecuteguyovert
here?
"Genaaskedherina
naughtyway.

Cl
air
ebl
ushed."
Stopi
tyous
ly!We'
l
ltal
klat
er!Bet
her
e
s
oon!"

"Youbett
er!BecauseIcan'twai
tyouknow,andit'
sgett
ing
l
ates
oc utoutyourli
ttl
eromanc e.
"shesai
dandhungup,Gena
wassooutgoi
ngandc harming,someti
mesverynaughtybutshe
wasagreatfr
iend.

Clair
elookedatherwatchandherey eschanged."OhMy
God!It
'salr
eadysixandam sti
llhere!I'
vegottogoBr uno.
"she
st
ooduphas t
il
yandcoll
ect
edhert hingswhil
ehewasf i
nis
hing
t
alki
ngtooneofhi semployees
.

"Al
ri
ghtbut
--t
akei
teas
yCl
air
e!Ic
angi
vey
ouar
idei
fyou
don'
tmind"
 "Ahno,Idon'twanttot
roubl
eyou;butthanksf
ort
heni
c e
l
unch.I'
vecompletel
ylos
ttr
ackofti
me."shesaidwi
thasmi
le,
andstar
tedtol
eav e.

"
But--
"hestar
ted."
It'
sseemsl
ikeit
'sgoi
ngtorai
nsoon.
"he
mut
teredwor
riedl
ybutClai
rewasalr
eadyleavi
ng.

Theweat herc hangedabr upt ly;thes kywast oodar kasi favery

heav yrainwasgoi ngt ocras h.Cl ai
redi dn'tcarebec auseshe
hadanumbr ell
ainsideherbac kpac k.Shewentt othemai nr oad
andwai tedf orataxi.Tenmi nut espas sedbutt herewasnos i
gn
ofanyt axi.Shedec i
dedt owal khopi ngthats he'dfi
ndoneon
theway .Af t
eras hortwhile,t her ains tart
edpour i
ng.Shef el
tso
disappoi ntedbuts hedi dn'thav eac hoi c
es i
nc eshehadal ready
started.Shet ookherumbr ellaandopenedi t,thenwal ked
fasterthr oughther ain,buti twasi nc r
easingl
yheav y .Shetri
ed
toc allGenabutt herewasnos i
gnal ;herjeansands neakers
wer eallwets i
nceitwasqui tewi ndy .

"
Crap!
"Shescreamed,"I
'ms
odamnt
iredandt
hiss
tupi
d
umbr
ell
aistot
all
yusel
ess!
"

Itwasal readydar kandaboutt hi r

tymi nuteshadalready
passed.Ther ewas n'tanyt r
aceofac ar,busorev enataxibut
shekeptonwal king.Thegeogr aphyoft heplacewasterribleas
farasheav yrai
nf allwasc oncerned;itwoul deasil
ygetsli
pper y,
andat r
emendouser osi
onwoul dtakepar tthi
thert
o.Shehadt o
walkc arefull
y,butonec an'talwaysbec aref
ull
y
enough. Suddenl yshes li
ppedandf ellwithoutnotic
ingthats he
waswal kingont oal i
ttl
es l
ope.Ther ewasaner odedpartt hat
f
ormedat emporaryres
ervoiri
nwhi chrai
nwat ercol
lec
tedand
c
ascadedaway.Clai
resli
ds t
rai
ghttowardsitandgrabbedthe
t
reebranc
hwhi c
hs upportedherbalanc
e,lucki
ly.

Looki ngdowns hef eltter rifi

ed;s hetri
edt ohol dont othe
branc ht ightlybuti twass ohar df orheraswat erkeptr ippling
pas ther ,andont ot helittler aili
ngbr i
dge.Sheev ent ri
edt opul l
hers elfbuts t
illcoul dn't
.Shes creamedf orhel pbutt herewasno
onet here,notev enanani malpas si
ng.Itwass os t
rangeand
sudden;c omingf rom aper fec tni ceday,andi nabl i
nkofaney e
shewasf ightingf orherl ife,ins uc has tupidmanner .Sheev en
hadt olaughabi t,whi les lowl yl osingherbr eath.Shewasc ol d,
andt hewat erwoul dn'tl eav eheri npeac e.Likeanangels hining
fr
om af ar,shegl imps edadi ml ightappr oachingf r
om a
distanc e,ands creamedf orhel pwi ththelit
tlezealshe'dl ef
t ;her
handswer ealreadyoutofs trengt h,hereyeswer elosi
ngs i
ght
ands hes tartedt ogobl ankast hegl impseoft hatdiml ight
disappear ed,Ev ent uallys hedec idedtoletgooft hetreebr anc h,
i
nc as ei tgott oohar d.
CHAPTER2

Ons uc has tor myev eni ng,Mr .St

ev ensandhi sgrands on,Ry an
wer eont hei rwayhomef r
om t hehos pit
alafterhisheal t
hy
chec kup.Hewast hef ounderofSKgr oup,thatincl
udedt he
larges treales tatecompanyi nLisbay.Theyowneds ev eral
buildings ,apar tment sands hoppingmal lsamongot hert hi
ngs.
Stevenshadt wogr ands ons,Ry anwhowast heCEOofSKr eal
estateandt heot herwhol ivedanadv enturouslif
esinc ethe
deat hoft hei rmot her,Emi ly.Theyt woboy sgr ewupi n
Mont esby ,butRy anl i
v edint hec i
tybyt hen.

Therainkeptpouringintensely
.Ryanwasdri
vingt
helar
ge
suburbanc ar
eful
lyasMr .Stevenstookabott
leofwhis
keyand
hadas ip,bef
oreclear
inghist hroat
.

Ryanlookedathi m,ands hookhishead;hehadt oldhi

m
manytimestoqui tdri
nki
ngast hedoc t
orsaid,butthatwas
al
mostimpos s
ibleforMr.Stevens,f
orhet houghtwhat'st
he
poi
ntofli
vingifonecan'tenjoytheli
tt
lethingsli
fehastooff
er.

"
Weshould'v
egonetoyourapar
tments
on,thisr
ainwon't
st
opnow;wi l
lyoubeabl
etodriv
einthi
sweather
?"Mr .St
evens
askedwor
riedl
y.

"
Don'twor
ry,Iknowthisr
oadast
hepal
m ofmyhand.
"
Ry
ansai
d,conf
identl
y,andhemeanti
t.

Hewast all
,athlet
icbuil
tandmat uredguy,wit
habi tcold
pers
onality
,butr atheratt
ract
ivemani nhisearl
ythi
rties
;oneof
themos teli
gibl
ebac helor
swithhighprofi
le.Wit
hey esgluedon
theroad,hes uddenlyhitthebrakesandlookedoutsidethrough
t
hewi
ndowat
tent
ivel
y.

"Ohyougonnagi
vemeahear
tat
tac
k!"Mr
.St
evensbar
ked.
"
What
'swrong?
"

"
Lookovert
here!
"Ryanpoint
edafingerwhi
les
tar
ingv
ery
c
aref
ull
yatt
heothersi
deoftheroad.

Hisgr
andf
atherals
ot ur
nedtoseewhathewast
alki
ng
about
,andimmediat
elycaughton."
It'
sawoman!
"

"
Igues
s."

"
Whatareyouwait
ingf
or?Goandhel
phers on,s
heclear
ly
needsahel
p!"Theol
dmanur gedi
mpati
ent
ly,andRyangotoff
thecarf
ast
.

Her unhurr
iedl
ytowher ethatwomanwasabouttofall
,
andgr abbedherhands harpl
y.Hepull
edherupwithapairof
hisstr
onghands ,t
ookherbagandc arri
edherinhi
sarms,and
withherey esdr
ows yatthelas
tminute,t
hegi
rlwent
uncons ci
ous.

"
Ithi
nks
hehadas
li
p."Ry
ans
ugges
ted.

Mr.St
evensopenedthebackdoorandRy
anputt
hat
womaninsi
de."I
ssheokay?"Heasked.

"Idon'
tknow,Ithi
nkso!"herepl
iedt
ensely
,ashechecked
herpulse.Theywereal
ldrenched.Ry
anwrappedherwithhis
j
ac kett
hatwasatthebackseatbefor
eret
urningtot
hedriv
er
seat.

"
Whatwass
hedoi
ngi
nthi
srai
n?"Mr
.St
evensgr
owl
ed.He
wasaveryki
ndhear
tedandgener
ousol
dmanbuts
omet
imes
ver
yhandy.

"
Onlyshecantell
!"Ry
anl
ookedatherwi
thoutawor
dmor
e,
ands
tar
tedtheengine.

Ittookaboutf or tymi nutestoreac hthei

rhous e;i
tcould'
ve
takenl ess,butther oadhadn' tbeenf ri
endlyatall
.Hugo,oneof
themal eempl oyeesopenedt hemas si
vegateandt hecar
ent ered,Ryanbec konedt ohisdirecti
onforhelp,andHugo
respondedbyas sistingMr .Stevenstogetof f
,beforeheading
i
ns idet hehous e.Ry anc arri
edt hatladywhowass ti
ll
unc ons ci
ousandf ollowedt hem.Hewentdi rectl
ytooneoft he
roomsont hesec ondf l
oorandputheronbed.Het hencalled
Mar t
ha,anol dladywhowast heheadhous ekeepertotendt he
strangewoman.

"Howisshe?
"Mr
.St
evenas
kedass
oonasRy
andr
opped
downst
air
s.

"I
'vejustcal
ledDr.Marcos
,hewil
lbeheresoon.
"Ryan
r
epl
ied."She'sst
illunc
ons
cious!Andy
oushouldgogets
ome
r
est
!"

"
Noson,yougoonaheadandchangef
ir
st,I
'l
lwai
tfor
Mar
cost
oarri
veMr.St
evenssai
d.

Ryanwenttohisbedroom andquickl
ychangedintoa
si
mplesweaterandgym pant
s.Afterawhil
ethedoc t
orcame.
Heexaminedthewoman,andt oldthem i
twasnothingser
ious
;
t
hatalls
heneededwass omer estandthemedicat
ionhe'd
i
njec
tedher
.Mar
coswasaf
ami
lydoc
torandc
los
efr
iend.

"Shewasj
usti
nshock,butwi
llbefi
newhenshewakesup
t
omor r
ow!Cal
lmeincas
eofany t
hing.
"Sai
dMarc
osbefore
l
eav
ing.

Ryangotathoughtaboutthatlady'
sfamil
y.Af
terhesi
tat
ing
forawhi l
ehewenttoherr oom;t hewholehousewasquiteby
then.Theonlysoundleft
,wast hatofr
aindr
ops.Helookedat
her,fol
dingarmsacrosshischestandtookadeepbreath.

"Whattheheckwhereyoudoinginthatrai
n?"Hewonder ed
outloud,aboutthatmys
teri
ousladyinrai
n.Aft
erawhi l
e,he
deci
dedt oopenherbagandt ookhercell
phonetoatleastcal
l
anyone.Andjustashetri
edtodos o,t
herewasani nc
omi ngcall
.
Hepi c
kedrightaway.

"Fi
nal
lyyouhavedec
idedt
oturnonyourf
il
thyphone!Hey,
doyouhaveanyideahowworr
iedweare?Wherear
ey ou?"I
t
wasafemini
nevoice.

"Hell
o?"Ryanrepl
ied,"I
'msorrybuttheownerofthi
s
phoneissi
ck,webroughthertoourhouse,Idon'
tthi
nkifyou
cancomer i
ghtnowbut -
-"

"
What ?Whathappened?Issheokay?"Sheint
err
uptedhim,
andhefrowned.Howev er,wi
thsuchagi
tati
on,hetol
dherthat
shewasfine,andgavehertheaddressi
nc aseofany
thi
ng."But
hey,howc anItr
ustyou?"thewomanbar ked.

"
Youhavenoot
herc
hoi
cebutt
odoi
t!I
'm hangi
ngup!
"
Ry
ansnor
ted.
 "You--"s
hes tar
ted,buthe'
dalreadyhungup.Af t
erf ew
secondss hecall
edagain,butRyandidn'tanswer;s
hes entat ext
andtoldhi mthathe'dbetternotdoanythingstupi
dtoCl air
eor
els
es he'dkil
lhim.Ryans mil
edasher eadthetextandl ookedat
thesleepinggir
ltenderl
y.

"SoyouareCl
air
ehuh?Howi nter
esti
ng!
"hethoughtout
l
oud.Hereplac
edherphoneback,andcover
edherwitha
bl
anketasshewassl
eepi
ngsoundlybefor
eleav
ingtheroom.

Thes t
orm hadfi
nall
ypas s
ed.Abeauti
fulmorni
ngc ame;
bloomedf l
owersmadet hegardenal
ive,t
heshini
ngsunrays
penet rat
edthewindowswhi chbri
ght
enedev er
ycorneroft
hat
hugec l
assi
cmans i
on.Clai
rewokeupandf oundhersel
fina
st
r angeplace,s
hes tar
edtheroofwit
ht hebl
urimageandher
hear tski
ppedabeat .

Am Idead?Whati
sthi
splace?Shewonder
edwhil
eattempti
ng
togetup.Thememoryoflas
tnightc
amebacks
ov i
vidly
,and
herwholebodywasi
npain.

"
Takei
teasymis
s!howar ey
oufeeli
ng?"Mart
haas ked
whil
ehelpi
nghertosi
tup."Youwer
ebur ni
ngwithfever,Ihad
t
os pongeyou"s
hesaidcal
mlyasCl
aireremovedat owelonher
f
orehead.

"Er...I'
mf ine,i
t'
sjust
,mybodyac hesallov
er!What
happened?"Clair
easkedinas c
rat
chyvoice.Marthat
oldher
hows hewasbr oughtther
e,andgaveherac upofherbalt
eato
calm herner
ves.Shei
ntr
oduc
edherself
,andClai
redi
dthesame.
"Thanky ouMar
tha,andI'
msorr
yforthetroubl
es.
"Cl
air
esaid
aft
ert aki
ngasi
p.

"Don'
tmenti
on!I'
vepreparedyouawarm bathandcl
othes
.
Mr.St
evensandhisgr
ands
onar ewaiti
ngdownstai
rs"s
he
r
epli
ed"Hereisy
ourmedicati
on,itwi
llt
aket
hec ol
daway.
"

"
Um-
-thanky
ou!
"

"
Wel
lthen,c
allmei
fyouneedany
thi
ng.
"shes
aidandl
eft
.

Clai
rewasl eftalonethere.Shes l
owl ypac edtowardsthe
l
argewi ndow,andpeekedout si
de;itwasahugemans i
onwitha
veryvastgarden.Shes mi
ledatt hesight,butt heideaof
meet i
ngtheSt evensmadeherr eall
yner vousasi fshewasgoing
forthejobinterview.Shetookabat h,t hendr essedhersel
fupin
someol d,buts ty
lis
hdr es
s .Whilegetti
ngr eady ,Mart
haknocked
andas kedheri fshewasdone.

Mart
haesc ort
edherdowns tai
rswher eStevenswashav i
ng
breakf
ast
,andhi sgrandsonwasbus yreadingthenews paper
.
Clai
rewalkedinthere,andgreet
edt hem;shei ntr
oducedhersel
f
andthankedthem fortheirki
ndness.

"I
t'
sokayy
oungl
ady
,howar
eyouf
eel
ing?
"Theol
dman
as
ked.

Cl
air
eans
wer
edqui
ckl
y."
I'
mfi
nes
ir,t
hanksal
ot!
"

Shewasinvit
edf orbreakf
ast.Thewholemoment,Ry
anhad
beenbusyasi
fhec ouldn'tseeher.Aft
erafewminut
esheput
awaythenewspaper,beforepouringhims
elfagl
assofmil
k.
ThengazedatCl
air
e;s
hewastal
kingt
ohisgrandfat
herabout
hers
elf
.Hedrankthewhol
egl
assatonceandstooduphisfeet
.

"
Oh,y
ourf
ri
endc
all
edy
est
erday
."Hes
aidwhi
lel
eav
ingt
he
t
abl
e.

ThatmustbeGena,Clai
ret
hought
."Thanky
ou!
"sher
epl
ied,
andhedidn'
tseem t
ocare.

Shewonder edabouthisindi
fferencewhil
ewat chinghi
m
l
eave.Shenot i
cedthathewasas nobbishtypebuty etonepar
t
ofherexpectedal i
tt
lecourt
esy;t
hewayhes t
aredatherand
tal
kedwass obland.Shekeptont alkingtoMr.Stevensandhe
seemedt oenjoyherc ompanyalotbec auseshelikedhow
chattyhewas.

THATmor ningClairespoket oGenaandexpl ai

neds hortlyon
whathappened.Thec allreassuredherf r
iendwhowaswor ri
ed
sickaswellasther estoft hegr oupabouthers afet
y.After
breakfas
t,s hewalkedt hrought hegardenands toppedbyt he
pool,wher eshes atdownont hedeckc hairabsentmi ndedly.
Shewaswonder i
ngwhatwoul d'vehappenedi ftheyhadn' t
reachedther eont i
me.Shes igheds l
owlywhi leleani
ngbac kand
closedherey es,meditatively
.

"Wereyoutry
ingtoc ommits
uic
ide?
"Suddenl
y,astr
ong,
butfamil
iarvoi
cestar
tledher
.Ryanwasstandi
ngbesi
deher,
foc
us edonhisphone.

Shegas
ped."
OhGod!You'v
estar
tledme!"Shesatst
raight
,
onehandonherches
t."
Sui
ci
de?Youar ec
raz
y !
"shesnapped.
Ryanturnedhishead,andstar
edatherforas econd,bef
ore
resumingwhateverhewasdoing."Iwasjust
,Imeani twasjust
anac c
ident
."sheadded,soundi
ngannoyed.Ry anwasalready
tal
kingtosomeoneont hephone,andClair
efrownedathi s
i
mpol i
tegestur
e.

"Yes,reschedulet
hemeet i
ngandl etDorisandHar ryknow
aboutit.I'
llbet her
efi
rstthingtomor r
owmor ning."Hesaid,i
na
verybos syvoice,andhungup.Cl air
ewasj usts t
ari
ngathim as
hepac edt owardsher;heleanedf orwardandt ouchedher
shoulderwi t
honehand." Ifitwas n'
tas ui
ci
de,good!Butbev ery
caref
ulnextt i
me,bec ausey oumaynotbeasl uc kyagai
n."he
tol
dheri nal owt oneofvoice;ami xt
ureofar roganceand
cynic
ism,andwal kedaway .

Whatajerk!Cl
airethought
.Sheobvious
lyfoundhim
peculi
arandsnobbish.Buthisatt
it
ude,onotherhand,spar
ked
hersomec uri
osit
y;ades i
retoknowhim.

Notlonglater
,shelef
tthemansion,wit
hagr eatdealof
grati
tudetowardsthefamil
y.Ry
andr oveherbac ktoherhome;
andasexpec ted,t
heroadwasterri
blyawful.Buttheymanaged,
andf i
nal
lyreachedClai
re'
shouse,whereshegotof fthecarand
thankedhim.Heonl ynoddedwhilel
ookingaroundt hearea,a
bitdazzl
edbyi tsc
almnessandpossi
blyvastness.

"Beauti
ful
,isn'ti
t?"Cl
air
eas kedhim enthus
ias
tic
al l
y,buthe
j
ustbrushedands tart
edtheengi ne.Shestoodt
herelikea
monumentwat chinghiscardis
appear ing.

Howr
ude!Shet
houghtasGenawasappr
oac
hinghers
lowl
y
f
rom behi
nd.

"Bac
ktoreali
tyCinder
ella?
"Genasaidwhil
elooki
ngatt
he
f
aint
ingwheel
s.Clai
rehadn'tevennot
icedwhenshehadarr
ived
t
here.

"
Yeahf ai
rygrandma,I'
m af
rai
dI '
velos
tones hoeandi t
's
pastmidnightnow."sheanswer
edbl at
antl
y,andtheylooked
eachotherforawhi l
e,bef
oreburs
tingoutlaughi
ngli
ket wo
middleschoolgi
rl
s .

Sheeventuallymettheot
hersandapol
ogiz
edf orthe
mishap.Shet oldGenatogoinsi
dewit
hher;whenr eachedthe
bedroom shet hrewhersel
fonbedandstar
tedgiggl
ing.Gena
satonthec hairwhil
elooki
ngatherwit
has hoc
kedl ook.

"
Hav
eyouwonal
ott
ery
?"

"
Alot
ter
y?No.
"Sher
epl
ied

"
Thenwhat
?ohIknow,i
sitt
hathot
ti
einac
arear
li
er?
"

"
Stopi
t!Youarebei
ngs i
ll
y."Clai
reans weredasshewas
si
tt
ingup.Shetol
dherallaboutherl i
ttl
eadventuref
rom her
meetingwi
thBrunouptot heaccident.Genalaughedatherl
ike
cr
azy."What'
ssofunny?
"

"
Nogi r
lf
riend,nothi
ng!I
t'
sjustt
hatIcan'
timagi
neyour
f
ac ei
nt hemiddleofrainandallt
hat.
"shesai
dWhi l
etr
yingt
o
contr
olherlaughter."
Sowhos tol
eyourheart
?Isi
tthe
charmingguyort hecolddar
kknight
?"Genaaskedinanaughty
way
 "
Ohpl easeGena,noonedi d.Well...honestly
,Ili
ked
BrunoandI '
m merelygratef
ultoRyan.That '
sall
."sherepli
ed.
Genas t
aredather,doubtful
ly."
I'
ms eri
ous !Ryanissocold,I
can'
tstandhim.Andbes ides,Imaynots eethem again
anyway!"shesai
dwi t
hadi sappoint
menthi nt.

"ButIdidn'
tsayanythingordidI?andwhydoIgetthe
feelingthatyouwannas eet hem agai
nhuh?Yousl
yfox,don'
t
tellmey oufellfort
hem bot h.
"Genat eas
edher
.Theykepton
talkingunti
loneoft hegir
lsinagr oupint
err
upt
edthem.She
hadanemer gencyatherhomes oas kedtol
eav
efir
st;t
heyal
l
agr eedtoleavetogether
.

Whil
ebiddinggoodbyestotheol
dman,thec
artheyrented
hadjustarr
ived.Therestwenti
n,whi
leCl
air
ewasfi
nishi
ngthe
tal
ktohergrandfather.

"
Thankyougr
amps
,myf
ri
endshav
eenj
oyed!
"shes
aidand
huggedhim

"Don'
tmenti
onClaire,andtakethi
sbefor
eIforget
."he
handedheralargeenvelope.Sheaskedwhatwasitaboutbut
hetoldhertoopenitathomeands eeforher
sel
f.Cl
air
e
acceptedandf
ollowedtheot her
s.

TWOweekshadpas sedClair
e'str
iptoMontesby .Itwas
Sat
urdaymor ni
ng;herstepmot herandbrother,Jorge,wereall
athome.SheandJ orgewerenotasc l
oseashowabr otherand
si
sters
hould,butals
os hehadnopr oblem wit
hhi m.Hes mil
ed
atherasshetookas eat;t
hemot herhadcall
edf oraf amil
y
meet
ing.

"
Ibar
elys
eey
ouJ
orge,howar
eyou?
"Cl
air
eas
kedhi
m

"
Fine,I'mjustabitoccupi
edlat
ely
.Youknow?Wor kand
all
?"hes hrugged."
Whydon' tyoucomeandworktherehuh?"
Jor
ges uggested.Hi
smot hergavehi
m alookofc
ontempt,asif
shewast alki
ngnons ens
e.

Clai
renoti
ced;sheonlys
mi led."
No,I'mtaki
ngas hort
breakbeforeIdecidewhatIreallywanttodo,butthanksforthe
off
er."sheansweredtrut
hful
ly.
Jorgeatt
emptedt otel
lherabout
howt hecompanywasgoi ngbutt hesubj
ectwast heleastof
Cl
aire'si
nteres
ts.

"Okayenoughoft hischi
tchat!
"Themot herbarked."Ionl
y
cal
ledy outoas kyouthis,
"shepaused,andtheyallst
aredat
herwai t
ingtohearwhats hehadtos ay."Imetyourfather'
s
att
orneyandIdi s
coveredther
emi ghtbeotherproperti
es
somewher e,thathedidn'tmenti
oninhi swil
l,doyouknow
anythingaboutit?"

Sheas
kedherasi fshewastal
kingtoherempl oyee.Cl
air
e
r
emai nedsi
lentlookingather
,shewasnowc onv
incedthatal
l
t
hatwomanc aredaboutwast hefor
t une.Shefel
tsoangrybut
t
riedtocontrolhertemper.

Shesi
ghedsof
tl
yandt oldherthats
heknewnothingabout
i
t.Thatwomandidn'twanttobeli
evebutCl
airet
oldherthat
evenifsheknewaboutit
,therewasnoways hewoul
d'vetol
d
her.Hermothergots
oangr
yandt
hreat
enedt
othr
owheroutof
thehouse.

"
Iwaseager
lywai
tingfort
hisday!Iwonderwhattookyou
s
olongt
obringupthi
stopicMOTHER!"Clai
resnapped."But
y
ouknowwhat,I'
l
lonl
yl eav
ethishousewhenIfeell
ike!
"

Thenextthi
ngthatCl
air
eheardwasaheavyslaponher
f
ace.Shewincedback
,hol
dinghercheek
.ThatmadeJor
geangr
y
f
orthefi
rstti
me.

"
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngmot
her
?St
op!
"Jor
ges
hout
ed.

Clai
rerushedt oherbedr oom andslammedt hedoor
,
l
eavi
ngamot herandsonar guing.Shewantedtoc r
ybutf
orc
ed
herwayagainstit
;itwasn'
ts omethingnewafterall
.

Intheaft
ernoonshewentt
oGena'
sapartment
,andfoundher
shouti
ngtosomeoneovert
hephone.I
gnori
ngtheusual
,Cl
air
e
pull
edhersel
fthepi
ll
owsandl
ieddown,unt
ilt
hecal
lended.

"Hav
ey outal
kedtotheSt
evens
?"As
kedGena;i
twast
he
onl
yhottopic
,appar
entl
y.

" No,andIreal
lydon'twannagetentangl
edwi t
ht hatfamil
y
Gena!I '
vedeci
dedtoforgetital
l.
"Clai
resai
dwhilestari
ngt he
bot
tle.Shewantedtobelievethatitwasj
ustacoinci
denc eto
meett hosepeopl
eanditwasaboutt i
metomov eonwi thinher
normalwor l
d.

Theydeci
dedt ogoshopping,s
inc
eGenawasaboutt
o
at
tendhercousi
n'sweddingthenextweek
.Itt
ookt
hem along
whileint
hemal l
;movingones hoptoanot her
,andwhil
e
headingout,Clai
repauseds uddenly
,gl
aringattheot
hersi
de
wher eaver
yf amili
arguy,ands omegorgeouswomanwer e
walkings
idebys idebythees cal
ator
.

"
Heywhat
'swrong?Doy
ouknowt
hem?
"Genaas
kedwhi
le
l
ooki
ngatt
hei
rdi
recti
on.

Cl
air
egawped."
It'
shi
m Gena,i
t'
sRy
an!
"Shes
napped.

"Ohreal
ly?Wowhei
shot
tert
hanIt
hought
,won'
tyougo
af
terhi
m?"

"
Noway
,let
'sgetoutofher
ebef
orehes
eesme.
"

"Wait,Whyar eyousoworkedup?areyouavoi
dinghim?"
Genaaskedc ur
iousl
y.Cl
air
eseemedlikeshewastr
yingtobloc
k
t
hepathbet weenhim andheratal
lcosts
."Andwhoisthat
woman?"

"
Hisgi
rl
fr
iendperhaps
?Haven'tyouseenhowhappythey
l
ook?
"shequipped.Genal
ookedathercaref
ull
ywi
thoutaword.
"
Whyareyoulookingatmeli
kethat?
"

"Tr
yingt
oready ou!Ij
ustdon'tgeti
t,doy
ouliket
hatguy
Cl
air
e?"Genasnappedinas er
ioustoneofvoi
ce.

"
What ?Noway !Idon'tl
ikehim,Imean,I
'veonl
ymethi m
once,sohowc anIpos si
blyl
ikehim?"shewhi
nedandwal ked
away,leavi
ngGenas tandi
ngt her
emotionl
ess
;sheshrugged
andfollowedher.
 Genawasst
il
lcur
iousaboutCl
air
e'sr
eact
ion,Shewas
determinedt
ofi
ndoutaboutit
,henceshebr
oughtupthetopi
c
again.

"
Idon'tt
hinkshe'shi
sgi
rl
fri
end,shewasobvi
ous
lyf
li
rti
ng
wi
thhim.
"Genat eas
edherwithadetecti
vel
ookonherf
ace.

"
Reall
y?Flir
ting?
"SheutteredandGenalaughed."Butsheis
beauti
ful
,itwon'tbeas ur
priseiftheyar
edat
ing;anyways,l
et'
s
for
getaboutit.I'
m hungry!
"Clairesai
d.
CHAPTER3

Lyingonherbed,Cl airestar
tedt hi nki
ngoftheear li
erincidentat
themal l
.Shewas n'tsurewhyi tkepts ti
rri
ngher ,butnomat t
er
howhar ds hetriedt oignoreit,ther eseemedt obeaf i
re
bur ninginsideher .Getagr i
pCl aire,youhav eal ottowor ry
about ;weret heonl ywor dsshec ouldthinkof,toomi ttheideas.
Att hatmoment ,thei deaofopeni ngthatenvelopes hehad
receivedf r
om herf atherpoppedup.Shegotupf rom bed,
openedherc l
osetandt ookitout .Shes atdownandl ookedatit
forawhi l
e,wonder ingwhatc ouldbehi di
nginside.

Shehes i
tantl
yopenedi t,andf ounds omedoc ument sanda
plat
inum creditcardunderhername.Agape,Cl air
ef l
ipped
thosedocument sandr eadoneaf tertheother
.Herey es
widenedwi thsurpr i
se;therewasal anddeedandbankac c
ount
papers.Whats urpr i
sedherwast heamountofmoneyand
vast
nes softhelandi nac res.Shenev erexpecteds uchaan
i
nher i
tance;sheknewherf atherwasr ichbutnott othatextent
.
Andgr owingup,s heknewhowpr eciousasmal lpiec
eofl and
canbeatar i
ghtpl ace.Shewasami lli
onai
re.

Recov eri
ngf rom shoc k,sheunwr appedanot herpi eceof
paperthatwass eparatelypackedi nitsownsmal lenv el
ope.I
t
wasal etterfrom herf ather,ands heopenedqui c kl
yt oreadi
t.
Accordingtoi t,herfatherexplainedhows orr
yhewasf or
makingherf eelneglected;thatheonl ywantedt opr eparea
bri
ghtfut ureaheadf orher .Hes tressedhowi mpor tantshewas
i
nhi sli
feandt hathel ovedhermor ethananything.

Tear
srol
ledCl
air
e'sf
aceendl
ess
lyass
hef
ini
shedr
eadi
ngt
he
letter.What evers het houghtbyt het i
mer emai nedbet ween
her self.Sheonl ysniffed,driedupt hetear sandbr acedhers el
f.
Shewasnol ongert hes amedaddy '
slitt
legirlwhoy earnedf or
hisat tention,andnot hingwoul d'vec hangedat hi
ng;notev en
thatenor mousf or t
une.Sher eplacedt heenv elopebac ktothe
clos et
,onanot iont hats he'
dc ons ultanat torneytomakes ure
ev erythingisinor der .Clai
reknewwhatt y
peofamot hershe
had,henc ewant edt omakes ureofherl egals t
anding.Onher
waydowns t
airsfordi nner,shegott oov erhearJorgeandhi s
mot herc onversing;

"Whyar
eyous
oconc
ernedaboutt
hatbr
at?
"Hers
tepmot
her
bar
ked.

"Mom don'
tstart!Andthatbr
atasy
oucal
lher,happenst
o
haveaname!Untilwhenwi l
lyoupi
ckonher
,can'ty
oumakean
eff
ort
?"J
orgesai
df urious
ly.

"Hey
,what'swr
ongwi
thy
ou?Forwhom doy
out
hinkI
'm
doi
ngallt
his
?"

Jorgegrowl
ed."Stopus i
ngmeasanexc useforyourambi t
ion!
I'
ms osi
ckofit
.Icant akecareofmyl i
fesopleaseleaveClai
re
alone,shedoesn'
tdes erv
et hi
s!
"hes c
r eamed,thenhisfoots
tep
foll
owed.Clai
rereturnedbac ktoherroom;theappet i
tegone.

Jorge'smot herremainedseated."Whyi shemadatme?

Ungr ateful
!Doeshet hinkIcamet othishousetodos ome
char i
tywor k?"Shethoughtoutloudly."Iwon'
tleaveheralone,
I'
lltakeev eryt
hingthatIdeser
vef orwas t
ingmylif
ehere!"she
addedangr il
y.
 Shewasindeedanambit
iouswoman,soobses
sedwi
th
moneyandluxur
iousl
if
ebutnots
martenough.

THEnextdayCl ai
redr oppedbyt heattorney'
sofficef
orher
document ation,andl ateraf ter,atthec of
feeshopt oinvi
gor ate
herself
.Shewass i
tti
ngac rossahugegl asswall
,s t
ari
ngout side
thoughtles
s l
y .Thestreets eemedbus ted,peoplemov ingonand
about;typicalc i
tyli
fe.Ass het ur
nedar ounds i
ghing,herey es
mets omet hingunexpec ted.I twasRy an,thegorgeouswoman
ands omeot herguy ;thet hreeoft hem lookedfriendl
yenough
totapeac hot her'sbac kswhi letalki
ng.Theywer ehav i
ngc offee
aswel l
.

Shefel
tacoldai
rblowingherbodyal lover.No,Nothim agai
n.
Sheswall
owedasifseenaghos t.Herheartwast humpingand
shedidn'
tli
kethesi
tuat
ionatall.Asbesti
e'salwaysdo,Clai
re
text
edGenaaboutitjus
ttodistracther
selffr
om herown
react
ionwhichwassounlikel
y;herphoner angami nutel
ater.

"
Hey
,ar
eyous
urei
t'
shi
m?"As
kedGena.

"
Ofc our
seit
'shim,wit
ht hatwomanandtheot
herguy
.I'
m
l
eavingri
ghtnow!"Cl
air
er epli
edandst
oodup,gr
abbi
ngher
purse.

"
Don'
tbes
tupi
d,goands
ayhel
lo!
"Genas
ugges
tedl
aughi
ngl
y.

"
Areyoucraz
yGenaMont er
o?Whyshoul
dI?"Clai
rewas
al
readyatt
heexitt
hatwas
,bypur
efor
tune,cl
osertohert
abl
e.
 "Youar
ethecrazyone.Ahwhatever!I'
m hangi
ngup,mycuz
needsme."Genarepl
ied,di
sappoi
ntedlyandreal
lyhungup.

"
Hel
lo?Hel
lo?Tr
ait
or!
"Shes
creamed.

Onceoutsi
de,andfarf
rom t
hes i
ght
,shetookadeepbreat
h.
I
twasasi fs
he'ddodgedabull
et.Notf
orlongthough,bec
aus
e
s
hes uddenl
yheard;

"
CLAI
RE?
"

Shes toodstil
l,c
ontemplati
ngt hevoice.I
twasamas cul
ine
voicec all
ingherfrom behi
nd;andf reshlyf
ami l
iar.Her
breat hingwasc ocky
,asshet urnedbehinds l
owly ,onl
ytos ee
Ry anappr oachi
ngherway ,wi t
has i
des mileonhi sfacewhi l
e
telli
ngs omeonehewast al
kingt oonthephonet hathewoul d
calllaterandhungup.

"
RYAN?
"Itwast
heonl
yhows
hec
oul
dpr
ompt
.

"
Iti
sreal
lyy
ou!Howar
eyou?
"Heas
kedands
toodr
ighti
n
f
rontofher
.

"
Um- -good!Whatarey
oudoingher
e?"Cl
air
eans
wer
ed
hesi
tant
lywhilef
orci
ngasmi
le.

"
Jus
tgrabbi
ngacoff
ee!
"Heeyedt
heshopi
nst
inc
tiv
ely
."Iwas
ac
tual
lyt
akingac
allandsawy
ouhere.
"

"
Oh,Is
ee.
"sheans
wer
ed."
Wel
l,howi
syourgr
andf
ather
?"

"
Heisfi
ne,I'
m goi
ngt
her
etomor
row.
"Hes
aid."
Hewoul
dbe
gl
adify
ouv i
si
thim."

Cl
air
ewass
urpr
isedbyRy
an'
scal
m,f
ri
endl
yper
sona;i
t
al
mos
tsoundedl
ikeani
nvi
tat
ionofaki
nd.

"
CanI
?"

"Sur
e!Her
e,"heretr
iev
edabus
ines
sesc
ardf
rom hi
swal
let
andhandedher."
Callme!"

Cal
lhi
m?Shegawped.

Ry
an'satt
itudewasstranget hatday;hewasc ool,di
fferent
f
rom thearrogantguyClairemeti nMont esby.Foramoment
shewonderedi fhehadn'ttheDi ssoci
ati
veIdentit
yDisorder ,or
i
twasj us
tthathisacti
ngs ki
llswer eofpremium level
.Thei dea
madehergi gglewhi
lehoppi ngat axihome.

****

AROUNDtwel
venoon,thef
ollowi
ngday
,Clair
ewasalreadyat
herc
ount
ryhous
e;hersbecausei
twasori
ginall
yherl
atemom' s
.

"Grandpa!"Shes
creamedasshedroppedofft
hetaxi
.The
ol
dmans mil
edupons eei
ngher
.Clai
rehuggedhimti
ghtl
y
wi
thoutawor d.

"
Yougonnakillmeyoubiggir
l.
"hes ai
dwithacough,t
hen
j
oinedherlaught
er,unt
ilherf
acesuddenlydar
kened."
Whatisi
t
myc hi
ld?
"

Shes
ighed,taki
ngaseatatoneoftheporchchai
rs"Oh
gr
andpa!Whats houldIdohuh?Ifeelsolos
tri
ghtnow."she
whinedathimtakingaseatsl
uggi
shly."
Ithi
nkI'
m anawful
per
son,s
elf
ish,whoonl
ythi
nksofher
sel
f.
"

"
Whyc
hil
d?"Hec
oughedagai
n.

Cl
airetookhert i
met osay,"Hel eftmemor et hanIneed,I
shouldbehappyr ight?"Shekeptt alking."ButIfeelsolonel
y
grandpa!Ifeell
ikeI'
mt hepoor estoneonear t
h;I'ms o
ungratef
ulIknow,butIj ustcan'thelpit.
"Shelookedatt heold
mans adlybutheonl ylaughed.

"Don' tthi
nktoohardmyc hi
ld,t
imewillt
akecareof
ever
ything!"Heremarked."Andwhos ai
dyouarepiti
ful
?Soon
youwillseehowamaz ing,l
ovedandluckyyouare.
"hes ai
d
cal
mly.

Clai
resmil
edatthosekindwords,buti
tdidn'
tmeanshe
bel
ievedthem.Lucky?She'dlongf
orgott
enit
'smeani
ng,af
ter
l
if
et ookevery
ones hecaredabout
.

Lat
erwhi
let
aki
ngawal
k.

"Thi
siswhatbel
ongstoyou!Thi
senti
rel
and."Theoldman
s
aidpoint
edly
.Herefer
redtotheenormousbeac
hpl otl
and
t
hat'
snottoofarf
rom t
hehous e.

"
Allofi
t?But
--
"

"Li
feiss
ofunny;y
ouknowwhat,t
hislandi
spart
lyyour
f
ather'
sandpar
tlyy
ourmother
's.
"Hesaidinawis
etone.

Clai
rewassoas t
ounded,herbighazeleyeswideopened
"What?How'
sthat?"Sheaskedcuri
ously.Hetol
dherthes t
ory
abouthowhergrandparent
susedtofightovertheborder
sof
whil
etheirchi
ldrenweresl
owlyfal
li
nginloveandev entuall
y
bor
eher .Thestorywashi
lari
ous
lyfasci
nati
ng;Clai
relaugheda
l
otandfeltsohappyknowinghowc raz
yherpar ent
swer ef or
oneanother."
Andwher edidheliv
e?"Sheaskedanxious l
y.

"Overthere,althoughhesol
dthehousei
nor dert
ostar
t
af
reshinthecity,anditsnowaboardi
nghouseforfi
sher
men!"
heanswered.Thatwasmor et
hantwentyy
earsago.

Asti
mewenton,Cl airer
eali
zedhowwi seofheritwas,to
gothere.Sheremember edBrunoanddec idedtopayhi m avis
it
aroundthree-
thir
tyaf
ternoon.Whens hear r
ived,Brunowas
abouttoleavetheres
taurantbutfor
tunatelytheysaweac h
other.Hehuggedandkis s
edheront hecheek;hewas n'
t
expecti
ngtoseeheragain.

"Iwasjus
theadi
nghome,whydon'tyoucomeandsee
whereIgr
ewup?"Brunosuggest
ed.Hewasaschar
mingas
Cl
air
eremembered,andhandsometoo.

"
Yourhome?Ic
an'
t!
"sher
epl
ied.

"
Whynot
?Doy
ouhav
epl
ans
?"

"
Wel
lnotexac
tly
,It
'sj
ust
--
"

"I
t'
sjustnothi
ng!Wearegoingtogether
."heopenedthe
doorf
orher.Clai
rewasspeec
hless;res
ignedl
y,shesmil
edand
compl
ied.

Ontheway,Brunoaskedi
fshear
riv
edhomesaf
elyt
hatday
cons
ider
ingt
hes t
orm.Heevenwenttoc
hec
konherbutshe
wasal
readygone;heas
sumedal
lwaswel
l.

"Um--yeah,l
et'
ssayIar
riv
eds
afel
y."s
heans
wer
ed
unc
onvinc
ingly
.

Heey edhers uspic

iously."
Really
?Thenwhyar eyou-
-"hi
s
querygotc utshot.Hiscellbuzzed.
Hepl uggedtheearpi
ece."
Yes
bro,tel
lme. "hesaid,"Oh,whatac oincidence!I
'm onmaway
there.
"headdedt otheper sonont hephone." I
twasmy
brother!
"Henot if
iedClairewhoonl ys mil
ed.

Thecardiver
gedtother oadthatledtoafamili
arplac
e;the
s
amepl aceshespentthenightwhent heunf
ortunatehappened.
I
twasMr .St
evensgrandmans ion.Whattheheck?Clai
rewas
s
tar
ingoutsi
dewi t
hShoc k
.Shes nappedabruptl
y;

"
Hol
don,i
sthi
syourhome?
"

Brunonoddedappr ovi
ngl
y."Yes,what'
sthepr obl
em?"He
ret
urned,al
mos tstunned.Cl
air
etoldhim every
thingthat
happenedont hatday."Soyouarethefamousgi r
lIwastold
about?Theladyinrain?"Hegawped.

Ladyi
nrai
n?Ser
ious
ly?Shet
hought
.

"I'
msorr
yIliedearl
ier
,it
'ski
ndaembar
rassing.
"Shemade
herdef
ens
e,forwhichBrunoagreedwi
thalaugh.

THEYmetMr .St
evenswhowasal sosur
pri
sedtoseethem
toget
her.Brunotoldhim howhemetClair
e.Aft
ersomet i
me
Ryanpresentedhims el
f,s
hockedast
wicetohearthestor
y.A
lat
elunchwass erved,perSt
evensor
derandtheyallat
e
toget
herl
ikeonebigf
amil
y;somet
hingt
hatmadeSt
evensand
Brunohappywhil
eRyanoutofpl
ace.

"What
'swrongs on?Youdon'tl
ookgood."MrSt ev
ensas ked
hi
m,worri
edl
y.Theyal ll
ookedathi
m.Obv i
ous l
yhewast here
j
ustphy
sic
all
y,faki
ngs mil
eswhenevert
heyc rackedajoke.

"Not
hing,I
'mj
ustti
red."Heanswered."It
hinkI'
llj
ustgot
o
myr
oom,I'
vegotaheadache!"heans
wer edandstoodup.

"
Youshoul
dprobabl
ytakeiteasyRy,y
ouarewor
kingt
oo
muc
h."Br
unoteas
edhisbigbrotherashelef
t.

Wit
hRyangone,Stev ensstart
edscol
dingBr
uno;insis
tinghe
shouldst
opwanderinglikeawi ldandret
urnhome.Claire
soughti
twisegi
vingthem s pacealt
houghwasn'
tnecessari
ly
needed.Shewal
kedai mlesslyandlandedneart
hekitchen
wherethemaidswerec hatteri
ng;

"Sowhosegir
lf
ri
endiss
he?IsItBr
uno'sorRy
an'
s?"Oneof
t
hemaidss
poutedwhil
ewashi
ngthedishes
.

Anot
herr
epl
ied."
May
beBr
uno,Ohar
en'
tthet
wobr
other
s
hot
?"

Theys
har
edas
candal
iz
edl
augh.

"
Ienvythel
adyinrai
n,s
he'
scl
oset
obot
h.Howl
ucky
!"The
f
ir
stmai
ds i
ghedaudi
bly.

"Andwhataboutthatmissper
fect?It
houghtshewas
dat
ingRyan;tel
lusMart
ha,youmus tknowevery
thingar
ound
her
e."theothersai
dwhil
elooki
ngatMar t
hawhowasbus y
pac
kings
omef
rui
tsi
ntot
hewi
der
efr
iger
ator
.

Mis
sper fec
t?Coulditbethatwoman?Themechani
cof
Cl
aire'
sbr ai
nactiv
ated.Marthaignor
edthem;sher
emai
ned
si
lentasiffoundthem toonosyforthei
rowngood.

Thef
ir
stadded,"Wel
l,Iwon'
tbes
urpr
isedi
fDor
isi
sdat
ing
hi
m.Imean,they
'rebot
h--"

Marthashutt
hem up."
Can'
tyougi
rl
sst
opgos
sipi
nganddo
mor
ec l
eaning?
"

Cl
air
ewass t
ills
tandi
ngt
her
eli
steni
ngt
othem,whenBr
uno
appearedoutoftheblue.

"Ohther
eyouar
e!Iwasl
ooki
ngal
lov
erf
ory
ou.
"He
beamed.

"Iwasaboutt oheadoutforsomeai r.
"Claires
aid,
seeminglystar
tled."Car
etojoi
n?"Shecas uall
yadded.He
agreed.Theywal kedthr
oughthegarden,Claire'
smindabl
aze;
theconversati
ons hehadheardsti
lldi
sturbedherforsome
unknownr easons .I
thadn'
tlef
therindi
fferent.

"
Doy
oul
ikei
tinher
e?"Br
unoi
nter
rupt
edherr
ever
ie.

"
Um- -wel
lyeah,Il
ovethi
spl
ace.Andyou?
"Sherepl
iedas
t
heystr
oll
edaround,movi
ngawayfrom t
hehouse.

"
Ofc ours
eIdo.
"her
epl
iedv
aguel
y,andCl
air
est
aredat
hi
mintentl
y.

"
Thenwhydon'
tyoudoasy
ourgr
andf
athers
ay?
"Shehi
t
t
hepoi
ntandhel
etoutal
ongbr
eat
h.

Hewas n'tr
eckl
essinansweri
ng;hetookhist
ime."Bec
ause
i
tbringsbadmemor ies!
"heturnedbac kt
olookatthehous
e
car
efull
y."Isawmymot herdyinghere,sl
owly
,andnoonec oul
d
doany t
hing.
"

Clairehadlearnedthatthei
rmotherdi
edfr
om aliver
canc
er ,andthetraumamus thaveaff
ect
edhim badl
y.Shetook
f
ews tepsclosertohim;bothstar
ingatt
hehouse.Br
uno'seyes
werenear l
ywet .

Thes
il
enc
egav
ethem t
imet
oponder
.

"Thatalones houldn'tbear easonenoughBr uno, "Said

Clai
re,pointedly.Het urneds i
deway stolookather ."Des pi
te
thosebadmemor ies,Ibelievether emus tbes omebeaut if
ul
ones;no,actuallyI'ms ureofi t
!Hav ey outriedtorec onsider
otherpeople'spai naswel l?Yourgr andfather'
sforexampl e,or
Ryan's?"Shet al
kedemot ionall
ywi thoutfacinghim.Shet oldhi
m
aboutherl i
fewi thhers tepmot her,howunbear abl
es hewas ,
butstil
lshec ouldn'timagi neher s
elfstayi
ngoutoft hathous e;
thehous eshegr ewup.

"Soyouwantmetochangeev
ery
thi
ngj
ustl
iket
hat
?"He
quer
ied,abs
ent
mindedl
y.

"I'
m notas ki
ngyout omov ebac
krightaway,qui
tethe
cont
rary,justt
rytorecol
lectt
hebeauti
fulmemor i
esandbury
theunpleasantone.
"Shes mil
ed."Weallmov eonli
kethat
,none
ofusforgetthi
ngsjustbecausewewantt o.
"
 "
True.
"Hemut
ter
ed.

"Ri
ght,Ibel
ievei
t'
sapr oc
ess,weshoul
dmay belear
nto
bur
ydarkmemor i
esi
nt hedeepestpar
tofourhear
tsandrel
y
onhopefulones
."

Easysayi
ngt handone,Cl air
ewasawar eofthefact
.
Howev er,s
he'dfoundher selflect
ur i
ngBr
unowhi l
ehealing
hersel
fatthes ametime.Shehuggedhi mt i
ght
ly,i
nafriendly
way,andhef eltatotalc
ons olati
on.Theyendedupt al
kingand
l
aughingbyt hepool,tot
allyobl i
viousoft
heemot i
onalturmoil
they
'dexper i
encedawhi leago.

ITwassixo'
clockintheev
ening,Clai
rewantedtogobac
kto
Lis
bay.ShesaidgoodbyetoMr.Stevensandpromptedi
fRy
an
wasfeeli
ngf
ine.

"Hei
ss t
il
linhi
sroom,y
ouc
angot
her
eands
eehi
m."Mr
St
evenss
aid.

Clairewashes i
tantaboutthat,butdeci
dedagai nstherfear
s;
shes t
illhadnoi deawhyi tmatter
ed.Sheknoc kedthedoor ,and
Ryanr espondedf orhertogoin.Hewasf i
nis
hingbut t
oninghis
shi
rtasCl ai
reenteredhisroom whichwaswel larr
anged,c l
ean
andneat .Heonlylethisbackvi
ew;atwhi chit
selfwasawor kof
art
.Shei nhaleds of
tly
.

"I'
ms orry
,Ithoughty
ouwer es
til
lsl
eepi
ng."Shes
aidwi
tha
pause."Um--howisyourheadac
he?"Thenaskedhim,
conf
identl
y.
 "I
'm gr
eat
,ifyou'
regoingtothec
ity
,Ic
angi
vey
ouar
ide!
"
hes
aidwhilet
akinghisbr
iefcas
e.

"Okay!
"Sherel
ent
ed;anddec
idedl
yagr
eedt
hati
twas
i
mposs
ibl
epredi
cti
ngt
hatman.

Theylef
ttoget
her,i
nat err
iblesi
lencet
hats heendedt aking
anapthroughoutt
hejourney.Hedroppedherout sideher
housei
nLisbayanddroveoffwithoutanyfurtheradieu,l
eaving
Cl
air
efrowningathisi
nexpli
cablepersonal
it
y.

Bruno,onotherhand,hads l
eptathisgrandf
ather'st
hatni
ght
andeveryonewass osurpri
sed.Mr.Stev
ensfeltthati
thad
somethingtodowithClair
e,whichmadehi mlikeherevenmore.
CHAPTER4

Amont hlat er;Cl air

ehadf oundher selfajobatthec ons tr
uc ti
on
company .Itwas n'taper manentpos tyet,butshelikedi tasit
keptherbus y,andt hes alarywasenought ocoverthebas ic
sf or
anav erageper s
on.Oneev enings her eturnedhomef rom wor k,
aft
erqui teal ongday ,andheads tr
aighttoherr oom
exhaus t
edl y;s het hrewhers elfonbedwi t
houtrealizi
ngwhata
mes sherr oom wasi n.Ever ythingwasoutofpl ace,ast hougha
searchands eizur ehadt akenpl ace.Shegotupabr uptlytogr asp
thesituation.Unabl et ounder s t
andhowf arherstepmot her
waswi ll
ingt ogo,wents traightt oherr oom andknoc kedt he
doorf uri
ous l
y .Itopenedami nut elater.

"
Whogav
eyouper
mis
siont
otouc
hmyt
hings
?"Cl
air
ebar
ked.

Hermotherlookedatherinades
picablewayforamoment ,
befor
erepl
ying,"Ij
ustdidwhats
houldbedoney ouingr
ate,I
wonderwherey ouhidthos
edocuments."Shewasnonchalant
.

"Sothat'
sther easonwhyhuh? "Cl air
es napped."Fine,Ihave
thedocument sinmypos s
essi
onandy ouwon' teverlayyour
handsont hem,I '
m warningyoumot her!Youdon' tknowwhat
I'
mc apableof."sheaddeds t
ernly,ignoringt heangryglareon
hermot her'
sface" Oh,anddon'tplayt hoseol dtr
ickswiththe
l
awasy oudidwi ththecompany ,bec auseifIwantt o,Icantake
everyt
hingaway .Legal
ly!
"Shesai dandwal kedaway .

"
Youwon'tgetawaywi ththi
syoubr at!Youbet
terstart
packi
ngandleave,becausethi
shousei smine!Ev
eryt
hi ngis
mine!
"Thewomans houted,butCl
air
epai dnoattent
ion.
 Clair
er eturnedbac ktoherr oom ands t
ar t
edor ganizi
ng
thi
ngs .Whileatt het ask,shes uddenlyremember edhermeet i
ng
withtheirfami l
yl awy erwhenhement i
onedabouthermot her'
s
reques tf
orhi mt of i
ndouti fherfat
herhadal i
fei ns
urance.She
j
us tcouldn'tgetwhywast hewomans ogreedyt obeginwi t
h.
Mr .Levyhadat ermi ns urancepolic
y,inwhichhe' ddepos i
tedall
themoneyonCl ai r
e'sac c
ountwaybef oredying;notev enClai
re
herselfknewabouti t.

Afterfi
nis
hingever
ythi
ngs
hedeci
dedtogi
veBrunoacal
l;
theytalkedforawhil
eandhetol
dhert
hathewouldbei
n
Lisbaytomor r
ow.

"
Okayhandsome,I
'l
lseeyoutomorrowt
hen?
"Shes
aid
l
aughi
ngl
y,upononeofBruno'
sjokes
.

"
Rightont
imebeaut
if
ul!
"Br
unoans
wer
ed.

Attheendoft
hecall
,shemadeadec i
siontogooutforsome
ai
r;sheconst
ant
lywouldfeelst
uffedins
idethehouse,andaft
er
ali
ttl
ewalk,s
he'
dalwaysfeelbett
er.ShemetJ or
geonherway ,
whos eemeddej
ect
edast hetaxit
hathadbr oughthi
m wasjust
l
eaving.

"
HiJ
orge?Ev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"as
kedCl
air
e.

"
Yeah-
-justt
iredandmyc arhadsomeissues
."Heprompt
ed
c
almlyashispersonal
it
yst
ronglys
ugges
ted."Wheret
o?"

"Ar
ound!Ineedabreat
herIgues
s."s
heans wer
eds hort
ly.
Shedidn'
twanthimtofi
ndoutaboutwhathismotherdid.She
knewthatJor
gehadnothi
ngtodowithwhatevert
hatmadofa
womanpl
oyed.

"
Wel
l,I
'm gonnagets
omer
est
."henoddedandwenti
nsi
de.

Sullenl
y,Clai
rewalkedar oundt henei ghbor hood;peopl ewere
stil
lpassi
ngbyont heirwayhomef r om wor k.Shes toppedby
thepar kandtookas eatatt hewoodenbenc h;hermi ndwas
extremelyoverwhelmedwi ththought s .Shewast hinki
ngonhow
herl i
fewasgoingtobef rom thatpoi nt.Leani ngl azil
yagains
t
thewood,whi lefaci
ngupt hesky ,shet ookpl easur eon
wat chi
ngthewonderofbr ightstarst hatnour ishedt henight
.A
sigh,coupl
edwi thafaintsmi l
ees capedherl ips,whenas ound
ofherphonebuz zi
ngbr oughtherbac kt oreal i
ty.Shef et
chedit
outandl ookedatthes creen;shewaspuz zledt os eethename
RYANTHEJ ERK.Shestaredatt hes creenf oraf ews econdsand
swipedr i
ghtward.

"
Hel
lo?
"sheans
wer
edc
aut
ious
ly.

"
Hel
lo?howar
eyou?
"Ry
anr
epl
ied.

Clai
rewasal
ittl
ewary."
I'
m good,i
sever
ythi
ngal
lri
ght
?I
mean,t
hisi
sal
ltoost
rangetome."shes
aid.

"
Why
?Can'
tIc
ally
ou?
"Her
espondedaf
terabr
iefpaus
e.

"Um--noi
t'
snott
hat
,"Shet
ookas
igh."
okay
,nev
ermi
nd!
Wher
eareyou?"

"
Sti
llintheof
fi
ce,y
ous
uddenl
ycamet
omymi
nd,s
oIgav
e
y
ouac al
l.
"
 "Real
ly?I
'm honoured!Gett
ingac al
lfr
om thebigs
hotMr .
Ry
anStevens?Ishoul
dpr obablyputareminder.
"Sheteas
ed
hi
m andtheyalll
aughed.

"
Arey
ouathome?
"Ry
anas
ked.

"Att
hepar
k,i
nournei
ghbor
hood,t
ryi
ngt
ocl
earupmy
head."

"
Okay,woul
dyoumi
ndhav
ingdi
nnerwi
thme?
"Heas
kedher
,
af
terpaus
ingf
orawhi
le.

Hi
ssuddeninv
itel
eftCl
air
erathersur
pri
sed.Itwasal
mos
t
i
mpossi
blet
oknowwhatt oexpectfr
om Ryan.

"
Um- -I
'm notpr
operl
ydressedandIdon'
twantt
ogohome
r
ightnow."sheanswer
ed,dis
appoint
edl
y.

"
Whati
spr
oper
lydr
ess
ed?Ar
eyounakedbyanyc
hanc
e?"He
j
oked.

"
Hellno!
"Shesnapped,andcouldhearhi
sreall
augh."
Ok ay
f
ine,don'
tsayIdi
dn'twarnyouwheny oufi
ndouttomorrowin
t
hef r
ontpageofanewspaperthatTheSKCEOwass eenwit
ha
s
habbygirlacr
osst
hes t
reet
."Clai
resai
d.

"
Not
hatc
an'
thappen,I
'm notac
elebr
ity
!"

"
Alr
ight
,pr
epar
eat
axif
arebec
aus
eI'
m penni
les
sri
ghtnow!
"

"
Anymor
eexc
uses
?"Hequer
ied.

"
None?
"Shef
rowned,t
hens
mil
ed.

Sher
ushedt
other
oadf
orat
axi
.Itt
ooks
omemi
nut
est
o
r
eachRyan'sof
fi
cebuilding,andwhens hegotof
f,s
hewait
ed
f
orhisar
riv
alwhichtookonl yami nut
e.Shesmil
edathi
m as
s
heremember edthei
rc onversat
ionearl
ier
.

Awhilel
ater
,uponherarr
ivalatSK;Ry
anwalkedovert
othe
dri
ver,andhandedhim as
ingl
ebi l
lfort
hefar
e."
Keepthe
change."

"
Thanky
ous
ir!
"Thedr
ivers
mil
edi
nawe,headi
ngbac
ktohi
s
t
axi.

Cl
air
eteas
edhi
m."
Thatwass
ogener
ousbos
s."

"Youmustbeinagoodmoodtoday,andIt
hinky
oul
ook
ok
ay!"Hes
miled,i
gnor
ingt
hes
arcasm.

"Ofcours
e,onlyifyouwantpeoplet
othi
nkwe'r
eheadingf
or
abus
inessdinner
."Shewasrefer
ringt
oherof
fi
ceatt
ire.

Thisti
meRy anlaughedheart
il
y,andthesi
ghtf
lut
tered
Cl
air
e'shear
t."Let
'sgo,mycarisovert
here!
"Heurged.

THEYwenttothenear estrest
aurantthatseemedt oopr i
vate.I
t
hadeccentr
icambienc eandalmos tli
keahideout.Theyt ooka
tabl
e-f
or-
twowithar omant i
ccandlel i
ght
.Clai
redar ednot
makingacommentont hat
.Besi
des ,Ryanhadbeent aki
ng
sever
albusi
nesscall
swhi lebehi
ndt hewheelandy etanother
onecamewhi l
etheyt ookthemenu;buthei gnor
edi t.

"Iwonderhowburdensomeiti
stobet hec
entreofat
tent
ion
l
ikeinyourpos
iti
on.
"Clai
resai
dcasual
ly.Hel
ookedather,
amused.
 "
Hardatt i
mes ,
"heans weredwi t
hapaus e."c
arrying
r
esponsibi
lit
iesoverat housandempl oyeesony ourshoulders,
f
ulf
il
li
ngc l
ient'
sdemands ,ti
ghtdeadli
nesandal l
;it
'snotquite
s
imple,buts i
nceIbelieveint hei
rhardwor kandtrus t
,it
'snot
t
oomuc hofabur den.Ic an'
tc omplai
n."headdedwi thhis
s
mi l
eyface.Itwasobv iousthathelovedwhathewasdoi ng.

"
Icanonlyi
magine!
"Sheremarked."
I'
llhav
esal
adspl
eas
e."
Shetol
dthemaît
red'onceaskedaboutthemenu.

"
Asteakf
orme,medi
um rar
e."Ry
ans ai
d.Oncei
npri
vac
y,he
t
urnedtoCl
air
e."
Andyou?How'swork?Youtol
dmeyougota
j
ob?"

"
It'
sgr
eat
!"Sheprompt
ed."
I'
mlear
ning,al
thoughI
'ms
til
lnot
doi
ngwhatIwant?
"

"
Int
eri
ordes
igni
ng?
"

"
Yes,Iwantsomef i
eldworks.
"Shelamented."Nots
itti
ngin
t
heoffi
cemakingteaandhandl ingc
opies!
"Shecomplained."
I
mean,I'
m aninter
iordesi
gner,notasecr
etar
y."

Ry
anwaslooki
ngi
ntentl
yather,t
aki
ngi
nallthecomplai
nts
s
hehadwithoutf
eel
ingbored.Hewasinf
actenjoy
ingl
is
tening
t
oher .

"
That'
showthelargec
ompanieswork;unl
ess,youc
ant
ry
s
mal lf
ir
mswit
hlit
tlebureauc
rac
y."Hefi
nall
ysaid.

"Iknow,butIneedtolearnsomet hingsfi
rstIguess.
"She
madeaface."AndIdon'thaveacontracti
nglicenc
ey et
,but
whenIgetit
,Iwon'ts
tandmaki ngcoff
eef orthem."
 Ryansmil
edathowdet er
minedshesounded,andt
hey
cont
inuedtal
kingaboutt
hisandt
hatforalongti
me;mai
nly
aboutwork.

"
Youcanstarty
ourownc ompanylat
erononc
eyou'
vepr
oven
t
obet hebestatyourwor
k."Hetol
dherwhil
esi
ppi
ngawarm
c
offeeaft
erameal .

"
Yout
hink?CanIr
eal
lydoi
t?"

"
Thatdependsonyou,andwhatyouc
anof
fer
."Hes
mil
ed,
andthetal
kkeptfl
owi
ngflawl
ess
ly.

Theylef
ttherestaur
ant,aboutandhourors ol at
er,aft
era
lov
elydinnerwit
hnicec onversat
ion.Ry
angav eherar idehome.
Thesummerni ghtwass oot
hi ngtotheeyesandes peci
all
ythe
shi
ningcit
y.Itwasaroundni ne-t
hirt
ywhentheyhi ttheroad.

"
Whydon'tyouhaveadriverorthosemachoguy
sstal
king
y
ourbackl
ikeatale?Li
keotherbigbossesi
nthemovi
es.
"She
s
uddenl
yasked,andhelaughedhar d.

"Maybeyous houl
dstopwatchingt
hosemov i
esf
ill
ingyour
headwithfantasi
es.
"hesai
d."Ilovemyprivac
yandIonl ytrus
t
mydr i
vingski
ll
s,soIdon'
tneedadr i
vernorabodyguard."

"
Suuuur
e!"Cl
air
eshothi
m as
top-
braggi
ngl
ook,andal
mos
t
r
oll
edhereyes.

Butt
henagain,shereal
iz
edJor
gewasalsothesame;he'd
r
elocat
edthei
rfather'
sdri
verassoonashetookt
hepresidenc
y.
Hewasn'tafanofVI
Pli
feandallthef
lash.Al
thoughs hehadan
i
mpressi
onthatwasn'
tthecas
ef orRy
an;hewasev i
dentl
y
someone.wholi
kedpowerandexerci
singauthori
ty.

"
Doy oul
ivewi
thy
ourf
ami
ly?
"Ry
anas
ked,af
teral
ong
s
il
ence.

"
Um--kindof
,myst
epmom andhi
sson.
"sheans
wer
ed,
af
terhes
itat
ingf
oramoment
.

"
Yourpar
ent
s?"Hequer
ied.

"
Inheav enmaybe,i
ftheyli
vedwellenoughdur i
ngthei
rti
me
onEar t
h."Shesmil
ed,andlookedaway.Ryandi dn'
twanttoask
mor easmuc hasClai
reseemedlikeshedidn'twanttosaymore.
Sheonlyadded,"Thanksfort
oday;Ihadagr eatti
me,andthe
dinnerwasawesome. "

"
I'
m gl
ad,It
houghtIwasat
otalbor
ing.
"Heans
wer
ed.

"
Oh,s
oyouar
emodes
ttoo?
"

Hel
aughed."
May
be.
"Her
epl
ied,andt
heys
har
edas
oot
hing
s
mil
e.

Theyev entual
lyreachedCl aire'shouse,wheres hebidhim good
nightandgotof fthec ar.Ryanwat chedherunt ilsheopenedthe
gatet oherhouse.I t
'swhenhes t
artedhiscar,readytomakea
reverse.
Howev er,hes uddenl yspott
edherget ti
ngout ,and
joggingbacktowar dshisc ar;hehadt opullover ,bef
ore
scroll
ingthewindow,al i
ttl
ef rownonhi sface.Shewentt othe
driversi
deands t
oodt herewi thoutawor d,andal i
tt
leoutof
br
eat
h.

Heopenedthedoorwi thconcerns,andgotoffthecar.
"Cl
aire?"Hevoi
cedout ."What-
-"Hewasaboutt oaskheri
fshe
hadf or
gott
enanything,butsherushedc l
osertohim,andkiss
ed
him ontheli
ps;t
akinghimc ompletel
yof f
-guar
d,forasecond.

Shedidn'
twanttoendi tther
e;wi t
hamer etouchoft
heli
ps
onl
y,butRyanwasstif
f,asifunmoved.Thatf
orcedherto
i
mmedi at
elypul
lback,feel
ingawfull
yembarrass
ed.However
,
shegat
heredthecourage,andlookedhimintheey es
.

"I...Iwantedtodothi
seversi
nceIheardyourvoi
ce
earl
ier.I'
ms or
ry!"s
heutt
eredinasofts
ighi
ngvoice,wi
thhal
f-
remor se,andt
urnedtowalkaway.

Ry
an,simi
lar
lyinmanners
,gr abbedherwaistswi
ft
ly,and
t
rappedherbehindt
hedoor.Hisgaz ef
lewdownonheri n
f
lames,andshewascompletel
ys t
unnedwithoutknowi
ngwhat
t
oexpec t
.

"Nextt
ime,"hesaidhalt
ingl
y,wi
thhiseyestwinkl
ingdown
moc ki
ngl
y."don'
tstealakis
sli
kethat,
"hepressedherharder
agains
thischest
."especi
all
ytoanotherguy.
"headded
haughti
ly.

Hiswordswer ealmos tt hreat

eni ng,andt henexc iti
ng,i
n
hypnoti
cmanner .Hequi c klyinvadedherl i
ps ,inaways he'd
neverbeens weetl
yas saultedbef ore.Itwas n'ttheonet oc al
l
passi
onate,butthekindofki sstoel ect
rif
yal lfivesensesofa
body,ashec ras
hedhert ongueandmoul dedwi thhiswit
hout
l
etti
nghers l
iphisside.AndCl ai
r e,inst
incti
vel yclai
medhi sneck
tosteadyhersel
f,whilehavi
ngafillofs
uchar ar
et r
eat.They
hadahotl ongkissever,whic
hlefthercheeksonfir
eandher
breathtakenaway ;s
hehadn'tkis
s edanyoneinfouryears,and
hewasi ndeedat err
if
ickis
ser.
CHAPTER5

Thenextmor ningCl airemetBrunodownt ownaspromised.

Theyhadl unchtoget her,aft
eraccompanyinghimtobuysome
sil
verwareforhisres taurant
.Hetoldherthathehaddeci
dedto
sleepoverhishous es omet i
mes,anditwasn'ts
obadashe
thought.

"
See!You'
reabi
gguynow!
"Shej
oked,andhel
aughed.

"
Yeah,t
hankst
oyou.
"Hes
aid.

Clair
ec ouldn'tbri
ngher selftot el
lhim abouthermeet ing
withhisbr othertheot hernight;shedec i
dedt okeepi ttoher self
.
Sinceherl astbreakupwi thDeni s,duri
nghi ghschool,s hehad
nothingtodowi thmenandi thadbeenc omf ort
ablet hatway .
Boths heandBr unos atatac offeeshop,whenhet ookapi cture
ofherwi thoutherknowl edge;shewass olostintos pac e.Bruno
keptont akingpi c
turesunt i
lsher eali
zedit.

"
Stopi
t!
"Shes
nappedwhi
lehi
dingherf
acewi
thherpal
ms.

Brunolaughedandputdownhisc amera."
Alri
ght!Youare
photogeni
cthough,didy
ouknowt hat?"heaskedherwhile
taki
ngas i
pofhiscaramelmi
lk,s
mi l
ingly
.

"Really
?Whydon' twest
artourmodeli
ngagencythen?"Clai
re
teased."I'
vewantedtoas
ky outhi
s,ar
eyouapr ophotographer
orisitjustahobby?"

"I'
m apr
ofes
sional
,wannas
eemypor
tfol
io?
"Her
epl
iedwi
th
pr
ide.
 "
Sur
e,I
'dl
ovet
oseet
hat
."s
hegr
inned,amus
ed.

"Okay
,nextt
imemaybe."hes mil
edboyi
shly.Heaskedherto
accompanyhimtoRy
an'soff
ice,somet
hingthathadheralit
tl
e
thr
ownof f
.

"
Ohno,Ic
an't
."Cl
air
eref
used,thi
nki
ngoft
heki
ssandt
he
embar
ras
smentuponseei
nghim agai
n.

"
Ohpleas
ebeautif
ul!
"Brunoi
nsi
sted,andl
ooki
ngathi
sfac
e,
i
twasi
mpos si
blet
odec l
inef
urt
her
.

"Alr
ight
."Sherel
ent
ed,andhei mmediatel
ycal
ledRy antolet
him knowabouthisvi
sitbef
orehand.Theywentstr
aightahead
toSK,from t
here.

Somet imelatertheyar ri
vedbyt hel obby ,andwai tedf orthe
brotherashe' dinstructed.Af terawhi le,Ry anandDor i
swer e
walkingoutoft heelev atornonc hal ant l
y ,andBr unowav edat
him alit
tledramat i
cally;des pitet hes ituat ion,Cl aires miledat
thes i
ght.Doriswasl ookingf anc iert hanbef ore;herbeaut if
ul
tal
lbodymov edgr acefully.Shewaswear i
ngabl ackof f
icedress
withapal epinkc oatandc ream heel s .Ar oundhergi raff
enec k
therewasac ream pear lnec kl
ac et hatmat chedper fec t
lywith
hers hoes.AsforRy an,hewasi nabl ac kfor mals uitwhi ch
defi
nedhi spos it
ionf l
awles sly
.Theywer e,wi thoutadoubt ,a
perfectmat c
hi never yone'sey es ;wel lexc eptCl aire'swho
seemedl ikeshewasonv ergeofbur sting.Foramoments he
foundher sel
fs opathet i
cf orwhats hehaddonet heot hernight
.

"
Clai
re?
"Ry anr
egar
dedheri
nsuchst
yle."
Wher edi
dy ouget
her
?"Heas kedBr
uno,abi
tsur
pri
sedt
os eethem t
oget
her.
 "
Shewasmydat etoday.
"Brunoansweredenthus
ias
tic
all
y,
pl
acingahandonClair
e'sf
ace.I
tdi
dn'tseem t
obotherher,she
wastooengros
sedonherownbat t
le.

Dori
s'seyeswincedatthement i
onoft
henameCl aire,as
thoughshewast yi
ngt orecol
lectamemory ."
Clai
re...Clai
re...
oh...it
'sthatgi
rlri
ght?"Shef acedRy
an."Theoneyous aved
thatni
ght?"Addeds he.

Clai
rewasjus
tsi
lent
,for
cingas
mil
eunt
ils
hef
inal
lyut
ter
ed,
"
Hi ?
"toDoris
.

"HiCl
air
e?Ihear dalotabouty oufr
om Ry an."Dori
sr epli
ed.
"I'
m Dori
s,theonlygi
rl
fri
endRy anhas .Oh,andonl ybigs i
ster
Brunohas!"shesaidwhil
ec r
ossingherhandwi thRyan'
s .The
twomenbot hr
oll
edtheireyes,butinanamus edmanner .

"
Oh- -Is
ee.
"Cl
air
eans
wer
edbr
ief
ly,f
eel
ingapi
erc
ingonher
c
hes t
.

Qui
tecas
uall
y,Ryanas
ked."
Haveyouhadl
unc
h?wewer
eon
ourwayout,maybeyoucanj
oinus
?"

Brunoanswered,"
Wej us
thadabi
teear
li
er,butmay
bear
eal
mealwi
lldo.Ri
ghtCl
air
e?"

Clair
ewass keptical
."I
'msorrybutI '
m afraidIhavetogo,"
Sher et
urned."Iforgotsomethi
ngi mpor t
ant."Sheadded,and
apologeti
cal
lystaredatBruno."We'llkeepint ouch.
"shesaid
pointedly
,andtur nedaroundquickly,asifs
he' dencount
ereda
ghost.
 Br
unofol
lowedhert otr
yconvi
nci
ngint
ost
ay,butf
ail
ed.She
wasunus
uallyperpl
exed,andsi
mplyrunt
owardst
hetaxi
,
l
eavi
nghimtotall
yinshock.

"
Jus
tcallmethen,okay
?"Hes c
reamedbutitwast
ool
ate.She
wasgone,andhejustwatchedt
hedoorshut
ti
ng.

Onceseatedatt
heback,Clai
reletoutahyst
eri
calsmi
rk.She
wastotal
lypis
sedoff
;es
peciall
yfr
om Doris'
sremark.

"What ?Ryant oldmealotaboutyou?Am Isomekindofa

showt obedi scussedaf
teranepisode?"Shemutt
eredfuri
ous
ly
whichmadet hedr iv
ert
olookbackather ."
Jus
tdoyourjob
mister,stoplookingatme!"Shesnappedathim;Theencount
er
hadt otal
lyruinedherday.

Shearri
vedhomeandwentstrai
ghttoherroom l
ikeal
ways
.
Whatfoll
owedwastophoneGenas t
rai
ghtaway,andtol
dher
abouttheKi
ssbef
oret
hehorroraft
er.

"
Girl
,af
tersomey earsofpayi
ngsainty
ouhav
ef i
nal
ly
unl
eashedyourf emi
nineins
tinc
ts?Butwhydoyousounds
o
mad?"Genaas ked.

"Imett hatbast
ardtodayandhewasl i
keadi fferentperson,
youmi ghtaswellsayhehass pli
tpersonali
ty,andgues swho
wasac company i
nghim?Thepr ett
ybitchstic
kingal loverhim!
YeahIknows heishi
sgirl
fri
endbutIj ust
--"s hegritt
edher
teeth."
Ijustfel
tli
kesmas hi
ngherf ac
e!"Clairesaid,asifshe
wasr eci
ti
nganangr ypoem withoutpausing.
 Genalaughedloudlyl
ikecrazy."Takeiteasygirl
fr
iend,i
fyou
canthav
ei t
,jus
tforgeti
t!"Shetoldher ."
Justchangetheprey;
swit
chtotheotherone,Br uno!Ithinkheisani cecatchhi
ms el
f,
i
t'snotl
ikeRyanistheonlyflowerint hefi
eld.
"Genar apped,
herinanaughtyway .

"
Ohpl easeGena!wear enott
alki
ngaboutsomes tupid
hangupst hatyoudumpev ery
day.No!I
'm notletti
ngitslidethat
easil
y,I'
llmakehi m pay.
"Shewhined."Idon'
tc areifshei shis
gir
lf
riend,asl ongastheyarenotmarri
edheiss t
il
laneligible
bachelorwhoi sri
dic
ulousl
yhandsomeandabas tard!
"Cl air
e
sai
ds lyl
y.

"
Gos h!Idon'tbeli
evethi
s."Genalaughed."
Isthatreal
lyyou
Cl
aire?Youareof fi
ci
all
yahomewr eckeryouknow? "She
sc
reamedgi rl
is
hl y
."I'
mc omingbacks oontoseeformy s
elf
;
maybeIc anbelievealit
tl
e."
CHAPTER6

As t
rangerainami dtheSummer ,accompani edbys mal l
l
ightni
ngwaspour i
ngont hatFri
dayni ght
;itwass uchac old
l
onelynightforthoseinsolit
ude,likeCl ai
reLevyher sel
f.Itwas
elev
eno'clock,andshewass t
il
lrolli
ngundert hebl anket,
unabletosleep.Decidedl
y,shewal kedoutofbedandopened
thewindowc urtai
ns,towitnessthes i
ghtt hat'
sprobabl yabit
scarytoothers;butnottoher.Ifitwer en'tf
orthatinc i
denta
mont hago,she'dprobablysaidthats helovedr ai
n.

Shel istenedt hesoundoft herai

nfal
lands awt helights
crackingt hes kywi t
houtahor r
or;perhapsev er
y oneoutt here
wasl ostinbeaut i
fuldr eamsbehindtheircloseddoor s
,s he
thought .Shef eltli
kes hewast heonlywei r
donet obeawakeat
thatmoment .Sighing,s hecl
osedthec urt
ainsands atonher
bedroom c ouc h,bothherl egsonthec ushionamomentaf ter
.
Hermi ndwentbac ktot hataf
ternoonwhens hes awRyan
smilingbr ightlyatthatwoman;as oftexasperatedsighes caped
herlungs .

"Cuti
toutCl
air
e,i
t'
snotl
ikey
oul
ovehi
m ors
omet
hing.
"She
t
riedsnappi
ngoutofi
t.

Shewast ooc uri

ousaboutRy anStevens;shewasstrangely
dy i
ngtoknowev erythinghedi d,wherehewentandwhom he
met .Hewast hef i
rstmant ohav epi
quedherc uri
osi
tytos uch
extent,andshehadnoi deawhy .Coulditbeduetohisr ude
manner s?Orhi spers onal
it
yc hanges;sometimeswarm
somet i
mesc old?Shec oul
dn'tquiteunderst
andat hi
ng.
 Shes uddenl
ystr
etchedherhandandunpluggedher
cel
lphonefrom i
tscharger;s
hestar
edati
tthoughtf
ull
yfora
while,andwit
houthers anemindshes
enthim atext
;

FROM:Cl
air
e

TO:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Fr
i***11:
11PM

(
Subj
ect
)Yous
leepi
ng?

s
ent
.

Shewasn'treal
lyexpecti
nganyreply
,soshedeci
dedtogo
backtoherbed.Af t
erfewmi nut
esherphonebeeped;s
he
grabbedi
tfastandr eadthetherepl
y;

FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

TO:Cl
air
e

Fr
i***11:
16PM

(
Subj
ect
)Noty
et,Ar
eyou?

r
ecei
ved.
 Shefel
texhi
lar
atedatthes i
ghtofhisrepl
y.J
ustass
hes
tart
ed
t
ypingback,t
herewasani ncomingcallfr
om hi
m.Shesmi
led
mischi
evousl
yandquickl
ys l
idthereceiv
er.

"
Werey
ouwai
ti
ngf
ormyc
all
?"Ry
anas
ked,r
efer
ringt
oher
f
astpr
ompt.

Hisvoic
ewast oointi
midati
ng,Cl ai
rethought.Butasstrangel
y
asitwas,sheonlystar
tedtoimagi nehim onhisking-s
izedbed
tal
kingtoher,andnothingelseotherthanmar vell
ingwhathe
waswear i
ngc ametomi nd.Shewasgoi nginsaneands heknew
i
t.Shefoundher sel
fgri
nningridi
culousl
y .

"WhywouldI?Ij
usthappenedt
ohav
emyphonec
los
e,t
hat
's
why
."s
heargued.

Ry
anc
huc
kled."
Whyar
eyous
til
lawake?
"

"
Ican'
tfal
las
leep,It
hinkI
'm dev
elopi
ngi
nsomni
a."

"
Really?I'
m al
soav i
cti
m,somaybeIshoul
drec
ommendy ou
t
omyt herapi
st!
"Heprovokedherwhi
lel
aughi
ngdel
ight
ful
ly.
"
ShallIsendy ouheraddres
s?"

"
Her
?Not
hanky
ou!
"Sher
epl
ied,i
nas
eri
ousmanner
..

"
Butwhy
?Ipr
omi
ses
hei
sthebes
t."

"
OhIbets hei s,
"shemocked."orel
sewhywoul
dyoumeet
herify
ou'resti
llawakebynow?"Hervoic
ewasrat
hers
har
p,
andhec onti
nuedlaughi
ngatit.

"
Whydi
dy ouleav
einsuc
hahurryear
li
er?
"Ignor
ingher
s
arcas
m,Ryanchangedt
hesubj
ect
.
 "Didyouwanttoenjoys eei
ngthegi
rlyoujustki
ssedtheot her
nightmakingafri
endlychatwiththes
oc al
ledyourgir
lf
riend?"
Shes napped."
Well,Icoul
dn'tgi
veyouthepleasur
e.I'
ms or
ry!"

"Ohs
oy oulef
tbec
aus
eofDor
is?
"Heas
ked,i
nwhats
ounded
l
ikeamocker
y.

"NoIleftbecauseofme! "Shes napped."Ihavemypridey

ou
know,eventhoughy outhinklowlyofme. "shenear
lybar
ked,
andstar
tedtoregrettext
inghi m al
together
.

Ryanremainedquiet
,tol ethersayitall
;hefel
tamus edby
herwords,i
tseemed."Andwhatabouty ouandBr uno?Thegi
rl
whoj us
tkis
sedmet heot hernighthangingaroundwi t
hmy
brot
herashisdate,
"hei nsinuated,j
ealousl
y."whatdoImake
outofthat
?"

I
twasClai
re'
stur
nt ol
augh."Areyoujeal
ousbyany
c
hance?
"Sheevengottheenergytogetupandmov edbac
kto
t
hecouch.

"
What
?Thats
hitdoes
n'texi
sti
nmydi
cti
onar
yyoungl
ady
."

"Wellfi
ne!I
fy ousays
o."shecont
inuedmaki
ngfunofhim.
Theyt
alkedforalmostanhourandshedecidedi
twasn'
tsobad
ofadecis
iontotexthi
m aft
erall
.

SOMEday spassed,andlif
ewenton.Clai
rewaspreparingt
he
pres
entati
onmat eri
alsatwor
k.Shewasas kedtoaccompany
oneofhers eni
orstomeetanimportantcl
ientint
woweeks .She
wasexcit
edt ofi
nal
lygooutanddos omer ealwork,ev
en
thoughitwasabitodd.Shekeptherselfbusyfort
hatent
ire
week,thatcoul
dn'tev
enmeetGenawhens he'
dretur
nedfr
om
hertri
p.OnSaturdayaft
ernoon,however,t
heyplannedadate
atGena's.

Genawas n'
thappy ,f
orherf ost
erparentswantedherbac k
homeast heywereonav acat
ion.Shelov
edf reedom andthe
ci
ty;goingtothei
rcount r
yhous eservedagreatdealoftorture.
Plus,s
hehadbeenl i
vingalones i
nceshewasi nhighschool,due
toherpar ent
'str
avel
li
ngsf ormedi c
almissi
ons .

"
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
"Cl
air
eas
ked,wor
riedl
y.

"I
'l
ljus
thavetoseri
ousl
yfi
ndaj
ob!
"shegr
inned.They
l
ookedateachotherandsmil
ed.

"
Greati
dea.
"Cl
air
esaid."
Ifyouwant,Ic
anas
kJor
gei
f
t
her
e'sanopeni
ng!
"Shesaidsugges
tiv
ely
.

"Ohbestfr
iend,y
ou'
reas
aint
.I'
l
lbemor
ethangr
atef
uli
f
y
oudothat
."

"Any
thi
ngf
ory
ouGena.
"Sher
etur
ned,andmeantev
ery
wor
d.

Ther es
toft hedaywasf i
ll
edwi t
hnot hingbutanexc hangeof
somec heesygos sip;mainlyaboutRy anStevensandhi sabil
ity
toturnherwac ko.Theyhadt oleavearounds unset,whenGena
gotani nv
itefrom s omeguyonl ysheknew. That'
swhenCl ai
re
decidedtotakeawal k,wit
ht heeveningairblowingpas ther
hai
ri nasoot hi
ngmanner .Shedidn'tknowwher etogoorwhat
todoatt hetime;t
heideaofgoingbackhomesoughtt
heworst
ofthem all
.Itwasoneoft hemomentsshehat
ed,whenshe'
d
l
osehers enseofdirec
tion.

May besheshoul
djustdr
inkanddi e,Shewonder ed,
s
tandingatthef
rontofawhiskeybarwi t
hal onelyexpressi
on.
"
Noy ouc an'
tCl
air
e,youarenotsuchal oseryet,butperhaps
v
erysoon! "s
hesai
dtohersel
f.ShewishedBr unowasl ivi
ng
t
here,andmoment ar
il
yenter
tainedtheideaofc all
ingRyan.

Shekeptonwonder ingwhilemov i
ngs l
owlyands topped
mov i
ngatt i
mes.Ifsomeones awher ,mayhavet houghts hewas
cr
az y.Aft
erawhil
es hestoppedatt hebusstop;shejus twanted
t
ot akeabusandr i
dewhat ev
err outet
hatwaslonger ,i
nhope
t
oki l
ltime.Whil
ewai t
ingthere,shethoughtofhowpat het i
cher
l
if
ewas ;shedi
dn'tknowhowt ohavefun,howt ouseher
weekendsands paretimes.

"Andher eI'
mt hinkingofsomeoneel se'
sboy friendi
ns t
ead
oftaki
ngc areofmyl i
fe."shemur mur edwhilestaringather
phonewi thRyan'
sc ontactnamedi spl
ayed.Shef elttheurgeto
cal
lhim,talktohim,pr ovokehim eventhoughs heknewt hathe
wasn'tthemanf orher .Withoutthi
nkingf
ur t
her ,s
het ouched
thedialpadandaf t
erf ewbeeps ,Ryananswer ed.

"
Hello?
"Heretur
ned.Cl
air
estayedsi
lent
;par
tofhermind
thi
nkingaboutwhatsher
eal
lywantedfr
om him."Hel
lo?Cl
air
e,
areyouthere?
"

"Yes...Iam."Shemurmuredhuski
ly."
Imissy
ouRy an,I
s
hameles
slymissyou.
"Shebr
okeout,hereyess
parkl
ing,on
ver
geoftears
.Shequi ckl
ygotagri
pandsnif
fed.Sheknews he
hadhitarockbottom andmadeac ompl
etefoolofhersel
f.
Whatwass hedoing?Andwhyhi m?Sheaskedhersel
fandno
answercamet omi nd.

Ry
anwass i
lentf
orawhile,butwhenhef
inal
lyt
alkedhe
onl
yasked,"
Whereareyou?
"

"
Att
hebuss
top?
"Shemut
ter
ed.

"
Wher
eexac
tly
?"Heur
ged.

"Um--oppos
itet
oGoldenpearlhot
el?
"sheans
wer
ed.She
hadnoideawhyhe'das
kedthough.

"I
'mc omi
ng,don'
tmov
eamus
cle!
"Sai
dRy
an,andhi
sli
ne
wentdead.

"OhGod,what'
sthematt
erwit
hyouClai
re?
"Shesnapped
hers
elf
,st
upi
dly
."Haveyougonec
razy
?"Shescr
atc
hedherhair
l
ikeamaniac
.

She'dcal
ledhi
m,andhe'dagreedt
obet here.Itwascraz
y
butr
eal,andshewasnolongeri
nherrightmind,shethought.
CHAPTER7

Ryanreachedthereaftert
wenty-
fi
veminutesandfoundClai
re
si
tti
ngtherel
ikeal os
tpuppy.Heparkedthecarinfr
ontofthe
busstopandwal kedtowardswhereshewassit
ti
ng.

"Hav
eyoudeci
dedtomakemewor ryaboutyouli
kealit
tl
e
gir
l?Whydidyousoundli
keyouwereaboutt
odie?"Ryan'
s
voicewasamixt
ureofangerandc
oncern.

"You...y oureal
lycame?"Clairesaidwi
thdis
belief
.She
st
oodupt oclearl
ylookathim;hel ookeddif
fer
ent,in
abominabl
eway ,dressedupcasually.Theki
ndofsightthatno
womanwoul d'veresi
stedtol
ookt wice.

"Let
'sgo,Iwonderwhereyoucamefrom dress
edupli
ke
t
hat.
"Hes ai
dwhi l
elooki
ngathermisc
hievous
ly.Herdr
ess
ing
wasabitprovoki
ngtohisey
es.

"Ther
eisnothingwrongwi
thmyout
fi
tthough.
"shear
gued
ast
heyenteredhiscar
.

Allt
hatRy andidwast aki
ngherforalongdr
ivetoaplace
thatshedidn'tknowexi st
ed.Ryansaidshewoul
d'veenj
oyedit
betterduri
ngaday l
ightbutnonethel
ess
,itdi
dClai
reagreat
dealofpleasure.Sheev endozedoffonthei
rwayback.

"
Heys
leepy
head,wear
ebac
k!"Ry
ant
riedt
owakeherup.

"
Mm ...al
ready
?"Cl
air
esnuggl
edi
nas
leepyv
oic
e.

"
Shal
lwegobac
kthen?
"Heas
kedi
nas
eri
ousway
.

"
Um-
-whyar
eweher
e?"Shes
nappedi
nsur
pri
se,af
ter
s
eei
ngt
hepl
acet
heywer
eat
.

Ryans mirked."St
ophavingt
hosewil
dfantas
ies,l
et'
shave
dinner;ther
e'sani c
er es
taur
anti
nthishot
el!
"Hes nappedand
gotoffthec ar
.

"I
'm notf
ant
asi
zi
ngany
thi
ng!
"Cl
air
esmi
ledpat
het
ical
lyand
f
oll
owedhim.

Theyhadanot
hernic
edinnerandthec
onv
ers
ati
ont
ooka
di
ff
erentt
urnfr
om worktopri
vat
elif
e.

"
Wher
ewer
eyou?
"as
kedRy
anwhi
leeat
ing.

"Toaf r
iend'
shouse.
"Clai
reans
wered.Seei
nghisf
rowni
ng,
s
hecl
eared,"HernameisGena,i
ncaseyouarecur
ious!
"She
s
mil
ed.

"
I'
m notc
uri
ous
!"Hes
aid.

"
You'r
enot
?"Sher
ais
edaney
ebr
ow."
Buty
ourf
aces
ays
ot
her
wise.
"

Heshookhi
sheadtothesi
des,amusedbyal
lherins
ist
ence.
Hes
lowl
ysi
ppedthewi
ne,wit
houtabandoni
ngherfi
neeyes.

"I
'mr
eall
ynotcuri
ous
,tr
ustme!
"Henar
rowedhi
sgaz
e,as
t
houghmocki
ngherinaway.

"
Fine!
"Sher
esi
gned.

Helaughed."Youl
ovear gui
ngalot
,don'
tyou?"hes i
pped
hiswineagain,whil
est
aringatherherchewi
ngmout h.Lucki
ly
Clai
rewasawomanofc lass;shehadgr
eatet
iquet
te;shewas
farf
rom beinganembar ras
s ment.
 "
Ido.WhenIhav
eapoi
ntt
opr
ove!
"Shes
aid.

"
Doy
ouhav
eaboy
fri
end?
"Hebl
urt
edout
.

Sheal
mostc
hoc
kedherf
ood,andqui
ckl
yrunf
oranapki
n.
"
No,Idon'
t.
"

Hewasincreasi
nglyamused.Hecould'
ves t
ayedallni
ght
l
ong,li
s t
eni
ngtohowc ompeti
ti
veshesounded.Atthatmoment,
hejustwantedtoknowmor eabouther,withoutanygrand
i
nterestofaki
ndt hatanygi
rlwouldst
artimagini
ng.

"Why?You'
reyoung,beaut
if
ulands
mar
tIgues
s,i
t'
sonl
y
nat
uralt
ohavesomeone."

"
May
beIhav
ehi
ghs
tandar
ds!
"Sher
etur
ned.

Helaughedhar
d."Real
ly?That
'sal
ott
otakei
n!"He
r
emar
ked,andsheonl
ys hr
ugged.

"Whataboutyou?"Shechangedthegame."Doesyour
gi
rl
fr
iendknowy ou'
rehererightnow?
"Andc ount
erat
tacked
whenRyanleas
texpected;andhewass t
rangel
yverystoi
c.

"
Shedoesn'tneedto,
"hequipped."becaus
ewehav
ea
mut
ualunder
standing.
"Headded,gall
antl
y.

Clai
rebitherl
ipsi
rri
tat
edl
y."Oh!Li
kes
omeki
ndofanopen
r
elat
ionshi
p?"Shehardl
yasked.

Henodded." Sure,wecangowi t
ht hat!
"repl
iedhe,
haughti
ly.Annoyedwi tht
hesubject
,Clairedownedherglassi
n
onego."Easythere!"Hegasped."Thi
sChar donnayisal
itt
le
st
rong!"
 "DoIlookli
keIc
are?
"Shesnor
ted.I
twastheendof
c
onv
ersat
ion,f
orwhi
chhekeptsmi
li
ngathers
ulki
ngfac
e.

"
Iss
omet
hingwr
ong?Whyar
eyouqui
et.
"Hebol
dlyas
ked.

Sheglar
eds t
ernl
yathim."
No,ever
ythi
ngisf
ine.
"She
gri
nned,andr ai
sedaglas
s."Whatamoron!
"Shemumbl ed,i
na
lowv oi
ce.

"
Whatdi
dyous
ay?
"

"
Not
hing,t
hewhet
heri
sver
yni
ce.
"

"
Theweat
her
?"Hel
aughed.

"Yeah,t
heweather
!"Shes
napped,andRy
anhadhuges
ip
s
oastosti
fl
ehi
slaugh.

Hedrov eherbac khomei nanawf ulsi

lent
,thatCl
air
e
her
sel
finst
igated.Hekepts t
aringatherfrom t
imet ot
imewi
th
asmil
ethatwas n'tr
eturned.Heunder st
oodwhy .

"Don'
tthi
nkt wi
cetocal
lmewhenyoumi ssme!"Hes
aid
s
eri
ouslyoncetheyarr
ivedi
nfr
ontofCl
air
e'shous
e.

"
Okay
,I'
l
lkeept
hati
nmi
nd.
"Sher
etor
ted.

"
Anddon'
tst
ickyour
sel
fatt
hebuss
topasi
fyou'
vel
ost
y
ourpur
poset
olive.
"

Shescowledathi
m."
Idon'tdothatev
ery
day
,okay
?"She
l
ashed."
Don'tmist
akemeforaloner
."

Hejus
tlaughed."
Als
o,onemor ethi
ng,
"hetookapaus
e,
andsheey
edhi mcuri
ously
."don'
tyouhaveacar?
"
 "
Idon'
tneedone!I
'mf
ine!
"Repl
ieds
he,c
oldl
y.

"Reall
y?NoI
'm notc
omf
ort
abl
ewi
tht
hat
!"Sai
dRy
an
t
houghtful
ly.

Ignor i
nghi sobnoxiousinnuendo,Clai
relaughedandgotof
f
thec ar
." Thanky oufortodayRy an.
"Sheutteredtrut
hfull
y.
"Again,itwasgr eat,anddr i
vesafel
y."s
hes ai
dandl ef
twi t
habi
t
i
ns ati
ablel ook;shewant edmor eaft
ersuchani cedate,but
again,themanwas n'tf
orher .

Ryanstart
edthec arandsl
idaway ;butonhiswayoutofthe
neighbourhood,hefoundoutthatshe'dforgott
enhercel
lphone.
Hemadeaqui ckU-turn.AtCl
air
e's
,her angthegatebel
land
thehousemai dopenedaf t
ers
omemi nutes;sheseemed
wor r
iedofsomething.

"
Excuseme,c
anIs
eeCl
air
e?Tel
lheri
t'
sRy
an.
"Heki
ndl
y
as
kedher.

"
Ah--aboutthat,
"themaidstutt
er ed,whi
lehoveri
ngasif
somethinghorri
blewashappening.Alittl
eworri
ed,Ryanshoved
herasideandentered."Si
ryoucan't
--"shetri
edtos t
ophim but
hewast oodetermined.Heonlydidsouponhear ingthes
houts
betweenClai
reandhers t
epmother.

"Iheardthaty oureceiv
edahuges um ofmoneybutwhy
didn'tIknowany thingaboutit,t
ellmey ouungr
atefulbrat?
"The
mot herbarked."Iknewy ouwer es oc
onnivings
incethef i
rst
ti
meIc ameher e!handov erthelanddeedifwanttokeepon
l
ivinghere!Besides,whatwi l
lyoudowi thit
?Whyc an'ty
oul et
J
or geuseitforcompanyi nterest
s"
 Clai
rewassti
lls
tandi
ngther
e,f
umingwi
thanger."
Why
woul
dIgi v
ehim?Sayswho?WhatcanIdowit
hit?Hah!Wai
t
andseewhatIcandowi t
hit
!"

"
What
?"

"Isai
dj usts t
ayputands eef oryourself
!"Shet ol
dher .
"What '
swr ongwi thy our eal
ly?You'vegotthec ompany ,you
havet hehous e,you'vec onfi
scatedallofmyf ather'sbank
accounts,aret heynotenough?Iknowy oumar riedhim money
andIknowy ounev erl i
kedmeev enabi tbutIendur ed
everythi
ng!"Clairesc reamedangr i
lywi
tht earsinherey es.Her
mot herwant edt oslapherbuts hequicklygrabbedherwr is
t.

"
Howdar
eyou-
-"Thes
tepmot
hers
tar
ted.

"
Why ?Doesithurtt
ohearthetr
uth?Thaty ouareadamn
golddi gger?Sonowy ouwannahitmeagain?"Shei nsi
sted."
I'm
nol ongert hatl
it
tl
enaivegi
rlwhoaccept
edev erythi
ngjustto
pleasey ouands eekyourat
tenti
on!Youwantt heland?You'l
l
havet okillmef i
rst
!"

"Howdareyou-
-"t
hewomant
riedt
ofr
eeherwr
ist
,but
Cl
air
ekepti
tgri
pped.

"
I'
llnev
erletyouhitmeagain!
"Shewarned."
Anddon'
t
thi
nkI'm aweakl
ingjus
tbecauseIall
owedyouafewti
mes.
"
Shefi
nallyr
eleas
edherhand,andmar chedaway.

Ryanandthatmai
dwerest
il
lout
sidet
hedoor;heli
stenedand
coul
dn'ts
tandi
tanymor
e.Hehandedthephonetotheher."I
t'
s
Cl
air
e's
!"hes
aiddr
ylybef
orewal
kingaway
.

Heent eredhisc ar
,aminutelat
er,andleanedheavily
agai
nsttheleatherofthedri
verseat.Hecontemplat
edt hat
conver
sati
onandf oundhi
ms el
fworr i
edaboutClai
re,andt hat
's
whenhehear dhers l
ammingthegateandr unout.

Shet henstoppedasift
aki
ngabr eakaft
erarace;s
hewiped
thetearswi t
hherhand,ands t
art
edwal ki
ngslowl
yawayfr
om
thehous e.Ryandroppedoutquickl
y,andfol
lowedher
dis
creetl
yf rom adist
ance.

AsusualCl
air
es t
oppedbythepark."Youc
angobac
know,I
don'
tneedyourpit
y!"shes
aidpoi
ntedly.

Ryanwassurpri
sed."
Sincewhenhav
eyouknownIwas
behi
ndyou?"heaskedcal
ml y
.

Shesneered."From thev er
ybeginning!
"Sheans wer ed."
I
sawy ourcarearl
ier,ands i
nc eyouarehere,"shesighedheav i
ly.
"pl
eas ef
orgetwhat everyouhear d.Don'
tthinkthatyouknow
menow! "sheaddedc urt
ly,taki
ngas eatatherusuals pot;Ry
an
didthesame.

"Ihavenoi
deaofwhatyouaresayi
ng."Hefeignedobl
ivi
on.
"
Soi
sthist
heparkt
haty
out al
kedabout?
"hec hangedthe
s
ubj
ect
;hewassogoodatit
.

Clair
enoddedands miledfai
ntl
y.Hefacedher,andmov ed
cl
osertowipehertear
swi t
hhisthumb;thegestur
es enther
chi
ll
s.Shewasjustl
ookingathim,wonderingwhoher eal
lywas,
andwhathec l
earl
ywant edfr
om her.Wit
houtbotheringher
brai
nf urther,sherunahandonhi sleftsi
deburn.Hertouchwas
sensual,andherhear twasracing;shes l
owlyleanedforwar
d,
andgradual lyclos
edhereyesasherl i
pslandedont opofRyan'
s.
Shekissedhi m andheacceptedi ti
ns uchamanner .Heheldher
ti
ghtl
y,tof eelherbodyagai
ns this.

"
Iloveyoursmell
."Cl
air
emut t
eredoutofthebluewhen
themagicwasover."
Imean,theperfume,orwhatevery
ou'r
e
usi
ng;don'
tgetthewrongideas
!"Shegotfl
ust
ered,andhe
l
aughed.

"
Real
ly?Thendon'tIdeser
vealit
tl
emorecomplimentf
or
t
hat
?MaybeIc oul
dbringyouthebottl
eofmyCologneoneof
t
hes
edays!
"Hej okedands hesmi
led.

"
You'resocor ny
!"Shesai
d,andfoundtheireyespull
ing
eachother,inacalm way."
Ithi
nkwebet t
er--
"s hewantedtoget
up,buthes uddenlypull
edhertohissi
de;shewant edt
or esi
st,
butdecidedtorelent.

Hiswarm embrac
emadeherfeelsafe."Ialsohaveadar
k
si
dethatI'dr
athernoonefi
ndsout
;Ithinkev ery
oneelsehas
."
Hesaid,andshescowl
ed."
Soyouhavenor easontofeel
al
armed!"Headded.

Clairepull
edhersel
fbackfr
om hi
sarmsandl ookedupat
him,s
hoc ked."You?Mr.Perf
ect
?Idon'
tbeli
eveyou."she
remarked."Youknowwhat ?Whenifi
rsts
awy ou,Ithoughty
ou
werear udejerk!
"

Ry
anli
ft
edhiseyebrow."Ohi
sthatso?AndIthoughty
ou
wer
eanins
olentl
it
tl
ec r
eatur
ewit
hallthefoulr
emarksyou
keptr
etur
ningme.
"

"
OhnoSi
r!Iwasmer
elydef
endi
ngmy
sel
f.
"

"
From who?me?
"

"
Ofc
our
se!Youwer
edel
iber
atel
ytr
yingt
oint
imi
dat
eme.
"

"
DidI
?"

"
Yesy
oudi
d!"

Helaugheddel
ightedl
y."
Soy ouwereint
imi
dat
ed?What
aboutnow,hav
eyouc hangedyourmind?"

"
Al i
ttl
e!"Sheconfessed."Aft
ers pendi
ngs omet imewith
you,Ireali
zedthatperhapshei sn'tasbadashepr etendstobe,
ormay behei shidi
nghi struesel
fandwear samas kofa
rut
hlessbus i
nessman. "saidClai
re."ButallI'
ms ureofisthat
youaret hemanwhos avedmyl i
fe,sothanky ouRy an!I
coul
dn'tthanky ouproper l
ytheotherday "Clai
retoldhim
cal
mly.Theybot hstayeds i
lent
.

WhenRy anarrivedhome,sometimelat
er ,het ookhi
sti
me
contemplat
ingthemoments pentwithClaire.Forsomereas
ns,
thatonl
yhims el
fknew,hehuffedasmalll aughasthough
imagini
ngsomet hi
ngfunny
.Whi lepl
aci
nghi sphoneandcar
keysdown,hedec idedt
omes sageher;
 FROM:Ry
an

TO:Ladyi
nrai
n

Thu***10:
45pm

(
Subjec
t)Isaf
elyar
riv
edhome.Thi
nkonl
yaboutme,no
oneel
se.Goodnight
!

s
ent
.

Hewait
edforaboutaminut
eandreceiv
edCl
air
e'sr
epl
y
whi
chseemedpleas
anttohi
seyes;hes
miled.

FROM:Ladyi
nrai
n

TO:Ry
an

Thu***10:
46pm

(Subject
)I'l
lonl
ydos oify
oupr omisetodothesame.
Ac
tual
ly,Idemandy ou!Anddon'tt
hinkofcall
ingmebecaus
e
mybatt
er yi
sdying.Sl
eepwellMr.Perfec
t!Todaywasf
un!

r
ecei
ved.
 Uponreading,Ry
an'
ss mil
ewidenedwit
hpleas
ure;hewas
aboutt
orespondwhenac alls
toppedhim;I
twasfrom Dor
is.He
fr
ownedabitbeforeswi
pingtoconnect
.
CHAPTER8

The50thyearanniversaryofStevensKer ens
kygroupof
companieswasnear l
yappr oaching;onlyafewdayshadl ef
t.
Ryanwass eat
edi nhistoweroffice,SKheadquart
ers,andDoris
wasgoingthroughsomel isti
ns uc hafrenzy
.Hisoff
icedoor
swungopenandHar ry,Ryan'
sbes tfri
endandheadofLegal
depar
tmentwal kedin.

"I
t'
sdone!I'
ver
edraf
tedthecontrac
tandIthinkwewon't
hav
eanyproblemswit
htheadditi
onalcl
auses
!"SaidHar
ry,
i
gnori
ngthef
rownonDor i
s'
sface.

Shegrowl ed." Guys,canwegobac ktothatdamned

contractaf
tert hiseventisover!I'
m goingnutshereandnoone
seemst onotice! "HarryandRy anexchangedglancesbut
remaineds i
lent ."So,Imadet heinvi
tessenttoeveryoneonthe
l
ist,andI'ms ureev eryimportantpersonhasobl i
ged,butwhy
am Is t
il
lfr
eaki ngout ?"Sheconti
nuedwhi ning.

Abandoni
nghisc
omputer,Ry
anlookedather."
Icl
earl
ytol
d
y
outoletsomeonehelpy
ou,butyou'
rejus
tsostubbor
n!"He
s
aiddryl
y.

"Ryan,I'
m aPRdir ec
torofthi
scompany ;i
fanyt
hinggoes
wronginthispart
y,i
t'
llbetheendofmyc ar
eer!
"Sheblurt
ed."I
won'tl
etthathappen!
"Shes tr
onglysnapped.

"
Youmeant heendofyourpri
de?"Harrycontri
ved."
Come
onDor i
s,youcan'tdoever
ythi
ngony ourown!Letotherpeopl
e
helpyou,eventhepartypl
anneri
sc omplai
ning;y
ou're
breat
hingunderev er
yone'
sneck!
"
 Shegr owledandshotRyanaglare.Heonlyshrugged.
"
May beyous houldgoandrestabit
!I'm al
readyt
iredofyour
c
ompl ai
ningtoo."Heutt
eredblat
antl
yandbot hgentlemen
l
aughed.

"
Ur gh!Ican'
texpec tanythingf r
om anyofy ou!"She
smackedt hetable."FineI'
l
ldoi tallbymy selfandy ougonna
eatyourwor ds,becaus eI
'l
lmaket hisanniversar ytobe
remember ed!"Shegotupandc oll
ec t
edhert hi ngs,incl
udinga
brandydes i
gnerpur sethatmat chedherl ongheel s."Oh,and
Brunoas kedmef ort woinvit
ations,Iwass ur prisedbec ausehe
nevertakespleasureonany thingt hatinv
olvest hec ompany !
Anyideawhat 'supwi thhim?Her efusedtot ellmeat hing!
"

"
No!
"Theyans
wer
edi
nuni
son.

"Okay!Maybehehasagi r
lf
ri
end?
"Dor i
sins
inuat
edwhi
leat
t
hedoor." Wel
llat
er,gent
lemen!
"Shesnappedwithan
i
ngr
edientofir
ony.

Ry
anwassil
entf
orami
nut
e,f
igur
ings
omet
hingoutt
hat
onl
yheknew.

****

LATERTHATaf t
ernoon,Cl
air
egotac al
lfrom Brunoandagr eed
tomeethim outsi
deherwor kpl
aceduringl
unc hbreak.He
arri
vedshor
tlyaft
ershehadj us
torderedherselfatal
lglas
sof
fr
eshjui
ceatanear byres
taurant.
 "Heybeaut
if
ul,what'
sup?"Hepec
kedheront
hec
heek
bef
orepul
li
ngas eatac
rosshers
.

"
Good!Whatar
ey oudoi
ngi
nthec
ity
,andwhat
'swi
tht
he
r
ush?
"Clai
reur
gedhim.

"Nobi ggie,Ijustneedtogetbac ki
nMont esbybeforedar
k.
Heyt here'sananni versar
ypar t
ythisFri
dayandIwashopi ngi
f
youc oul
dc omewi t
hme! "saidBrunokindl
y,pul
lingClai
re'
s
glassofjuice."Doy oumi nd?I'mreall
ythir
sty
!"Heas ked
casuall
ylikeaf riendwoul d.

"
Nogoahead!
"Clai
reconsent
edandhegul
pedi
tinahal
f.
"
So,apar
tyy
ousay?where?"

Brunoreveal
edtheinv
itat
ionf
rom hi
sbac
kpack."
It'
sal
l
wri
tt
eninhere!"Hehandedherandshereadi
tal
oud."So?DoI
hav
emy sel
fadate?"

Clai
resmil
ed."Cert
ainlyyoudo!"Sheas
suredhim andhe
f
li
nchedhisfi
stst
riumphantly."
But-
-canIbringafr
iend?It
's
j
ustIhategoi
ngplaceswithoutherandshelovesbi
gparti
es!"

Wi
thouthesi
tati
onBrunoagreed."Ofcourse!Although
t
hat
'sasi
nglepersoninvi
te!
"Hesaidthoughtf
ully."
Wel l
,you
c
anhaveanotherone,I'
l
lhavetofi
gureoutmyent rance.
"

"Buti
t'sy
ourc
ompany
'spar
ty,whywoul
dyouneedan
ent
rance?
"

Hegri
nnedchar
mingl
y."Noonewoul
drec
ogni
zemeev
eni
f
Ic
rythatI
'mtheowner
'sgr
andson!
"
 Cl
air
elaughedhear
til
y."
You'
res
uchat
roubl
emaker
,ar
en'
t
y
ou?
"

"Afamil
yblac
ks heep!"Helaughed."
AndIlov
eplayi
ng
i
ncogni
to,t
rustme!"Her epl
iedandtheyshar
edalaugh.

WhenCl ai
retoldGenaabouti t,t
heformerwasenthr
alled
andimmedi atelyst
artedplanni
ngf orwhattowearandbunc hof
others
tuff
s.I t
'sherbestfr
iend'sconti
guousent
husias
mt hat
Clai
rel
ikedthemos tabouther;sheneededherasmuc hasher
neededshe.

THEdayoft hepartyhadfinal
lyarriv
ed,andt hetwobes tf
r i
ends
wereal r
eadymov i
ngforthefunctionatsomef ancyhotelinthe
ci
ty.Brunowasout si
dedressedinabody -f
itblacktuxedo,tryi
ng
tocallClairewhowasalmos tthere.Aft
eras hortwhil
e,At axi
pul
ledov erandthetwoladiesdroppedof f
.

Bothweres t
unningl
ybeaut i
ful;Genawasi nar edbal lgown,
herstrai
ghtAsi
anhai rpart
edt othes ides;s
hewasor i
ginall
y
from J
apanbeforeadopt i
on.Clai
r ewaswear ingalong,bac kles
s
dresswithaplungedV-nec kandat highlengthsli
t;sheknew
fashi
onandkeptherowns ty
leregardlessthetrend.They
walkednonchalantl
ytowher eBr unowass t
andingasifhe' dlost
hismobili
ty.

"
Okay
,iftheyoungerl
ooksli
kethis
,thenhowi
stheol
der
l
ike?Ohgi
rl,y
ou'r
ei nareal
lybi
gtrouble!
"Genamurmur
ed.

"ShutupGena!Ial
readyknowwhatIsignedupf ors
oy ou
don'
tneedtoremindme."Clai
resnappedwithafakesmile
that
'sdir
ec tedtoBruno.
Hewasgr i
nningi
ncredul
ousl
yasifhi
s
hearthads kippedabeat,wi
thhiseyesgl
is
teni
ngwit
hpleasur
e
astheladiest ookf
ewwidestai
rstowherehewass t
andi
ng.

"MyGod!Youlookgorgeous
!"Heexcl
aimedandClaire
s
miledhumbly."Ar
eyouladiest
ryi
ngtost
ealthespot
li
ght
t
onight
?"Hesaidwhil
estari
ngatGenanext
;shetoosmiled
c
asuall
y.

"Youl
ookstunni
ngyours
elfbl
acksheep!Tuxreal
lytr
eats
yougood.
"Cl
air
es ai
d."
Youshouldwearmor eoft
en."Shejoked,
andhewavedhishandasifs
hewass pi
tti
ngnonsense.

"Meandt ux
?"Heremarked."
Nah!I
t'
scr
ampi
ngmys
tyl
e."
Theyal
lshar
edabriefl
aught
er.

"Um--thi
sismybestfr
iendGena,GenameetBruno,my
newestf
ri
end!"Cl
air
egavethem aqui
ckint
roduc
tion.

"
HiBr
uno,hear
dal
otabouty
ou?
"Genabr
oke.

" Goodstuf
fsIhope?
"Her
epl
iedwi
thf
ri
endl
ypec
kand
par
tialhug.

Theywalkedi ns
idet hegr andbal lroom atoneoft hehotel
affi
li
atedwithSK,wi thBr unopl ayingphot ographerf rom
what evermagaz inehement i
onedt ot hesecurit
yt eam.The
room wasi nround,andpeopl ef i
ll
edi twhereasel egantasal l
thec arspar
kedout si
de.I thadt hreeopenf l
oorsar rangedli
ke
sidebalconi
es ,inwhic hot hergues t
swer ewer ec hatti
ngwi t
h
champai gnfl
ut esors omeot herkindsofext ravagantdr i
nkswith
fancyappetizers.Thepl acehaduni quear chit
ecturaldes i
gnand
i
twasqui t
ef ancy.Brunol edthem t
oabi gwell-
dec
oratedr
ound
tabl
e,wheret heyallset
tl
edbutheexc us
edhims el
fforaminute
foruntol
dreas on.Genabus i
edhersel
fwithherphoneasif
text
ingsomeone,andCl air ewasgetti
ngfamil
iarwi
ththepart
y
bywander i
nghergaz ear ound.

That'swhens hes potteds omeonewhoasal way s,managed

totakeherbr eathaway ;Ry an.Shedr ewi nal ongoneatt he
sightofhi m;unl ikeother s,hewasdr es sedc asual l
yi nc ream
cropped- pant sandaquamar ines t
yli
s hc oat;thes hirtbeneat h
washal fbut tonedandCl air
ec oul dc learlys eei tev enf rom a
distanc e.Hewass mi l
ingf orcedl yats omec oupl e,whi les i
pping
hisdr ink,wi thanot herhanddugt ohi spant spoc ket.Af emal e
voice,t hatdr ewev er
yone' sat tent i
on,hi tthemi c rophoneasi t
commenc edt heev entthatwast ot akepl ace.Cl ai reknewr ight
awayt hati twasDor is
's,andl ookedather ;Jus tass heal way s
was ,soc l
as sy,sofine,soel egant ;shewor eas ui t
,s l
im- fi
tand
thes amec olorasRy an'sj acket.Cl air
ef rownedr ightaway ,
feelingexqui sit
elyangr y;itquit eimpos siblet olikeDor is,she
hadper f
ec tl
yac cepted.

I
TwasRy an'
stimetot
akethes
pot
li
ght
.Hi
sexhibi
ti
onatthe
f
rontwaswelcomedwithawar
mroundofappl
ausebef
orehe
c
learedhi
sthroatt
ospeak;

"Thanksev er
y oneforbeingheret
onight!
"Hes ai
d."I
t'
sour
greatpl easuretoc elebr
atethefi
ft
y..."hecontinuedwit
hhis
celebrator yspeech,amidstwhichhisc
onfidentgazecol
li
ded
withCl aire'sf
rom s omewhereamongt heguests.Hecont
inued
hisspeechwithaprefec
tindif
ferencebefor
eannouncingthe
presenceoftheSKchair
man,Mr .St
evenshimsel
fwhoappear ed
l
ikeay oungs
terinhisgreysui
t.Theapplauseswereexceedi
ngly
towardshim.

Brunofi
nallyr
eturned,andthefi
rstt
hinghedi
dwasasking;
"Areyougirl
sc omfor
table?
"withhischar
mi ngs
mil
ethatdr
ew
hisfai
ntdimples.

"
Yeah,wearegood"Genar epl
ied,andClai
resec onded."
Oh,
y
ourgrandf
atherl
ooksyoung!NowIknowwher ey ouallget
y
ourgreatl
ooksfr
om!"GenaaddedandBr unogiggled.

"Yeah!Andhel
ooksv
eryener
get
ict
oday
."Cl
air
esai
dwi
tha
war
ms mil
e.

"I'
mj ustgladther
e'snopar tofi
ntroducingfamilymember
s!
Ihat
et hecharade!"Brunosaid,andtheyalllookedathim.
"What?I'
mj ustbeinghonest,canyouimaginemeet ing
someonewhoas kswhatac c
ompl i
shment syouhav einl
if
e.I
mean,whati sthat
?It'
stotal
lyobnoxious!
"

"Ohhe' sri
ght
!Ihatethatmysel
f,
"sai
dGenawhi
letas
ting
thecaviar
s ."I
t'
ssohardbeingwit
hpeoplewhomeasur
ea
person'
sv aluewit
hthekindofjobandaccompl
is
hmentst
hey
have!"

Clair
es i
ghed."That'
sthehar shreal
ity!I
fwe' r
eallthesame
thenwhat 'sthecolorofli
fe?Letthem be,andl etusbe.Cheers!
"
Sher ai
sedhergl assandthet wojoinedin.Frankly,s
hewasf ar
awayf rom thei
rc onver
sation;s
heonl yeyedoneper sonwho
eyedherbac kwithgall
ant.
 Harr
yappearedoutoft
heblue,andplac
edahandon
Bruno'sshoul
derasawaytoannouncehispres
enc
e."
Sucha
gr
eatc ompanyyouhavehereBr
uno!"

"
Heydude,what '
sup?"Brunosaidtohiml aughi
ngl
y.Gena
pinc
hedCl ai
reonherthighthats
henear l
yjumped."Oht hes
e
aremyf r
iends,s
heisClair
eandthat'
sGena. "Brunoint
roduced
them andtheysaidhel
lotoeachother.

"Har ryRy s!
"Har rygavethem ahands hakei nturnswhi le
hav i
ngas eat."Claire?It hi
nkI'
vehear dqui temuc habouty ou."
hes aid,buts eeingherexpr ess
ionhei mmedi atelyadded," Oh
forgi
vemef orbei ngbr utal
lyhonest,it
'sjust,keepings ecrets
betweent hef ourofushasbec omeal mos timpos sibl
e,s otryto
under stand,andt rustme,I '
dreall
yl ovetoc hanget hat."He
tri
edt of l
atthet ens ionandi tr
eall
ywor ked;heappear edt obe
goodwi thwor dsandev eninsett
li
ngmoods .Hewasbl ack,not
bulkybutf i
tandhadv eryniceteethandey es.

"
It'
sokay!"SaidClai
retr
uthful
ly,"
Itwasn'
tasecretanyway
."
shesmiled.Shes t
art
edwonder i
ngifRyanhadalsotoldhim
aboutthekissandalltheti
mes hared,buti
magini
ngRy anashe
seemed,shehi ghl
ydoubted.

"Okay
,whoisthi
soneagai
n?"Genawhis
per
ed,whent
he
guy
skeptthei
rownchatawayf
rom t
heir
s.

"Youjusthear
dhim,HarryRys,AndIknowt hatlook,and
thefactthatyouhaveathi
ngforblackguys!So,al
lthebes t
gir
lf
riend!"Cl
airer
epli
edknowingl
ywithas i
pofc hi
lly
champagne,af t
erabit
eoftast
yappetizer
.
 "Heyshutup!I'
m onl
ychec
kingpos
sibi
li
ti
esher
e."Gena
nudgedherandtheyshar
edalaugh.

Afters omemi nut

esofc onver
singdeli
ghtfull
y,wit
hallfour
ofthem i nt opic,theysuddenl yhadapl easureofhav i
ngDor i
s
approac hingt heirway ,holdingRyan'shandwhi lecongrat
ulati
ng
himf ort heni cespeec handhef ortheperfectpartyshehad
turnedi taspr omi sed.Thet ablewasenoughf orsi
xpeople,so
thetwos atdownandgr eetedtheothers.Clai
restaredatthem
blankly
,hi dingt hef ur
yc ons umingherinsi
de.

Dor
isr
est
edhergaz
est
rai
ghtonher
.

"
Hell
oClai
re,Ialmostcoul
dn'
trecogni
zeyou;y oulook
st
unningtoni
ght!
"Shesaid."Is
hould'
veguess
edi twasy ou
Brunowasdyingtoinvi
te!
"Shethrewhim amischievousgri
n
andheonlyshookhishead.

Iwishyoudi dn'tt
hough.Clair
et hought,referr
ingtoDori
s'
s
fi
rstremark."Thanky ou."Shesmiled."Youl ookbeautif
ult
oo,
infactyoualwaysdo. "sherepli
edandDor i
sbl ushed."
AndI'm
gladBrunowaski ndenought oinv
iteme,he' ss ucha
gentl
eman. "Sheadded.

"Thankyoubeauti
ful
,it
'smygr eatpleas
ure!"Br
uno
res
pondedwi thhi
sbes tsmile,andt herestali
ngeri
ngs
mil
e
exceptDoriswholaughed,seemi ngamus ed.

Genaeyedherbestfri
endsuspi
ci
ousl
yassheshi
ftedher
ey
estoRyan;sheunderst
oodperf
ectl
ytheir
onybehi
ndher
wordsandmostespeci
all
ywhatshewasabouttosay
.
 "HiRyan,Ienjoy
edy
ours
peec
h!"Cl
air
esai
dpoi
ntedl
y,wi
th
ani
nexpli
cablelook.

"ThanksCl
air
e,I'
m gl
adyoudi
d!"Ryanretur
ned,si
mi l
arl
yin
manners,ands
taredoneanot
heri
nal anguageonl
ytheirminds
knew.

Clair
ef el
tli
kepl
uckinghi
scy
niceyesri
ghtt
hereandt
hen;
shecl
enc hedherfi
stsundert
hetabl
ebefor
eturni
ngtoGena
andsaid;

"
I'
m goingtot herest
room."Shegotup."Youshouldput
yourAsiancharmst ouseifyouwanttocapturetheblac
khotti
e,
t
hatisifhe'savai
lablebecauseappar
entl
y,allmenaredogs!"
Nows heglaredgravelyatRyan,whowassmi li
ngatsomethi
ng
Dori
shadj ustment i
onedagain.

"Um--okay
?"Genar
epli
ed.Sheknewherbestfr
iend'
s
t
emperandatthemomentitwaspi
li
ngupherthroat.

Clai
rewhi speredsomethingtoBrunoandhenoddedbef or
e
returni
ngthewor dswhilepoint
ingdir
ecti
ons .Shewalkedaway
after
war ds
,wi t
hRy an'seyestai
li
ngherdiscreetl
y.Shehadno
needf orar es
troom otherthanusingitasanes caperoute;
escapingfrom thepr y
ingeyesofnoneot herthanRy anwhom by
thenwasabi gbas t
ardinhereyes.

"Thatjer
k!"Shes
nappedbet
weenhert
eet
honc
eins
idet
he
l
adi
esr oom.

Shewasstandi
ngbythemirr
or,inc
li
nedbyt
hemas s
ive
c
leansi
nk.Shewasbreat
hingc
apric
iousl
ywit
hanger
.Thesight
ofRyanar ri
vingwi thhi sawfullybeautifulgi
rlfr
iendwit
hhi s
shamelessfac ekeptr emi ndinghows tupidshe'dbeenbyf ar.
Shes t
aredther efl
ectionbefor eher,andknewt hatshewas
beauti
fultoo;s hedidn' tneedany one'sappr ovaltobel
ievet hat.
Withherlooks ;tall
,longpr ettyhair
,tanneds ki
nand
proporti
onatef iguret hatfi
tt
edanyt ypeofc l
othesshewor e;s he
couldhavehadanyot hermaneatherpal mi fshewantedt o,
butthenwhyRy anSt evens?Shewonder ed.

Hehadpr ovedtobenot hingbutaPlayboywhot ook

pleasurei nplayingaroundwi t
hanewf ace.Atleastthat
'swhat
Clair
ebel ieved.Shes natchedapowderf rom hersilv
erc l
utch
andr etouc hedherfac e.Therewasanol derwomanbes ideher,
buts hec ouldn'tcar
el essofthatlady'
sfaci
alopini
onr egardi
ng
theenr agedl ookofherf ace.Whendones hedrewi nanother
l
ongbr eat h,readytof acewhomev erwantstoplayher
enormousego.

"Cl
air
eLevy?
"Thatwoman' svoic
ecall
edaft
erherjustas
shewasaboutt
oleav
e.Star
tled,Clai
ret
urnedaroundtosee
whoshewas,andhowsheknewhername,andi nful
l."I
t'
syou
ri
ght
?"Thewomanadded,withas milet
histi
me.

"
Mrs
.Johans
en?
"Cl
air
eres
ponded.

Shecouldn'tbeli
evehereyeswhenshereali
zedthewoman
st
andingbefor
eherwast hemot herofDeni
s,herex.She
hurr
iedoverands haredahug;shewasli
keas econdmothert
o
her.

"
MyGod!Lookaty
ous
weet
ie,y
ou'
reawomannow!
"The
womansai
d,andClai
resmiled."
Youusedtocal
lmeauntGl
ori
a
soI
'dl
iket
ohearthatins
teadofMrs.J
ohansen!
"

Cl
air
elaughed."
OkayauntGl
ori
a!Whendidy
ouc
omebac
k?
Las
tti
meIc hec
kedyouguyswerest
il
labr
oad.
"

"We'vebeenhereforaweek,andi
t'sonl
yyes
terdaythat
Denisas
kedifwe'vegoti
ntouchwithy
ou.Whatac oi
ncidenc
e
t
ofindyouhere!"

"
OhDeni
s!Howi
she?Hehas
n'tc
omebac
kyet
?"

"No,butI'ms ur
ehe'llbeecst
ati
ctohearaboutt
his
,let'
s
getoutofher e,I
'm done."Gl
oriat
oldherandtheysl
owlylef
t
therestroom."Sohowhav eyoubeenmydear ?I
'msosorrythat
wec ouldn'tmakeitforyourfat
her'
sfuner
al.
"

"I
t'
sokayandI'mf i
ne,Iknowy ouhadprobl
emsofyour
ownattheti
me,"Clai
rerepli
ed."andspeaki
ngofwhi
ch,howis
unc
ledoingnow?Ishewi t
hy ounow?"

"Ofc oursedar l
ing!Doyouthi
nkIc oul
dattendthese
businesspar ti
eswi t
houthim?I'
ddieofbor edom."Theyshared
alaughont hewaybac ktothebal
lroom,andCl ai
refol
lowed
hertot heirtablewher eshemetMr .J
ohansen.Hetoo,justl
ike
hi
swi fe,wasdel ight
edt oseeCl
air
e.

"Is
wearIwouldn'thav
erec
ogni
zedheri
fIs
awherpas
sing
by
."Sai
dhetohiswife.

"Ohcomeonguy s
,haveIchangedthatmuch?
"Clai
re
promptedlaughi
ngl
y.Whil
eexchangingst
ori
eswit
hherex's
parents
,shespot
tedRyanonceagainamongthecrowd.Hewas
atthesec
ondf
loor
,tal
kingt
osomebi
g-bel
li
edmanwi
thDor
isi
n
themiddl
e.

Couldn'tDorisleavehim alonef oras econd?Tobr eath

maybe?Cl airethought,disdai
nfully,butimmedi atel
yomi tt
ed
theideas.Lateraft
erhermomentwi t
ht heJohansen's,shemade
herwaybac ktoheror igi
naltablewher eGenas eemedpr etty
muc hoc cupiedwithherc hatt
ingwi thHar ry.Thetwower e
l
aughingasi fthey'vebeenc onversingforawhi l
elonger.Bruno
wasnowher etobes een,andjus tasClairemadeat urntot he
part
icularsideofther oom,ahandgr abbedherar m ands tart
ed
pull
ingherawayf rom theballroom.

"
Shutupandf
oll
owme!Unlessyouwantt
omakeas cene
ofcours
e."I
twasaveryf
ami
li
arvoic
eandshefrownedatthe
si
ght.

"
What'swr ongwithyouRyan?"Cl
air
ebarked."You'r
e
hurti
ngme!"Shel amentedbutheplayeddeaf;hedraggedher
i
nsidetheelevatorj
ustassomeoneelsegotoutofit.Thetwi
n
el
evatordoorsmar r
ied,andthetwowerealoneinsi
dei t
scabi
n.
CHAPTER9

Onceinsidethecabin,c
losedandalone,Cl
air
edetachedher
s el
f
for
ceful
lyfrom Ryan'
sgrip."
Letgoofmey oubrut
e!"Shebarked
angri
ly.

Ryanl
aughed,anddi
dass
hewant
ed."
Brut
e?"her
emar
ked.
"
Me?
"

"
Yesyou!Howdar
eyoudr
agmear
oundl
iket
his
?"She
s
napped.

"I
'msorryt
hatIpul
ledy
oul
iket
hat
,"Hes
mil
ed."
butI
'm
notabrut
e!"

"Ohplease!
"Sherol
ledhereyes,catc
hingabreat
h."And
whatdoyouwantnow?Ti r
edplay
ingt heperf
ectboyf
ri
endand
i
nneedofanewt oy
?Whydon'tyouj ustl
etmegoy ouidi
ot?My
f
ri
endiswaiti
ngforme."Shecl
earlyshoutedathi
m.

"WellIthi
nkyourf
riendisinbet t
erhandsaswear e
speaking,Idoubtt
hatshe'seventhinkingofyouatthemoment
,
andIdon' tneedanewt oy!
"Ry anrepli
ed,clos
ingt
hedist
anc
e
betweent hem ast
heel
ev atorascendedup.

"Nonsens
e!"Cl
air
emovedbac
k,andc
oll
idedwi
tht
he
gol
denfac
adeofthewall
.

"Youlooksobeaut
ifult
oni
ght
!"Heat
eherwi
thhi
sey
es."
I
c
oul
dbarelyst
epmyey esoffy
ou.
"Headded.

"St
opRyan!
"Shesnapped."
I'
m notf
alli
ngfory
oursl
eaz
y
l
ines
,anddon'
tyoucomec l
oser
!"Shewarnedandheonl
y
s
mil
ed,bemus
ed.

"I
t'
snotali
ne,i
t'
sthepur
efac
t."Hes
aid,andhi
sbodywas
adotf
rom her
.

"IswearRy anIfyoutryt
ok--"andt hatwastheendofher
sentenceasheat tackedhersof
tlipswithhertrappedbyt he
wallandkiss edherasthoughhewasdy ingtodosot heentir
e
night.Di
videdbetweenherdes i
resov erhim,andur gestoresi
st
histemptation,Cl
airefoundherselfs
truggli
ngandatl as
t
pushedhim bac kwithapunc h.

"Ar
gh!"Hegr
imaced."
You'r
ethebrut
eone!Damni
t!
"Ryan
f
eignedthepainf
rom herl
it
tl
epunch,andbr
okeint
oal
aughter
s
ec ondslat
er.

"
Isai
ddon'
ttouc
hme!
"Shes
napped,wi
pingof
fthet
rac
eof
hi
smouthonher
s.

Helaughedhar
d,ands
hekeptf
umi
ng."
Fine,butIknow
y
oul
ikei
t."

"Youknow,you'
recr
azy
!"Shes quint
edhereyes,completel
y
stunnedbyhisabil
it
ytobeshameless,andatthesamemoment
thedangli
ngsoundoftheel
evatorstoppingwasheard,andthe
doorsparted.

"Cr
azy?
"Heprompted."
Youhaven'
tseent
hec
raz
yyet
!"He
gr
abbedherwr
istandf
orcedherout
.

"What
'st
hematterwithyouRy
an?Whataredoi
ng?"She
sc
reamedandheopenlyignor
edherpr
otes
t."
You'
resucha
maniac
!Wherear
eyout aki
ngme?"
 "
Somewher
epr
ivat
e."Her
epl
ied,c
asual
ly.

"
What?
"Sheexc l
aimed."Ryanwhereisthi
spl
ace?"She
addedfr
anti
cal
ly,att
hesightofaquiethal
lwaywi
thadim
gol
denli
ghts
,andnumberofdoor soneit
hersi
des
.

"
Jus
tshutupf
oras
econd,woman!
"Hey
ell
ed.

"
Ohno! "Shemut t
ered.She'
dgraspedtheywer eheadi
ng
i
ntoahotelroom,asher ev
ealedakeycardfrom hisbl
uejacket
.
"
No,RyanI--
"Sher es
ist
edbuthepr oc
eededwi t
ht heswipeand
t
hedooropened.

"Ohy
esClai
re!Thi
sone,i
sther
ealc
raz
y!"Her
etur
nedand
f
orc
edherin.

"Ryanstopthi
snons
ens
e!Peopl
ear
ewai
ti
ngf
orusout
side
andespeci
all
yyou."

"
Theyc anal lgotohellforal
lIcare!"Hesai
d,wit
houta
smil
et hi
st i
me;hel ookedmadal lofas udden."What
'syour
dealwithBruno? "Heas ked,whil
eturningtheli
ght
sonwi t
hthe
remotec ontrol
ler.

ForasecondCl air
ewasl os
tatthesightofthathugeand
beautif
ulmoder nlyfurnis
heds uit
e;buti
twas n'timport
antat
thetime."
What ?Andwhywoul dy oucar
e? "Sheglaredathi
m.
Sothatwasal laboutBr uno,Shewonderedandi tamusedher
wil
dmi nd,forsomes t
upidr easons.

Hechar
gedc l
os erandheldherf
ir
ml y
."No,Idon'
tcare.
"He
sai
d."Ij
ustdon'tl
iket hei
deaofyougiv
ingmybr ot
herthe
wrongimpress
ionj ustsothaty
oucanhurtme!"
 Hur thim?Thatnev ercr ossedCl ai
re'smindatal l
;buti
tdid
soundl i
keabadi deac omingf rom Ry anhims el
f.Shepull
ed
herselfoutofhisgr i
p."Icoul dnev erus eyourbrothertohurt
you."Shet oldhim."Icaref orBr unov erymuc h,andheonl y
l
ikesmeasaf r
iendwoul d;jus tsoy ouknow,notev er
y
rel
ationshiphast oinvolv
et hef akeki ss
esandhugs .
"

"
Whatdoy
oumeanf
akeki
ssesandhugs
?"Her
etor
ted.

"
Youknowper f
ect
lywellyouasshol
e!J
ustl
ikeyour
sf or
i
nstance.
"Sherepl
iedandmov edawayfrom hi
m bypacing
ar
oundhi sl
uxuri
oussuit
ethatunti
lthenshehadnoideaofwhy
hehadonei nafi
rstpl
ace.

"
You'
rer
eal
lyt
ast
ingmeCl
air
e!"Hes
ighed.

"
Thinkwhat every
ouwant .
"Shesaid."Besides,whydoesi t
evenmat t
ertoy ou?Imeanteveryworl
dIs ai
dbac kt her
e;your
br
otherwast heonewhoi nvit
edmeher e,unli
key ouwhohad
al
ltheimportuniti
esintheworldbutst
illdidn'
t."Shebar kedat
hi
m,ac c
us i
ngly
." OhIknow,howc oul
dy ou?Wi thy ourbeauti
ful
gi
rlf
ri
endinvolved?"Shekeptrappi
ng.

Ryanlaughedatthementionofhisbeaut
if
ulgirlf
ri
end;he'
d
alwayslaughwheneverClai
rementionedDori
s,ast houghi
twas
somethingamus i
ng."Iwantedtoi
nv i
teyouCl
aire,but--
"

"
Stopyours l
eazyexcusesRyan!"Shewavedherhand."You
know,Ishouldbewi t
hBrunor ightnow,andnoti
nsidethi
sGod-
for
sakenhotelroom wit
hy ou!"Sheattempt
edtowalkpasthim
buthes t
oppedher .
 "
Pleasedon'
tgoClai
re,Ipr
omiseI
'llmakei
tupt
oyou.
"
Ry
anutter
ed,ref
rai
ningherbodyf
rom behi
nd.

"Whywoul dy oumakei tuptome? "Shes mir

ked."Meand
youhavenothing,soyoudon' thavetomakeupf oranyshit
!"
Shesai
dwhi l
et r
yinghardtor esi
stthei
mpac tofRyan'
schest
agai
nsthernakedbac k,andhisstubbornhandsaroundher
tummy .

"
Real
ly?Doy
our
eal
lyt
hinkwehav
enot
hing?
"

"
Yes
,it
sthet
rut
h."

"Whyar eyout ryi

ngt odenywhatyouwantClaire?
"Heheld
ti
ghtly."OrshouldIs ay,whatyourbodywants?
"Hewasnow
breathingthewor dsagainstherearl
obe,whi
letr
aili
nghis
fi
ngersonherbel lytowar dsherfai
rl
yplumpchest,makingher
squintands huddering.

Clai
rec l
osedhereyestor
egaincontrolofhermind,and
s
wir
ledar oundtofacehim,wi
thoutbreakinghisgr
iparoundher
.
"
Doy ourealiz
ewhatajerkyouare?"Sheas ked.

Hes
mil
ed."
Iam?
"

"Yesy
ouare.
"Sheretur
ned,wit
hclenc
hedt
eet
h."Soyou
br
oughtmeherejus
tsothatyoucanhavemybody
?Isthat
whatyouwantf
rom me?"

"NoCl ai
re,Inev
ers ai
dthat.
"Heey edhertr
embli
ngli
ps,
mocki
ngly."I
t'syouwhowant smybody ."Hesai
dbl
atant
lywit
h
asmirk.Hi
sey esnarrowedwithpleas
ureofseei
nghermadand
t
urnedattheon,att hesametime.
 Theremarkhadleftherver
yfl
ust
ered."
What...whatar
e
y
ousay
ing?ThatIwantyourbody?Ar
ey ousi
ck?
"

Hesmiledyetagai
n."What ?Don'tyou?Don'tyouwantto
knowhowI tf
eelsl
ikehavi
ngmec los
eanddeepi nsideyou?
Howmyr ealki
ssestas
te,andallthethi
ngsIcoulddot oyou?"
Hecont
inuedthesweetas s
aultofhishandsalloverherback
andali
tt
ledownt oherbutt.

"
No! "Sheyel l
ed."Andt hisc onversati
onisover."Shesaid,
andtriedtomov e;butagain,shegotpul ledevencloserand
endedupl andingont ohislips.Shet ri
edt owriggl
einr es
ist
ance,
buthewast oodet er
mi nedtol ethergo.Andhi sli
pswer etoo
enchanti
ngf orhert oletthem go;t heirtonguesmol ded
toget
herwhi letheirhandss tartedmov i
ngher eandt her
e.

"Don'ttryt
odenywhaty ouwantCl ai
re!
"Ryanwhisper
ed,
andshewaspant ingheavi
ly,feel
inghisfi
nger
ss l
idi
ng
underneathherpants,andrighti
nsidethepartnoonehad
touc
hedi nyears
.

"Ryanpl eas edon't-

-"shemoaned,whenhi sf
ingers l
owly
encircl
edt hats ensi
tiv
es pot,maki nghers quirmcrazil
y.She
hungril
ypul ledhi sfacetoclaim hislipsfrom bycockingherface
overthes houlder ,t
omeethi srightbehi ndher.Thenextt hi
ng
Clai
rer eali
zedwast hatshewasal readyonbed,atRy an'smercy,
feel
inghi shardbodypoundi ngv eraciousl
yagainsthers,ashis
hardlengt hfil
ledherl i
ttl
ebyl it
tle,inamos tpl
easurableway
thatshehadnev erknownexi s
ted.Sheonl ymoanedhi sname,
dughernai l
sint ohisfl
esh,andr ockedherwai stt
oc atchuphis
pace.
CLAIREwaswrappedwithawhit
es heetwhileseat
edonahuge
bedinsi
dethehotelr
oom.Shewass tari
ngatthescreenofher
cel
lphonewit
hfewmi ss
edcal
lsandt ext
sfrom Genaaski
ngof
herwhereabout
s.Shedeci
dedtocallher.

"What'swrongwi t
hy ouCl air
e?"Genasnappedas ec
ond
sheans wered."Youaret aki
ngt hi
stendencyofmakingme
worrytoos eri
ous!Ican'tseey ouanywhere,you'r
enotpicki
ng
myc all
s,andRy anisnowher etobes eenei
ther;wher
ear eyou
gir
l?"

Clai
recl
aspedherli
psinafi
neli
ne,andshotRyanawry
glancebefor
ereply
ing."
I'
mf i
neGena,don'
tworry;I
'l
lbedown
infewmi nut
es."

"You'
l
lbedown?Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?Wher
ear
e
y
ou?
"

"
I'
lls
eey
oul
ater
."s
hes
aids
oft
ly,i
gnor
ingGena'
sinnuendo.

"
Wait
,ar
eyouokaythough?Youki
ndofs
ounds
trange!
"
addedGenawor
riedl
y.

"
I'
m okay
!Jus
twai
tforme.
"

"Okay,t
akey
ourti
me.
"Genasai
d,andCl
air
ecouldt
ellwhat
l
iedbehi
ndherfi
nalr
emar
kbutdeci
dedtohangup.

Turni
ngherc al
m gaze,shewat chedRyanputti
ngonhi s
j
acket,wit
hhishaught ygri
ns plat
ter
edhi sf
ace.Shewatched
him butcoul
dn'tbeli
evethats he'
djusthadsexwi t
hhim;sex
andnotmaki nglove.Notoncei nherlif
ehads heimagi
ned
herselfhavingarandom s exwi thanyone,especi
all
ywith
someones hehadnor elationshipofas or
t,noranytypeof
arrangementwi t
hs i
mi l
ardes ign.Shewasangr yathim,and
evenmor eathersel
fforlos i
ngal lt
hedignit
yshehadkeptjust
foraoneni ghtful
lofc r
azinessandmi xedemot i
ons.

"
Whyarey
oul
ooki
ngatmeliket
hat
?Doy ouwantt
o
mur
derme?Ormi
ssmeal
ready
?"Ryangri
nned.

"
Shutup!J
ustgetoutofmys
ight
!"Cl
air
ebar
ked,s
eemi
ngl
y
mad.

Ryan,l
ikeacue,advancedtowardsthebedands atnextto
her."Whyar eyouangryatme?Don'tt el
lmey ou'
rer
egretti
ng
aft
erus i
ngmenow. "Hej oked,andt
riedtotouchherbutshe
brushedaway .

"Don'ttouchmeRy an!"Shegotupabr uptly,cr

ingingthe
sheetwr appedonherbodyands tart
edr etri
ev i
ngherdr essand
shoesthatwer ealloverthef l
oor"Shouldn'tyoubet ryi
ngt owin
overthei nvest
orsforyourgr andredevelopmentpr ojectyou
mentionedi nyours peech?Orwi thyourgi r
lfr
iendmay be?
Inst
eadofs ingingyourv i
ctorysongforget t
ingundermypant s!
"
Shewhi nedr i
ghtbeforehim andhebur stedoutl aughing.

"Wow!Seemsy ouwerelist
eningtomys peechsointent
ly
huh?"Ry ansaid,amused.Hewr appedClai
reintohisarmsby
surpri
seands hes t
ayedsti
ffl
ybyhi sembracewithoutprovi
ng
thethri
llitdec
ipheredinsi
deherbody .

"
Don'tgett
oocockywithme!Ev er
yoneel
sehear
dthe
s
peech,s
oitwasn'
tthati
nteres
ting!
"Shewhac
kedathim and
heonl
ylaughed.

"
Idon'tneedtokis
stheirass
esforthem t
oopenthei
r
wall
ets!
"SaidRyan."
Thepr oj
ecti
tsel
fisagol
dmine,s
othey'
re
probabl
yfight
ingtopourthei
rmoney .
"Headded,andmeantall
ofit
.

Cl
airer oll
edhereyes."Sofullofyoursel
f!"Shes
pokeunder
herownbr eathandpulledoffhisembr ace."Ineedtos
hower;
atleastIshoul dn'
thav
et hisj
ust-
fucked-uplookwhenIgodown,
ri
ght?"Shes nappedwit
hs arc
asm.

"Ithi
nkyourjust-
fucked-up-
looksui
tsyoubest
!Ifeell
ike
goinganotherroundwi t
hy ou;you'r
ejusts
osexyClai
reandI '
ve
imaginedfucki
ngy ousomanyt i
mess i
nceyouki
ssedmet hat
night
!"

Sosexy?Sothat'
swhatshewast ohim,asexobjec
t?Clai
re
t
hought
,glari
ngathim.Madly,Cl
air
elungedtowardshim and
s
poketohisface,"
Screwyou,bas
tard!"

"
What
?"Hewass
tar
tledbyt
hec
oldnes
sofhert
oneofv
oic
e.

"
Is ai
ds c
rewy ou."Sher epeated,casuall
y."I
'm notaslut
Ryan!Ihopey oudon' tfor getthat.
"Sheannounc edinav ery
painf
ulway ,whil
eonv er geoft ear
sforwhichs heheldthem in
withallhermighty;thel astthingsheneededwasf orhimtofind
heraweakl i
ng."Justgoaway ,t
hisnightneverhappened!"She
snappedanddi sappear edi ntoas howerroom.

Sheonlycameoutaboutt
enmi nutesl
ater
,andfoundRyan
gone;shefeltr
eli
evedandemptyatthesametime.Shejus
t
sli
ppedi ntoherdr essandheel s
,beforetouchi
ngupas i
mple
make-upwi thtoneoflipsti
ckthatsheappliedwhil
stindeep
thoughts,withoutevenknowi ng.Shequi c
klyst
opped,butlefti
t
asitis
;bl oodredac tuall
ylookedperfectonher.Onherwayout
oftheelev ator
,Clair
e'seyesresteddirect
lyonDorisamongt he
guests,butwi t
houtRy anasherent ourage.Shefel
tstar
tledbut
nevergui l
ty;withadeepbr eath,sheheldherheadhi ghand
fol
lowedGena.

"Ohyou'r
ebac k?Andy oul
ookgreat,mindtel
li
ngmewher e
youhavebeeninthemi ddl
eoftheparty?"Genabombardedher
assoonasshegrabbedas eati
nsil
ence.Lucki
lyGenawasalone
att
hetabl
e.

"Nowher
e,Iwasj
ustget
ti
ngs
omeair!It
hinkI
'm donewi
th
t
hispart
yandIneedt
obeonbed."r
epl
iedClai
recal
mly.

Genaar
ched."Real
ly?Youwereouts
ide?"Sheas
kedbut
Br
unoappearedandherinquir
ieswer
ec uts
hor t
.

"
Heybeauti
ful,pl
ayi
nghi
deands eek?Wherehavey
ou
been?"Brunoasked,l
eani
ngoverCl
aire'
sshoul
derfr
om t
he
backofherseat
.

Genarai
sedaknowi
ngeyebr
ow;shewasn'
teasytofool
especi
all
yaft
ernoti
ci
ngt
hatherbestf
ri
endwasn'
ttheonlyone
gone;Ryanwas,ar
oundt
hesamet i
me.

"Iwentoutfors
omeai
r;IhopeIdi
dn'tmis
smuc
h."Cl
air
e
f
orc
edas mileandstuc
kwi
ththesamestory
.

"
Notr
eal
ly!
"Her
epl
ieds
mil
ingl
y."
Letmej
usts
tealherf
ora
whi
le,doy
oumi
nd?
"Hedi
rec
tedt
oGena.

"Notatal
l!
"Genaret
urned,wit
habi
gsmi
leasHar
ry
r
eappearedagai
nwit
hmor edrinks
.

BRUNOtookClai
retomeetMr.St
evens,whoasal
way
s,was
ext
remel
ydel
ightedtohav
eheraudience.

"
I'
ms ohappyyouc oul
dmakeClair
e,andy oul
ookvery
beauti
ful.
"saidMr.Stev
ens,andtoherClai
re'
shorr
or,Ryanwas
seat
edj ustac
rossfr
om her,dri
nki
ngherwithhisey
es.

"Thepleasur
eisallmineMr.St
evens!Congrat
ulat
ionsf
or
t
hisbigday
;I '
m pos
iti
veitmeansalottoyou!"Shesai
dkindl
y.

"
Oht hankyoumychi
ld!I'
mj ustanoldmannowwhot akes
pleas
ureinseei
ngmytwogr andsonsconti
nui
ngmylegac
y!"He
remarkedandthetwoboysexchangedlooksupont
hecomment .

Theytal
kedforawhi le,duri
ngwhi chCl aireandRy ankept
interacti
ngsubtl
yinas trangemannerast hought heyhadal ot
tot hrowateachot herbuthadnot imef orit.Whens omeone
camet ospeakwiththeol dman,Cl air
eus edt heopport uni
tyto
sli
pawaybywi shingthem wel lf
orther estoft henight
.She
kindlythankedBrunof ort hei
nvitat
ion,andas kedGenat oleave,
whi chsheunwill
inglyobliged.

Har
ryoff
eredtogivet hem ar i
de;itseemedtohavewor ked
magic,t
hemoments haredwi thGenauponherabs ence.They
rodeinsil
enc
e;atleastClair
edi d,bec
aus eGenawasbus y
aski
nghernewc r
us hac ountlessquestionsandheappearedt o
enj
oyans
wer
ingeac
hoft
hem.

"Soyousti
llwor
kasapr i
vat
eatt
orneyeveni
fthoughyou
wor
kf orSK?
"Genaas ked,s
eemingl
yimpress
edbyhisbeinga
l
awyer.

"Yes,s
oify
ouneedal awyer
,justgivemeac
all
,butIgott
o
war
ny ou,I'
mveryexpens
ive!
"Her epl
ied.

"
Ohdon'tyouworr
y,c
ozIloveexpens
ive!
"SaidGena
befor
ethrowi
ngClai
reagl
anc
et hats
heonlyretur
nedwitha
headshaketothesi
des
.

Harry'
sc arpull
edov eratGena' sapar
tmentwher eCl aire
gotofffi
rstandt hankedhim.Sheheadi nsi
defir
stleav i
ngt he
twos t
andingout si
det hebui l
ding,t alki
ngthi
ngsonl ythet woof
them knew.Onc einside,Clairet hrewhers hoesbyt hedoorand
droppedherc l
utchont hes ofa,bef oreundress
ingandc rawling
exhaustedlyonbed.Theonl yt hings hewanted,wast ogetr i
dof
anythought srel
atedtoRy anSt evensandt heextraordinarys ex
shehadhadwi thhim unexpec tedly.

"I
tsov
ernowClai
re.
"Shethoughtoutaloudtryi
ngt
ofal
l
as
leepwhi
chshedi
dwi t
hagreatdealofst
ruggle.

THEtwobes tf
ri
endswokeupl at
et hef
ollowingday.Lucki
lyit
wasSaturdayandnei therofthem hadplansforaday .Whil
e
hav
ingas leazybreakfast
,Genakeptgrinningstupi
dlyandCl ai
re
wasonas i
lenceoath,thi
nkingofonlyonet hi
ng,unti
lshec oul
d
nolongers t
andit.
 "
Ihadsexwit
hRy an!
"Shebrokeoutofthebl
ue,c
aus i
ng
Genatochockherci
nnamonr ol
l."
Rightdur
ingt
heparty
."She
added.

"
Youdidwhat
?"Genasnapped,disbel
ievi
ngly
."OhmyGod!
Iknewsomethi
ngwasupbutInev erimagineditcoul
dbet
his
ext
reme!"Shet
ossedherphoneaside.

Clai
reletoutashortsi
gh."Idon'
tknowhowt oexplai
n,I
j
ustendedinthehotelroom somehow,withhi
m ...andduring
ar
gument swejust...di
dit...wehads ex!
"Shecontr
ived,
st
ari
ngintospace.

"Okay
,"Genautter
ed."
howwasi
t,t
ellme...t
ellmehow
t
hes
exwas !
"Shecr
ied.

Withnarrowedey es
,Clair
etookhert i
met hi
nki
ng,whils
t
Genak eptdyi
ngt ohearthewor ds,andult
imatelyt
heformer
sai
d."Great!No,thebest!"sheeyedGenawhowaspr act
ical
ly
j
umpi ngwithexc i
tement.Cl
airebithernai
lsatthememor yand
endedups miling.

"
Wow!Imean,wow!
"Genas
napped."
And?Whatel
se?
"

Cl
air
elookedatherands hr
uggedhers l
endershoulders."
I
don'
tknow,I '
m notsur
ewhatelsethant hef
actthatIfucked
someoneel s
e'smanandI'm off
ici
all
yahomewr ecker,asyou
sai
d."Shelaughedatherownexpens e.

"Ohc omeonCl
aire!I
t'
snotli
kethey'r
emarriedor
s
omet hi
ng,any
onecouldnoti
cehowRy ankeptstar
ingatyouas
t
houghy ou'
ret
heonlywomani ntheballroom!
"Genat r
iedto
s
topherbroodi
ng."
Yous
houl
dn'
tfeelbadabouti
t;l
ikey
ous
aid,
i
tjus
thappened.
"

"
I'
mjustgl
adyou'
renotj
udgi
ngme,bes
tfr
iend!
"Sai
dCl
air
e
wi
thaweaksmil
e.

"
Whywoul dIj udgeyou?I'
m happythatyou'
refi
nall
youtof
yourshel
l.
"Sher eturned.Cl
air
et ol
dheraboutherencount
er
wit
ht heparentsofDenisandagai nGenawasinshock."
Eh?You
exin-
lawswer ethere?"Shescreamed.

"Tel
lmeabouti t
!"Cl
air
eprompted,fol
lowedbyadeeps igh.
"Andyou?What '
sgoi
ngonwi t
hthehotchoc ol
ate?Iknowyou
havebeentext
ingwithhi
ml i
keal
lmor ni
ng!"ItwasGena'st
urn
onthehotseat.Shebeamedli
keafl
ashli
ght.

"Ohgirl
,Har
ryisawes
ome!"Shegr
inned."
Ilikehim,but
I
'ms
til
lget
ti
ngtoknowhim,s
oIdon'thavemuc htotell
."

"
You?Get
ti
ngt
oknows
omeone?That
'saf
ir
st.
"

"Hey,heisanint
eresti
ngone!Ishouldtryt
oactdec
entat
l
eas
t;Besides
,he'ssi
ngle,s
oatleastIdon'thav
etoputupwit
h
t
heotherwoman' sdrama!"

"Ohthankyouverymuchfort
hehelpf
ulr
emi
nder
!"Cl
air
e
s
nor
tedandGenacoveredhermouth.

"Oops!Thatc ameoutwr ong,mybad!"Shes aid

apologet
icall
y.Theys pentt
her es
toft
hedayi ndoors,doi
ng
nothingbutwat chingsomes appymoviesandeatnot hingbut
piz
zaandc ol
aforl unchunti
lthesundisappearedandCl air
e
wentbac khome.Shemadeonl yoneresolut
iontoher sel
f;she
wasnev
ergoi
ngt
oseeRy
anev
eragai
n.
CHAPTER10

EightO'Cl
ocksharponMondaymor ning,Clairewasalreadyin
theoffi
cewaiti
ngf orherdepar t
ment'
sheadf orthatimportant
meet i
ngwithac l
ient.Shehadal r
eadyprepar edthemat eri
als
asked,andpresentedhi m aboutquar
ter-an-hourlater
.

"Thi
sisgoodLevy!
"Saidhers
uper
ior
;asl
endermanwit
h
deepdimples
."But
--Ihav
es omebadnewsf
oryou.
"Headded.

Cl
air
efrowned."
Whatnews
?Don'
ttel
lmey
ou'
renott
aki
ng
mewi
thyou.
"

"That
'sexact
lyit
."Herepl
ied."Someoneel
seist
aki
ngt
his
proj
ect
,soyouwon' tneedtoassi
stmeany mor
e.Sor
ry!
"Hetol
d
herwit
hapologeti
clook.

"Noyouc an'tbes er
iousNathan!
"Shesnort
ed."Iworked
myassoffforthispresentati
onj
ustsoIcanfi
nall
ygetoutthi
s
bor
ingoff
iceanddos omet hi
ngr
eal,whyareyoudoingthi
sto
me?"Shecompl ained.

Nathan,who'dbeensi
tt
ingatt
heedgeofhisoffi
cet
abl
e
repli
ed,"Rel
axClair
e,i
twasn'tmydec
isi
ontomake!Butonthe
brights
ide,you'
vebeenassi
gnedtoabiggerpr
ojec
t."He
beamed.

"
Real
ly?Whatpr
ojec
t?"Cl
air
eas
ked,s
kept
ical
ly.

"Yes,muchbigger!Andnormall
ytheydon'tt
akenewbiesi
n
thesekindofproject
sbutIthinkyou'
vebeenexcepti
onal
ly
askedt obeinc
ludedint hepr
eli
minarypl
anning.
"
 "OkayNat
han,nowy
ou'
rel
eav
ingmebehi
nd!
"Shet
ooka
s
eat
.

"
What
'st
hepr
ojec
tandwho'
sthec
li
ent
?"

"
Theremodel
ingpr
ojec
tofMar
yros
est
reet
;theywanti
tto
beal
uxur
iousnei
ghbor
hood!"

"
Wait,i
sitthepr
ojec
tfr
om SKgr
oup?
"Cl
air
esnappedwi
th
as
urpri
sedlook.

"Exact
ly!Howdoyouknow?Ijus
tfoundoutt hi
smor ni
ng
mys
elf!We'vebeenonl
yworkingoni
twithoutknowledgeofwho
t
heclienti
s.
"Nathanwondered.

"Well
--i
t'
snoti
mportantNat
han,j
usttel
lmemor
eabout
t
hepr
ojec
t,andwhoinc
ludedme!"Sheurged.

"I'
m notsurewhoincl
udedyou,butitwasadirectorder
f
rom above;maybeyoucantel
lmeLev y,whohasy ourback?"
Nat
hanr et
urned,j
oki
ngly
;hewasv er
yfriendl
y,andtoeveryone.

Ry
anSt
evens
!Cl
air
ecur
sedhi
minwar
dly
.

"
You'retalkingnonsense!"Sheroseupherf
eet."
Sowhom
doIas kaboutt hedetai
ls?I
t'sobviousyouwon'
tbemy
teammat e,r
ight?"

"
Nonono,y ou'
res t
uc kwit
hmeagai nI'm af
raid!Andjus
t
soyouknow,you'l
lonlybeanobs er
v er.AsyoualreadyknowSK
i
sthemajorsharehol
derofSt arl
ight
,s oonlythebes tand
experi
enc
eddesignerswillworkont hepr oj
ect.
"

"
Star
li
ghti
sapar
tofSK?
"Shegas
ped.
 "Ohthatwasn'
tnec essar
yforyoutoknow,i
tonl ysl
ipped!
J
ustgetr
eady,tomorrowwe' l
lgotoSK,dothepresentati
on
bef
orevi
sit
ingthesi
te."Nathantol
dher,andshelefthisoff
ice
wit
hcountl
essquest
ions .Whatki
ndofgamewasRy anplayi
ng
now?Sheaskedherself
.

THEnextdays hewokeupqui teear l

yands tartedr ummagi ng
herc losetinsearchforaper fectoutfi
ttowear ;shewasal ways
carefulonherdr essi
ng,butfors omer easons ,shewant edto
lookherbes tthatmor ni
ng.Shepi ckeddiff
er entc l
othesand
threwt hem onbed,af tersomet i
mes hedec idedt oweara
whi t
el i
nenbl ouseandabl ac
kumbr ell
askirt;professi
onaland
elegant.Afteranhourors oshe'df i
nall
ygother sel
fready,
snatchedahandbagands omedoc umentss hewaswor ki
ngon
thepr eviousnight.Outsi
des hef oundJorgec limbinguphi scar
andheki ndlyofferedtogiveherar i
de;sheobl i
gedwi t
hout
frett
ing.

"Whydon'ty
ouj
ustuseoneofthecar
s?Youal
way
sri
de
c
abs
."Sai
dJor
geast
heylef
tthehouse.

"Idon'
tknow;t hey'
recomfortabl
emay be.
"Sherepl
iedwith
asmallsmi
le."Igetti
met orel
axwhi l
esomeoneelsedri
v es
,and
It
hinkmylicensehasex pi
redtoo,soit
'sj
ustfi
neasiti
s.
"

"Noit'
snot,
"Heobject
ed."ac arisaneces
sit
yespecial
ly
nowthatyou'
reworki
ng;butitseemsl i
keyoufi
nditaluxury.
"
Heremarkedandforoncelaughedc omfor
tabl
y.

"
I'
llt
hinkabouti
t.
"Sai
dCl
air
e,i
nat
temptt
oki
llt
he
di
s c
ussi
on.Shesti
llfeltawkwardaroundhim,andt hatwas
probabl
ythemos tinti
mat emomentt hey
'dshared.Jorgeasked
heralit
tl
eaboutherj obandc onv
ersedfewotherdet ail
sunti
l
arri
vedatSt
arl
ightwher eshethankedhim andhel eft
.

CLAIREheadint
otheoffi
ce,t
oatlastmeetNat
hanf
ort
hei
r
upcomingappoi
ntmentatSKheadquart
ers.

"Oh,youlookgreatLevy!
"Sai
dNat
hanwi
thaf
lus
h,upon
s
eei
ngherapproachi
nghi sof
fi
ce.

"
ThanksNathan,
"shesmil
ed."Ihopet
her
e'snoanyl
ast
mi
nutechange.
"andsaidpoi
ntedl
y.

"Notatallma'
am,rel
ax!We'r
eleav
ingbyt
enandj
usta
r
emi
nder,you'r
eonlygoi
ngtoobser
ve.
"

"
IknowNat
han,y
oudon'
thav
etor
ubi
ttomyf
ace!
"

"I'
mjustsayi
ng,Iknowhoweageryouar
etos
howy
our
des
igni
ngskil
lsbuti
t'
snotthet
imeyet.
"

Clai
rerol
ledhereyesandmadehi ml aughabi
t."
SocanIat
l
eastseethesli
desofyourpresent
ati
on?Iwanttoatl
eas
tknow
whatwe'r
egoingtogiv
et hem."Sheasked.

"
Sur
e,keepi
tsaf
e."Hehandedhert
hependr
ive.

Byten-t
hir
tyinthemor ning,t
hetwower eal
readyatSK
headquarter
s;alonggreytowerbui l
dingwit
hboldSKsignoni
t.
Theyapproachedthereceptiondesktoc onf
ir
mtheir
appoint
ment .
 "We'r
ef r
om St
arl
ight!"Sai
dNathantoaprett
yrecept
ioni
st
l
ady.Cl
air
ewaswander inghereyesaroundthehugeandfancy
l
obbywithfewbusyfi
gur esofemployeeswi
thbadgeswal
king
byi
nahur ry.

Thepr ett
yladymadeac al
landafteraminuteshelooked
upatt hem." Goaheadtothe24thfl
oor,ther
e'sahalli
nt hel
eft
andy ou'l
lfindaconfer
enceroom."Shepolit
elyt
oldthem and
Nathant hankedherwithhisbests
milethatmadeherbl ush.

Onc eins
idetheelevator,iswhenCl air
e'sheartst
art
ed
poundi ngheavi
lyagainstherc hest.Shehadnoi deaofhowt hat
mor ningwasgoingtoendi ncaseRy anwasr eal
lybehindher
i
nv ol
vementi ntheproject;asanobs er
verofcourse.Shebraced
thes t
rapsofherredhandbagasi fherli
fedependedoni t,whil
e
checkingherblackplatf
orm- heelsthatstar
tedtos t
ingherfeet.

"
YouokayLev
y?"Nat
hanas
ked.

"
YeahI
'm good.
"Sheans
wer
ed.

Finall
yt heelevatordoorsswungopenandr evealedav ery
quietfloorwi t
hhal lwaysineit
hers i
des.Theytookal eft,and
i
mmedi atel
yr eachedal argeconferenceroom thats eemed
tot
allyunoc cupied.Theyj us
tgots eat
ed,waiti
ngf orthear ri
val
ofwhomev erhadt oshowup.Af terfewmi nut
esDor i
sappear ed
andc ouldn'tconc ealthesurpri
sedonherpr ettyfacewhenher
eyesmetCl air
e's.Shef r
ownedbutbr okei
ntoas mi l
eaf ter
wards.

"
Sorry,havey
ouwait
edlong? "Sheas kedwhil
eputti
ng
s
omet hi
ngsonahugemar bl
et able,beforemovi
ngtoNat han.
"
Hi?I
'm DorisMarcos
,Mr
.Stevenswi llj
oinyoushort
ly.
"She
s
hookhandswi
thhi
m.

"
Nat
hanPant
her
."Her
epl
ied.

Doristur
nedtoClai
res
mi l
ingl
y,"Idi
dn'
tknowy
ouwor
kat
St
arl
ight
."Shesai
d."
Whatac oinci
dencehuh?"

"Iknowr i
ght?"Cl
airerepl
ied,tr
yinghardtoforceareal
s
mile.Recal
li
ngt hats
hehads leptwithherboyfr
iend,madeher
f
eeluncomfortablearoundher;li
keac onsc
ioushypocri
tewoul
d.

"
Needadr
ink?
"Dor
isof
fer
edbutnoneoft
het
woobl
iged.

Afterawhi l
e;Ryan,Har ryandot herthreemenent eredt he
room.I twasal soahuges ur
pr i
sef orHar r
y ,butnev erRy an;he
onlyr egardedClai rewithwi thahaught ygr inashebr us hedpas t
heronhi swayt ot akeas eatwher ehec ouldc l
earl
ys eeher .She
drewi nadeepbr eath,tryingnott obr eakoutherdi s comf ortof
him bei ngthere.Thepr esentations t
artedasRy anins truc t
ed
withoutabot herfori ntroduc t
ions.Nat hankeptexpl ainingt he
sli
des ,duringwhi chRy ankeptt hrowinggl ancesatCl aireand
sher eturnedwi thf ewgl ares;i
tmadehi ms mi l
efrom t imet o
ti
me.Byt het i
meNat hanwasdone,ev eryonewasnoddi ngi n
agreementwhi leexc hangi ngmur murs,ev eryoneexc eptRy an
whobr okeoutofnowher e;

"
Idon'
tli
keit
!"Hes
napped.Al
ley
esi
nther
oom t
urnedon
hi
m,sur
pri
sedl
y.

"
Exc
useme?
"Nat
hanpr
ompt
ed.

"
Ithoughti
twasgr
eat
!"Sai
dDor
is,l
ooki
ngatRy
an."
Ili
ke
t
hedes
igns
;theyar
etr
endy
!"Sheadded.

"Somundane,i t
'snotwhatIenv i
si
oned! "Ryansaid,whil
e
tappingthetablewithhisper fec
tfi
ngers.Clai
rewaslookingand
l
isteningtohims oattent
ively.Shewasn'tfarfrom hi
m ont hat
notion,regar
dlesshowbl atanthishars
hwayofpr ovingfault
y
was .

"I
t'
sfl
ashy,yes...butnotexac
tlywhatIwoulddef
ine
l
uxuri
ous!
"Hef i
ll
edin.Si
lenc
etookthethrone,andNat
han
l
ookedabitt
aken-a-back
.

"Whatisitthatyoudon' tl
ikeMr .Stevens? "Clairegotup
andques ti
onedhi m.Nathans hoothi m awhat -are-you-
doing
glanceands hereturnedwithaj ust-
trust-mel ook." Youwant ed
luxuri
ousdes i
gns,moder n,andf ancy;that'
sexac tl
ywhatwas
prepared.Sotellus,whatisitthatyouhav eenv i
sionedforthe
inter
iorsofyourgrandc ondomi niums !
"Shel eanedov erthe
tabletofacehisli
ngeringgri
n.

"Whatdoesf anc
ymeant oyouMs .Lev
y?Expensiv
e?trendy?
Flashy?Luxur
ious?Whatdoy outer
m asfancyt
oy oureyes?"
Ry anaskedher.Therewasatensi
onintheroom thatther
es tof
theothersprobablyweren'
tawareof.

"Tomei tmeanst aste,uniquenes

s,ti
meliness
;somethingI
caneasil
yc onsiderpayingafor t
unefor...notbecaus
eIc an,
butbecaus eitcompletesme,andmyt ast
e!"Clai
reanswered,
wit
houtbr eakingtheey econtact.

"
Wellsai
d!Sotel
lme,asadesignery
oursel
f,andnotas
empl
oyeeofStar
li
ght
,ar
ey ouokaywiththedes
ignsyou'
vejus
t
s
ugges
tedt
ous
?Cany
ouac
tual
lyadv
isemet
ogoonwi
thi
t?"

Suchaj er
k!Shecursedinwar
dly
.Sheknewwher eRy an'
s
concernsli
ed;sheprobablyhadsamethoughtsashisfrom t
he
beginningofthepresentat
iontot
heend.Withas i
gh,andalitt
le
thi
nking,shestaredattheproj
ect
orandit
scontentsdispl
ayed,
thenatNat hanwhonoddedathert osaywhatevershethought.

"YesIwoul dadv is
eyougoon. "Clai
resai
dcalmly.Her
remar krais
edf ewmur murs,andani ndif
fer
entlookfrom Ryan
whoey edherfixedly,unt
ils
hes headded."But
,Ihav ea
suggestionregardingwhatMr .Stev
ensmaypr obablywant."

"
Goahead.
"Ry
anaf
fi
rmed.

"I'
ms urewhaty ou'v eenv i
sionedissomet hingl uxur i
ousbut
capableoffit
ti
ngev er yone' staste!"Shetoldhim whi lepacing
around.Foronc eRy ans trai
ghtenedupands atmor e
comf ort
ably
."Jus tbec aus eit'
sexpens i
ve,doesn'tmeanev ery
onewi thmoneywi llbuy ,unlessi tfi
tst
heirtaste,right ?Sot hen
wes houldn'
tfoc usont r endsorany thi
ngoft hes ort?Somer i
ch
peoplelikecl
assichous es,somemoder n,somepr ef ercolor
splash,somepr eferl ightorpl ain;s owhydon' twei ncorpor ate
allofthem?"

"Hows
o?"Ry
anques
tioned,s
eemi
ngl
ytoos
eri
oust
han
bef
ore.

"Justli
keaf i
ve-st
arhot elwit
hdiff
erentt
ypesofsui
tes
;it
's
poss
ibletomakehomesf eelli
keas l
ic
eofheavenforever
yone."
shecontinuedtalki
ngwhi l
es howingexamplesontheal
ready
madedes i
gnsont hesli
deswi ththehelpofNat
hanatti
mes .
 "And?"Heeyedherl
ikeachal
lenge,ands
heknewhi
s
i
ntent
ionswel
l;s
hekeptcalm.

"Thebottom li
neis,wec anmakedes i
gnsbas edonwhat
peoplewant ,andnotfrom howexpens ivey ouwantt hem t
o
look,andofc our
sewi t
houtdegr adi
ngc l
assasy ouwantthe
neighbourhoodtot ur
nout .So,areyouagr eei
ngwi t
husMr .
Stevens?Intheendy ou'r
et heonewi t
ht hev i
sion."She
concludedwi t
hsarcasm,intendedtoreac hRy an,whokeptquiet
forawhi l
e,scrat
chinghisblabbybeard.

"Okay!
"Hes ai
d,ands healmostcouldn'
tbel i
eveit
."We'll
meetnextt
ime,wheny ouhav ethenewdes igns."Ryansaid,
whi
leonhisfeetal
ready."Iexpectnot
hinglessMr .Panther!
"He
t
oldNathanwhileext
endinghishandt hathes hookitnervousl
y.

"
YesMr
.St
evens
!"s
aidNat
han.

"Ms.Lev
y,I'
mlookingfor
ward!
"Ry
ant
oldCl
air
edur
inga
hands
hake,wit
hhiscy
ni cs
mile.

Whil
einsi
detheelev
ator,Clai
ret
urnedt
oNat
hanwitha
gui
lt
yfac
e."I
'msorryNathan,Iknowyoutol
dmetokeeplow
but
--"

"Heywhatar eyous ay
ing?Yousavedmyassoutther
e!"He
repl
ied."IheardRyanStevensisnojokebutInevert
houghthe'
s
thi
sintimidati
ng.Damn!Inear l
ypis
sedmypant s
."Headded
andCl ai
relaughedaloud.

"So,whatarey
ouguysgoi
ngt odo?Imight
'ver
uinedy
our
wor
kbec auseofmyfoulmout
h!"Sheworri
ed.
 "We'l
lhav
etorevi
sethedesigns
,nowayout ."Heshrugged.
"Bes
ides
,weweren'
texpect
ingago-aheadrightaway,ever
yone
knowshowdemandingRyanis;heli
kesthi
ngstobeper f
ect.
"

WiththatCl
airehadnothi
ngtoar gue;sheknewRy anwell
enought oknowthatfact
.Theyarrivedthelobby,andwhil
e
headingout,herphonebuzzed.Shef r
owneds eeingthati
twas
Ryanc al
li
ngher;sheansweredafteralit
tl
ehes i
tati
on.

"
Whati
sits
ir?
"Shebar
ked.Nat
hanhal
tedass
hes
topped
mov
ing.

"
It'
sRyan,I
'm noty
ours i
r!Don'
tgoany
wher
e,wai
tforme.
"
Ry
antoldherfr
om theotherend.

Shefrowned."Ihavetogobac kt
otheoff
ice,ifthi
sisn'
t
aboutworkthenpleasestopwas
tingmy--
"shes toppeddead
whenshes awhim approachi
ngf
rom theanot
herel evatort
hat
wasforexecut
ivesonl
y.

"Thereyouare!
"Ryansaidbef
orehangi ngup.Hemar ched
towardsthem,surroundedwit
hhisaut hori
tat
iveaurathat
evi
dent l
yprovedhim abossamongev eryoneelse.Hestopped
beforeNathanandt ol
dhim,"Youcangoaheadbyy our
selfMr.
Panther,Ihavesomewheretogowi t
hCl ai
re."

Clai
regawped,andsodi
dNathan."
Oh- -okay!
"Nat
han
r
epl
iedbef
oreexchangi
nggl
anc
eswithhispartner
.

"
Howdar
eyou?
"Cl
air
esnappedathi
m onc
eNat
hangone.

Ryangr
abbedherbyt
hewr
ist
."Comeon,l
et'
sgetoutof
her
e!"
 Shepulledoffs avagel
y."Stopit
!I '
m notgoi
ngany where
wit
hy ou!Whodoy out hi
nky ouaret oordermear ound?"She
rai
sedherv oice,obliv
iousoft hefacttherewereseveralSK
empl oyeesatthelobbywhower ecurrentl
ytaki
ngnot eof
whatev ert
heirbosswasdoi ng;Ryandi dn'
tgi
veadamn.

"
Oh,doy oupr
eferIdr
agy
oubyf
orc
eorc
arr
yyoul
ikea
s
ackofr
ice?
"Heasked.

Seeinghows eri
oushewas ,Cl
air
eendedupget ti
ngpul
led
awayfrom thel
obbywi t
hhishandhol di
nghers.Asheal
ways
di
d,Ryanopenedt hepassengerdoorforCl
aireandsheshe
st
oodther emoti
onlessi
ndicat
ingshewon'tcomplyofwhat
ever
hewant ed.

"DoIhav
et ousef
orc
eagai
nCl
air
e?Is
aidgeti
n!"He
r
epeatedf
orthethi
rdt
ime.

"
IsaidI'
m notgoinganywherewi
thyou!Can'
tyougetthat
i
ny ourthi
ckskul
l?"Shescreamedathi
m,andheonl yr
oll
edhis
eyes.

"Ohy oureal
lyl
ovechal
lenges
,Damnit
!"Ryansnapped,and
whatfol
lowedwasClai
rebeingpushedi
nsi
dethecarli
keac hi
ld.

"Ry
an?Ry anst
opdoi ngthi
smad--
"Clai
reputar esi
stance
butalli
nvain;shewasalreadyinandt
hedoors lammed
after
wards."Youani
mal!"Sheyell
edaf
terhim andearneda
crookedsmilefr
om him ashepacedaroundtopos s
esadr iv
er
seat.
 Theridec ommenc edinabov eaver
ages peed,wit
hCl ai
re
pantingmadl ywhilechir
pingaboutgoi ngbac ktowork,andhow
angryands ickhemadeherf eel.Ryanpaidnoat tent
iontoher
ranti
ng;instead,whil
eatit,hepl uckedhiscell
phoneandmade
ac al
lduringwhi c
hs hewasgl ar
ingathi m wit
hbewi l
derment .
Sheunder stoodrightawayhewast alki
ngtos omeonef r
om
Starl
ight
.

"
YesI
t'
sme!"Hes nappedoverthec al
l."Cl
aireLev
ywon'
t
ret
urntoworkt
oday,Ineedherto..."hekepts ayi
ngto
whomeverhewastal
kingto,bos
s i
ly."
Right,Good!"Andhehung
up.

"
What...whatareyoudoi
ng?Areyoucr
azy?
"Clai
re
s
napped."
Whatdoy oumeanI'
m notgoi
ngbacktoworkand
t
hatyouneedme?Whatfor?
"

Ryansmi
led."
Cr az
yagain?Ithoughtyoualr
eadyhavean
answerformyment alstat
e,OhjustshutupClai
re,I
twil
ldoyou
good!"

"
You'
res
ick
!Sov
erys
ick
!"

"
Seatbel
t!
"

"
What
?"

"Isai
dputonthedamns eat
bel
t!
"Herepeat
ed,i
nmoreof
anorderthanasi
mpleremi
nder.Wi
thaheavy,f
rust
rat
eds
igh
Cl
air
ec ompli
ed.

Theyhadasil
entdr
iveunt
ilRyan'
scarpul
ledoveri
ntoan
under
groundgar
ageatsomefancybuil
dingi
nav er
yravi
shi
ng
str
eet .Clai
rewantedtoopenhermout hbutdec i
dedt okeep
calm;deal i
ngwithRyanus i
ngwords,hasbyfar,prov edtobe
total
lyus el
ess
.Hegotoutt hecarf
irst
,andopenedt hedoorf or
hisangr ycompanion.Clai
resc
owled,andwithmuc hr el
uctance,
whi c
hmadeRy anc huckl
easshedramatical
lydroppedof f.

"
Nowwhat
?Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngme?
"Shebar
ked.

"
Jus
tfol
lowme!
"Hes
aidandasal
way
s,s
het
riedt
opr
otes
t.

I
gnori
ngherresi
s t
ance,hegrabbedherhandanddr agged
herwithhi
mtowar dsav er
yhideouselev
atorthatwasdown
ther
e,andbothentered.

Heseemedt obet heonlyonewit

hanacc essanditdrov
e
them uptothefoyerofs omeapart
ment,agradapartmentthat
l
eftClai
realit
tl
edazzled.Itwassuchabeaut
ifulandfancy
apartmentwit
hanoc eanv iewvi
ait
'senor
mousbaywi ndow;it
l
ookedboy i
shands ty
ling.

Cl
airemovedtothewi ndowands t
aredoutsi
defora
momenttocat
c hherbreath,befor
etur
ningaroundwithher
ar
msfoldedac
r os
sherc hest,r
eadytobatt
lewit
hhim.

"
AndmayIknowwhati
sthi
spl
ace?
"Sheas
kedi
nas
eri
ous
t
oneofv
oic
e.

"
Myhomeofc ourse!
"Ry
anans wer
edwhi
letaki
ngoffhi
s
jacket,f
oll
owedbytheneckt
ieandheadtot
helargeopen
kit
c henunrav
ell
edaft
erthel
ivi
ngroom.

"
Whatwi
lly
ouhav
e?Wi
ne,c
off
ee?
"As
kedRy
anwhi
le
mov
ing.
 Shescof
fed,unabl
etobeliev
ehisutt
erl
yconfidentgestur
es.
"OfcourseIdon'twantanyt
hing!
"Sheretur
ned"Justtel
lme
whyy oubroughtmet oyourhome,asyouclai
m,whi l
eIs hould
bewor ki
ngli
keev er
yothernormalper
sonsoutthere?"shekept
whining.

Ryancamebac kwit
habottl
eofwat er
;heopenedand
gul
pedahalfofit.Thenhesatdownandor deredhertodothe
same.ForonceClairedi
dasasked,butwit
hmuc hdiff
icul
tyas
herheel
skepttappingthef
loorrest
les
slyunt
ilRyanfi
nall
y
deci
dedtospeak;

"
Whyareyouignori
ngme?I'v
ecall
edy out
wic
et hi
s
weekendandyoudeli
berat
elyc
hosetoignoret
hem all
,and
evenmytext
s!"

"Ohy oumeany ourtwomi ssedcal

lsandonemes sage?"
Clair
er epli
edsarcasti
call
yandRy annarrowedhiseyes
."You
mus thav ereal
lytri
edy ourbes
ttor eac
hmewi t
hthosesleaz
y
attempt sofyours
,huh?Imeant hreetri
alsandyou'
rehere
compl aini
ng?"

Ry
an'sl
ipst
urnedint
oanamus edlaughterwhenhelooked
atherfac
e."Soyouthi
nkitwasn'
tenough?Woul dyoupref
erI
cal
ledyounonst
opands entyoubundl
eoft ext
sinst
ead?
"

Clai
regotup,fl
ustered."No!Ineversaidt
hat.
"Sherepli
ed,
andhear chedhiseyebrows ."I
'm onl
ys ay
ingt
hatyoucould
have,wait,you'
reonlytryi
ngtoev adethemainis
suehere.Why
weev endi s
cussi
ngthis?
"

"
Bec
aus
eyouwantt
o?"Ry
ans
aidi
nmoc
ker
y.
 "
Ofcoursenot!Ry
an,jus
ttellmewhatal lthi
schar
ade'
s
aboutsothatwecangetitoverwith!I
'm notinthemoodtopl
ay
yourgames!"Shet
oldhims t
ric
tly.

"Not
hingmuc
h,Ij
ustwant
edt
ospendt
imewi
thy
ou;
bec
auseImiss
edyou!
"

"
Doy ouevenli
stent
oyours
elf
?"Clair
egawped.Itwas
i
mpossibl
eforhert
ounders
tandhim evenali
tt
le."
Doy ou
r
eal
ly?
"

"
Mos
toft
het
imes
!"Heans
wer
ed.

"Youar esuchabas tardRy anStevens

,whodoy outhinkI
am?As l
utwit
hnodi gni
ty ?OhIknow,apoorCi nderel
lawhoi s
mistreatedbyherevilstepmom,andonedays hefi
ndsahi ding
shelterinthearmsofaPr incecharming,i
sthatit
?"Sher apped
andRy anremainedquietl i
steningt
oherwhi m,hiseyes
gli
steningwithbothpleas ureanddis c
omfort
.

"
I'
venev
ers
aids
uchat
hing.
"Hes
aidc
alml
y.

"Idon'
tknowwhyy oubroughtmehere,butI'ms ureDoris
doesn'thavethes
li
ght
es ti
dea.
"Shetoldhi
m."Andi fImay ,
pleaseletmeaskyouthispol
it
ely.
"shesai
dhalti
ngly,ands at
nexttohims oastol
ookhi mclos
elyint
heeyes."Pl
eas eletto
go."

"Cl
air
e,"Ryanutt
eredwhenhereali
zedthechangeonher
fac
ialexpress
ion;t
hehintofc
hal
lenge-
orient
edwomanwasall
gone.

"
RyanSt
evens
,Si
r,pl
eas
elet
'sf
ini
sht
hepr
ojec
tpeac
eful
ly
andgot owher ewetrulybelong."Shes oft
lysai
d."Yes,Iadmit
thatyou'v
emanagedt os hakemeupf oramoment ;If
orgotmy
place,mypr i
nci
plesandev enmydi gnit
y ;butyouknowwhat ?
That'sasfarasI'
m wil
li
ngt ogo.I'm donewi t
ht hi
s,Ican'
taff
ord
tobet heotherwoman,t heev i
lone!"Shegotups lowlyandtook
herhandbagbef orewalkingtowardsthedoor .

"
Sot
hisi
sal
laboutDor
is?
"Ry
ans
napped.

Shest
aredbackathi
m,wonder i
ngwhatwasr
eall
ythe
matt
erwit
hhim."Yeahit
'sal
labouther
."Sher
ant
ed."So,c
anI
gonow?"shebl
urt
edoutplai
nly.

Ry
anwalkedov
erands t
oodinfr
ontofher
;hi
sfac
etakinga
s
eri
oustur
n."Ar
eyoufeel
inggui
lt
yorsomethi
ng?
"heasked.

Washeseri
ous?Shel
etoutas mir
kandbitherl
ipssavagel
y.
She'dst
art
edtothi
nkhewasr eal
lyoutofhi
smind;t
hats hewas
probabl
ydeal
ingwithamentalpati
ent
,asyl
um ment
al.

"
Yourgi
rl
fr
iendDori
s,"s
hes t
arted."doyouev
enlov
eher ?
"
Sheaskedhi
mf l
atl
y.I
twasaques ti
ons hewasburni
ngt
oas k
himforawhil
e,andseei
nghim neutralfac
emadehersmil
e
exhaust
edl
y.

"
Doesi
tmat
ter
?"Hequer
ied,ands
hehuf
fedat
iredl
augh.

"
Itwasas tupi
dquesti
on,was
n'tit?bec
aus eyouknowwhy ?
Peopleli
keyou,don'tev
enknowwhatl oveis;l
etalonehowto
l
oveany one!
"Sheaddedi nalowvoi
ce,andRy anbur s
tedout
l
aughing,whichmadeherwayangr i
er;sheswallowed.

"
Let
'ss
ayy
ou'
rer
ight
."Her
epl
ied,asi
fpl
ayi
ngwi
thher
.
 "
Yout hinkI'
m aj
oke,r
ight?
"Thi
stimehereyeswerefi
ll
ed
wi
thtear
st hatwerer
eadytofal
lasshecol
dlygl
aredathi
m.

"Whati
fsheweren'
tmygir
lf
ri
end?Woul
dyouhav
espar
ed
met
hedrama?"Ry
anasked.

"Thedrama. "Claireut t
ereds of
tl
ytoher s
elf.Shepressed
herlipstogethertoc atchabr eathasheremot ionsstart
ed
getti
ngthebes tofher ."Okay ,SoifIsayyes,whatwoul dyoudo?
Woul dyoul eaveherf orme? "Shes nappedoutal oud.Ryanwas
sil
ent,anindescribables i
lence."See?Youcan'tevenans werthat
!
Justl
etmegoRy an,andf orgetaboutmeasIwi llyou!
"

"
Doy
ouwantmet
oleav
eher
?"Heas
kedatl
ast
.

"
Cany
ou?
"Sher
etor
ted.

"
Doy
ou?
"Hes
nor
ted.

" No!J
ustdonothi
ng,asshol
e!"Cl
airebarkedandreac
hed
fort
hedoorwhi chwasalreadyconf
us i
ng;ther
ewasoner egul
ar
door,andalsoanel
evatordoorthatrequir
edapas sc
ode.

"
Youwon' tbeabletogetoutofher eCl
aire,unl
essIlet
you!
"Ry anspokehaughtil
ybehi ndher .Shec l
enchedherf i
sts
angri
lybefor
et ur
ningaroundandpumpedi ntohisches
t;his
cyni
cs mil
ewidenedandhef i
rml yti
ght enedherbyt hewaist.
"Youcan'tes
capemeCl aire!You'l
lnev erescapeme! "Heplaced
hisf
oreheadagainsther
sbuts hejerkedaway .

"Don'
t.Ev
en.Thi
nk.Aboutdoi
ngt
hatRy
an!
"Cl
air
esai
d
bet
weenhergrit
tedt
eeth.
 "Ohy eah?Andwhatwi l
lyoudo?Beatmeup?Sc ream for
help?WhatCl aire?Tel lme!"Hegr i
nned,whi
lebreat
hingunder
againsthernec k;s hes hutherey esinatt
empttolockher
tr
eac herousfeelings.Shet ri
edt owr i
ggl
earoundjusttogetout
ofhiss t
ronggrip,butasexpec t
ed;itwasafool'
serrandands he
wasonl yexhaus tingher sel
f.Ryanhel dherf
ir
mlyfrom behind,
herhandst wistedbac ktorefrainanykindofstr
ongmov efr om
herunt i
lshec l
ear lysaid;

"
Okay,Okayy
ouwin!J
ustr
eleasemyhands
,ithur
ts!
"she
s
urr
ender
edwhenalr
eadyoutofbreat
h.

"
Ver yGood!That'
swhatIli
keClai
re;wheny ou'r
epolit
eand
obli
ging!"Ryanutt
eredwit
habi gsmil
ebeforereleasi
ngher
hands .That
'swhensheturnedaroundandstar
tedhi tt
inghim
nonstoponhi shardches
t.

"Youani mal,howc ouldy oudot hi stome!Howdar ey ou--

"
shey ell
edbuti nani nst ance,hermout hwass ilencedbyRy an'
s
hotlipsclaimi nghers ,andherhandswer ef orcefull
yr es
trained
toherbehi ndandmadehert rappedandhel pless."You--"she
keptfightingbac k,butt heheatt hatstartedbui ldingupi nside
herbodymanagedt oc easeallhermov es.Shes l
owly,and
gradually,yieldedtoRy an'ssweett ort
ur eands ensualassaultas
her ockedhi st onguei nav eryt antal
iz
ingway .

"Can'
tyou--"Ryanspokedami
dstt
hekis
sing."
Jus
tbeas
qui
et-
-"headded." Ast
his?
"Heli
ft
edherandsheencir
cledher
l
egsabouthiswais
t.

"
Ican'
t-
-"Cl
air
ebr
eat
hedt
hewor
dst
ohi
smout
hwhi
le
press
inghardt
owardshim." You.Are.Abeast
!"Shewrappedhi
s
neckandconti
nuedhavi
ngt hetasteofhisl
ipsasheheavil
y
droppedheronthesec
tionalcouch.

"Thebeasthuh?Il
ovebei
ngt
hebeas
t!"Hes
aidandr
ipped
of
fherblouse.

"Ryan!"Clai
rescr
eamed."
Howcoul
dyou!"Shesnappedbut
hi
scarniv
or ousgri
nmadeherdec
idei
twasn'
tworththesweat
.

"Ic
an."Hes
aid,hiseyesfi
ll
edwithdesi
restopos
sesher
,as
hepeel
ingof
fhi
sshirtthatwasalr
eadyunbutt
oned.

"Brute!You'resuchabrute!That'
swhaty ouare."She
mut t
eredwhi l
epulli
nghim overtoherf acehungril
y .Wi
thher
hi
pss way ingbeneathhisweight,shef el
thim growingagainst
her;hislustfuley
eskeptmoc kingherwhi leki
s s
ingandt easi
ng
everysens it
ivepartofherbody,withoutundr essi
ng;wellexcept
herrippedbl ousethatwaslyi
nghel plessl
yont herug.

"OhfuckitCl
air
e!Youdri
vemenut s!
"Ryangrumbled
feel
ingherfi
ngerssl
idi
nghismanhoodwhens hesuddenly
fl
ippedhim overandunbuckl
edhispantsi
nas wi
ft.Hergr
indi
ng
ont opofhi
m wasenoughtot ur
nhispredat
oryli
bidoawake.

"
Shutup!
"Sheor
der
edandhebi
thi
sbot
tom l
ipss
mil
ingl
y.

"Naughtyli
tt
lething,OhdamnitClai
re!"hemoanedwhen
herli
psf i
ll
edhimi nwi t
hanupanddownr hythm.Itwas
anothertragi
cendf orClai
reLevy
;agai
ns hewasint hear
msof
hernewAc hi
ll
es'heelandwhathemadeherf eel
,wasbeyond
reas
ons .Shewoul dn'
tstopscr
eaminghisname,andbeghi m
nott
ost
op;whi
chRy
angr
ant
edwi
thpl
eas
ure.
CHAPTER11

I
twasalreadyafternoonasti
mewentby ,withthetwolyi
ngon
t
hec ouc
h.Clair
edec idedtos
topovert
hinkingandjustli
vethe
momentaf t
eralltheattempt
stogoagai
ns tRyanthatendedup
f
ail
ingmiserabl
y.

"Whydidyoudest
roymyblouse?NowIdon'thav
eanyt
hing
t
owear!"shel
amented.Shewasl
yingoverRy
an,andheonthe
s
ect
ionals
ofa.

Hechuckl
ed."
Iwasinahur
rytoundres
syouIgues
s!"he
ans
weredfl
atl
yandCl
air
ejoi
nedthechuc
kli
ng.

"You'
resoc r
azyy ouknow?"s
het
oldhi
m,whil
stpl
aying
wit
hhisdark,l
ow- c
utbear dt
hats
hes
eemedtoadmirethemos
t
amonghisfaci
alfeatures
.

"
You'v
es ai
dthatamil
li
ont
imesal
ready
."Ry
anr
epl
ied,wi
th
hi
shandsallov
erherbody
.

Clai
regiggl
edathi
smis
chi
evoust
ouc
honherbehi
nd.
"
WhatareyoudoingRy
an?
"

Hesmi
led."
Exac
tlywhaty
oul
ovemedoi
ngamongot
her
t
hings
!"

"Psyc
ho!"Sheutter
ed." Well
,Ineedtousethebat
hroom,
wher
ei si
t?"Shesai
dwhi l
edet achi
ngfrom Ry
an;hegaveher
t
hedirect
ionswhil
eatherf eet
.

"Ohthats
hir
tlooksbetteronyou,andthos
elonglegsare
s
osexyt
hatIwanttospreadthem apart
!"s
aidRyanasClai
re
s
tar
tedwal
king.

Shebur
stedoutlaughingathi
sobtuser
emarks
."You
shouldseeashri
nkRy an,andnewsfl
ash;Il
ovemyblous
e
bett
erthanyourscentedshir
t!"

"
ButIt
houghty
oul
ovedmys
mel
l?Whathappenedt
o
t
hat
?"

"ShutupRy an!"Shesc
reamedfai
ntlyashersi
ght
di
sappeared,l
eavingRyanlaughi
ngdel
ightedl
y.

"
Don'
tbemad,I
'mt
ell
ingt
het
rut
h."Hes
creamedaf
terher
.

Fewminutesl
ater."
Whatarey oudoi
ng?"Cl
air
eas kedRyan
whens heret
urnedfrom thebat
hroom;hewasintheki t
chen,
ands mil
edatherwhens hejoi
nedhim."Areyoutr
yingto
cook?"sheadded.

"Tr
ying?Iam c
ooking!
"herepl
ied,whi
lesl
ashi
ngapac
ketof
r
awpast
awi t
hvegetabl
eslyi
ngonthecounter
top.

"Wow!Youc anc ook?"Clai

regaspedandhenoddedwi tha
smalls mi
le.Hemov edt othesinkands t
art
edwas hi
ngthe
veggies."
Isucki
nt hekitchen,Idon'tknowhowt ocook
anything.
"shesaidplainly
,andi twasthetr
uth.

Ry
anl
ookedatherar
chl
y."
Youdon'
t?"

"Atall...
"shes ai
dtrut
hful
ly,whil
echewi
ngarawcarrot
;
s
hewasleaningagainstt
hecabinetopposi
tet
owhereRyanwas.
"
Sur
pri
sed?"Sheas keduponhissil
ent.

"
Whywoul
dI?Iwas
n'tpl
anni
ngt
ohi
rey
out
obec
omemy
cookoranything!
"heans weredwithasli
ghtbrushofhi
swet
handonClaire'scheek
,causinghertosqui
nt,andhesmiled.
"Besi
des,I
'm agreatcook;youdon'tneedtoworryabout
meals!
"hewi nked.

"Hah!Whywoul
dIevenworr
yaboutthat
?It
'snotl
ikeI'
m
goi
ngtoli
vewit
hyousomeday
!"sher
etur
nedlaughi
ngl
y .

"
Whynot
?"as
kedRy
an.

"
Bec
aus
eit
'si
mpos
sibl
e;i
t'
llnev
erhappen.
"repl
iedCl
air
e.

"
Nev
ers
aynev
erbeaut
if
ul.
"

"
Beaut
if
ul?That
'sBr
uno'
s,y
ou'
rebei
ngunor
igi
nal
!"

Heshr
ugged."WhatcanIdo?Myl
it
tl
ebr
otherwi
llhav
eto
f
orgi
vemeforsteal
ingwhat
'shi
s.
"

"Whatdoesthatmean?"sheques
tionedhi
m andheonly
s
mil
ed."
RyanI'
mt alki
ngtoyou?Doyouac t
ual
lybel
iev
ethat
y
ou'
vest
olenmef r
om Bruno?That
'sr
idicul
ous
!"

"Ohit'
snot,he'
samant oo!"heansweredandClair
e
burs
tedoutlaughi
ngathisnai
veideaaboutBrunol
ikingher
;
shebel
iev
edot her
wise.

"
Heis ,butnotaps y
choass omeoneIknow. "sherepli
ed.
Theycontinuedbicker
ingandthelaughterf
il
ledRy an'
scold
apart
mentt hatseemedl i
fel
essabouttwohour sago.Theylunc
h
wasfinal
lyready,andtheyhaditinthebreakfastt
ableinthe
ki
tchen.

"
So,howi
sit
?"Ry
anas
kedwhenCl
air
etookaf
orkf
ulof
pas
ta.

"
Um ...
"shest
utt
eredwhilechewing."
It'
sperf
ect
!Manyou
s
urel
yknowyourwayi
nt heki
tchen.I
t'
sv er
ydeli
ci
ousjus
tasi
t
l
ooks
!"

Ry
anc l
aspedhi
shandst
ogetherwi
thr
eli
efandhadone
hi
msel
f."
Mm ...Iam t
hebest!
"

Cl
air
er ol
ledherey
es."
Modes
tyi
snev
eri
nyourdi
cti
onar
y,
i
sit
?"sheremarked.

"
Ohi t'
snot!
"saidhewhil
ediggingin,andboths
hareda
bri
eflaugh."Ahbytheway,"s
aidRyanhal ti
ngl
y."
youwere
awesomet oday,dur
ingthepres
entati
on!"

"
WasI
?"Cl
air
etagged,bl
ushi
ngl
y.

"Youwer
e.It
'sl
ikey
out ookal
lthewor
dsfrom mymouth;
wehadexact
lyt
hesamei deaandIwassori
ghttoinc
ludey
ou
i
ntheproj
ect
."

Shesmiled."
Iknowri
ght?I
t'
sincr
edi
blehowwehadex actl
y
samet houghtaboutt
hedesi
gnsand...wait
,itwasy
ou?"She
glaredathi m."OhIsoknewthati
thadtobey ouwhopull
edthe
stri
ngs !
"

Ry
anonlyshruggedwhi l
esippi
ngthepineapplejui
ce."
Well
youkeptwhini
ngt hatyouwantedtodos omer ealj
ob,soIdid
whatIcould...andbeliev
eme,i twasthebestdecisi
on!
"He
sai
d,hisey
esplayful.

"
Iwas
n'twhi
ning!
"Cl
air
esnapped."
Iwasonl
yvent
ing.
"
 "
Isn'
titt
hes
amet
hing?
"

"Noit'snot!
"Sheargued."Butwell,nott
hatI'm
complai
ningthatyoudid;Ij
usthopey ouwon' ti
nterv
enewith
mywor kagain.Imean,Idon'twantany onetothi
nkI'm get
ti
ng
spec
ialt
reatmentsorsomething,whic
hi sexactl
ywhatIgot!"

Whi
les
tari
ngatherwit
hamus edeyes,Ryanas
ked."
Why
woul
dyoucar
eofwhatotherpeoplet
hink?"

"Idocar
e;Iwantt
obeaccr
edit
edf
airands
quar
eandnot
bec
auseI'
ms l
eepi
ngwithmyboss
."

"Don'tworryMs.Challenge,Ionlydidi
tbec auseIwanted
togivey ouanopportunit
y;forwhic hbyfar
,y ou'
veprovedtobe
worthyof ,I'
mjustwait
ingforournextmeet ingtofinal
lysee
whaty ouc ando."s
aidRyanandCl air
ethankedhi mforthevot
e
ofconfidence.

"
Ithi
nkI'vegotsomeexplaini
ngtodowi t
hNat han;thanks
t
oyouramazingindisc
ret
ionSir
!"Shechangedthec our
seof
t
hei
rconver
sation;andhedidn'
tseem toappreci
atetheturn.

"Don'
tcal
lmeSir
!Andwhydoy
ouhav
etoexpl
ainany
thi
ng
t
oPant
her
?"Ryanbar
ked.

"Becausehe'smysuper
ior ,andthankstoy ouhec annow
compl et
epuz z
leofwhat'
sgoingon.Youc ould'
vejustwaitedy ou
know,didy ouhav et
odragmei nfr
ontofev eryoneincluding
yourownempl oyees
?"Shereturned.Onceagai ntheirbicker
ing
star
ted,andnei t
heroft
hetwowasr eadyt obackout .

"
Idon'
toweexpl
anat
iont
oany
oneCl
air
e!"Hes
napped.
"
And,whati
sthi
swi
thPant
her
?Ar
eyouc
los
etohi
m?"

"
Ofc ours
eI '
mc l
osetohi
m."Shesai
d."
Wear ecol
leagues,
weworktogether,andhe'smyboss!
"Andsnor
ted,whi
les l
idi
ng
t
heplat
eas i
de;somet hi
ngthatRy
antookhi
ntat,andf
rowned.

"
Fini
shy
ourf
ood!
"Hegr
owl
ed.

"
Exc
useme?
"

"Isai
d,f
ini
shyourfood!Iwanttos
eethatpl
atecl
ean."He
r
epeated,wi
thathundervoic
ethat'
ssc
ari
erthanthef
irs
t.

Cl
air
esi
ghed,annoy
ed."
Whydoy
oual
way
str
eatmel
ikea
c
hil
d?

"
Bec
aus
eyou'
rebehav
ingl
ikeone!
"

"I'
mful
lRy
an,I
'vehadmyf
il
l,i
sn'
tthatar
eas
onenough?
"
s
hel
ied.

"Ohnoit
'snot!You'
regoingt
ofini
sht
hef
ucki
ngf
ood,and
y
ou'
regoi
ngt
os t
opwhi ni
ng!"Heorder
ed.

"
Don'
tsayI
'm whi
ning!Ihat
eit
!"

"
Thens
topdoi
ngi
t!
"

Ti
redofhi
styr
anny,Cl
airedeci
dedtogobbl
ethepast
aas
qui
ck l
yasposs
ibl
e,whil
elookings
ternl
yathi
m."Icl
eanedthe
pl
ate!Areyouhappynow?"shequipped,mout
hful
.

"Very
!"Ryanprompt ed,andbefor
ehec oul
dhearoradd
anyt
hingmore,hi
sc el
lphonebuzzed;heansweredf
ews ec
onds
l
ater
."YesHarrywhatisit?"Hesai
d,eyesonClai
rewhokept
scowlingathim;heletoutoneofhi sevils
milesspeci
all
yforher
,
ands heretur
nedahar s hgl
are."Areyousureaboutthat?"He
fr
owned,andCl air
e'sfacetookas i
milarexpr
essi
on."Alri
ghtdo
whaty ouhavetodo,I'llbetheresoon!"Hesaidbefor
e
disc
onnec t
ingthecall
.

"
Whati
sit
?"Cl
air
eas
kedhi
m whenhegotupf
rom hi
sseat
.

"I
'm goingbac
ktot
heof
fi
ce.
"Ry
anr
epl
iedwhi
legul
pingt
he
hal
fofhi
sj uic
e.

Shegotupherf
eett
oo."
You'
regoi
ng?Whataboutme?
"

"Iwon'
ttakel
ong,y
ou'
l
lst
ayher
eandI
'l
ltakey
ouhome
l
ater
!"

"
Areyouki
ddingme?WhydoIhavest
ayher
ebymyself
?
I
'l
ljustgohome!
"Shestar
tedc
lear
ingt
het
abl
einahur
ry.

"Ohyouwil
l?
"hemocked."How?I
nmys
hir
t?That
'sgood,
goaheadandl
eave.
"hel
aughed.

Cl
air
efumed,ahandonherwai s
t."Youri
ppedoffmy
blouseonpurpose,di
dn'
tyou?
"sheaskedandhes hr
ugged.
"Youdiditt
otrapmehere?SothatIwon'tl
eave?WhyRyan?
"

"Becaus
eIwanty oui
nmyar
mst
oni
ght
!Per
iod!
"He
announc
edpr oudl
y.

Clair
ewastoodumbf oundedthisti
met oevenretal
iat
e;the
mans t
andingi
nfrontofherwasof f
ici
all
yins anei
nherey es.
Shewipedherfac
einattempttogetev erythi
ngs t
rai
ght,and
agai
ns hehadnot
hingtosay.Star
ingatRy an,hewasj ust
s
mil
ingasi
fwai
ti
ngf
orhert
orat
tl
e,whi
chs
heendedupdoi
ng;

"
WhataboutDor
is?Whati
fshes
howsupher
e?"

Ry
anr
epl
ied."
Shewon'
t!
"

"
Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?"

"
Iknowherwel
lenought
oknow!
"

OhmyGod!Clairegaspedinwar
dly."
Fine!J
ustgoRyan,I
'l
l
st
ayher el
ikeapri
soneruntily
oudecidetorel
easeme!"She
answeredindef
eat.

"
Good!That'
swhatIthought
!"s
aidRy anwithabigsmil
e
andkiss
edheront hel
ips,whi
chsherefusedtocooperat
e,
befor
edisappear
ingupst
airst
ochange,andleftsomeminutes
aft
er.

Onc ealone,Cl aireusedthev oi

dt ofillupthedishwasher
ands tayedbesidei t,sighi
ng.Atthatmoments hehadn'tany
i
deaonwhats hewasdoi ngwit
hherl ife.She'dbeenalway s
caref ul,sonovel,andf ul
lofpri
nciplesthatnoti nherwildest
dream hads heev erthoughtofcov eti
ngs omeoneelse'
sman;
yett her eshewas ,dr essedupinRy an'ss hir
tasifhewasher
hus bandorboy friendatt heveryleast.Shes crat
chedherhead
thought f
ull
y,untilshegotani deaandwentf orherphonei nthe
l
ivingr oom.

"
HiGena?Ar
eyouhome?
"Cl
air
espokeaf
tergi
vingherbes
t
f
ri
endacal
l.

Genar
epl
ied."
Yes
,I'
vej
ustar
riv
ed.Why
?Ist
her
eany
pr
obl
em?y
ous
oundedgy
."

Edgyisunders
tat
ement
,Clai
ret
hought
."Nopr
oblem!It
's
j
ust
,Iwaswonder i
ngify
oucouldbr
ingmesomecl
othes;a
c
asualdressmaybe?"

"Clothes?Why?"Genaas ked;ev
ident
lyitwasaweirdfav
our
t
oask,comingfrom Cl
air
e."Alri
ghtwhereshouldIbr
ingyou?"
s
hedecidedtoignorethedetail
s.

Therewasanotherdet
ailClai
rehadov erl
ooked;evenif
Genahadmanagedt obri
nghert heclot
hes,therewasnoway
shecoul
dgetthem si
nceRyan'sapartmentwasenc ry
pted.
Damnhim!Clairec
ursedbeforeretr
acti
ngt hefav
our."You
knowwhat,nevermindGena.Thanksany way!"

"
Uh--okay"Sai
dGena."
Butwher
ear
eyou?I
tdoes
n'ts
eem
t
hatyou'
reatwork.
"

"
Ohs
weet
ie,I
'ms
urey
oudon'
twantt
oknowwher
eIam.
"

"
Tryme!"Genasnappedinherexc
itedtoneofvoi
ce."
Are
y
ouwithRyan?
"shekeptdiggi
ngandClair
er es
pondedwit
hano.
"
Okay,t
henwhereareyou?"

"
AtRy
an'
spent
hous
e!"ut
ter
edCl
air
efi
nal
ly.

"What?"Genaexpl
ainedloudl ythatherfr
iendhadt oput
thephoneawayf orasecond."Whatar eyoudoingthere?Why
areyous ayi
ngyou'r
enotwi t
hhi m? "sheaskedinsequeland
Clai
reans wer
edthem al
l,vaguely."Youlit
tl
eslyqueen!Whatdid
youdot omyCl ai
re?Whereiss he?"
 "Pr
obabl
ysleepi
ngdeeplyintotheunknown.Ic
an't
recogni
zemeany more."Cl
air
er epl
iedwhil
epaci
ngaround,
nearthewindowwher eshecouldclear
lyseet
hebeachfrom up
above.

"Hey,stopeati
ngy our
s el
fali
ve!Youdidn'tkidnaptheguy,
hec ameaf tery
ouwi l
li
ngly,somightaswel lenjoyhim!"Gena
gavehert hepeptalkandbyt hetimet heyfini
shedt al
king,
Clai
re'sphonewasboi li
ng."Oh,beforeIforget,yourbrother
call
edmet oday;I
'm havi
ngameet i
ngwi t
hhi mt omorrowandI
suppos eyoudidtalktohim,right
?"

Clai
reremembered."
Yeah,If
orgottol
etyouknow.Italked
tohi
mt hi
smorningand..."t
heychatt
edoverthatunt
ilhang
up.

Bac ktothes oli

tude,s hedec idedt ogiveher selfahouse
touronlytor ealiz
ehowbi ggert heapar tmentwast hanitl
ooked;
asidefrom thet hreebedr oomsups t
airs,i
thadas paci
ousstudy,
as mallli
braryfullofbus i
nes sandr ealestateinves t
mentbooks ,
afullyequippedgy mr oom t hat'
sadj oi
nedwi thani ndoor
swimmi ngpool .Oneort woot herroomswer eclosed,hence
Clair
ec ouldn'
ts eethei nsides,buti nshort,itreall
ydef i
ned
Ryan.Tiredofwai tinginv ain,shedec i
dedt oturnt heTVon,and
l
ieddownont hes ofa.
CHAPTER12

Ryanarr
ivedi
ntheoff
iceandhi st
woass
oci
ateshadbeenl
ong
wait
ingf
orhim.Hetookas eatbehi
ndhi
sdesk,ands
kimmed
somedocumentsHarryhadhandedhim.

"
Isee,t
hisisgoodenough."hesai
dpointedl
y,r
egardingthe
contr
actHarrywaswor ki
ngon."Andwhat'stheemergency?"he
t
urnedtowar dsDoris
,whohadbeenwat chinghi
ms inceearl
ier
,
withaninexpli
cabl
elookwithoutaword.

Shesi
ghedaudi
blyands
aid,"
I'
m af
rai
dCl
anc
yhasbeat
en
y
ouup.
"

"
What
?"Ry
anexc
lai
med;hel
ookedt
err
if
ied.

"
Wheredidy ougo,andwit
houtt
ell
ingany
one?"Dori
s
s
nappedangri
ly."I
'vet
riedt
oreac
hyoubutitseemsyouwer
e
t
oobusytoanswer!"

"Tel
lmeaboutClancy,whathappened?"Ry
anturnedt
o
Harryf
orinf
ormat
ion,af
terdecidi
ngtheladywasbei
ng
annoyi
ng.

"
Well
--"Harr
ystar
ted;butwhenDor
isgotupal
lups
et,
headingf
orthedoor
,hehadt ost
op.

Ry
anbar
kedal
oud,"
SitdownDor
is!
"

" Idon'tt
hinky
ouneedmehere,s
owhys houldIs
tay
?"s
he
r
epl
iedc al
mlyandreac
hingf
ort
hedoorhandler
.

"Isai
ds i
tdown,Dir
ectorMarcos
!I'
mt heCEOoft
his
c
ompany,don'tev
erfor
getthat
!"hesnappedandt
heenti
re
of
fi
cewentc
old.Dori
swal
kedback,r
eluc
tant
ly,herey
es
br
immingwi
thtearst
hats
hesucc
eededt obury.

Har r
yproc eeded."
Well
,seemslikeClancymadeabigger
of
fer,andthey'resel
li
nghimtheland."hepaused,st
ari
ngat
Ryanwhos efacewasexpressi
onles
s."IsnoopedaroundandI
l
earnedthey'reseali
ngthedealt
omor row,So?"

"Anditl
ooksli
kesomeonei sl
eaki
ngouri
ntel
ligencefrom
t
heinsi
de."Dori
sjumpedin,oncehermoodgotintact.Ry
an
t
hrewheraqui c
kglancebef
oreleani
ngbackt
ohi sseat
t
houghtf
ull
y."Whatareyougoingtodo?"s
headded.

"Aboutthemole,I
'mletti
ngyoudealwi t
hitDori
s."sai
d
Ryan,ands henodded."Cl
ancy!Thatschemingsonofabi t
ch;
we'renotgoingtodoany t
hing!
"hes napped,andsur
pr i
sedhi
s
audience.

"Ryan!
"Bot
hDorisandHarryexcl
aimedinunison."I
t
houghtyouwantedt
hatlandbadl
y;youpr omi
sedtheboard
t
hatIt'
sgoi
ngtobeournextproj
ect.
"theformercontri
ved.

"I
'm notdoingit!Peri
od!"Ryans
tres
sed,andnoneoft
he
ot
herscouldgethim." ButIwantyoutospreadt
henewsthat
we'
repayingmor efortheland."

Dori
ssatstr
aight
."Thatwayhe'l
lal
sorai
sehi
sbid?
"she
asked,andRyannoddedagr eeabl
y."
Huh?Youwanthimtopay
thannecessar
y?"

Harr
yjoi
nedin,"Andthenyoubac
kout
?Buty
ou'
l
lal
sobe
i
nthelos
ingend,don'ty
outhink
?"
 "I
'l
ltakethat!
"sai
dRy anwit
hc onf
idence."Butaf
terIt
eac
h
hi
m alesson;becaus
et hetr
uthi
s,I'dl
ovetos eehisf
acewhen
hepaystwicetheori
ginalpr
icej
ustsohec ans c
rewus!"

"Wait
,youknewt hiswasgoingt
ohappendidn'
tyou?
"Dor i
s
asked."Butthat
'sc
r az
yRy an,y
ouneverl
etany
ones cr
ewy ou!
Sothenwhy ?"sheinsi
sted.

Ry ansmil
ed."That'
spr eci
selyi
t!Hethinksheknowsme,
andI'
llprovehim wrong!"hes ai
d."Well
,ifther
e'snot
hingel
se,
I'
l
lgetgoing;I
'l
lrevi
ewt hec ontr
actathome. "

"
You'r
eleavi
ng?Whataboutdi
nner?Yousai
dwe'dgoout
toni
ght.
"Dorisas
ked,andHarr
yexcusedhims
elfwi
thaknowi
ng
gri
n.

Ryangr
ippedthec
ontract
,andr
os euphisf
eet."
Something
c
ameupDoris,s
omeotherti
memay be."hemovedoutofhis
s
eat
.

"What
'sgoi
ngonRyan?You'v
ebeenact
ings
trangel
atel
y!"
s
hes
aidwhil
eheadi
ngout,Ryanbehi
ndhi
m.

"
Nothingisgoi
ngon,you'
rejustbei
ngparanoi
d."sai
dhe.
"Youshoul
dgohomeear lytoday,andrel
axabit,y
ou'rewor
king
toohard.
"het ol
dherwhil
egivinghershoul
deraquickmassage,
andsheonl yl
aughed.

"Fi
rsty
oul
ashatme,andnowy
ou'
rebei
ngni
ce?Howl
ovel
y
huh?
"

"Workiswork,weshoul
dalway
sbeprof
ess
ionalatwor
k,
don'
tfor
gettheboundaryDi
rec
torMar
cos
."
 "YesMr .President,
"shesmil
ed,astheywalkedbyRy an'
s
secretar
ypos t."Oh,s ohowmuc hwil
lyouoffertobeatClanc
y?I
bety ou'
llhavetopayaf ort
unetogett
hatland."shespoke
aloud,enoughf ort hesecr
etar
ytohearandRy anlaughed.
"What ?Ialwaysfindhers uspi
ci
ous!
"sheaddedwhent hey
fi
nallygotaway .

"
Coul
dbe!t
hat
'swhyIl
ety
ouhandl
eit
."her
etur
ned.

"Aboutthismor ni
ng,di
dyouknowt hatCl
airewor ksf
or
Star
li
ght?"Dor i
saskedoutoftheblue.Ryansc
owl ed,but
showednohi ntofbeingsur
pri
sed."Iwassosurprisedtosee
herbutitseemedl ikeyouweren'
t.
"

"
Ididknows heworkst
her
e,butIdidn'tknowshewould
c
ome!"Heretur
ned,anddughisf
inger
sf orhisphonebef
ore
t
ypi
nganumbert odial
.

"
Ist
hats
o?Wel
lI-
-"

"Ir
eal
lyneedt ol
eave,seey
out
omor
row!AndIexpec
t
y
ou'
l
lfi
ndthetrai
torsoon.
"

"
OkayIwill
,but-
-"s hestart
edandhewasalreadyl
eav
ing,
makinghersi
ghwithaf rust
ratedlaugh"
Whati
sitthaty
ou'
re
hi
dingRyan?
"s hethoughtoutloudly.

****

WHENClair
efi
nal
lyopenedhereyes,f
rom t
hedeepnap,s
he
appr
ehendedt
hatshewassti
llatRy
an'sandhewasnowheret
o
beseen.I twasalreadydark,andt heannoyi
ngcoldhitt
ingher
ski
nf r
om bei ngunder dr
essed,wastheonlyreasonforher
wakingup.Damnhi m!Shec urs
edagain.Whensher eachedfor
herphonebyt hec of
feetable,i
twasoff;t
hebatter
yhaddi ed,
anditwasherf aul
tforleavi
ngt hatmorni
ngwithonlyfew
percentageleft
.

Tir
edofalltheimpris
onedt hi
ng,Cl air
ewal kedups t
airst
o
Ryan'scast
lebedroom andpr act
icall
yr untobur yher sel
funder
thecoversofhisKing'
ssizebed.Fors omeunf athomabl e
reasons,s
hefoundher sel
fmor ecomf or t
ableandr elaxedi nthat
placethanatherownhous e;s hewasnev erkeenont aking
after
noonnaps ,butshedidt hatday ,ands ti
llfeltdrows ythat
sheendedupf alli
ngintosleepagai n,inhali
ngRy an'
ss mellfr
om
thepill
owsandt heenti
rer oom.

Afeel
ingofbeingwat chedwaswhatmanagedt owake
Clai
reyetagain,andshewasr ight;Ry
anwasthere,he'
dbeen
ther
efortool ongmay be,butthatwasn'
tinques
tionwhen
camet oClai
re'sout
bur st
s.Shegotupabruptl
y,makinghi
mleap
backrefl
exiv
elyfrom herfurylook.

"What '
sthemeani ngofthisRy an?Yous aidyouwon'ttake
l
ongandl ookwhatt imei tis
!What 'swrongwi thyoureall
y?Am I
j
ok etoy ou?"shebar kedathi sface;heonl ysmir
ked,thenrun
hislongf i
ngerst
hroughhi shairwithas i
gh." Nowtakemehome!
Idon' twanttobeint hisc ol
dapar tmentami nut
elonger.
"s he
continuedblabberingwhi legetti
ngof fofthebed,andonl y
stoppeduponnot icings omethingunus ual;Ryanwasawf ull
y
quiett heenti
reti
me.Hewasonl ywatchingandlist
eningtoher
whiningwithouttal
kingbac k;hewas n'tmaki
nghismocki
ngf ac
e
ei
ther,andnohi ntofamus ementthathe'dalwayst
ookpleasure
atwhenev ershestartedbar ki
ng.Clai
reslowl
yheldherhorses
ands atnexttohim."Ry an,isever
ythingokay?"s
hecalml
y
asked,worried.

Hef i
nallysmil
ed,buti twas n'treas suri
ngenoughf orClai
re.
"OhJes us!It
'sni
ces eeingy ouc almf oras econd."hes aid.
"Come, "heinstr
ucted,andf oras econdt i
me,ifnotthef ir
st,
Clai
rec ompliedwithoutawor d.Hepul ledherf oratight
embr acewhi chcl
ear l
ydef i
nedt hathewast heonei nneed.
Reluctantatthebeginni ng,Clairewrappedherar msar oundhi m,
withmi ll
ionquesti
onsr egar di
nghi sc hangeofat ti
tude.

"
Um- -what
'sthematt
erRyan?Didsomethinghappenat
work?"shepri
ed,withani
ntent
iontounder
standt hesi
tuati
on.
Hervoic
ewass oftandcal
m."Heytal
ktomepl ease,I'
mr eal
ly
worri
ed!"

"
Youare?
"Ryanretur
ned;hi
scunni
nggl
eam wasbac
kint
o
hi
seyes
,andasmil
eplantedhi
sfac
e.

"
YesIam!
"sai
dCl
air
e.

"Okay ,I'
l
ltellyouwhat '
swrong."hesaidandtheybothgot
comfortablyseatedonbed,wi t
hher esti
nghisheadontoher
l
ap."It
'saboutwor k;JeezIdon'tusual
lydis
cussmypr obl
ems
wit
hany oneandher eIam readytowhi nel
ikeyou.
"he
remarkedands hec huckled.

"
I'
lll
etyouwhinet
oday
,sotel
lmeevery
thingandletitof
f
y
ourchest
."shet
oldhi
m.Herfi
ngerswer
edigginghi
shairina
s
oot
hingmanner
.

"Well,I
'vebeenl ookingintot
hislandinMont esbyfora
whilenow,andj ustasI'm abouttocl
osethedeals omebas tard
gotaheadandof f
eredabi ggeramount..."hec ontinuedthe
restofthestoryasdi scussedearl
ierintheoff
ice.Itwasev i
dent
thatthelossaffectedRy anmor ethanhehadl etonwhenhe
tal
kedtoHar ryandDor isbackthen;butatthatmoment ,wit
h
Clai
re,heopenl yadmi ttedithimsel
f.

"Gosh!Whatabast
ard!Ishey ourcompeti
tor?"she
snappedandRy anl
aughedathert oneofvoic
e,asi fshehad
alr
eadymadeanenmi tywithClancy."Soyoualreadyhave
anotherproj
ectonmindforMont esby?"s
heas ked.

"Yeah,bynextyearMont esbywi l
lbeapar tofthe
Gov ernment'
sredevel
opmentpl an;s t
arti
ngwi t
hthe
cons t
ruct
ionofsubwayt hatli
nksi ttoLisbayandt hebri
dge
fr
om Newl and,whichwillpaceanac cessthroughthesea..."
againhegotengr os
sedint odetail
s ,andClai
r el
ovedlis
teningto
hisplansandv i
si
onsofwhathewant edtodo.Hehadpl anned
tobui l
dmoder nhouses,fewec onomyapar tmentsandone
offi
cebuildi
ng.

"Butyou'
real
readyi
ntoaprojec
tri
ghtnow.Howthehell
wi
lly
ouf i
nanceandmanageanotherone?
"shewondered.

"Int hi
sindust
ryClai
re,y
ouc an'
tletyourguardsdown;it
's
onewr ongmov eandy ou'
reout,buti
tdoes n'
tmeany oushould
keepitlowandc ontent
ed;Pl
us,I'
m nottheonef i
nancingt
he
proj
ect!"
 "
Ohy
eah?Andwhodoes
?"

"Rul
enumberone,don'
tus
eyourmoneyi
nreales
tat
e!"
Sai
dRyanandCl
air
esmi l
ed.

"
What
'sr
ulenumbert
wo?
"sheas
ked.

"
Useonl
yot
herpeopl
e'smoney
!"her
epl
ied.

"
That
'st
hes
amet
hing!
"sher
emar
ked.

"
That'
st hewholepoi
nt"saidRyan."
Ifyousnooz
eyoulose,
noonewi lls
itaroundwai
tingforyoutofi
nishy
ourproj
ectunti
l
theysel
ltheirl
andt oy
ou!"heexplai
ned.

"Okay,butyoucanalwaysfi
ndar epl
acement,no?"Clai
re
contri
ved."Montesbyi
shuge,withthegreatl
and,ands i
nce
there'
llbeaninfl
uxofnewpeopl eainnearfut
ure,it
'sonly
naturaltobuil
dmor ehabi
tat
s."

"You'
reri
ght,butitwon'
tbethesame;whenIsetmyeyes
ont
os omethi
ng,Ihardlyc
hange!Sol
ett
ingi
tgoit
'salowbl
ow
tome."

"Myfatherus edtos ayt hatinanyc hallengel i

esahi dden
opportuni
ty."saidshe,"Andi t
'snotadef ec tbei ngf l
exibleyou
know,losi
ngi sapar tofanygame!Andl ikey ous aid,reales tat
e
isli
kegambl i
ng;buty ou'renotal oser,you' rejus tsoc areful."
sheaddedandhel ookedupbemus edlyather ." Heyl i
sten,s i
nce
peoplewillbemov i
ngin,itmeansnotal loft hem wi llmov et o
stay;s
omeoft hem willonlyv is
itandl eav e.Af t
eral lMont es byis
ami xt
uresofanhi st
oric
alt ownandat ropic alpar adiseatt he
samepl ac
e,doy ouknowt hatther e'
sanamaz ings potfors cuba
di
vi
ngov
ert
her
e?"

Ryangotuptocl
ear
lyst
areather
."NoIhadnoidea!You
s
eem t
oknowalotmoreaboutt
heplacet
hanIdo.
"

"
Al i
tt
le;mypar ent
sli
vedbythebeachasy ou'
veseenmy
house,Sot heytol
dmeal otofs
tori
esabouttheplace.Ial
so
hadmygr andfat
herwhoknowsitbett
ersinceheusedt obea
fi
shermanandIev enknowfewspotsforeco-
touri
sm.

"OkaymissChall
enge,wherear eyouheadingat?BecauseI
knowthattwi
nkleinyoureyes,i
t'sexact
lywhatIsawdur i
ng
pres
entati
ontodayandit'
sprett
yaus pi
ciousImustconfess.
"
Ryansaidandmadeherl aughaloud."Goon,tel
lmeal r
eady!"
hecri
ed.

"Ohwel l,mypoi ntis,othert hanhous esandapar t

ment s,I
thi
nkMont esbyneedsahot el;touris
tsandf oreigner sdoc ome
mos tofthet i
me,butgues swher etheys t
ay;i nonebout ique
hotelwithlesst hanahundr edr ooms ,orins omel ocalinn' s,or
somet i
mesi nf ewboar di
nghous es;thebottom linei s,ther e'sa
need,ar ealneedf orgreatac c ommodat ion;apl ac etheyc anc al
l
homef arawayf rom home,andIknowi t'
speopl elikey ouwho
canmakei thappen! "Shes pitandRy antooki nev erydet ai
lwi t
h
hisgazefixedc onstantl
yonher ."Afancyhot el,withbes trooms ,
niceresortsanddi ningexper ience.Oh!Il ovedhot elssinc elit
tl
e,
sodon'tbeal armed!"shewar neduponr eceivingr aised
eyebrowf rom Ry an.

"
Soy
ouwantmet
obui
ldahot
el?
"Ry
anr
etor
ted.

"
Iwasonl
ysay
ing,okay
?"Cl
air
etookadef
ens
eandRy
an
remaineds i
lent
."Iknowhotelshas n'
tbeeny ourt
hingother
thaninvesti
ngonaf ew,butit
'sgoodt obeagamec hanger,I
beli
eve.ThatClancyorwhatever,wouldn'thaveguessedthisi
n
ami l
li
ony earsthatyouwouldac t
uall
ytwisttheplot
,and--"

"
Ohthat
'sgeni
usbaby
!"Ry
ans
napped,pul
li
nghert
ohi
s
s
idei
nawe.

"I
tis
?"remarkedCl
air
e,wi
thaf
lut
terofpr
ideuponhear
ing
hi
scompliment
.

"Ofc our
seitis,howc ouldInott hi nkabouti t
?Agrand
hotelinMont esby?Ic anal r
eadypi ctur ewher eItwil
lbe;
somewher enearthes ea... "hes tar teddes c
ribi
nghisvi
si
ons
andCl ai
reenjoyedt hes i
ghtofhi m athi selement;hewasli
kea
youngent husiast
icboy ."
Fuc kCl ai
r e,y ou'resos mart
!Iknew
fr
om t hemomentIs awy out haty ou'r efuckingsmartasi
de
fr
om bei ngsexyandbeaut iful!
"

"Okay,t
hanksIgues s
?"sheutt
eredbet
weenbei
ngf
lat
ter
ed
andali
ttl
eoffended;butshechos
etheformer
.

Theev eningwaspr ocess ings moot hly;betweent alking,

laughingandj okingwhi l
eRy ankeptl yi
ngc omfortablyon
Claire'
slap,enjoy i
ngherf inger sintohishai randbear datt i
mes .
Thatwasonl yunt i
lRy an'sphonebuz z
edandCl ai
relear nedit
wasac allf
rom Dor is;heexc us edhi mselfandwal kedoutoft he
bedr oom,leav i
ngherr i
ghtwher eshewas .Aboutf i
vemi nut
es
laterRyanr eturned,andf oundCl ai
realreadyatherf eet.She
hadal readywor nhers kirtbac k,andtuc kedRy an'sshirtintoit
,
soast or educei t
'sloosenes s .Wi thherf i
gur e,andhei ght;she
st
il
llookedgr
eatr
egar
dles
s,whens
hef
inal
lyr
oll
edi
t'
ssl
eev
es
up.

"Whatareyoudoing?"askedRyanwhi
lecl
osi
ngt
hedoor
behi
ndhim,andsneakinghisphonebackt
othepant
spoc
ketat
thes
amet i
me.

Clai
reshoothim ac
oldgl
are."
I'
m dr
ess
ingup,ar
eyou
bl
indorsomething?
"

Ryanwal
kedi
n."
Iknowy
ou'
redr
ess
ingup,butwhy
?"he
s
napped.

"Sot
hatIcangohome!Thi
sisy
ourhous
e,r
emember
?"s
he
r
etur
ned,si
mil
arl
yinmanners.

Ry
ans mi
rked."
Her
ewegoagai n!
"hesl
owlymutt
eredt
o
hi
msel
f."
Soyouwanttogo?r
ightnow?"headded.

"Yes
!Ri
ghtnow."s
herepl
iedwi
thf
ist
sonherwai
stasi
fshe
wasaboutt
oscrat
chhisf
ace.

Ryanst
aredatherf
oragoodwhi
le;part
icul
arl
yonher
atti
rewhic
hc aus
edhimtost
if
leal
augh."Youaregoingl
ike
that?"

"Iam.Ryans
topmessingwithme,becauseeveni
fI'
llhave
t
obreakthedoor
,orj
umpt hroughthewindow.I'
ms t
il
lleav
ing
t
hisc
oldplac
eofyour
s!"Sheyanked.

Helaughed."Youcoul
d'vej
usttur
nedontheheaterifi
t'
s
cold!
"andfrom thatheearnedascowlwhi
chmadehi m pace
aroundforas ec
ond,hishandsduginsi
deei
therpoc
ketsofhis
pants."Oh,t hisisaboutthec allr
ight?
"her emindedandCl aire
creptas il
enc e."Wellf
ine!Doasy ouwish;ify
ouwantt obreak
thedoor ,goaheadanddoi tsinceI'm notopeningitanyway ,
andi fyouy ouwannaj umpt hewi ndow,goodl uckwiththat!I
'd
lovetos eey out r
y."Hewhi speredthelastsentencetoherear
whi l
emov i
ngt os i
tont hecouchatt hecorner;evi
dently,hewas
grinningdiabol i
cal
ly.

"
We'rereall
ydoi ngt hi
sagai n,huh?Whydoy oui nsis
ton
keepi
ngmeher eli
keapr isoner?Iwantt ogohome,pl easelet
megohomedamni t!
"s hes houted.Seei
ngnopos iti
ver esponse
fr
om Ryan,shegrabbedherpur s etoheaddowns tai
rsf orher
shoes."
Iwar nedyouRy an,I'm goingtobreakt hatfuc ki
ng
door!
"sheaddedandr eachedf ort hehandlerofthebedr oom's,
andtohers urpr
ise,thedoordi dn'tbudge;itwasl ocked.She
tr
iedagainbutitsti
llwoul dn'topen.Angr i
ly,Cl
airetur nedto
Ryanwhoonl yshruggedf r
om wher ehewass i
tti
ng.

"OhClair
e,"Ry
anut t
ered.Hefol
lowedherandheldher
chinup,forci
nghertolookathim."y
oudon'tgetit
,doy ou?"he
playf
ull
ylic
kedhisli
ps."Youcan'
tgetoutofhereunles
sIs ay
so."

Shecockedherheadandl ungedawayfrom hi
m,l eav
ing
hims mil
ing."Doestami
ngmemakey oufeelpowerfulor
somet hi
ng?"sheaskedhim."Ist
hishowyoudealwit hDorisand
allot
herwomeny oufuckaround!
"

Thisti
meRy anlaughedaloud."I
'm al
readypowerful
enoughClai
re,Idon'tneedtotamey outoproveit
!"hesaid,
tr
ail
ingherposit
ion."AndIdon'tf
uckaroundjustanyone!
"
 "OhIshoul
dbegrat
efulri
ght
?Thatthemight
yRyanStev
ens
hashi
sdi
ckonme!"hersarcas
m washil
ari
oustohisear
s.

Hel aughedy etagain;hes toodupc asuall

yandl ungedc lose
toher."Ar en'ty
ougr ateful?
"heas kedi
nahus kyv oice,while
taunti
ngCl airebyc i
rcl
inghi smov ementandhal tedbehi ndher.
Shewasf ullofrage,butthistimehadn' tanyintent i
onofgoi ng
physic
alwi t
hhim;s he'dhadal readylearnedhi sgame,t hat
whenev ers heresist
ed,Ry anwoul dpus hharder ."Admi titCl
air
e,
youdon' twantt ogoany wher ebuther e?"hegr ippedherac ros
s
theches twi t
honear m,c aus i
nghert ostayput.

"Iwon'tques ti
ony ourdeli
ri
um Ryan,soyoucanthink
whateveryouwant !"Clai
reanswered.Shewasstr
ivi
ngnott o
budge,agai
ns tt
hes tr
ongmanwhohadherunderhi sskin;he
unl
easheds everalf
eelingsatonceinher.Shewasangry,then
shewasnot .Shewant edtomov e,thenherbodywouldn'tall
ow
her.

Ryan'sfr
eehandt r
avell
edbeneat hhers hor
ts ki
rt;he
pl
ay edwiththehem ofitsf
abr i
cwhileresti
nghisheadon
Clai
re'sshouldert
oslowlyki
s sherearl
obe.Shebi therlips
hardlytoblockanyti
ngli
ngs ensat
ionitarousedherbody .

"I
'm notbei
ngdelir
ious;Iknowyouwantme!"hebreat
hed
t
hewor dssl
owly,j
ustasthewayhishandsneakedal
lov
erher
t
highs
.

"Ryanplease,justletmeleaveal
ready."s
hepleaded,and
f
elthi
sindecentfingersfindi
ngthemos ts
ensit
ivepar
tofher
f
emaleanatomy ."Ooh! "shemoaneds ubt
lyandarchedherback,
i
nres
pons
etohi
sfr
ont
alas
saul
t.

"WhyClai
re?Ar
eyous
car
edt
ogi
vei
n?Af
rai
dyouwon'
tbe
abl
etores
ist?
"

"
Ofc our
seI'
m notsc
aredofanyt
hing!
"Shebar
ked,
betweenangerandpri
de."Andwhatmakesyouthi
nkIcan'
t
res
istyou?"

"
You'
retrembli
nginmyar msClai
re.
"Hesai
dinawhisper.
"AndIknowy ou'
resoturnedonri
ghtnow!I
tshowsr
ighthere
betweenyourbeaut
ifull
egs.
"

"
NoI
'm not
!Pl
eas
est
opt
hist
hismadnes
sRy
an!
"

"St
opi t
?Youbeggedmenott ostopearl
iert
hisaft
ernoon,
andy ouwer esodamnobedi ent!Whyareyouaskingmet ostop
ri
ghtnowhuh?Don' tyoulikeit?Iwantyoutobegmef ormor e
Clai
re,I'
llmakeyouaskformor e!"Heconti
nuedwi t
hhisblow
j
obands hewaspanti
ngheav il
y.

"
I...Iwon'
t!
"Sheut
ter
edbet
weenherbr
eat
h.

"
Ohy ouwil
lCl
air
e!"Hes
aidhoar
sel
ywhi
leki
ssi
nghernec
k,
maki
nghersqui
rm.

"Oh.My.God.Pl
easeRyandon't-
-"shebr
eat
hedandhe
spedt
hepace;theef
fectofhi
sfet
ishtor
tur
ewasget
ti
ngsev
ere
andherbodywasgett
ingonfir
e.

Hes uddenl
yreleas
edhi
sfi
nger
s."Don'
twhatCl
air
e?Sayi
t!
Don'twhat?
"Hetil
tedherf
acef
rom behi
ndtoseehersayt
he
words.
 "Don'ts
top.
"shecr i
ed,andRy anonlyheldherfi
rmly,
f
eeli
ngherheavybreathing."
PleaseRyan,you'v
ewonhuh? "s
he
t
urnedaroundtofacehimi ntheey es
."J
ustdestroyme.Now!
"
s
heor der
edwhilepull
inghers hi
rtoverherhead.

"That
'swhatIthoughtbaby,l
etmet akecareofyou.
"
repli
edRyanandpus hedheronbed.Shes c
reamedoutinglee
ashepul l
edhers ki
rtdownherlegs,j
usttoconti
nuetowhere
theyhads topped.Heplayedherunti
lshebeggedformoreand
i
t'swhenhet hr
usthimsel
fint
oher,hardandf as
t,f
orci
ngsome
vulgarwordsouthermout h.

Bythet
imet hey'
rebot hbacktoear
th,Clai
rewasbreat
hless
,
sat
isfi
edandspent;herfac eburi
edonRyan'schestwi
thher
bodyc ompl
etenakedagai nsthi
s,exc
eptapieceofbedsheet
aboutherwaist
.Hewasc aressi
ngherbacksoft
lywhenshesaid;

"
WhatareyoudoingtomeRyan?"Shewasr
efer
ringto
ev
ery
thingt
hat
'sbeenhappeni
ngsi
nceshest
art
edhangingout
wi
thhim.

" Exac
tlywhatyoudot ome;dri
vingeac
hothernut s
!"Ry
an
repl
iedandt heysharedasmalll
augh."I
'mstar
ving,s
hallwego
outfordinner?"hechangedt
hetopic.

Cl
air
eraisedherf
ace."
Onl
yify
ouhadn'
tri
ppedmys
hir
t
of
f!
"shesnapped.

"
Ohaboutthat
,Ibroughtyousomeclot
hes
."Hepoi
nted
t
wos
hoppi
ngbagsthatshedidn'
tnot
icet
heenti
ret
ime.

"
Whendi
dyougett
hem?
"Sheas
ked,el
atedl
y,whi
le
wr
appi
nghernakednes
swi
thRy
an'
sshi
rtj
ustl
ikebef
ore.

"
Ear
li
eraf
tert
heof
fi
ce.
"repl
iedhe.

Clair
etiptoedtothebagsandr ev
ealedablous ethat'
s
almos ti
denticalt
ot hetornone,andanot herbaghadadr ess
andt wounder wear;distur
bingtypeofundewear .Shelif
ted
them upandas ked,"Reall
y?"andasus ual
,Ryanonl yshrugged,
l
aughi ngl
y.Shes i
ghed."Howdi dy ouguessmys i
z e?Didy ou
shopy ourself
?"

"
Mus
tIgoi
ntodet
ail
s?"

"
Yespl
eas
e...
"

"Alr
ight?Itookyourtornblouseandaskedtheladyinthe
s
hopf orclotheswit
hsimilars
ize,andaboutshoppi
ngmy s
elf
,
i
t'
shalf-
yes -
half
-no.Pl
eas
edon' taskmet ogointodetai
lshuh?"

Shegi
ggl
ed."
Okay,atl
eastI
'l
lhavesomethi
ngt
owear
t
omor
row.
"Shesai
d."
Ijusthopethedressf
it
s!"

"Wel
lIhopei
tdoes
n't
,thatwayIc
anl
ocky
ouupher
eand
f
ixy
ourfoulmout
h!"

"Don'ty
oudar
e!"Cl
air
eshothi
m agl
are;hebur
stedout
l
aughing.
CHAPTER13

Nextdayatwor kCl airear ri

vedasearlyasus ual
.Ryandr ov eher
hims el
ftotheoffice,andmades uretheyhadpl ansf ordinnerat
night;whichClai
ref or cefull
yrej
ected.Shedi dn'
twantt of alli
nto
histraponc eagain,des pit
ethefactthathekepti ns
istingt hati
t
wasgoi ngtobej ustdi nnerandout ;sti
llClai
rerefused.The
tr
ut hwas ,shewasr eall
ydy ingt
ohav edinnerwi t
hRy an;to
spendmor etimewi thhi m,butknowingt hathe'
dalway sendup
fi
ghther ,andtheni ns i
deherpant s,changedhermi nd.

Atleastnothingoutoft heordinarywasgoingoni nthe

offi
cewhens hemetNat hanthatmor ning.Hewasasf r
iendly
andasr espectf
ulashehadal way sbeen.Henev ermentioned
aboutherus ualinvolv
ementwi t
hRy anatt heSKlobbytheother
day;it'
sasifNat hanrespectedherpr i
vatelif
eands hewas
eternal
lythankfulforthat.

"
You'l
ljoi
nthedesi
gni
ngteam s
tart
ingt
omorrow."s
aid
Nathanastheywentthr
oughthesever
alpoi
ntsofcor
rect
ion
andalter
ati
onont hepr
evi
ousdesi
gns.

Cl
airewass
urpri
sed."Joi
nthedes
igni
ngteam?Butwhy?"
Shequicklyj
umpedintoskepti
ci
sm,whensheenter
tai
nedt
he
ideaofRyanbei
nginvolv
ed.

"BecauseIwanty ouinLevy;i
twasy ourideasoit'
sonlyfai
r
thatyouatleastgi
veusy ourfulli
nsight."Nathanrepli
edina
professi
onalway."Look,IknowI '
m br eaki
ngt her
ulehere,butI
can'tl
etac hancet
oc reatesomethingmar velouspassusbyjust
becauseofas impl
ef ormali
ty;s
ober eady,I'
l
lwantt oseeyour
desi
gnideaswhenwes
tar
twor
kingt
omor
row.
"hes
mil
edhi
s
usual
.

Clair
ewasatl os
sforwor ds.Shehadwai tedsoeagerlyto
havet hatopport
unit
yandt hereitwas ,knockingonherdoor .
"Oht hankyous omuc hNathan,Is weary ouwon' tregr
et!
"s he
almos tj
umped,onv ergetokisshim ont hec heek,butdecided
agai
ns tit
."I'
l
lgoandf i
nis
hal lmypaperwor ksf r
om my
secr
et ari
alj
ob."shescowled.

"Oops
!That
'snotmyfaul
tyouknow,i
t'st
her
uleandI
t
was
n'tper
sonal
."hesai
dinabust
edway .

"J
ustadmi
titt
haty
ouenj
oyedmydel
ic
iousc
off
eewhi
lei
t
l
ast
ed."

"
Jus
tbet
weenusLev
y,y
ou'
rec
off
eet
ast
est
err
ibl
e!"

"
Oh!I
sthats
o?"Cl
air
egr
imac
ed.

"
Yeah.
"Nat
hanans
wer
edt
rut
hful
ly.

Exactl
yass hehador igi
nall
yintended,Clai
r espentherday
workingendlessly,makingupformi ssi
ngt hatonec r
azyday
becauses omec razymaniac,assher ef
erredRy anas.Andt o
thi
nkhe' dbeenpes teri
ngher,whenev erhegott hechanc e,
duri
ngt heoffic
ehour swithcall
sandbundl eoftexts
,Claire
couldnol ongerunder s
tandhowt odealwi thar ol
ler
coaster
namedRy an.Wheni tgottoosevere,shedec i
dedt otexthim
back;
 FROM:Cl
air
e

TO:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Tue***2:
30PM

(
Subj
ect
)Cany oupl
easeshutupf
oraminut
eRy an!I
'mt
ryi
ng
t
oworkhere.Is
aidI'
m nothavi
ngdi
nnerwi
thyou,psyc
ho.

Sent
.

Shec
ontinuedwit
hherwor
k;t
ypingsomethi
ngonher
c
omputer,whil
eski
mmi ngs
omepapers
,unti
lherphone
c
hir
ped.

FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

TO:Cl
air
e

Tue***2:
35PM

(Subj
ec t
)Oh!You'r
ehur t
ingmyfeel
ingsMs .Chall
enge.Ican'
t
concentratewi
thmywor kr i
ghtnowbecauseofy ou;you'v
egot
ali
t t
ledebttorepayClai
re.Noonemes seswithmyj ob.And
aboutdinner,I
'ms t
il
lhopingyoucoul
dgr antmet hehonor s
.

Rec
eiv
ed.
 Clair
ec ouldn'tres i
stl aughi
ngwhi lereadingRy an'srepl
y.He
wasami xtureofc razines sandwi tt
ywhi chhadal waysmanaged
toboilherbl oodindi fferentdi mens i
ons.Hewasc apabl
eof
makingherf eelangr y,annoy ed,irr
itat
ed,andev enlikecryi
ng;
butalsohe' dmakeherl aughatv erystupi
dt hings,andev en
confi
dentonherownt alentswhenc amet owor k.Shedidn't
unders t
andwhyofal lthemeni thadt obeRy an;thec ol
d,the
j
erk,andmos tdomi neer ingpersons he'devermet ,i
ncapableof
anyemot i
onot hert hats exual;andnots omeoneel s
e.She
quic
k l
yt ypedbac kt ohi m.

FROM:Cl
air
e

TO:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Tue***2:
38PM

(Subject
)May bewes houldstartbyf i
xingyourat ti
tudethat
you'reincontrolofeveryt
hingandev er
yoneSi r,I'
m glady ou
can'tconcentrat
ei nyourwork;thatwayy oucanunder st
and
howi tfeel
sliketobemes sedar ound;butt hatdoes n't
necessaril
ymeanIbel i
eveyourpi ck-
uplineeither.LikeIsaid,
I'
m bus ywithwor k.Andaboutdi nner,mydec isionstil
lst
ands .
Fir
ml y!

s
ent
.
 Sheplacedherc ell
phoneas i
deandal lowedhermindto
dri
ftal i
tt
lebyleaningbac kagains therc hair
.Itwasl
unchbreak
unti
lthreeandt heoffic
ewasempt y.Ei
ther,shehadno
i
ntentionofleavingherof fi
cestallunt i
lshewasdonewi t
hthe
work,andheri ntenti
ont os t
oodRy anwass t
il
lint
act
.Iwon'
tlet
youplaymeagai nRyan,s hethoughtandherphonec hi
rped
agai
n.

FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

TO:Cl
air
e

Tue***2:
40PM

(Subject)Ilov eitwheny ouplayfeis

tyClai
re,butI'
m noti
n
themoodf ort hat.Ireall
ywantt ohavedinnerwi t
hyoutoni
ght,
Sopl easebendy ourfirm deci
sionforonce,huh?BecauseIcan
alway str
ans fery ourof f
icetoSKandhav eallthreemealswi
th
you,ev er
yday ;Ohy es,I
'mt hr
eateningyourightnow.

P.
S:DON'
TCALLMESI
R!!
!

r
ecei
ved.

WhenCl air
er eadt hi
s,shebur s
tedoutlaughing.I
twas
i
ncredibl
ehowt hatki ndofhideousmes sagecouldpossibl
y
makeherl aughi nsteadofget t
ingangryathisremarks.Fir
sthe
beggedher ,andt henhet hr
eat enedherbetweent hesamel i
ne.
Butthatwasnol ongerani s
s ueforher;she'
dalreadyseenal ot
c
omi
ngf
rom hi
minj
usthal
f-
a-week.

FROM:Cl
air
e

To:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Tue***2:
42PM

(
Subjec
t)Iknowy ouhav ethepowertopushthroughy our
thr
eatsSI
R.Butify
out r
y,IswearI'
m gonnaquitmyj ob.Oh!
Andthat'
snotathreatac t
uall
y,i
t'
sapromise!Nowl etmef i
nis
h
myjob,befor
eIgetf i
redfirs
t.

Sent
.

Shes mil
edbrightl
yandcontinuedpinchi
ngthekeyboards
.
Andjustasshebegant ogetser
iousagain,t
herewaswasan
i
ncomingc al
landsheknewr i
ghtawayi twasfrom hi
m.Witha
heav
ys i
gh,shesli
dt herec
eiv
er.

"
WhatnowRy
an?Ar
eyout
iredwr
iti
ngt
hreat
s?"Sheut
ter
ed.

Her
epliedt
hroughthephone,"Areyoureall
ybeing
adamantaboutdinner
?We'l
ljusteatandI'
llt
akey ouhome
aft
erwar
ds!"hehadac al
mtoneofv oic
eforac hange.

"
I'm notbei
ngadamantorany
thi
ng,Ij
ustc
an'
tgooutwi
th
y
out
onight?
"Sherepl
ied.
 "
Whyc
an'
tyou?
"Ry
anas
ked.

"Bec
auseIhaveot
herplans
!"Shelied;t
heonl
yplanss
he
hadwasstay
ingi
ntheoff
iceunt
ill
ate,andgobackhometo
sl
eeponherownbed.

"Ot
herplans
?Wi
thwho?Pant
her
?"Hi
svoi
ces
tar
tedt
olos
e
i
tsc
almness
.

Clai
rerol
ledhereyes
."Youdon'tthi
nkI'
m aloneror
somethi
ng,doyou?Ihaveotherpeopletohangoutwith,Soi
t
does
n'thavetobemybos syoumani ac!
"Sheblur
ted.

Shecoul
dhearhislaugh."
Okaywhoar
eyoupl
anni
ngt
o
meet?Gena?
"Heinsi
stedonknowing.

"No!I
'm hav
ingdinnerwit
hmybr other
,ist
hatf
ineofan
ans
wer?"Shebarked"
Yourstepbr
other?
"Ryansnapped.

Cl
air
efr
owned."
Yeshi
m.Whydoy
ous
ounds
urpr
ised?
"

Sheheardhisl
ongsi
gh."
Nothing!Wellhaveanic
eti
me
wi
thyour...st
epbrot
her
."Ryansai
ds ar
casti
call
y.

"YoubetIwi
ll
.OkayI
'm bus
y.By
e!"Shes
nappedandhung
up.

****

AStheni
ghtapproac
hed,RyanwasheadingoutofSKbui
ldi
ng
wit
hDori
sbesideher.Theyhadbeenbothbusywit
hthelas
t
minut
edetai
ls
,abouttheremodeli
ngproj
ectofMaryr
osest
reet
,
anditseemedtobec omi
ngalonggreat
.Whi
leheadi
ngf
ort
he
par
kinglot,Dor
ist
oldhimsomethi
ng;

"TodayIheardaweir drumorwhenIwasi nspect

ingthe
l
obby,andnowt hatIthi
nkofi t
,Ican'tconc
ealmyc uri
os i
tyany
l
onger.
"shes ai
dhalt
ingl
yandheonl yglanc
edatherwi thouta
r
eacti
on."Iheardyouwer earguingwithawomanandi tlooked
l
ikeyoutwohads omethingseriousgoingon!"Sheproceeded.

Ryanlookedatherwi thafai
ntsmil
e."Youcan'
tstoppeople
f
rom t
alki
ngar oundsoj us
tignor
ethem,itwasnothi
ngs er
ious
."
Heansweredcas ual
ly.

"Wasither?
"Sheprompt
ed,herl
egsstuc
ktotheground,
andRy anhadtodothesamewhenhet ur
nedaround."
Wasi t
Clai
re?"shebrokei
tdown.

Ryanf
rowned."What'
sthematterwi
thyou?"Her
etur
ned
whenheapprehendedt
hec hangei
nherfac
e;shewasser
ious
ly
angr
y.

"Doyout hi
nkI'
ms t
upi
dRyan?ThatIdon'
tunders
tand
what
'sgoingon?"Sheut
ter
edandhemov edcl
oserandclear
ly
t
oldherintheeyes;

"Don'
tdot
hisDor
is,pl
eas
edon'
t!
"Andof
fhewentf
orhi
s
c
ar.

Dorisf
ollowedher."
Why ?Ar
ey ouattr
actedt
oher ?Tal
kto
me!"Shescr
eamedathi m,andhes toppedbythedoor,gri
ppi
ng
i
tshandl
ertightl
yandmadly.Hefinall
yret
urnedaroundand
suc
kinadeepbr eat
h.
 "YouandI,don'thav ethi
skindofar rangementDor i
s,
you'
vebeenforgett
ingy ourpl
aceal otlatel
y!"Hemut ter
edt he
wordsbet
weenhi sclenchedteeth."Youdon' thaveanyrightto
quest
ionmyprivatelif
e,andit'
swhaty ou'v
ebeendoi ng,andI
don'
tapprec
iat
ey ourac ti
ngli
keaj ealousywife.
"headded.

Dor
isswall
owed,herf
istsc
lenc
hedtohersides."
Your
pr
ivatel
if
e?Sincewhendoy ouhaveyourpr
ivat
elif
e?"

"I'
m notdoi ngthisbul
lshi
t!"Ryans nappedandr eac
hedf or
thedoorandi tswungopenas econdl ater.Hes eatedhims elf
behindt hewheel ,andwatchedherwhi l
ebuc kli
ngupt hes eat
belt
."That '
sanic ecarbytheway ,i
tr eallysuitsyou!"Het oldher
,
ands her ef
lexi
velylookedatherbr andnewr edMaz dabef ore
crac
kingherl ongheel sawayfrom hiss i
ght .Heonl yloosened
histi
e,andhi tthec l
utch.

Inthemiddl
eofther
oad,Ryandeci
dedtochec
konCl ai
re
andt
heircal
lwasimmedi
atel
yconnect
edviaanearpi
ecehewas
wear
ing.

"Youj
ustcan'
tletmebr
eath,c
any
ou?
"Cl
air
esnappedand
hi
sli
psstr
etc
hedintoasmil
e.

"Andyoujustc
an'
tbenic
eforevenasec
ond,canyou?
"He
r
etur
ned,eyesfi
xedonthemil
dtr
aff
icwhenhisc
arres
ted.

"Trus
tmeRyan,I
'mr
eal
lyt
ryi
ngtobeni
cebutit
'sj
usts
o
i
mposs
ibl
ewhencomest
oyoubecaus
eyou'
rej
ust-
-"

"Imi
ssyou!
"Heutter
edsoft
ly,t
hatev
enwi
thouts
eei
ngher
,
hec
ouldtel
lhowst
art
ledClai
rewas.
 "Ar
ey oudrunkRy
an?
"Sher
emar
ked."
Bec
aus
ethats
ounds
l
ikeadrunktal
k."

"I
'm dr
ivi
ng."herepl
ied,andt
hens
mil
edwi
thhi
shead
s
hakentothesides.

"
Oh!
"Isal
lshec
oul
dsay
.

"
Arey
ouony
ourdi
nnerdat
e?Wi
thy
ours
tepbr
other
?"

"Inev
ers
aidi
twasadi
nnerdat
e!Ionl
ysai
dIhadpl
anst
o
meethim.
"

"
So,areyouwi
thhi
m?"Ry
anas
ked,andhi
scars
tar
ted
mov
ingagain.

"YesIam.It'
safamil
ytimeRyan,doy
ouseri
ous
lyhavet
o
knoweveryt
hingIdo,when,wher
eandevenwit
hwhom? "

"Yes.Iwantt
oknowal
lthat
!"heans
wer
edwi
thut
mos
t
s
eri
ous ness
.

"You'
rei
mpos s
ible!Fi
neI '
m wit
hmybr otherrightnow,and
we'r eabouttohavedinnerathome,ofc oursewithmy
stepmot heraswell
."Sheans weredwryl
y."Areyoubor edbyany
chanc eandinneedt ofindsomeonet omes saroundwi t
h?
Bec auseIdon'thavethetime."

"I'
mreall
ybor ed,butnotbecaus eofwhaty ou'r
eimagining
atthemoment .Ijustmissyourpres ence,t
hat'
sall.I'
m notsure
howmyc oldapart
menti sgoingt
of eeltonight
."Ryans ai
d,with
anex haust
edy awn.Clai
rewentsilentforawhi l
e,probably
contemplati
ng.
 "J
ustbarewi t
hitRyan.It'
sy ourhouse.
"Shefinal
lysaid.
"Andifyou'r
et hatbored,youc analwayscal
lyourgir
lf
ri
end
over.Becarefulonther oad,andhav eagoodnightRyan."She
fi
nis
hedandt heli
newentdead.

Hestayedcreepysi
lentins
idehi
scar,feel
ingaforei
gntype
ofemoti
onthathequicklyshutawaybys peedingup,oncehe
hadfi
nal
lypull
edthroughthejam t
owardsaf reeroad.
CHAPTER14

Joi
ningt hedesigningt eam wast hebes tt
hingt hatcould' ve
happenedt oClaire.Shel ovedi t,andt hemember swel c omed
herf airl
yenoughc ons ideringf ewc i
rcums tances.Shehadbeen
wor kingwiththem i nt hreeday s,andt hingswer epr oceedi ng
wel l
.ItwasFr i
day ,whenJ or ges uddenl ycall
edherdur inglunch
hour sandinv i
tedherout .Shewass kepticalatfi
rst
,butwhen
shet houghtaboutt hef av ourhehaddoneherbyf i
ndi ngGenaa
job,Cl ai
rereal
izeds hes houl datl eas tbeki nd.Shewi nded
thingsupi ntheof fice,andl eftforherappoi nt
ment ;sinc eitwas
Friday,therewas n'ts ucht odoi nt heof fi
ceaf t
erlunc h.

"Thanksforc omingons uchas hortnot i

ce;Iwasar ound
nearbyandIt houghtwec ouldhav
el unc h."SaidinJorgeinhi
s
caref
ulmanner s.Hewashands ome,nott oohands ome;aman
wit
hs uchc almnes st
hat'
seas i
lymistakenf orkindness,buthe
wasbot h.Hehadmanner sofananc i
entgent leman;ifhewer e
tochoos e,he'
dpi ckdres
spant soveraj eans,as weaterovera
j
acket,andal oaferoveraJ or
dan.Buthewasgood,andv ery
easytoc onverse.

"I
t'
sokay ,I
'm glady oudidc ozIwasf amished!
"Claire
repl
iedonc eshe'dpr ess
edheror der.I
t'sbeenfewday ssince
they'
ds eenoneanot her
,andi tappearedbot hofthem stayed
outlongt oavoi
dt heirmot her
."Ac tual
lyIshould'
veinvi
tedy ou
fi
rst
;Iwant edtothanky ouf orhiringGena,itmeansal otme! "
sheadded.

J
orgesmi
led."
Itwasnobigdeal
!Shehadgr
eatc
redent
ial
s,
andt
herewasanopenposit
ion.
"hesaidwar
mly.
 "
Eitherway,thanky
ou."sai
dClair
e,andwhatfol
lowedwas
asimplec onver
sati
onaboutboththei
rworks
,whichborefew
br
ieflaughternowandthenuntilt
hefoodarri
ved.

Theybothhadafi
ll
,andpart
icul
arl
yhadanic
etime.I
twas
act
uall
ythefi
rstti
mef
orthetwotohangoutandshar
edameal
outs
idethehouse.

"Umph!IthinkI
'veeat
ent
oomuch.
"Jor
geut
ter
edwhi
leat
hi
sfeet
,readytogocleart
hec
hec
k.

Clair
elaughedbri
ghtl
y."
Met oo!Ididn'tknowthere'
ssuch
anic
er est
aurantar
oundmywor kplace;i
t'
sof f
ici
all
ymynew
spot
."Sherepli
edamidstf
ini
shi
nghermi l
kshakefordesser
t.

Wi thJorgegone,Claires t
ar tedwander i
nghergaz earound
inques tfornothingpar t
icularly.Andthat'swhenherhear tgave
herapang,whens omeoneunexpec t
edwal kedintothe
restaurant.Shequicklystraightenedup,whi l
eabandoningthe
strawawayf rom hermout h.Dor iswasenteringtherest
aurant
asgr aci
ous l
yass hewas ;inac ompanyoft wootherladi
eswi t
h
similarambi ance.Hers milewasr adi
ant,ass hespoketoher
girl
sont hewayt otheirtable,butdar kenedf as
twhenherey es
metCl aire.Butthens hegr antedherc ivi
li
tytoClair
eany way,by
mar chingtowar dshertable.

"Hell
other
e?"Dori
sgr
eetedwit
hhersmi
lebac
k;itwas
i
mpos s
ibl
eforClai
ret
odeter
minedwhet
heri
twasrealor
pl
ast
ic.

"
Ohhi
?"Cl
air
eret
urned,wi
thherbes
tsmi
le.
 "Suc hacrazyc
oinci
dencethatIkeeprunni
ngint
oyou
wher
ev erIgo,"Dori
ssai
d."s
eemsl ikewesharethes
amet as
te
i
neverything.
"Andaddednonc hal
antly
;somethi
ngabouther
wayofs peaki
nglef
tClai
reabitdis
turbed.

"Ohper haps,butIdon'tt
hinkso."Cl
air
eutter
edwit
ha
smallsmil
e."I'msurewedon'thaves i
mil
artas
teinever
ythi
ng!
Butit'
sgoodr unni
ngintosomeoney ouknow,bypure
coi
ncidence,ofcours
e!"shepoli
tel
yadded.

Dor
isgri
nned."Ihopeso;becaus
ei tsohappenst
hatIhat
e
s
hari
ng!
"Shes ai
dpointedl
y,wi
thoutkil
li
ngherowns mil
e."
Oh
s
il
lyme!Ifor
gotthatyouworkatStar
li
ght,obvi
ouslyy
oumus t
c
omeher ealot.
"

Cl
aires t
aredarchlyather,ali
ngeri
ngs mil
eonherher
perfec
tlips,withherheartbeati
ngat housandmil
epers ec
ond.
AtthattimeJ or
gehadj ustf
oundhi swaythere;Cl
air
ethanked
thehollyspiri
tforsuchadivineint
erventi
onwhenheas ked;

"Am Iinterrupt
ing?I'
m donewitht
hebi
ll
."Hewasstandi
ng
behindClaire,andac ros
sfrom Dor
iswhol
ookedali
tt
leamused
atthesightoft hem twotoget
her.

"Notatall
,Iwasonl
ysayi
nghit
oClai
re.
"SaidDor
is,
s
mil
ingl
y."
It'
smewhos eemstobei
nter
rupt
ing.
"

Jor
gelookedbetweent
hetwoladi
eswit
hquestionmarks;
hehadz er
oi deaonwhatwasgoi
ngonhencedecidedtostay
quietasCl
airestoodupandst
ret
chedherpalepi
nkwr ap-
dress
thatRyanhadboughther.
 "Wewereact
uall
yleav
ingDor
is,t
oobad,I
'dhavelovedto
c
ont
inuec
hat
ti
ng,butweneedtogohome."Clai
reannounced.

"Ohhome?Okay.That
'snopr obl
em wi
thme,wecanalways
f
ini
shwherewestoppedClai
re.Goodeveni
ngtoyoubot
h!"sai
d
Dor
isandshenoddedcurt
ly.

"
Butofc
our
se,goodev
eni
ngt
oyout
oo.
"Cl
air
erepl
ied.

Onc eout si
de,sheexhal edheav il
y,asifshe'dbeenhol ding
herbr eathf orever.Herhear twaspoundi ngheavil
y ,andt he
guilt
yengul fedi twithcuffs
.Howc oulds hetalktoherl ikethat ?
It'
swhatCl airewaswonder ingass hewal kedpensiv el
yt owar ds
Jorge'
sc ar.Dor is'
stonewasf ul
lofs arcasm,asifshewasbei ng
nas t
ywi thoutbei ngv ul
gar.Didsheknow,Cl air
eas kedher s
elf
andt heideat erri
fi
edher .IfDori
sknewt hatshewass l
eeping
withRy an,t hent hati
tsel
fwasani ngr edientfordisas t
er.

"
Isev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"J
orge'
svoi
ces
tar
tledher
.

"
Huh?
"shegas
ped.

"I'
m as
kingifyou'
reokay,y
oul
ookl
ikey
ou'
ves
eena
ghos
t!"Herepl
ied,l
aughi
ngly
.

"Ohy eah,Iam okay

."Cl
air
eretur
ned."Areyougoinghome
ear
lytoday?becauseIam!"sheaddedaf
terregai
ningher
composure.

J
orgeans
wer
ed."
Yeah,I
'm donef
ort
heday
."

"Okay
,let
'sgo."Clair
es mil
edweakl
ywhilehoppi
ngin.She
t
ried,toohardtoforget,abouthert
ête-
â-t
êtewit
hDoris
;butit
wasimpos s
ibl
etoannihi
lat
ethet
oneofhervoi
ce.Sherunher
handsintoherhai
r,f
oll
owedbyac oupl
esi
ghsunti
lthecar
st
arted.

"
Whowasthatladyearli
er?Yout wos eemedt
oknoweach
other
,butt
henli
keenemi es.
"Jorge,whohadbeens i
lentt
he
enti
reti
meincontemplat
ion,fi
nall
ys poke.

Cl
air
egiggled."
Whywouldyouthi
nkwe'r
eenemi
es?
"she
as
ked.Aren'
tyou?Hers
ubconsc
iouswarned.

"Idon'
tknow,Ijus
tsens
ed."Her
emar
ked."
Wel
lIf
eell
ike
I
'ves
eenherbefore,whoisshe?
"

"
May beyouhav
e."repli
eds he."
Hernamei sDor
is,s
he
worksatSK,aPRDirec
torors omething.I
'veonl
ymether
rec
ently
."shesai
dvaguely
.

"
Andy
ety
out
wol
ookedl
iker
ival
s?"

"Ohpleas
e,I'
m nots
urewhaty
ous
awt
othi
nkt
hatway
,but
Ias
sureyouit
'snot.
"

"
Okay
."J
orges
mil
ed.

"
Doy
ouhav
eagi
rl
fr
iendJ
orge?
"Cl
air
esuddenl
yas
ked.

Hel
ookedst
art
led,butr
epl
ied."
Um--No,Ihadonebutwe
br
okeupnotl
ongago.Whataboutyou?
"heaskedwit
has mi
le.

"Me?"Clair
echucked,r
idic
ulous
ly."
Idon'
tthi
nkIhav
eone.
Imean,Idon'thav
e!"Shesaid.

"
Idon'
tgeti
t,y
ous
oundl
ikey
ou'
renots
ureors
omet
hing.
I
sitc
ompli
cat
ed?"
 Sheonlyhadamatingpar
tner
.Shet
hought
."I
t'
snot
c
ompl
icat
ed,Ij
ustdon'
thaveone.
"

"That'
sodd."J
orges
aid."
Areal
ltheguy
siny
ourof
fi
cebl
ind
ors
omet hing?
"Heremarked.

"J
orge!
"Clai
reexc
lai
med,andhel
aughed."
Whatar
eyou
i
nsi
nuati
ng?"Shemadeitcas
ual.

"Nothi
ng,don'tgetmewr ong.We'resi
blings
;bloodrelat
ed
ornot.
"Helaughed."Ijustt
hinkit'
sodd,becauseyou'r
es mart,
you'
rebeauti
fulandmos tofall
,veryki
nd."

"
Wel
lI'
mfl
att
ered!
"Shes
aid.

Butthatwasexact
lywhatshewastol
dbys omeonewit
ha
gi
rl
fr
iend;Ryan.Shet
houghti
nwardl
y,andkeptitt
ohers
elf
.

Whens hef i
nall
ygothome,Cl ai
rereac hedforthes howerand
tookthelongerone.It'dbeenonehel lofament alexhaus tion
foraday ;es
pecial
lyafterseeingDor i
satt herestaurant.She
blewairwhilewearingpy j
amasf orani ght,wit
hherheadj iggled
withRyanandDor i
simages .Fir
st,hehadbeens ilentthewhol e
days i
ncehismanyat tempt stohav emeal swithher ;f
rom
dinnertolunch,fr
om luncht odinner;andCl air
er ejec
tedt hem
all
.Shewass uppos edtobehappywi tht heoutcome,butt he
contrar
ywast hemat ter.

Shejus
tdr oppedonbed,andlieddownonhert ummy ,
rec
hec ki
ngallhismessagesandtheirmanyexchanges
.Asmile
escapedherlipsandreali
zedshemi ghthadac
tuall
ymiss
edhim;
butshewasn'tgoingt
ocal
lhim.Awhilelat
erGenacall
edher
,
anditwasli
ketelepat
hybecausesheal
sowantedtotal
ktoher
badl
y;toventandmay berecei
veabest
-fri
end-
back-
up.

"
Tsups
weet
ie?
"Genas
prawl
ed.

"
Cool
,howar
eyou?
"Cl
air
eas
ked.

"I
'mfi
ne,ac
tual
lyI
'm hy
ped!
"thef
ormers
creamedont
he
ot
herend.

Cl
air
esmi
led."
Okay
,atl
eas
tsomegoodnewsf
ora
c
hange.
"

"Har
ryi
nvit
edmeov
ert
ohi
spl
acet
omor
row,andI
'ms
o
f
reaki
ngout
."

"
Alr
ight
!"Clai
regr i
nned,beforesit
ti
ngmor ecomf or
tabl
yon
herbedroom couch."Whyar eyouf r
eakingout?I
t'snotli
ke
you'
veregai
nedy ourv i
rgi
nityorsomethingthatyou'r
escaredit
mighthurti
ncas ethehotc hocol
atemakesani ndecentmov e.
"
sheaddedwithas mile.

Genajoinedi n."Iknow.It
'sj
us t...Idon' tknowCl ai
r e.I'
m
suddenl yscared;whati fI'
m movingt oofast?It hinkI
'm get t
ing
tooi nvolv
edwi thhi m,andatthes peedofal ight .He'
snice
really,ver
yni c
et hatIfeelli
kehe'
st oogoodf orme... "s hekept
tel
lingandherbes t
iehadt osi
tmor es t
raights oasbemor e
attentive.

"Ohpleas
eGena,y ou'
ret hemos tself
-consci
ousgirlIknow.
Younev
erhadt hi
sins
ec ur
itythingbefore,sowhat'sthemat t
er?
Andwhatdoy oumeanhe' stoogoodf ory ou?"Cl
airereminded
her
."Pl
eas est
opthatrot
tenthought
;y ou'
regorgeousand
i
ncredi
ble,andI'
ms ur
eHar r
yknowst hattoo!
"

"You'reanangelbesti
e.I
'm alr
eadyfeeli
ngtheov er
fl
owing
conf
idence!IknewIs houl
dtal
kt oyou,becausebetweenus ,
youhaveturnedtobeanexper trecent
ly.
"Theys har
edal ong
andrib-
cracki
nglaughter.

"Okaygues
swhat,ImetDor
ist
odayand...
"Cl
air
est
art
ed
nar
rati
ngherhorr
ors
tory.

"
What
?Doy
out
hinks
hehass
nooped?
"Genagas
ped.

"
I'
m posi
ti
ve!Shewasdef i
nitel
ysendi
ngmeames s
age
betweenherspeech.WellIguessshewon'tneedtoworr
y
anymore,bec
auseI '
m backtomys enses.
"sai
dClair
ewitha
si
gh.

"
Arey
ou?Ar
eyour
eal
ly?
"Genapr
ompt
ed.

"Yes
.I'
mcer
tai
nthi
sti
me,andmayGodhel
pme!
"Cl
air
e
dec
ided.

OnSunday ,t
het wometdur i
ngafternoonanddec i
dedtodo
somes hoppi
ng.Genat ol
dheraboutherdat ewithHarrythe
otherday,whichtur
nedoutt obes omethingcomplet
eoutof
herantic
ipat
ion;hetookhertohispar ent
'shouseanditwas
quietahassl
ees pec
ial
lyaft
ermeet i
ngHar ry'
smother.

"Youhavenoideahows t
raddledIfel
twhenIstoodbefore
hi
sperfec
tfami
lywithgr
eatmor alval
ues.Iwasoutofspace
gi
rl
fr
iend.
"sai
dGenaast heyrummagedar oundthemall.
 Clai
reburst
edoutlaughingthewholeway."Shouldn'
tyou
behappythough?Atl
easthe'sdecentenoughtointr
oducey ou
tohi
sfamil
y,ri
ght?
"Sheas ked.

"
Ohno!"Sheobj
ec t
ed."Iwasnotr
eadyforthatClai
re;you
shoul
d'v
eseenhowhi sobnoxi
ousmotherscowledmef rom
headtoeasifIwass
omes l
eazywomanfrom t
heNet herworld.
Sheneverl
ikedmeonebi t
."

"
Ohpl
eas
e!"

"Isweartoyou!
"Genainsis
ted "Ohgirl,It
hinkther
eis
somethingcr
ookedwit
hmot her-
in-
laws!"Shesaidandher
best
iewasjustl
aughi
ng."
Mayy oupl eas
es toplaughi
ngalr
eady
?
Youjustdon'
tknowhowterri
blemyni ghtwas .
"

"I'
ms orryhoney."Clair
ekeptlaughing."I
t'
sjust,Ic
an' t
i
maginey ourfac
eafterfindingoutitwasac t
uall
yy ouri
n-laws
pl
ace."Sheadded."Butt henagain,Ithi
nktheywer ejustas
st
art
ledasy ouare;may bey oushouldgivethem somebenef it
ofadoubt .
"Sheteasedherf ri
end,ands healsostart
edlaughing.

"Ohpleasedon'tsayt
hewor din-
laws,i
tscaresthecr
eep
outofme!"Sheutter
ed,andtheywentonwi t
ht heshoppi
ng
whil
stl
aughingheart
il
yatGena'sexpense.

"
Doesthisl
ookgood?"Cl
air
easkedwhens
het
riedanof
fi
ce
dr
ess
."I
t'
skindofti
ght!
"sheadded.

"
Wel lIthi
nkit'
sperf
ect!
"Genarepl i
ed."Girlyou'
vegota
body,andt hatbootyf
it
sperfect
lyi
nt here,yous houl
ddefini
tel
y
takethatdress.
"shecontri
ved,andtheys hareds i
mil
arspeech
ov
erandov
erunt
ilt
heys
crat
chedt
hei
rcr
edi
tcar
ds.

Lat
er,whi
legrabbingabit
eatsomecof
feehous
e;Cl
air
e
as
ked,"Soar
ey oureadyforworkt
omorr
ow? "

"
YeahIam!"s
aidGena."
Ohbyt
heway
,doy
ouknowt
hat
Ry
anisoutoft
hecount
ry?
"

Thatwasenought
ochanget
hepaceofCl
air
e'shear
tand
mood,alt
oget
her."
Ohishe?
"shequi
pped.

"Yeah,t
hat
'swhatHarr
ytoldme."Genasai
d."He'
llbether
e
f
oraweekIgues s
,hedidn'
ttel
lyou?
"Sheasked,worr
iedl
y,
whi
legobbli
ngherfr
ies
.

"
No,andhehadnor easonto!"r epl
iedClai
re,pensi
vel
y;her
fac
es howednot
hingbutdis
comf ort,butherfri
endc oul
dn'
thint
onthat,ass
hewasalreadyengr
os sedwi thherphone.
CHAPTER15

THEf ol
lowi ngweekwentunev ent full
y,exceptforonet i
me,on
Wednes day ,whenBr unodr oppedbyandCl air
ehadl unchwith
him.Des pit
ebeingbus ywi thwor k,underat i
ghtdeadl i
ne,she
sti
llf
oundt imegoi ngways lowert hans hepref
err ed.Againshe
heardnot hi
ngf r
om Ry an,andi tsomehowbot heredher
immens elywithoutadmi t
tingi ttoher self
.Shekeptbel iev
ingit
wasbet tert hatway ,t
hatit
'sexac tl
ythec hanges heneededf or
herlif
et ogetbac kt onormal ;thenor malbeforeget t
ing
entangledwi t
hRy anandhi ss uc kl
inggames .

OnFri
dayev ening,Cl
airedecidedtorelaxwi thamov i
e
i
ns i
deherbedroom.Shewasbor ed;shewat c
hed,butc oul
dn't
seewhatthemov i
ewasaboutass hekeptc hangingposture
hereandthere,withherheadz oningnowandt hen.But
suddenl
y,theideapoppedi ntoherhead;s hec all
edGenaand
askedherifshewasf reethatevening.

"
Iam,butwhy
?Wannac
omeov
er?
"As
kedGena.

Whil
epaci
ngaroundherroom,Clai
rerepl
ied"Iwannago
out;l
et'
sgotoacl
uborany where.
"Shesnapped,asser
ious
lyas
shecouldbe.

"
What
?Youwantt
ogot
oac
lub?You?
"Genaexc
lai
med
l
oudl
y.

"I'
mc omingt
oy ourpl
aceinas ec,
"Cl
air
esai
d,i
gnor
ingher
s
hoc
k."waitf
orme!"Sheinsi
sted,andwal
kedouti
mmediatel
y.

Aboutanhourl
ater
,shewasal
readyatGena'
s,andt
he
l
atterwasst
il
lfl
abbergast
edaboutt
heidea,ev
eni
fCl
air
ewas
r
ightther
e,anddeter
mi nedt
odoass ai
d.

"Soletmegett
hiss
trai
ght,ar
ey oubeings
eri
ousaboutt
his
c
lubbingthi
ng?
"Genahadtoinquireagai
n.

"Ofc our
seIam;Imean,it'
sFri
day,shoul
dn'
twegetoff
somes t
eam orsomethi
ng?I'
m get
tingdepres
sedsi
tt
ingar
ound,
wait
ingforMondaytoarri
ve.
"Clai
resaid,whi
ler
ummaging
Gena'sdress
erf
orsomethingtowear.

"Depres
sedovers
omeRy
an?
"Genas
nappedwi
tha
pr
ovokingsmil
e.

"Idon'
tknowGena,butIdon'twanttoentertai
ntheidea,at
all
."Clai
reconti
nuedtoins
pectt
hedr es
ser."Hey,Iwant
somet hi
ngflas
hy,andsexy
,anysuggest
ions?
"s headded.

Genas ni
cker
ed."Thisoughtt obegood!"Shemur mured.
"L
etmes eewhattoputont hatsexybodyofy ours.
"sheshoved
Cl
air
eas i
deandtookc ontr
olofpi cki
ngtheoutfi
ts."
Youknow
what,y
ou'reri
ght
,let
'sjustgo,hav efun,andgetwastedwhil
eat
i
t!
"

"
Yeah,l
etsdoi
t!
"Shes
napped,al
lexc
ited.

"I'
m gonnacal
lforanUberbec auseIdon'
tthinkI
'l
lbeabl
e
todri
velat
er,andsi
ncey ou'v
eref
us edtor
enewy ourl
icens
e,
noneofuswi l
lbei
nc ondit
iontodri
v e.
"

"
IthinkI'
l
lhavetoworkont hatsoonerorlat
er."She
mumbled,whil
epeeli
ngoffherhideouspyjamas."Dri
vingy
our
owncarisi
mpor t
antsometi
mes."Sheadded.
 Theyt
ookthei
rti
mepicki
ng,tos
sing,andtest
ingdi
ff
erent
c
lot
hesunti
lanhourl
aterwhentheyfinal
lygotr
eadytogo.

"Wow!You'r
elookingsmoki
nghotgir
lf
ri
end."Genasai
d
whenClai
refi
nis
hedput t
ingonali
tt
ler
eddr es
sthatcr
amped
herc
urvesint
oplace.

"
Youl
ookgr
eaty
our
sel
fSamur
aiQueen!
"Cl
air
eret
urned.

Withhai rfl
ail
ingfr
eelydownt heirshoulders,thetwobest
fri
endswal kedintoahotc lubintheCi t
y,withheav ymusict
hat
regardedt hem insty
le.Genawasar egular
,s hejusthadashot
ofmar garitaandsli
ppedint othedanc efl
oort hatwasalr
eady
acti
ve.Smi li
ngly
,Clai
rereformedherat t
enti
ont othebartender
whof inall
ygrantedhisutmos tatt
entiontoher .

"Haveyoumadeupyourmi
nd?Becaus
eI'
m notgi
vingy
ou
acherr
ysodawit
hhows t
eamyy
oulook"Thecur
ly-
hai
redguy
behi
ndthecount
ersai
d.

Shelaughed."
Whatmakesy out
hinkthatIwantcher
rysoda,
huh?Andev enifIwere,what
'st
heproblem wit
hthat?
"She
ret
ur nedwithashout
;itwasqui
tenois
yt obegi
nwith.

Theguyleanedoverl
aughi
ngl
y."
Everyt
hingi
swr
ongwi
th
t
hat
;Itgoesagains
ttheFr
idayni
ghtr
ule.
"

"Ohr
eall
y?Fri
daynightr
ule?
"Sheeyedhi
m,sensual
ly,and
hef
oundhimsel
fdraggedint
othespher
eofhert
erri
fi
ceyes .

"
Yeah,t
hatone.
"
 "
Arey
ous
urey
ouhav
en'
tmadei
tup?
"Shes
mil
ed.

Helaughedal
oud."Okay
,yougotme!
"Hes
lowl
ywi
nced
bac
k."
Sowhatwi l
lyouhave?
"

"
Surpri
seme! "Sai
dClai
repl
ayf
ull
y,wi
thherel
bowsont
he
counter
,suppor
tingherheadashergazemethi
s,f
rom a
dis
tance.

Hewethispl
umpli
pst
antal
iz
ingl
y."
Asyouwis
h!"hes
aid,
bef
oremovi
ngawayandst
art
eddoinghismi
xol
ogy.

Cl ai
r ereali
zedt hatbybei ngther e,itwasthebes tc hoice.At
l
eas ts hewasabl etor elax;wat chingpeopl emi ngl
ingont he
danc ef l
oor,s omemaki ngouti ns omedar kcorners,others
chattingandl aughingwhi leseatedatt heboothswi thfaintlight
;
i
twasal lwor thit.Whens hefinall
yr esumedherobj ec tof
i
nter est,therewasac ocktailglassinf rontofher,withapi nk
l
iquiddr essedwi thas li
c eofpi neappl eandal i
ttl
es traw.She
archedaney ebrowatt hes ightofi t
.

"
Thatwasqui
ck!
"Shet
oldt
hebart
ender
.

Heonlys
miledarc
hly
."Ical
lit
,"heey
edClai
re."
Hey
gor
geous
!"Hesaidi
nhissof
tvoi
ce,andsmil
edrel
entl
ess
ly.

"
Heygorgeous?"Sheprompted,whi
lesuckingi
nthedri
nk
sl
owl
y,wi
thoutleav
inghiseyes
."Areyoufl
ir
tingwit
hmer i
ght
now?
"sheplai
nlyasked.

"NoI'
m not,I
'mjustadmi
ringyoureyes.
"Theguyr
epl
ied,
andpul
ledbackabit
,totendanothersoul
.
 Cl
air
elaughedabit
."He'scut
e!"Sheutter
edt
oher
sel
f,and
hes
eemedt opiquec
urios
ityonherwor ds
.

"Whatdidyousay?
"Heas
kedov
erhi
sshoul
der
,whi
le
pi
cki
ngmor egl
asses
.

"Isai
dy ouar
enotmyt
ype!
"Sher
etur
nedl
oudl
y,bec
aus
e
oft
heinterf
eri
ngmusi
c.

"Whynot ?I'
m hands
ome,I
'mcool
,sowhynotyourt
ype?
"
Heremar kedoncehe'
dserv
edasmokeywhi
skeyt
oaguynext
st
ool,s
til
lsmil
ing.

"Yesyouarecool
."Cl
air
er epli
ed."ButIlovefir
e!"She
t
houghtaloud,andforonceshel ethermindwanderof ft
o
someone'scoldapart
ment,wher eshegott oexperi
encea
mill
ionemot i
onsinoneday.That'swhens hefeltahand
sl
ippinghershoul
derandsomeoneut t
erlyfamili
arappeared.

"
Heys
tranger
?"Amal
evoi
ces
nappedher
.

"Nat
han?Whatareyoudoingher
e?"Shegr
aspedwhens
he
di
scer
nedthati
twasherboss
.

Nathant ookaseatcasually,bes i
deher."
IthoughtI'
ve
madeami stake.
"Hes miled."Youl ook...awesomeLev y,I
watchedy ous i
nceearl
ierandIt houghtitwassomeoneel s
e...
doublescotchplease!
"Hes ai
dt oCl ai
reandbartender
,
res
pec t
ively
.

"Um--t
hanks!Idi
dn'
tknowy
oual
soc
omet
othes
eki
ndof
pl
aces.
"Shetol
dhim.
 "WellIdoonceinawhil
e;i
nfactI'
m nottheonl
yone,the
ent
iret
eam isovert
hereexc
eptyou.
"Her epl
iedpoi
ntedl
y.

Cl
air
efol
lowedhisgaz
eands
awt
her
est
."Oh,howwoul
dI
knowi
fIwasn'ti
nvi
ted?
"

"
Wewantedtoi
nvi
tey
ou,buty
ouknow,wet
houghty
ou
woul
dn'
twantt
ohang.
"

"Ohplease,doIl
ookl
ikeapas
tor
'sdaught
eror
s
omethi
ng?"

Nat
hanburst
edoutl
aughi
ng."
You'
res
ofunny
!"Andhi
ssc
otc
h
waspr
esent
ed.

Cl
air
edec idedt ogotot heother
sanddr oppedahi;they
hangedabi t
,bef oreeveryoneelseei
therwentforthedance
fl
oor,r
estroom,orany whereelsebutawayfrom thebooth.
Deci
dedly,sher eturnedtothecountertoget
herwi t
hNathan
whokeptt al
kingofhowt heyendedupt hereaft
erwork.

"Yeah,wehadafr
eepas
sbecaus
emybr other
-i
n-l
awowns
t
hisplaceandwear
etheonewhodecor
atedit
."Heblurt
ed.

"Ohisthats o?
"s heprompted,withal i
tt
lei
ndiff
erenc e.
Afteral
itt
lemor etalk,andanotherroundofdr i
nks,Gena' s
phonewasr inginginsideherpurse,butClair
eoptedtoi gnore.
"Yeah,i
tseemsl ikeLydiaisal
readydrunk."sheremar kedwi t
ha
l
aughast heys pott
edoneoft heircoll
eaguesdancingoutoft he
songbeat.

Agai
nthephoner
ang,andCl
air
efi
nal
lydec
idedt
ochec
k
whoi twas;shef oundouti twasHarry,andstari
ngatGena,i t
wasimpos si
blet oletherknowf rom al
lthewor ks he'
dbeen
doing;danci
nganddr i
nkingalt
ernat
ely.Seei
nghowper sis
tent
thecall
erwas ,shedec idedtoanswer,buttheyc ouldn't
understandoneanot her;Harrywaspracti
cal
lysc oldi
ngand
Clai
recouldn'tunder st
andt hewordhehads ai
d.

"I
tsi
mpossi
blet
omakeadec entphonecal
linhere,
per
hapsyous
houldstepout
side.
"Nat hans
aidsugges
tiv
ely
.

"Yeah,i
twasuseles
s."Sher
epl
ied,andl
ucki
lyGenawas
j
ost
li
ngherwayt her
e.

" Youshould'v
ej usti
gnoredhim."SnappedGena,once
l
earnedaboutt hec all
."Heisthemos tannoy
ingguyIknow,
howdar ehec all
smenowaf terignor
ingmyc al
lsthewhol
e
day
? "Sheratt
led,andi tseemedl i
keshewasabi tti
psy
.

"
OkayGena,si
tdownandr el
axabit
."Clai
resai
d."You'
re
drunkandyoushouldc
alm down!"Shef
orcedherontothe
barst
ool
.

"NoI'm notdrunk!
"Genalas
hed."
Wai t
,I'
llshowhim whatI
reall
yam.Al awyerornot,noonemesseswithGenaMont er
o!"
Shes qui
rmed."Doy oumindtaki
ngaself
iewithusCl ai
re'
s
boss?"SheregardedNathanwhohadbeenobs erv
ingthem i
n
sil
ence.

"
Um-
-nopr
obl
em!
"Nat
hanans
wer
edhes
itant
ly.

Cl
air
efr
owned."Whatar
eyoudoi
ngGena?"sheaskedher
f
ri
endwhowaspull
ingtheot
hert
wotoget
herandsnappeda
phot
o.

"Wow!thisi
sgood,and...sent
!"Genamutt
eredaminute
l
ater
.Clai
reandNathanexchangedanamusedglanc
es,whi
le
s
hakingthei
rheadstothesi
des.

****

HARRYhadj us tpickedRy anf r

om theAirportthatnight
,assoon
ast heSKpr i
vat ejetlanded.Thet wower eri
dingbac ksmoothly
wi t
hRy anast hedr iverhims el
f;heloveddrivi
ngc arssi
nce
young,t hathel earnedt odriveattheageoft welve.Theywere
talkingabouthi stri
pandf ewdet ai
lsaboutthec ompanyupon
hisabs encethatweek.Dur ingtheent i
reti
me,Har rylooked
angr yashekepts taringhisphonewi thoutl
ettingitoutofhi
s
sight.

"What'
swr
ong?Ar
eyouexpec
tingac
all
?"Ry
anas
kedhi
m
c
asuall
y.

"No!it
'snothi
ng!
"Harryr
epl
ied,c
urt
ly;buthi
sfac
espoke
c
omplet
elytheoppos
ite.

Ryanletoutamockingl
aught
er."
Doyouknowhow
s
uspic
iousyoulook?I
sitawoman?"Heas
kedhimyetagai
n.

"Ohcomeon!Whywouldy
ouc
onc
ludei
t'
sawoman?
"
Har
rysnapped,ev
asi
vel
y.

"I
'veneverseent
hatl
ookony ourf
acebef
ore,andI
'msure
i
thasnothi
ngt odowit
hwork.So,arey
oureal
lyseei
ngGena
now?Seemsl
ikey
out
woar
eget
ti
ngs
eri
oushuh?
"Ry
ant
eas
ed
hi
m.

Harrysnar
led,enraged."St
opkiddi
ngarounddude!Doy ou
knowwher ethosetwowomenar eri
ghtnow?Yes
,incl
uding
Clai
re.
"Hebar kedandi tpiquedRyan'
scuri
osi
tyforonce.
"Checkthis
,"Harryhandedhi m hi
sphone.

Ryanstaredatthepictureofthosetwowomen,incl
uding
hisowns ubjectofi
nterest
;Clai
re.Hisbrowsfur
rowed,i
n
apprehensionofwhats hewaswear ing,andmostespeci
all
y
whenhedet ect
edapr esenceofNathanPanther;hi
sjaw
cl
enc hed.

"
Doy
ouknowt
hepl
ace?
"Heas
keds
eri
ous
ly.

"Ithi
nkIdo.I
t'
stheonlycl
ubGenagoest
o,f
rom what
s
he'
dtoldme"Harryr
epl
ied.

"
Okay!
"wast heonlyt
hingRyansai
d,bef
orec
hangi
ngt
he
gearandaccel
eratedt
hesil
verSUV.

Howorwhent heywereabl etodoi t,wasn'tinquesti

onatthe
moment ;RyanandHar r ybrokeins idet heclub,andstart
ed
l
ookingar oundins ear
c hfort hetwowoment heyboth
part
icularl
yknew.I tdi
dn' ttakemuc hl ongerforHarrytosee
Genas way i
nghipsont hedanc efloor ,andasf orRyan,heknew
exact
lywher etofindCl air
e.Thel atterwal kedtowardsthe
counterwher ehisgli
steningey esr es t
edonNat hanPanther
,
besi
det hes amewomanhe' dmadehi spr esencether
eupon.
 "Am Iinterrupti
ng?"Heannouncedassoonashegrabbeda
spotinas candalousmanner .Cl
air
e,whohadbeenlaughi
ng
hearti
lyatNat han'sexpens
e,wasnearl
yonv er
geofdroppi
ng
herjawof fthefloor.

"Ry--
Ryan?"Shegaspedands toodupherf eet.Thinki
ng
perhapshermi nd,wit
hal it
tl
eal coholinherbloodstreamswas
playi
ngt r
ickonher,butthear r
ogantl ook,mingl
edwi th
somet hi
nglikeangeronthef aceofhis ,Cl
air
egrasped
i
mmedi atel
ythati
twasr eal
lyRy an.

"
HiPanther
?MindifIst
ealy
ourc oll
eaguef
oraminute?
"
Ry
anregar
dedNathan,i
gnori
ngClai
re'sast
oundedl
ook.

Wit
hs i
mil
ars
tar
tledl
ook,Nat
hanr
epl
ied."
Ofc
our
senot
,
Mr
.Stevens
!"

"Thanks
."Ryans aid."
Shal
lwe?Mis
s.Levy?
"Heturnedto
Cl
air
e,withhisusualinsol
ents
milet
hatkeptherbl
oodboil
.

"Ry
anwhatarey
oudoi ngher
e?Doy ouact
ual
lyt
hinkI-
-"
Cl
air
estart
edt
ocont
radi
ct,butheleanedc
los
etoherearand
whi
spered;

"
Youdon'
twantt
ocr
eat
eas
ceneher
e,doy
ou?
"

Asoftbreat
hescapedherlungs;c
onsi
deri
ngthelegitfact
thatsomeofherc ol
leagueswerepr
esentatt
heplace;sheknew
goingagains
tRyan,atthatmoment,wasn'
tatherbesti
nt eres
t.

"
Fine,l
etmeatleas
tclearthec
heck.
"Sheanswer
edc al
mly
,
ands
wiftl
ytur
nedtothecounterwhil
eopeni
ngherWall
et.
 Nathanhel
dherhand."
Isai
dthi
sisonmeLevy
,welcome
totheteam t
reat
?"Hesmil
edwarmly
,andCl
air
eret
urned
exactl
y.

"ThanksNathan,Igues
sI 'l
lseeyouonMonday ;andtoday
wasfun."Shetol
dhim knowingly,befor
ef aci
ngthenearl
y
i
cebergofaguynextt oher
.Wi ththatli
ttl
eges t
ureofNathan
Pant
herhol di
ngClai
re'
shand,andpay i
ngf orherdr
inks
,Ry an'
s
j
awc l
enc hedbutheneverl
os thiscool.

"
Shal
lwe?
"Heur
ged;wi
thgr
eatdealofr
eluc
tanc
e,Cl
air
e
obl
iged.

"
Ohno,Gena!
"shes
nappedf
ews
tepsl
ater
.

"
Don'
twor
ryabouther
,she'
spr
obabl
yout
side.
"Ret
urned
Ry
an.

"
Whatar ey
out al
kingabout?
"Shes nort
ed,andi twasl
ess
ofanar gumentuntilt
heyfinal
lyst
eppedawayf rom theheavy
mus i
c,ands pot
tedGenaandHar r
yarguingoutsi
de,nearthe
parki
ngl ot
.Clai
relookedatRyan,andheonl yshrugged.

"Lett
hem s
orttheirownis
sue,
"s ai
dhehal
ti
ngl
y,"
bec
aus
e
wehaveourst
os ol
ve."headdedpointedl
y.

"
Hah!
"Clai
regasped."
Ofcour
sewedo,s
oletmer
etur
nmy
f
ri
end'
spur
se,sothatwecanal
sodothes
ame."

Andwit
ht hat,shef
oll
owedGena,disregardi
ngHarr
ywho
seemedtobehav i
nghisfi
llf
rom al
lthedrunktal
ktal
kfrom t
he
Asianwoman.Cl ai
rebutt
edin,andkindl
yas kedhimt
ogi v
e
them aminute.
 "Sur
e,goahead.
"Harr
yrepl
iedwi
thgr
eatc
ivi
li
tyand
s
teppedasi
de,t
owher eRy
anwas .

"
Arey
ouokay
?"Cl
air
ehandedherpur
se.

"Ofcour
seI
'm okay
.Doyour
eall
ythi
nkfewMargari
tashot
s
c
oul
dtakemedown?"Genas
poutedandherfr
iendl
aughed.

"
Actual
lyi
twasmorethanaf ew,
"SaidClai
re."
butanyway
,
whatnext?doyouwantmet osti
ckaround?BecauseIdowanna
st
ickaround!
"Sheaddedi
nal mostascare.

I
twasGena'
stur
ntol
augh."
Why
?Ar
eyous
car
edt
obe
al
onewi
thhi
m? "

"Honest
ly,Iam.I
sthatwei
rd?Imean,noteveni
nmy
wi
ldestdr
eam haveIexpect
edtoseehi
m here.
"

"
Weir
dlyfai
r,butno,IcanhandleHarryallbymy s
elf
.After
al
l,hewantsustogetthi
sov erwi
thbefor
et henightends,andI
wantthesameIgues s
."repl
iedGena.

"
Heissosweet,unli
kes omeoneIknow!"Clai
resai
d,and
shotadaggeratRyan."WellIgues
sI'
llj
ustgetgoi
ng,andpleas
e
beniceGena,theguyistr
ying!"

"I
'l
ltr
y."Genas aid.Theys
har
edaf ri
endl
yhugbefore
parti
ng,withClai
rereturningt
oRyan,andHarrytoGena
aft
erwards.Whatf ol
lowedwasas t
aringcont
estbet
weenthe
othercraz
yc oupl
e.

"
Ihav
epl
ent
yofques
tionsr
ightnow,
"Cl
air
esai
d,wi
tha
paus
e."
butI
'l
lonl
yas
kone.
"shes
ighed.

"
Goahead...
"Ry
anr
epl
ied.

"
What
'st
hemeani
ngoft
his
?"

"
Ofwhat
?"

"Stopplay
ingdumbwi thmeRy an!I
'mtalki
ngaboutyou
comingallt
hewayher ejustt
oruinmyni ght.
"shebarked."
I
underst
andHar r
y'sat
tit
ude,bec
aus ehehasagoodr easonto,
butyou?Whatmadey oucomeher e?"

Herai
sedoneey ebr
owather
."Ials
ohav eagoodreason,
y
ou!
"hesnapped."
Whatwereyoudoingfl
ir
tingwi
thPanther?
"

"
Doingwhat
?"Sheyel
led."
Iwasn'
tfl
ir
tingwit
hhim,and
ev
enift
hatwast
hec as
e,i
thasnothi
ngtodowi t
hy ou?
"

"Ohits
urel
ydoes!Ever
ythi
ngabouty
ouCl
air
emat
ter
sto
me,doyougeti
t?"Hesnapped.

"NoIdon' tgetit
!"Sheexclaimed."Ithoughtwe' redone
withtheshitRy an,wheny oudecidedtomut eforov eraweek
andlefttoGodknowswher ewithoutawor dIt houghtitwas
overbetweenus ,andIwasr el
ievedthatatl asteveryt
hingi s
backtonormal .Butgues swhat,herey ouar e,onceagaint o
mes swithmyl ife!
"Shesc r
eamedami dstthepar kinglot,andfor
onces omedr unkenc ouplepassedbywhi chs hutherdown
moment ari
ly.

"That
'swhatIt
houghtei
ther.
"Hes ai
d."Butital
lchanged
whenIsawthepict
ureofyou,andthat...andthatPanther!
"
 Thatremar kmadeClair
es t
if
lealaugh.Thepi
ctur
es eemed
tohaveaf f
ectedRy anmorethanhe'dleton,andf
orsome
stupi
dr easons,thatsi
mplefac
tbroughtheragrandfeli
cit
y.At
easthewasj ealous,shet
hought.

"Andsowhat ?Doyouwantmet oapprais

ey ouforyour
her
oicactofrui
ningmynight?Bec
auseIwasr eal
lyenj
oying
mysel
fthere;Nat
hanisfuntobearound,butyouc ameand--
"

"
Doy ouwanttogoback?
"Ry anr
etor
ted;hi
sv oi
cewascal
m,
andhiseyesver
yseri
ous."
Ifthat
'swhaty
ouwant ,youcango
ahead!Iwon'
tstopyou.
"headded.

Sheswall
owed,loweri
ngherguar dsf
oronce.Seeinghim
act
ingass uc
hwasar ar
es c
ene,andforthefi
rstti
mes hefelt
someki ndofadmir
ationtowardshi
m.Shehes it
ated,nibbl
ed
herlips
,andeventhoughtforawhile,bef
orereplyi
ng;

" No,Ijus
twanttogetoutofhere,i
t'
sgett
ingcol
d."She
openedt healr
eadyunlockedc
ar,andsli
ppedint
othe
passengerseat.Ry
anfoll
owedherami nutel
ater
,wit
hhi sl
ooks
i
ndiffer
ent.

TheSUVhi tt heroad,andt her idewasr athersi

lentasbothkept
theirthought stothems elvesint hemeant i
me.Clair
ef ound
her s
elfstaringathim,butunabl etoutterawor d.Ryankepthis
sightfi
xedl yont heroad,wi thouts howinganyofwhat everhe
wast hinking.Thes il
ences tart
edt obringabor edom;andev en
wi t
hherey ess t
ick
ingtot hes l
idingbuildi
ngsalongsidethetwo-
laneas phalt,Clai
refelttheur get ofurt
herinquireabouthistr
ip,
andt
her
eas
onwhyhes
toppedc
ommuni
cat
ingwi
thher
.

"Imiss
edyou!
"Thewords
,thatc
ameasas
tar
tle,pi
erc
ed
Cl
air
e'sear
sandshegl
anc
edathim.

"
What
?"Shepr
ompt
ed.

"Is
aidImi
ssedy
ou.
"Ry
anr
epeat
ed,bygr
aci
ngheras
tar
e
t
hist
ime.

Therewasaflut
terofjoyf
orher,buts
hedi
dn'twantt
o
showit
."Ify
oudid,thenwhydidn'
tyoudoanyt
hing?
"shetol
d
him,wi
thaperf
ectindif
fer
ence.

Hesmil
ed."
Bec
aus
eIwant
edt
odoasy
ouwant
;tol
eav
e
y
oual
one.
"

"
Andt
henwhatc
hanged?
"Cl
air
eret
urned.

Hes i
ghed."Idon'
tknow,maybeyou'r
etooi
rres
ist
ibl
etobe
l
eftalone."hesaidwit
hahintofs
incer
ity
.

Shewashappy ,hearingthosetri
vialwor dsmadeherv ery
happy ;butnothappyenought oforgetthathewasac ov
eted
man;hewas n'
tforher,ands hewasjus tanintruder.
Thelittl
e
gleam ofpl easureslowlyfaded,ands hef oundnot hi
ngof
interes ti
nherc onti
nuingdiggingaboutwhat everRyanhadf or
her .Itwast hebattl
ebet weenherfeelingsagains tpr
inci
ples
thats he'dkeptintactherentireexi
stenc e.

"
Imety ourgi
rl
fr
iendlastweek."Shetol
dhim,andshared
t
heexper
ienceperherowninterpretat
ionoftheenc
ounter
.
"
Sheknowsaboutus,Icanfeeli
tthatsheknows .
"Cl
air
e
pai
nful
lys
aid,andhedi
dn'
tsayawor
d.

Thec arf
inall
ypul l
edov eratCl ai
re'shous e,andi t
'swhen
sher ealiz
edhowc r
azyherf eel
ingswer egr owingf orthatcrazy
manbes i
deher .Shedidn' twantt opar tawayf r om hi
m;t heidea
ofgoi ngin,tothatenor moushous ewher ehers t
epmotherwas
alway sont hewai ttospr awlherc lawswhenev ert heysaweac h
other,madeCl airesick
.Foronc e,sincemeet i
nghi m,shewi shed
forRy ant obeghert os tay ,oratleastforceherasheus ual
lydid,
buthedi dnotdoass uc h.Thet wos t
ayedins ilence,i
ns i
dethe
car,des pitet
hef actthatt heywer ealreadyt her e.

"I
fitweren'tf
orDoris
,"Ryanutt
eredoutofthebl
ueamids
t
hert
houghts."wouldt
hingsbedif
ferentbet
weenus?"heey
ed
herwit
houtdetachi
nghisheadawayf rom t
heseat
.

Wouldt hey?Shetoo,wonder
ed."
Idon'
tknow,butI
'm
cer
tai
nlysurethatyouyou'r
enotthet
ypeofmanIdreamedof
."
Sheanswered.

"What
?"Heexc
lai
med."
Andwhoi
syourt
ype?Pant
her
?"he
as
ked.

"What'
swithyouandNat han?Areyouj eal
ousofhim? "
Clai
resnappedandhef r
owned." He'sni
cey es,butIhavenever
thoughtofhiminsuc hamanner ."Shesaid."Butthenagain,
whynot ?Hemaynotbet hathandsome,buthes ti
lll
ooksgood
enough.He'scharming;hedoesmakemes mi l
emos tofthe
ti
me,andhe' ssi
ngle...may be?"sherubbedi n.

Madly,Ry
anmut t
ered."
Isweari
fyouc
onti
nuetal
kingt
hat
wayabouthimI'
m goi
ngt ot
rans
ferhi
mtosomeovers
ea
br
anc
h!"

Cl
air
egasped."
What ?Ar
eyoucrazy?Whywoul
dyousend
aninnocenthar
dwor ki
ngmanjustbec
auseyoudon'
tli
kehowI
tal
kabouthim?"Sheblurt
edout
.

"Bec
auseIcan.
"Herepl
iedblankl
y."AndIthoughtbynow
y
ou'v
ealreadyc
onfi
rmedthatI'
mc raz
y,andcapableofdoi
ng
j
ustt
hat!
"

"
Noy
ouc
an'
tdot
hat
!"Shear
gued.

"
Ohy
esIc
an.Tr
yme!
"Her
epl
ied.

Shest
artedlaughi
ng."
Ohno,y
ou'
rej
ustbl
uff
ingRy
an
St
evens
!"shecontri
ved.

"
Don'tt
rymeClai
re!I
'm notasgoodasy
ouwantt
o
bel
ieve.
"heins
ist
ed.

"Iknowy ou'
ref
arfrom good,butev
ens o,Ist
il
lthi
nkyou
c
an'tdoit!
"Sheinsi
stedev
enmor e."
Becaus
ei fy
oudo,I'l
lnev
er
f
orgi
vey ou!
"sheadded.

Ryans taredather,agape."God,Whatas tubbor nwoman!I

sweart hethingsIwantt odowi ththatmouthof--"hes narl
ed,
inattemptt or eac
hher,buthi smov ementwasres t
rainedbythe
seat
bel t.Cl
aireburst
edoutl aughingatthesi
ghtoft hatsimple
gest
ur e.Hel eanedbackhiss eat
,defeat
ed."Havingfunatmy
expens e,huh?"

"Somuchfun!"s
heanswered,l
aughi
ngl
y,andheendedup
l
aughingt
oo."
It'
shardt
ofathom whenyou'
reseri
ousandwhen
y
ou'
renotRy
an,butI
'mt
ryi
ngt
oadj
ust
."Cl
air
esai
d.

Heheldherhand." Don'ttr
ytoomuc hClai
re,youmayget
conf
used.
"Hes aid,anditsoundedmor eli
keawar ni
ng;either
way,i
twasfarfrom ascareasfarasClair
ewasc oncerned.
She'
dchosentakinghim ashewas ,wi
thoutmuchi mpositi
onof
whathetr
ulywas .

"I
'm notscar
edofyou,evenify
ou'rescar
ytomost
."She
t
oldhim,blat
antl
y."
Ijustdon'
tunderst
andwhatyouwantfr
om
me."s
headded,andr ei
gnofsil
encefol
lowed.

"
It'
sti
met
ogohome!
"Hes
nappedaf
terawhi
le.

"
I'
m al
readyhome!
"Sher
epl
ied.

"
Myhome.
"

"
Yourc
oldapar
tment
?"

"
Wec
anal
way
sus
eaheat
er!
"Het
empt
edher
.

Againshewastorn.Butonet hi
ngwass trongert
hanany
other;shewantedtobewi thhim,andnothi
ngel s
ecoul
dstop
heratthemoment .Lookingathim,butt
erfl
iesf l
ewinher
stomach;hisgazealonewasenought oreki
ndl ethef
lamesof
passionthathavebeenfaintl
ydis
appeari
ngi naweekt i
me.Ital
l
camebac k.

"
Fine,l
et'
sgo!
"Sheagr
eed,andatl
astt
hedes
irewon.
CHAPTER16

Onc eRy an'

sc arwaspar kedintotheunder groundl otofhis
apartmentbui lding,thet woadv ancedt othepr ivateelev
ator
whichs tart
edas c
endingaf t
erhehadpr essedt hes ecr
etdigi
ts.
Clair
ewasbus yconsul t
inghertreacher ousf eel
ingsthathadl ed
hertot hatsamepl aces hehadt ri
edhar dtoav oid.Shelooked
atthemanbes ideher ,andallshec oulds eewast hemos t
i
r r
esisti
blemans he'dev ercomeac ross;hewasget ti
ngto
becomeherweaknes s,andev enatt hatmoment ,whil
elooking
athim,s hec ouldfeelherhor monesr ocketingins i
de.Sheshut
herey es,andbr eatheddeepl yjusttot akec ontrolofherbody
thatkeptbehav i
ngl i
keat een.

"Arey
ouokay
?"Ry
anut
ter
edwhent
hes
il
enc
ebec
ame
unbear
abl
e.

Clai
reswal
lowednerv
ously."Um--yeah.
"sheanswer
ed,but
hewasn'ts
oconvinc
ed;hemar chedcl
oserandplac
edhishuge
pal
m onherfor
eheadasiftes
tinghertemperat
ure.

"You'
rehot,andy
ourcheeksarered.Arey
ousi
ck?"Ryan
as
ked.Histonewasacoupl
eofs er
iousnes
sandworr
ies.

Shebr
ushedhi
shandasi
de."I
'm okay.
"shesai
dwi t
hout
l
etti
nggoofRyan'
shandtohersi
de.Heonlyfrowned,andshe
f
ixedeyesonhim,whi
lebr
eathi
ngjer
kily
.

"
Hey
,ar
eyou-
-"Hes
tar
ted.

"
DamnitIcan'
ttakeit
!"Cl
air
emut t
eredinawhisperand
ev
enbef
orehercompanioncouldres
pond,shevent
uredforhis
l
ipsandmadehi m growlwi ths
urpri
se.Shemadehi
myiel
dby
thegreywalloft
hec abin,andpres
sedhersel
fmoul
dyagai
nst
hischestwhil
eassault
inghim.

"
Okay
,thi
s...wasunexpec
ted!
"Sai
dRy
anbet
weenhi
s
br
eat
h.

"J
ustshutupandki
ssme!"Cl
air
es nappedandtheyshar
ed
awist
fulsmi
lewhil
eatt
acki
ngeac
hot her'
sli
psandhegrabbed
herbythewais
ttoti
ght
lymakeherhis.

"Yousurel
ysurpris
emeCl air
e!"Heut
tered,wit
hhishands
hol
dingherbacktotheotherendofthecabi
n,s oastobethe
oneincontr
olofher.Shegi
ggledwhenhebangedhert othe
wal
l,andheldherneckhighveraci
ousl
ywit
houtac t
uall
y
i
nfl
ict
ingpai
n.

"I'
m gladIdo,cozIhateor dinaries!
"Shes napped,andhe
l
aughed;agai nthegamewenton,wi t
ht wokissi
ng,touchingand
tal
kingatthes ametime,unti
ltheel evatorswungopenbyt he
foyer,andRy an'
sspaci
ousli
vingroom unf ol
dedwi t
hf l
uorescent
l
ightfrom theelevat
orcabi
n." Oops!It hinkwear ein.
"Clair
e
spokeov erhisshoul
der.Herdr es
swasbyt henaboutherwai st,
half-
exposingherupperbody;s hes ti
llhadabr assi
ereon.

"Toobadhuh?Ihadnoi deaelev
ator
sc anser
veot her
purpos esinli
fe.
"Her epl
iedwithoutunpi
nninghimselffrom her;
theys haredalaugh.Het ookti
met oadmireherbeautifulhazel
eyes,andbr ushedthes t
randsofherhair
."Okaylet'
sgo. "He
fi
nall
yr eleas
edher .

"
Thanksf
ors
par
ingt
hedr
ess
;it
'snotev
enmi
ne.
"Shes
aid
whi
lepull
ingthedr
essup,andRy
angr
abbedhi
str
avelbagf
rom
t
hecabinfloor
.

"I'
m noti
nahur ryt
oday.
"Her
epl
iedwi
thami
schi
evous
s
mil
eastheysteppedout.

"
ButIam.
"Shes
aidpl
ayf
ull
y.

"Ohyouare?"Hepromptedandhermoc ki
nggi
gglesmade
him himli
ftherupli
keasack,wi
thoutabothertofl
ic
kt heli
ght
s
on,anddraggedhertothes
ames ec
tionalc
ouchwheret he
gamec ont
inued.

I
TWASal it
tl
elaterwhentheyplacedthemselv
esbyt heki
tchen.
I
twasalmosteleveno'c
lockandtheybothreali
zedhows t
arving
t
heywere.Goingoutfordinnerwasn'
tthebestopti
onatthe
t
ime,hencedecidedt
oc heckanyt
hingedibl
einthekitc
hen.

"Howc anyoukeeps omanygr ocer

ieswheny ouhav ebeen
awayf oraweek?"Clai
rewass urpr
isedfrom howstockedhis
kit
chenwas ."Oh,doesshedropbyandkeept hegoodwor k?"
sheaddedwi thsarcas
m whent heideathatDori
smi ght'
vebeen
responsibl
eforthatcr
ossedhermi nd.

"
Who?
"Ry
anpr
ompt
edwhi
ler
ummagi
ngt
hec
abi
net
s.

"
Whoelse?Yourgi
rl
fr
iend?
"Sher
epl
ied,s
eat
edbyt
he
c
ountert
op.

"
Shec
an'
tdot
hat
!"Her
epl
iedf
rankl
y.

Cl
air
esmi
rked."
Shec
an'
t?Why
?"
 "
Becauseshedoesn'
thaveac c
esstomyhouse."He
answered,wi
thhishandsful
lofJam,butt
erandbread.
"Br
eakfastf
ordinner
,doyoumi nd?"heasked.

"Shedoes n'
thav
eacces
s?Butwhy
?"I
gnor
inghi
sfi
nal
r
emark,Cl
air
es t
ucktot
hefi
rst
.

Ryanf r
owned." Damni tCl
aire!
"Hes napped."Cany ou
pleases t
optal
kingaboutDor is
?Shedoes n'thaveac c
esstomy
housebec auseIdon' twantanyonet ohaveit
,andt heonly
personwhohasi t
,istheonewhoc leans
,buysthef ucki
ng
groceriesandcookss ometi
mes ;anelderwoman,whoc omes
thri
ceaweekf orthat !Now,isthatenoughforanexpl anati
on?
"
hebar ked,andshewasl ostatwor ds.

"Okay,Igeti
t!Youdon'
tneedt
oshout
."Sher
emar
kedi
na
l
owv
oice,wit
hapout .

Ry ansighedheavi
ly,whil
er unningahandt hroughhishair.
"I
'ms orr
yokay ,Idi
dn'
tmeant oy ell
,"hesai
dwhi l
eenc i
rcl
ing
hi
sarmsar oundher."
you'rejusts ofucki
ngannoy i
ng.Youknow,
Ithi
nkIbet tert
elly
outhisbec auseIc an'
tdragitanymor e.
Dori
sand- -"

"I'
m goi
ngtousetherestr
oom,exc
useme.
"Shec
uthi
m
s
hor
tanddroppedoffthefl
oor.

"
Okay
."Her
etur
ned,s
kept
ical
ly.

Onceint
hebathr
oom,Clai
rest
artedsl
appingher
sel
f."
What'
s
wrongwi
thyouClai
re?
"Shespoketohers
elfvi
aahugemirr
or
bythewal l
."Youknewwher eyou'reget
tingyourselfint
o,so
thenwhydoesi tbot heryounowhuh? "Shet ookadeeps i
gh,
whilewashingherhands .Shemadeapr omisetodoaway
anythi
ngDor is
-relat
ed,andfocusont hemoment ;evenifdeep
i
ns i
desheknewi twasagainsttherul
e,thatshewasj ustthe
otherwoman." Okaynow,l et'
sgetbackthere,andpr etend
everyt
hingisfi
ne!"Sheadded,f ol
lowedwi t
hal ongdeeps igh.

Andbac ktotheki
tchen,aplat
eofwellc
utsandwic
heswas
onthet abl
e.Ryanhadjustfini
shedpour
ingsomecoldguav
a
j
uicei ntwoglass
es.Heregardedherwit
hhisbestsmi
leonce
shes atdown.

"
Asandwi
ch?
"Heas
ked.

"
Mm ...thesel
ookdeli
ci
ous
!"Shes
neer
edwhi
legr
abbi
ng
one."Thanks
,I'
l
lenj
oyit
!"

Hes
mil
ed."
Whataf
oodmonger
!"heut
ter
edi
nal
owv
oic
e.

"Iheardthat!
"Shepouted."Aren'
tyouthesame?Lookatus
,
eati
ngi nthemiddleofthenight
."shesaid,c
aus
ings c
att
ered
chuckles."Guav
ajuice?I
t'
smyf avouri
te!
"Sheutter
edafter
taki
ngas i
p.

"Oh,whatacoi
nci
dence?Il
ovethi
sonetoo.
"Ry
ans
aid
whi
leaddingsomemayonnai
seint
ohissl
ic
es.

"
Doy
oul
iket
hatt
hing?
"Cl
air
eas
kedwi
thdi
sgus
t.

Herais
edaney ebr
ow."What?Il
ovemysandwic
hwi t
h
mayonnai
se!"Hes
napped,andshemadeaface,asi
fitwas
l
oat
hing.
 "
Ihat
ethes
ightofi
t!
"Shegr
owl
ed.

Heonl
ylaughed."
Whydoy
ouhat
ethes
ightofi
t?Doesi
t
r
emi
ndyouofsomethi
ng?
"

"Notreall
y,i
t'
sjust
--
"shestoppedwhens hereali
zedthe
meaningbehindhisst
upidquesti
on."
You'res
oc razyyouknow,
howdirt
y!"Shenudgedhim andbothstar
tedlaughi
ngatthe
i
dea.

"I'
mj usttr
yingtounder
standourdi
ff
erencesher
e.
Anyways,Ibeli
evetheremustbesomethingswehavein
common. "Ryans ai
d.

"Okay
,let
'str
ythis...fr
iedchickenors t
eak?"Cl
aireasked,
andhec hosethelat
ter."
Ohno,Il ovechicken!"s
heuttered
dis
appointedl
yandhel aughed."
Wi nterorsummer ?"sheasked
again.

"
Ofcoursesummer,whywoul
dIwantt
oomuc
hcol
d?"
Ry
anrepl
iedandshesul
ked.

"Howc omeswe'
resodif
fer
ent?Ilov
ewi nt
er,becausei
t'
s
goodforc
uddli
ng.
"shesai
d."Okaylet
'ssee,t
hebes tvac
ati
on
spot
;beachoracount
rysi
de?"

Af
teral
it
tl
ethi
nki
ng,her
epl
ied."
Abeac
hIgues
s."

Cl
air
egrumbled."Ugh!Beachesaremundane;Il
oveagood
c
ountr
ys i
dewit
hlargetrees
,greeny,andmaybeariv
er.
"

"
Well,whatcanIs
ay?
"her
etur
ned,whi
lec
hewi
nghi
s
s
andwic
hs l
owly.
 "
Blac
korwhi
te?
"Shel
ookedathi
m.

"
Blac
k!"Heans
wer
edands
hegr
owl
edagai
n.

"
Trut
hordar
e?"

Ry
anl
aughedal
oud."
Dar
e."Heans
wer
ed.

"Idareyout
ocar
rymetothebedr
oom,ands
leepwi
thy
our
handsoffofmet
oni
ght!
"Shes
hot.

Henarr
owedhi
sey
es."
Piec
eofc
ake!
"Hes
aidc
onf
ident
ly.
"
Butcanyou?"

"We'llseeaboutthat,we'l
lsee!"Shes nor
ted."
Aboutour
di
ff
erences,OhIgiveup!We' relikenor t
hands out
h."She
ut
teredwhent heyfi
nallyresumeds eriousness
.

"That'
sthepoint
,unl
ikec
har gesat t
ract
."Hesaidand
shar
edas mile."
Ohbytheway ,I'
llbehav i
ngdinnerathome
t
hisweekend,andIwanttobet hef i
rstonetoinvi
teyouover
."
Hesaid.

"Athome,y
oumeanaty ourgrandpa'
s?"Clai
reas
ked,and
henodded."
Sure,butwhy
?What'stheoccasi
on?"

" Nothi
nggrand,it'
ssomekindoff amilytradi
tion,t
hatweal
l
havedinnertogetherattheendoft hemont h.Ourmot her
st
arteditsomey earsago,andgrandfatherwon'tletofdie!
"
Ryanmadei tsoundl i
keanobli
gation,butClairel
ikeit.

"
Okay
,inv
itat
ionac
cept
ed!
"Shes
eal
ed.

"
Wow!You'
res
ocooperati
vetoday,what
'sgoi
ngon?"He
t
eas
edher
,seei
nghowagreeabl
es hehadbeenforachange.
 "Maybebecausey
ou'
veres
tedbei
ngaj er
kforonce,and
don'
tpus
hi tRy
an,Imayst
artt
orebel
."Sherepl
iedandthere
st
art
edabickeri
ng.

Bytheti
met hetworeti
redonbed,aft
erawar ms hower,i
t
wasalreadypastmidni
ght.J
ustasClai
redaredRyant odo,he
keptoneendoft hebar
gainbycarryi
ngherupstai
rs;butthe
otherpartofi
tseemedtobeal i
ttl
ebitofahardwor k.

"Act
uall
y,y
oul
ookeds
exyi
nthatr
eddr
ess
."Hes
aidwhen
bot
hlieddown.

"
SoI
'vehear
d,f
rom t
woguy
sexc
ludi
ngy
ou.
"Sheboas
ted.

Ry
anquic
klyros
euptoc
lear
lys
eeher
."Ohy
eah?Andy
ou
mus
tbeveryhappyhuh?
"

Shes
mil
ed."
Ofc
our
seIam,whowoul
dn'
tbe?
"

"Okay,I
'l
lleti
tsl
ide...butdon'
tyoueverdr
essl
ikethat
whenI'
m notwi t
hyou!"Ryansai
dinac ommandi
ngvoiceand
Cl
air
elaughed.

Therewasac r
az ypartofherthatl
ovedhisc
ont
rol
li
ngf
reak
nature;i
tst
irr
edherupi nsomes tr
angeway,andmuchmore
shewouldgett oobjecthim wheneverhepl
ayedbos
sy.

"
Sayswho?Ic
anwearwhat
everIwant
,andwhenev
er.
"She
s
napped.

"
Okay
,pr
ayt
hatIdon'
tcat
chy
ou...bec
aus
eifIdo-
-"

"What
?Whatwi
lly
oudo?Huh? "Shel
eanedc
los
ertohi
s
f
ace."
Puni
shmewit
hy ourki
sses
?Orlockmeupinthi
scol
d
apar
tment
?"

Hejus
tletoutas
mir
k."
You'
rer
eal
lyl
ooki
ngf
ort
roubl
e,
ar
en'
tyou?"

"
Am I
?"Shequi
pped.

"
Don'tpr
ov okemeClair
e,I'
m notsureifIc
anr
es i
stt
he
t
emptat
ionsolet'
str
ytosleepquiet
ly.Ihav
eameetinginthe
mor
ningandI'
m damnt i
red."

"Oh,howdisappoint
ing!Howaboutagoodni ghtki
ss?"She
urged,befor
epressi
ngherl i
pssoft
lyonhis,makinghim watch
herslowmov ementt ohi
slapashisarmss l
ippedaroundher
waist.Theki
sswasv erys
low,accur
ate,andintense.

"Damnyouwoman!Howdoy ou-
-"hetr
iedtomakea
s
trongmovebuts
hequic
klygr
abbedhissmarthand.

"It
houghtwehaveanagreements
ir,j
us takis
sremember
?
goodni
ght!
"Shewhis
peredandpull
edhers elff
rom hi
sar
ms.

"
Real
ly?Ar
eyoupl
ayi
nghar
dtogetnow?
"Hel
ament
ed.

"Ther
e'salway
snextt
imeRyan!Youhaveameeting
t
omor r
owandIneedt ovi
sitt
heconst
ruc
tions
ite"Shesai
d
wit
hagiggle.

"Good,we'
l
lgot
oget
hert
hen.Ineedt
oseehowt
hewor
kis
pr
oceedi
ng."

"
Okay
,let
'sdoi
t...s
othatev
ery
onec
anknowI
'ms
leepi
ng
wi
thmyboss!
"

"
Noonewi
llknow,buti
tdoes
n'ts
oundbadei
ther
."
 "
Jer
k!"

"
Ahands
omej
erk?
"

"Anevi
ljer
k...t
ellmeabouty
ourt
rip,wher
edi
dyougo
andwhatdi
dy oudo?
"

"Wel
l...
"Ry
anstar
tedtel
li
ngherofi
t,unt
ilt
heybot
hfel
l
as
leepi
neachot
her
'sarms.
CHAPTER17

NEXTdayar oundni
ne,Clair
ewokeupands adl
ythehouse
ownerwasnowher etobes een.Wi
thayawn,shedroppedoff
bed,andthat'
swhens hefoundanoteonthebedsi
detable
whichread;

Heybeaut
if
ul,
hadtoleaveearl
ybec auseofameeti
ng,andIdidn'
twantto
wakeyouup.I '
m nots urewhenI'
l
lcomeback,butyou'
renota
pri
soner.Youcanleaveanyti
meyouwantus i
ngthedoor;andi
f
youpreferourelev
ator ,t
hepassc
odeis...
Lat
er,R.

Ther
ewasabr ightsmil
eonherfacewhensher
eadthe
note.Overwhelmedwithjoy
,shej
ustgavehi
m acal
lwhi
chwent
thr
oughaf t
erfewrings.

"
Hit
her
e?Am Ii
nter
rupt
ing?
"Shes
aids
oft
ly.

"No,I'
m gl
adyoucall
ed.
"Repli
edRyan,f
eel
ingl
yamus
edby
t
hec
all
."Areyous
til
lathome?"headded.

"
Youmeany
ourhome?
"Shec
orr
ect
ed.

"
Ourhome!
"Heamended.

Cl
aires
wal
lowed."
StopitRyan,i
t'snotf
unny!
"shebar
ked,
whi
leheadi
ngt
othebathroom f
orat oothbr
ush.
 Sheheardhisl
augh."I'
m notbeingf
unnyt hough.Itwas
jus
tanapar t
mentf ewdaysago,andnowi tf
eelslikehome."He
sai
d,ands hekeptquiet
."Okay,f
orgetwhatIsaid;soareyou
goingtothesi
te?"

"
Yes
,butaf
terIgohomeandc
hange.
"Sheans
wer
ed.

"
OhIf or
gotyouwereweari
ngadis
turbi
ngdres
slas
tni
ght.
Wel
lyoucandrivey
ours
elfhome,t
her
e'sacarkeywher
eyou
f
oundthenote.
"

"
Idon'
thav
eal
ic
ens
e."

"
Ser
ious
lyCl
air
e,whatar
eyou?Ac
avewoman?
"

"
Thanksal
otf
ori
nsul
ti
ngme!
"

"Ohpl
eas
edon'
tgi
vemet
hat
!Gety
our
sel
fal
ic
ens
e,wi
ll
y
ou?
"

"
YesSi
r!
"

"Don'
tcal
lmeSi
r!
"Hebar
kedandi
twasenought
omake
herl
augh.

Shestar
tedbrushi
nghert
eet
h."
Don'
twor
ry,I
'l
ljus
tgr
aba
t
axiout
side.
"sai
ds he.

"
Idon'
tli
ket
hat
!"r
epl
iedRy
an.

"Wellbar
ewi
thi
t!Thanksf
orgi
vingmet
hepas
swor
d,I
'm
honour
ed."

"
Ohy
ous
houl
dbe!
"Hegav
eahaught
yremar
k.

"
Youj
ustc
an'
tbemodes
t,c
any
ou?Wel
lI'
m hangi
ngup,
hav
eani
ceday
."

"
Likewi
se,andc
allmewheny
ougethome!
"

"
I'
llt
hinkabouti
t,Si
r!
"

"DON'Tc
allmeSi
r!
"Hes
nappedandCl
air
ehungup,
s
mil
ingl
y.

Itwasnear l
ytwel vewhens hefinal
lygotoutoft hepr i
vat
e
elevatorintothegar age;s heonl yuseditoutofc uri
osit
y
whet herthepas swor dgi v
enwasaut henti
cornot .Shewas
elat
edt of i
ndt hatitwas ,andt hatRyangav eittoherwi l
li
ngly
.
Whilewal kingbyt hef aint
lydar klot
,shespot t
eds omeone
walkinginwhi leswi ngingthec arkeysont heindexf i
nger.She
knewr i
ghtawaywhot heper sonwasandc oul
dn'tescapebeing
spottedei t
her.

"
Clai
re?
"shehear
doutal
oud.

"
Bruno?
"sheut
ter
ed,bef
ores
wal
lowi
nghar
d.

Afterrec
ov er
ingfrom shock,bot
hClaireandBrunowerei
nside
areds portcaruponhisof f
ertogiveheraridehome.I
twasa
l
ittl
eawkwar dgiventhes t
atehehadf oundherin.I
twasevi
dent
thatshe'
ds pentthenightathisbrother'
spl
ace.

"
So,areyouandRyankindof...t
oget
herr
ightnow?
"
Br
unoaskedaft
erhes
itat
ingforawhil
e.

"Um--
it
'sc
ompli
cated!"Cl
air
eanswer
ed,al
it
tl
enervous
ly.
Shec
ouldn'
tevenmeethiseyesashewatc
hedherwi
th
i
ndes
cri
babl
elook
.

"Why?Doeshegiveyouhardti
meors omethi
ng?
"Headded.
"OhI'msorry,Idon'
tmeantopry.I
'mjusttoos
urpri
sed,t
hat
's
all
."Hedevi
sedupons eei
ngherdis
comfort.

Its
eemedl i
keClai
rewasn'tupf
oradisc
us s
ionconcer ning
themat t
er,butshef
eltl
ikesheowedBrunosomeexpl anation
sinc
ehe'dbeenagoodandc ari
ngfr
iendf
rom theverystart.
Shejustdidn'
tknowhows ayit
;shewassoafrai
dtoruint he
imagehehadofher .

"It'
sokayBr
uno,youdon'tneedtobenic
e."Shesai
dwitha
si
gh."Iknowwhatyou'
rethi
nkingri
ghtnow,si
ncethi
sisnotj
ust
aboutmeandRy an.
"

Brunofr
ownedabi t
."Whatdoy
oumean?
"Hequer
ied,and
s
hes
tartedf
idget
ing.

"
Frankly,Idon' tevenknowhowRy anandIr eachedtothi
s
point
.Itj
us t...itjusthappenedl i
kes omes t
upidgameand
thenIforgotev ery
thingel seandgotmys el
fintr
icat
ewi t
hhim."
shesaidandhel i
stened." I'
ms oashamedt haty ouhadt of
ind
outli
kethisBr uno,Ic an'tevensaythatIwant edtotelly
ou
becauseI'l
lbel yi
ng.Idi dn'twantanyonet ofi
ndoutaboutt hi
s."

"Iunder
s t
and."saidBrunowi t
has mi
le;hisusualsmile.
"Heyr el
axbeautif
ul,Idon'tunderst
andwhywoul dyouf eel
ashamedofi tthough.It'
snotlikeweeasi
lyhavecontrolofour
feel
ingswhenc omest omat teroft
heheart,So-
-"

"
Evens
o,Is
til
lknowi
t'
swr
ongandIs
houl
dn'
tbei
nvol
ved
wi
thhi
m."Clai
rei
nsi
stedandBr
unof
rowned,wi
thoutbr
eaki
ng
hi
sboy
ishsmil
e.

Hefac edheragai n."

Whyar eyouinsist
ingi
t'
swrong?"he
asked."Bot hyouandmybr otheraregrownupadults,you'
re
bothofs oundmi nd,andyou'r
ebot hsi
ngle,Sowhat'
sthe
problem ify oudecidetohavesomet hi
nginti
mate?Ithi
nkit'
s
total
lyokay ,you'
rejustover
reacti
ng."Herapped.

Cl
air
e'sfacetookadif
fer
enttur
nwhens
omet
hingbet
ween
hi
sspeec
hc aughtherat
tenti
on.

"
Wai
t,whatdi
dyouj
usts
ay?
"Sheas
kedhi
m.

"
Isai
dIt
hinki
t'
sal
lokay
!"Hebeamed.

"No,nott
hat!
"Sheprac
tic
all
ysnapped."
Aboutusbot
h
bei
ngsingl
e.Whatdoyoumeanbyt hat
?"

"Nothingmuc h...j ust

,you'reasingl
ewomanIs uppos e,
andasf arasRy ani sconcerned,hehasbeens ingl
eforyear s.I
n
fact
,Ireall
yhopet hisisseri
ous;I'
ms uregrandfat
herwillbe
happytoheart hathe' sdatingsomeone."Brunos ai
dwi t
hgr eat
enthusi
as m,whi l
eCl ai
rehadnot hingbutapuz zl
edlook."What ?
Whydoy oulookbl ank? "as
kedheuponhers il
enceandut terly
fl
abbergastedface.

"RyanandDor
is,
"sheutt
eredhal
ti
ngly."ar
etheynoti
na
r
elat
ionshi
p?"s
heblur
tedout
,hereyesfi
xingBrunosoint
ent
ly.

Hejus
trais
edaneyebrow."
Whatarey
out al
kingabout
?
Dori
sandRyan?Whatnons
enseist
hat
?"heletoutaridi
cul
ous
l
augh.
 Clai
rewasgawpi
ng;shej
ustfoundhers
elfs
tar
ingathi
m
endl
essl
y."
Theyarenot
?"Sherepeatedy
etagai
n.

"Ofcoursetheyar enotinar elati

onship.Wellothert
hanof
abos sands ubordinate,orf
ri
ends hips i
ncechil
dhood,whichwe
alls
hare,there'
snot hi
ngmore.Jeez ,wheredidyouev enget
that
?"Hes aidasi fitwasthecraziestthi
ngt oi
magi ne.

"Um--nowhere,Ionlythoughts
o."Cl
air
erepl
ieds
kept
ical
ly,
herv
oicelowert
hanus ual.

"
Okay,i
sthatwhyy oukepttalki
ngnonsenseear l
ier
?
Becauseyouthoughtt
hetwower edati
ngandy ou--"hestopped
middle-
waywhenhes awherf ac
ialreact
ion."
Hey ,areyou
okay?"

Shesnif
fed."YeahI
'm okay!
"Sheli
ed."
Um--j
ustt
akeari
ght
tur
nov erthere.
"Sheinst
ructedhim awayt
ohernei
ghbor
hood
andheobl i
ged.

"Buty ouknow,ev eryoneisawar ethatDor i

sfeelsmor ethat
j
ustf r
iends hipforRy an,it
'sjus
thec l
earl
yshuthi ms elfup,and
shenev ers toodac hancewithhims i
ncewaybef ore."Bruno
sai
dands hef oundher sel
fneedy ,f
ormor einf ormat i
onabout
aboutRy anands he."SometimesIf eelsorr
yf orher ,andifshe
l
ear nsaboutt hi
s,I'ms ureshe'
llbev eryheartbroken."Headded
withoutget tingapr omptr et
urn;Clairewast oobus yi nt
o
contempl ation.

"
Thati
sifs
hehas
n'tl
ear
nedy
et.
"Shet
houghtoutal
oud.

"
Yout
hinks
heknows
?"Br
unoas
ked.
 "Idon'
tknowBr uno,andI
'm notev
ens
urei
fit
'si
mpor
tant
any
mor e.
"sherepl
ied.

"
Why
?"Hepr
ied.

"
Not
hing,I
'mj
usts
ayi
ng.
"Cl
air
eans
wer
ed.
CHAPTER18

Onc eathome,Clai
rewalkedi
naf t
eralongthankyoutoBruno,
fortheride.Ast
houghheralr
eadymes sedupheadwas n'
t
enough,s hebumpedint
ohers t
epmotherwhos cowl
edher
from headtotoeli
keapieceoftr
ash.

"Well
,wel
l,wel
l...sonowyoucomehomeanyt
imeyou
wantanddres
seduplikeacheaps
tri
per
,huh?
"Shest
art
ed.

Clai
res
ighedheavil
y."Idon'tt
hinkit
'si
nyourbus
iness,
whenIcomeorleavethishouse.Sincewhendoyoucare,
mother?
"Cl
aireret
urned,asgiven.

Theladysmi rked."Lookaty ours elfy ounglady.Lookatthat

dress,andthewayy oupr esenty our s
elf.Youl ooklikeawhore
i
nr ed."Shewhi nedandCl ai
rer olledherey esfrom lackof
i
nterestinhermot her'
sspeec h." Aren'ty ouas hamedofy our
s el
f?
Whati fpeopl
es eey ouwal kliket hatint hes tr
eets?Doy ouwant
totarnishourfami l
yreput at
ion? "Shes nappedandCl air
eonly
l
aughed.

"Fami l
y?Whatf ami l
y?Don' tmakemel augh."Shef ol
ded
herar msac rossherc hest."Sorryi
fyoudon' tlikemydr ess,and
abouty ourr eputati
on,y oudon' tneedt owor rybec auseIdoubt
ifanyoner ecognizesmeasy ourdaughter.Plus,nooneknows
I'mthedaught eroft hes ameWi l
li
am Lev y
,thebi gshotarchit
ect
.
Soy ouc anhav ey ourr eputationallt
oy ourselfMr s
.Levy,Good
mor ning!"shet ol
dhermot herandr unf orthes t
airs,l
eavi
ngher
botoxf acefull
erwi thanger .

"
Tramp!That
'swhaty
ouar
e!"Thewomans
nappedbut
Cl
air
ewasal
readygoneoutofs
ight
.

Theonl ythingCl airedidonc einsideherr oom wast o

changei ntoaj eansandabut ton- upshirt,befores l
ippingi nto
sneakers,r eadyt ogoandf aces omeonewhowasaboutt oget
theunexpec ted.Hermi ndwasj agged;s hejustwant edt or ush
overSK,andmeetRy anass oonaspos s
ible.Whenr eady ,she
runout sidewhi let yi
ngherhai ri ntoames sybunandr eac hed
forat axont heway ;foronc es hewi sheds hehadr enewedher
l
icenses ot hats hec ouldper sonal lysl
idet hec arfasttoc learher
mindup.Thet riptoSKs eemedl i
keet ernit
y,butatl asts hewas
there.Att hef r
ontdes ks heonl yas kedthes amer eceptioni s
t
l
adywhos eemedt orememberheraswel l
,judgingf r
om herbi g
smilewhens hegr eetedher .

"
CanIseeMr.Ry
anSt
evens
?Is
uppos
ehei
sher
e."Cl
air
e
as
kedinahur
ry.

"Doyouhaveanappoi
ntment
?"Askedtherecepti
oni
st,and
Clai
reshookherheaddi
sagr
eeabl
y."
Wel l
,Idon'
tthinkIc
an
helpyou--
"

"Canyouinfor
m himthatit
'sCl
air
eLevywhoneedstosee
him?"Shet
oldherdesper
atel
y."Youknow,nevermi
nd.I'
llj
ust
cal
lhim mys
elf
!"Cl
air
emut t
eredwithhervoi
ceonvergeof
burst
ingwi
thanger.

Ei
therduet otherecol
lect
ionofherboss'srelat
ionshi
pwit
h
Clai
re,thathescandalousl
ypulledheroutthelobbyl as
tti
me,or
theangr ymoodClairewasin;buttherecepti
onl ady
i
mmedi atel
ychangedhermi nd.
 "Wait
,I'l
ljustcallhi
soff
ice.
"Shepolit
elysaid,andgrabbed
atelephoner eceiv
er.Clai
rewasrestl
essthroughoutt heminutes
t
hatt hecallwasmadeandt ransf
eredtoRy an'
sof fi
ce.Unti
lshe
f
inallysai
d,"Youc angoahead,Mr .Stev
ensi sexpectingyou.
"
f
ollowedbyi nstructi
onsonwher ehisoff
icelocated.

Asquickl
yasshehadbudgedi n,t
heel evat
ort el
eportedher
tohispenthouseoff
icef
loor,andfrom there,hiskindlooking
secret
aryl
edhert oRyan'soff
ice,i
nwhi chClair
ef oundhimi n
themiddleofaphonec all
,casuall
yleaningattheedgeofhi s
desk.

Hebeamedl ightl
ywhenhes awherwal kingi nand
motionedhert omov ec l
oser,whichshes t
rict
lyignor ed.Instead
shejuststoodther ecrossly
,withherey esscanni ngs ubtl
yhi s
huges paci
ousof fi
ces urr
oundedwi t
hglasswal ls;Ithads everal
pic
turesofarchitecturalbuil
dingsont hewal l
sandi twas
moder nlyfur
nishedt oemphas i
zesomeonewi t
hgr eattaste.

"
Whatani c
esurpr
ise!Idi
dn'
texpecttos
eeyousosoon.
"
Ryans ai
dass oonashefini
shedhi
scallandst
art
edpac
ing
towardsClai
re.

"
Nei
therdi
dI.
"Sai
dCl
air
e,c
oldl
y,whi
leunf
oldi
ngherar
ms.

Hef
rownedatthetoneofherv
oic
eandt hel
ookonher
fac
e."Whyareyouherethough?
"Heques
tionedwit
hsmil
e,
aft
erget
ti
ngclos
ertoher.

Panti
ngmildl
y,Cl
air
er espondedtohi
squery
." Ionlycame
t
ogiveyouthi
s..."ands heslappedhi
m har
dont hef acethati
t
c
ockedhisheadtotheside,butheimmediat
elyr
ec overed,and
hadunr
eadabl
elook.

"
Okay,whatwast
hatfor
?"Ryanasked;i
twashi
stur
nto
s
oundcol
d,butwit
houtbei
ngangry.

"Howcoul
dyou?"Sheut
tered,asthoughingr
avepai
n.
"
Howcoul
dyoudothistome?"Nows hebarked.

Heonl
yfr
owned."
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?"

"
Wasi tfun?
"Sheas ked."
Didy ouenjoyseeingmel osi
ngmy
headovery oudespi
tethatIthoughty ouhadagi r
lf
r i
endalready?
Tel
lmey oubas t
ard!
"Shes napped,tearsbri
mmi ngherey es.It
's
whenRy angotahintofwhat '
sgoingon." Whydidy ouli
etome
Ryan?Whydi dyouhidei tf
rom met hatther
e'snothingint
imate
betweenyouandy ourfakegirl
fr
iend?Whydi dy ouplaywithme
damni t
?"

Fort
hef
ir
stt
imeRy
ans
eemedf
ret
ti
ng."
Howdi
dyouf
ind
out
?"

Shelaughedincredulous l
y."
Howdi dIfindout?I sthateven
important?
"Shec ri
ed." Doy ouevenknowhowIf eltallthisti
me
knowingIwasdoi ngs omet hingt
erribleandy etcouldn'tstop
my sel
f?Doy ouevenr eali
zehows t
upidIf eelri
ghtnowt hinki
ng
ofalltheti
mey ouhadac hanc etotellthetruthandy ety ou
didn't
?Doy ou?"

"I
'msor
ryCl
air
e,okay
?"Ry
ans
aid."
Iwant
edt
otel
lyout
he
t
rut
hbut-
-"

"
Butyoudidn'
t!
"Shes
nappeddr
y l
y,af
terwipi
nghert
ear
s.
"
Youdidn'
tbec
ausedeepi
nsi
deyoulovedplay
ingwit
hmy
feel
ings!Becaus
eyouenjoyedeverybi
tofit
.Youenj
oyeds
eei
ng
hows tupidl
yImadefoolofmyselfwhi
le-
-"

"
Clai
repleases t
opi t
!That '
snotwhathappened. "He
snapped;hes ighed,thenr unahandi nt
ohishairandanot her
restedabouthi swaist."
Idon' tknowwhyIc ouldn'ttellyoubut
i
t'snotwhaty ou'rethinking."Hesaidandshedi dn'ts eem to
believeawordofi t."Ididn'tmeantohur ty
ou,I '
ms or r
y!"He
tri
edt oreac
hf orhers houldersbuts heimmediatelywi nced
aside.

"
Don' ttouchmeRy an.YouandI ,asofnow,wear eover.
"
Sheutteredwi ths
obs,andRy an'sf
acedr opped;hewasi nfear;
afr
aidoft hemeaningherwor dsdec i
pheredt ohim."Idon't
wanttoev ers eey
ouagainy oubastard.Don'tevergetnearme! "
Shescreamedands t
artedwalkingoutifhisfancyoff
ice.

"Cl
air
ewai t,
"hes omewhatmanagedt ogr
abherwr is
tand
stoodher."pleasedon'tgo."Hebegged,andsheonl
ys nif
fed,
unabletolookathimi nt heface;s
car
edt oendupgiv
ingi nint
o
hisspect
aculartemptationsthathadprovedtobenothingbut
l
ies.

Shes l
owlypull
edaway."Stayawayfrom me,Mr .Ryan
St
evens!"Sheutt
eredandfinal
lywalkedawayf r
om hisoff
ice,
wit
houtev eney
einghissec
retarywhohadr egardedherquite
pol
itel
yuponherar r
ival
.

HERmort
if
icat
ionwasbeyondmeasur
e;howev
er,sheknewit
wasy
etanotherexc
ruc
iat
ingbat
tl
eshehadtofi
ghton.Hurtor
not,herpri
dewass ti
lli
ntact,andhadnopl anstoexerciseany
degreeofhumili
ty,t
oany one.It'showClaireLevywas ;nothing,
andnoone,wasboundt oc hangei t
.ForClaireLevy
,crying
meantnothingbutweaknes s;shehat edcrying,s
hedes pised
tears
.Seei
ngherowns obs,justbecausesomeones hehadmet
amont hagoplayedwi t
hhers t
upidfeeli
ngs,madeherf eel
patheti
candmiserable.

Sheimmedi at
elydr
iedupherl asheswhil
esearchi
ngforher
cel
lphoneinsidehercasualhandbag,toatl
eastcal
lGenaforan
emot i
onalsupport
,duri
ngwhi ch,someoneappearedinthe
middleofthewayandt oldher;

"
Don'
tyout
hinki
t'
stooear
lyt
oshadet
ear
sCi
nder
ell
a?"

"
Excuseme! "Clair
eexc l
aimed,andmetDor i
s,onc
eher
eyesli
ft
ed.Thelatterwasc asual
lydres
sedinjeansandbri
ght
camisol
e,withoutforgett
ingherlongheel
sthatkepthert
all
er
thanshealreadywas .

Shescowledherforas econd."There'
l
lneverbet wos unsi
n
thes
ky,Iheard.
"saidDor i
sands tart
edwalkingpasther;her
mannerswereexceedinglyofajealousywif
e,andthef or
mer
hadnointent
ionoftakingtheinsult
s.

"
Dowehav
epr
obl
emsDor
is?
"Cl
air
eas
kedherwi
thout
mov
ing.

Thetwowerestari
ngateit
herdir
ecti
ons
,withonlyt
heir
backsatoneanother.Notunt
ilDor
istur
nedaround,andshe
di
dt hesame.
 "Oops!Sorry
,Iwasj
ustthinki
ngoutl
oud.
"Shesaidwit
ha
plas
ticsmile."
What'
supClair
e?Youdon'tl
ookgood.Did
somet hi
nghappenwithRyan?"shekeptmaki
ngsarc
asm.

Clai
re'sanger,thatwaspartic
ularl
yforRyan,s
tar
tedtofi
nd
i
nter
estonDor is."Idon'
tthinkthat'
sanyofyourconcer
n."She
cl
ear
lytoldher."Wear enotc l
oseenought otal
kaboutpers
onal
matt
ers,don'tyout hi
nk?"Sheaddedas mi
le.

Dor i
ss eemedt ense,butr ecover
edqui ckly
,andlunged
cl
oset oherf ace."AnythingrelatedtoRy anismybus iness!
"She
barked." Idon'tknowwhaty ou'relookingfor,butIcanas s
ure
yout haty ou'
llneverfi
ndi t
.Iknowv erywellpeopleofy ourki
nd
l
itt
legirl;Icans mellagold-diggerevenf rom adist
ance."she
sni
c kered.

Thatc
ommenthadl ef
tCl
air
eal it
tl
eperpl
exed.Sheeven
gaspedinshock."
What?Agol
d-digger
?"sheutt
ered."Youdon'
t
knowany t
hingaboutmesodon'tyouevercal
lmenames !
"She
snarl
edather.

"Ohplease,Idon'tevenneedtoknowy outoreal
iz
ewhat
yourgamei s.Doy outhinkyou'
vewonal ot
teryorsomethingby
gett
inginvol
vedwi thhim?"Dori
ssaid,andClai
rewasstart
ingto
los
eherc ompos ure.

"
YouknowwhatDor i
s,I
'm notwastingmyener gyarguing
wit
hy ou.Soyouc anthi
nkhowev eryouwantaboutme,v anit
yis
notmyt hi
ng,thankGod."Cl
airesaidwithlessexasperati
ont hat
sheactual
lyf
eltwithi
n.Herargumentwi thRyanwasenoughf or
ali
feti
meandneedednotmor e."
Andy ou'reri
ght,theskyc an
neverhavetwos uns
."Sheaddedandt
riedt
oleav
eherwi
tht
hat
,
butitdi
dn'thappenasplanned.

"Ipit
yyouCl ai
re.Youdon'
tknowwhereyou'r
egetti
ngyour
sel
finto."Dori
ssnappedands hefr
owned."Beverycar
efulwi
th
Ryan;he'sli
kefir
eandy oumayendupgett
ingburned.
"Shelet
outadi abol
icl
augh.

Thestat
ementfel
tcont
radi
c t
ory
,butCl
air
ehadalr
eady
knownthatmuch;i
twasactual
lyastal
enewstoher
.

"Don' ty outhi nkthatadv icei sal i

tt
lemi splacedher e?"she
nowas kedDor is,whot urnedt enseagai n,ands hes miledatt he
sight." Whydon' ty ouf oll
owy ourownadv i
cef orac hange,and
leavet hes kybe;I s n'
tittiri
ngpl ayingthef akes un?"s hes mi r
ked
openl yt hist i
meandasf orDor i
s,shewasal mos treadyt oleap
afterher ,butendeav our edwi thev erythi
ngs hegot ,tostays toic
;
itignitedCl air
e'saudac i
tyass hes poketoherear ," Oh,Ido
knowt hathe' sfire,byt heway ;butgues swhat ,Ic anbet he
ext i
ngui sheranyt ime!"andt hens hemov edbac k,madean
innoc ents mi le,andc as uall
ys aid," Haveani ceweekendDi rec t
or
Mar cos ."Andof fs helef t
.

Thatwasnotpar toft heplan.Allherlife,t

heonl yperson
she'deverhadaheatar gumentwi th,washers tepmother.And
nowi tappearedshehadmadeher s el
fanewenemy ;but
backingoutwi t
houtaf i
ghtwasnothers t
y l
e.Clairewasa
naturalf
ighterandar ebel;shewoul dn'ttakeany thi
ngshe
wasn'tupt o,andtheonl ypersonwhohads uc
ceededt obeat
herresoluti
ons,byfar,wasRy anStev ens,ands hehadt oplans
toaddanot heront heli
s t
.
 I
twasnoadi scussi
ngmat t
er,t
hatmor ethanany thi
ngelse,
shewant edt of orgetabouthi m;butgivenwhatDor ishad
i
nsinuatedear li
er,herdes i
restoenterthechall
engegr ew
i
mmens ely,buti tconfli
ctedwithherpai natt
hes amet ime.But
no,shewas n'tgoingt oletRyanplayheragain;shet houghton
herwayf rom t hel obby,ands l
ippedint
ot hefi
rsttaxishecame
acr
os swhi cht ookhert oGena' s.Onlyherbestfri
endwoul d
hel
pherr eleas etheanger ,shedeci
ded.

"Hithere?"Genabeamedather
,aminut
es hewal
kedin,
butonl
yt ofrownathersi
ght
."What
'swr
ongClair
e?Youreyes
arepuf
fy."

" J
ustletmet akeoffthesejeansfi
rst
,Ifeelcramped.
"
repl
iedClaire,andstart
edpeelingofftheti
ghtjeansshewas
wearing,fol
lowedwi ththeshir
t."CanIhaveaT- shi
rtor
somet hi
ng?"s headded.

"Suity
ourself!
"Genasaidwit
hawav eofhand." What
happened?Ican'tstandt
hesuspenseanylonger
."s het
ail
edher
asshewalkedtoherdr es
serandpluckedaT-shi
rt,butt
hen
agai
nreturneditandoptedforasil
kyrobe.

Clai
resi
ghedhalt
ingl
y."
It'
sRy
an.
"Shes
aid,andc
ont
inued
t
oputontherobe.

"Ryan?Whathashedone?
"Genainquir
edsternlyand
Clai
re'ssi
lenc
emadeherimpati
ent
."Whatdidthatjerkdoyou
huh?Di dhehurtyoul
astni
ght
,bec
auseI'l
lper
sonallykil
lhi
mif
he--
"

"
Okay
,wi
lly
ouc
alm downas
ec?
"Cl
air
elaughedbr
ief
ly,
andknewr i
ghtawayt hatitwasthebes tdecisi
ontobet here.
"Hedi dn'
thurtme,atl eas
tnotphy sically
,ifthat'
swhaty ou'
re
thi
nking.Wehadawonder fulni
ghty esterday,butthismorning.
.."s hesatdownont heloveseatcouc h,andkeptt ell
ingher
besti
ewhatr eall
yhappenedear l
ierthatday ;everyt
hing
i
ncludinghertête-â-
têtewithDor i
s,andGenaonl ymade
shockedremar ksinbetween.

"Thenerveofthatwoman! "Shesnapped."Iknewfrom the

star
ts omethi
ngwasof f;i
tjus
tdidn'tfeelr
ightt
hatonl
ys he,
kepts howi
ngoffthatshehasexc l
usiv
eowner shi
pofhim.Soi t
wasal lali
e?"

Cl
air
eonl
ysi
ghed."
Yeahappar
ent
ly.
"shepr
ompt
ed.

"Andshoul
dn'
twecel
ebr
ateforthat
?Whydoyoulookl
ike
y
ou'
velos
taroundofOl
ympi
ctournament?
"Genaas
kedher .

"Iknowr ight?
"Clai
rereturned,pensiv
ely."Is
houldbe
happy;i
nf ac
t,Ifeelsuc
har eli
eft hatIwasn'
tfool
ingaround
wit
hat aken-man.Butitdoesn'tjusti
fymydisposi
tion;If
eels
o
angryri
ghtnow. "sheadded.

"
Angrywi thRyan? "Genaletoutaweaks mi
le,showinghow
underst
andi ngshewasoft hefac
t,andClair
enodded." Oh
honey,IthinkIwoul dn'tlovet
obepl ayedli
kethateit
her;andto
thi
nkHar ryhasbeenwi thmeandnev ersai
dawor d,howdar e
he?"shes uddenlysnapped.

"
Heyheyheyhey,eas
ythere!"Clai
rewarned."
Iappreci
ate
yoursupport
,butI
'dl
ovenottoinvolveyouandHarryi
nt hi
s.
Hewas n'
ttheonewhoprocl
aimedt hathewasinafake
r
elat
ions
hip,goti
t?"

Genagrunt
ed."Okay,buthe'
l
lhearf
rom me!
"shei
nsi
sted
andherf
ri
endlaughed.

SomehowClai
rewasabl etoreducethefri
cti
oni ns
ide,and
thetwoendedupt al
kingaboutHarryandtheirnightaft
erclub.
Accordi
ngtoGena,everyt
hingwass et
tl
edafterwardsand
couldn'
thavebeenhappier.

"CanIjustl
iedowninafew?I'
mf eeli
ngtir
edandmyhead
i
sspinni
ngfrom al
lthestr
ess
es.
"sai
dCl ai
reafteral
ongc hat
."I
j
ustwanttogetoverthi
sandfoc
usonmyj ob.RyanStev
ensc an
r
otinhell
."

"
Arey
ous
ureaboutt
hatCl
air
e?"

"
Abs
olut
ely
!"Sher
eckoned.
CHAPTER19

THEf ol
lowingMondayatwor k,Clair
eadvancedt
oNat han'
s
off
iceafterthemor ningbr
ief
ing.Thedes
ignswereproceedi
ng
accordi
ngly,exceptfewdetai
lsthatmadesugges
tionspri
or,
duringthebr i
efi
ng.

"Soyouthi
nkweshoul
dadj
ustabit
?"Nathanas
kedasthey
s
ettl
edownwi t
hthebi
gcomput
erscr
eendisplay
edwit
hthe
i
ll
ust
rati
ons.

"
Um- -nott hewholethi
ng,Iwasj
ustt
hinki
ngofus i
ngt
he
fal
sec ei
li
ngov erhere,ands
omeLEDl i
ght
swi t
hsi
mi l
ar
ambiancel i
ke..."shekeptyappi
ng,s
eemingl
yengrossedi
nto
herelement .

Shel ovedtheartsincelitt
le;herfat
hergav eherago- ahead
tofur nishherbedr oom howev ers hewant edandi tbecameher
play ground.Clair
ewoul dpai ntitswall
s,mov eandc hanget he
l
ay out ,decorat
eitwi t
hwhat ev ershe'
df i
ndinf l
eamar kets;it
bec ameherbes thobby ,andgr owingup,s heknewi twasa
careers hewanted.Shewasr eadyt opushal lt
hewayt or each
herdr eam,andhav ingNat han'spatronmeantal ottoher.

"ThatsoundsgreatLevy.Wecanactuallyinc
orporat
et he
themei ntotheenti
refl
oorandc l
assi
fyitasmoder nstyl
ed,s o
thatwec anc l
earl
ydif
ferent
iat
edwiththec ontemporarytouch
ofthisside.
"saidheandatlasttheyweredonewi t
hwor k
mat t
ers."So,howwasy ourweekend?"heas kedwhenCl air
egot
upt ogatherhernotes.

"
Jus
tsoands
o,not
hingmaj
or.I
'ms
orr
yforl
eav
ingi
nsuc
h
af
renz
yatt
hec
lub.
"Sher
epl
ied,andhes
mil
ecas
ual
ly.

"Nodon'tmind.Iknewyouwereinsaf
ehands .
"Hesaidin
s
omekindofinsi
nuati
onthatmadeClai
reali
tt
leuncomfor
table.
"
Heseemsthejeal
ousytypehuh?Ar
ey out
wodat i
ng?"

Thatwasexactl
ywhats
hewasaf r
aidof;hercowor
ker
s
fi
ndingoutherinvol
vement
swi t
hRyan.Itwasprett
ymuch
uncomf or
tabl
egiv
enherposit
ionint
heof f
ice.

"Um--nowearenotdating.
"saidshe."He'
sj us
tsomeoneI
knewwaybef oreIst
art
edwor ki
nghere,andifit
'spossibl
e
Nathan,I'
dli
ketoaskyoutokeepitbetweenus .Idon'twantto
raiseani
ssueabouthimintheoffi
ce.Youknowhowt hingsgo
aroundhere,oneli
tt
lef
actandpeoplees c
alat
et hemat t
er.
"She
pleaded.

"Butofcourseit
'l
lstaybetweenusLevy,t
hat
'syour
personalmatterandthisisawor kpl
ace.I
'msorr
yformaking
suchac omment ,Iknowi t
'snotmyplaceandheisthebos
s ,a
scar
ybos sindeed."Hesaidinafunnyway .

Clai
ref
oundherselfl
aughi
ngheart
il
y."
Nohe'snotsc
aryat
all
;may beali
tt
leupt
ightbutnots
cary
."shear
gued,he
shrugged.

"
Ormay behetri
estopr ot
ectwhat'
shist
oomuch.He
seemstobeextremel
ypos sessi
veasfaryouarec
onc
erned,
whichisqui
teunder
standable.
"

"
Ohr
eal
lynow?Andwhatdoest
hats
uppos
etomean?
"

"
Itmeanshe'
scr
azyabouty
ouLev
y,andI
'ms
urey
ouknow
t
hat
."Nat
hans
aidt
eas
ingl
y.

"YouknowwhatNathan,I'
m notdi
scus
singt
hiswithmy
bos
s,butmaybeifwebumpi ntoeachot
heratRocketnextti
me,
Imayreconsi
dert
hetopi
c."shetol
dhim whil
eatthedoor,and
hel
aughed.

"Okaynewbie,l
et'
shopewecol
li
deatthec
lubagai
n."He
r
etortedandCl
airel
eftwhi
les
haki
ngherheadtothesi
des,
s
mi l
ing.

Sofarherdaywaspr oceedi
ngquietwel landt heworkloadkept
hertoooccupiedtothinkaboutRy anandes peci
all
yNat han's
commentofhi m.Butwhenherphonekeptbuz z
ingaround
twelve,wi
thRyan'snameont hescreen,it'
swhens hes tart
ed
feel
inguneasy.Sheslowlyrej
ectedallhiscallsandgother sel
f
text
smes sagesinst
ead.

FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

TO:Cl
air
e

Mon***12:
12PM

(
Subj
ect
)Pl
eas
epi
ckupmyc
all
sCl
air
e.

Rec
eiv
ed.
 Sheletoutafr
ustrat
edsi
ghuponreadi
nghismes sage,and
beforedoinganyt
hing,Ryanc
all
edheragai
n.Shestar
edt he
scr
eenunt ilt
hecal
lendedandit'
swhenshedecidedtorespond.

FROM:Cl
air
e

TO:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Mon***12:
15PM

(Subj
ect
)Whatpar
tof'
'
wear eov
er"t
haty
oudon'
tseem
t
ounderst
and?Pl
eas
eSTOPcall
ingme!
!

Sent
.

Shepl acedthephonedownandc onti

nuedwi thwor k,whi c
h
byt henwasal readydi sturbedbecauseofhi m.Shes tar
ted
thinkingofal lthetimes he'dspentwithhim;yest heywer e
magi cal,andnotev enonc eshecouldbr i
nghers elftoforgethis
wildki s
s es,caress
es ,touchesandgr eatsexshe'dev erhad.But
othert hanbei ngphy s
i c
alwi t
hhim,wast hereany thingelses he
wasmi ss i
ngabouthi m?Shekeptas kingher s
elfandt hebuz z
ing
stoppedher ;shec hec kedherphonequi c
kerthans hewant ed.
 FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

To:Cl
air
e

Mon***12:
18PM

(
Subject
)Allofit
.Iref
usetoacceptanyofit
,andthat
's
whywes houl
dmeet .Weneedt otal
k,andI'l
lper
sonal
lymake
sur
eithappens.Don'tfor
getIt
'si
mpos s
ibl
eforyoutohidefr
om
mefortoolong.

Rec
eiv
ed.

Cl
airesmir
kedwhenshereadit.Shethoughtitwas
i
nc r
edibl
ehowhekeptexerci
singhi
sc ont
roll
ingnatureev
enin
thatsi
tuati
on.Hewassuppos
edt obegher,notorderi
ngheras
hedid.Shegrabbedt
hephoneandt ypedfurious
ly.

FROM:Cl
air
e

To:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Mon***12:
21PM

(Subject)ButofcourseMr .Stevens .Howc anIpossibl

y
forgetthaty ou'
reeveryone'sbossar oundher e,andmos t
especiall
yy ourgrandspher eofinfl
uenc e.Youar eri
ght,Iwon't
beabl etoes capeyouasl ongasI '
ms t
illoneofy ouremployees,
butitdoes n'tmeanI '
m will
ingtofollowy ourwhi m.Oh,andj us
t
soy ouknow,I '
m notafrai
dofy ouSir !

Sent
.
 Ands hetookadeepbr eath,whil
eengagingbac kwi t
hthe
comput erbef
or eher ,asifitwashermor t
alenemy .Sheknew
rightf rom thestar tt
hatav oidingRyanwasi mpos si
ble,butshe
stillwant edtotry.Soonorl atershewasgoingt ofacehi m,andit
sc aredahel loutofher ;hehadbec omebothhers tr
engthand
weaknes satt
hes amet ime.Ev enthoughClair
er efusedtoadmi t
thats hewaspus hingher sel
fbey ondli
mit
satwor k,justsoshe
coul ddoabet terj obenought ohearhimsayhewasr i
ghtto
bel ieveinher,s hes ti
llknewt hatwasthecase.

Soitwasn'tal
laboutsexandgoodtimes,sheneededhi
s
morals
upport;shealwaysneededsomeonet obeproudofher,
andherfear
swer ethatshe'
dlandedherins
ecuri
ti
esonawr ong
per
son.Thephonebuz zedagain.

FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

To:Cl
air
e

Mon***12:
25PM

(
Subj
ect
)Am Ibei
ngt
hreat
enedr
ightnow?

Rec
eiv
ed.
 Aloudl aughes c
apedCl aire'
smout h;shehadt oapologize
totheot hersfort heindis
cretionandl ucki
lytheyweretoobus y
bicker
ingons omemundanet opi
cs.Shec ouldal
mos ti
magi ne
Ryan'svoiceas kingthatques ti
on;sheev enentert
ainedthei dea
ofmi s
singhi mf oramoment ,butimmedi atel
ydismiss
ed.She
typedther eplyc almly.

FROM:Cl
air
e

TO:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Mon***12:
27PM

(Subj
ect)It
'sbes ty
out hi
nkitthatway;aft
eralli
t'
swhatI
lear
nedfrom you.UnlikeyouSir,I
'vegotthi
ngstodof oryour
grandproj
ect,soI'
llgetmy s
elfusef
ulwher eI'
mt rul
yneeded.

Sent
.

Shetos
s edthephoneasi
de,Inanobt
useatt
empttoget
hersel
fbackt owork,whi
chbecameonlys
hortl
ivedasanot
her
textwasreceived.
 FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

To:Cl
air
e

Mon***12:
28PM

(
Subjec
t)Ials
oneedyou.Imi
ssy
ouCl
air
e,i
t'
sbeenahel
l
ofaweekendwithouty
ou.

Rec
eiv
ed.

Shes wall
owed,ands uckedinadeepbr eathwhi l
enot i
ng
thewor dstoherhead.NoCl ai
re,don' tfal
lfori t
.Sher eminded
herself
,anddec idedt oturnoffthephoneal together.Between
workingunt i
llat
e,hav ingsandwichf orlunc h,discussingand
revi
singthedes i
gns ,andr ec
eivi
ngf ewc al
lsfrom Ry anthatshe
deli
beratelyi
gnor ed,andonl yrepli
edoneort woofhi stext
sper
diem;theweekev entuallyfl
ewbyandi twasFr i
dayonc eagain.
Nathanwal kedintot heiroff
iceandc laspedhi shandswi tha
smile.

"
Okayguy s,
"hes ai
dwi t
hapaus e."we'l
lbehavi
nga
wrappingupmeet ingafterlunch.We'refi
nall
ydonewitht hi
s
andIhopeev eryonewillgettos l
eepbetterthi
sweekend.Good
j
obev eryone!
"Hes aidpr oudlyandgotrewardedwithcheer s
andhappyc omment s.I
thadbeenav eryhecti
cweek,andf or
once,Clai
refeltshewasr eall
ydoingajob."Getyour
selfready
forMondayLev y,wearegoi ngtoSKandIhopeev er
ythinggoes
well
."
 Cl
air
ewass
tar
tled."
I'
m goi
ngagai
n?"s
heut
ter
ed.

"Ofc
ourseyouare,whydoyoulooks
urpr
isedwhi
lewe'
ve
beeni
nthist
ogetherf
rom t
hest
art
?"heremarked.

"Um- -wel l
,nothi
ng.It'sokay .
"Sher epl
iedandherbi ggest
hor r
orr eturnedtohaunther .I twass uchagreatreli
eftofinal
ly
fi
nisht hei nf
amousSKpr ojectatlast,however;eventhough
theys t
illremainedwar yofwhatMr .RyanStevenswoulds ay
afterthenextpr esentat
ion.Al linal
lev er
yones eemedtobe
opt i
mis t
icastheymut uallysugges t
edt ogooutf oraroundof
drinksort woatRoc ket.

"Wes houl
dcelebr
atef
orki
ll
ingt
hispr
ojec
t,r
ight
?"Nat
han
as
ked,l
aterastheyweresi
gni
ngoutforaday.

"
Sur
e,whynot
?"Cl
air
erepl
iedt
othei
nvi
te.

"Cool!Onlyi
fy oupromisethatwewon'tgetbustedagai
n."
Heretur
nedj oki
nglyandtheysharedalaugh,ali
tt
lefart
her
fr
om thepryi
ngey eswhilewait
ingfort
heelevat
or'sdoorsto
open.

Theteam hadei ghtmember sexcl

udingNat hanPant her
,
theleader;andev ery ones l
ippedintoaspac iouscabinonc ethe
doorssli
dapar t.Whatf ol
lowedwasj ustus ualcheerfulremarks
andf ewstorieswhi l
edes cendingthefloors.Clair
ewas
excepti
onallyquit
e;t hinki
ngofoneper soni npartic
ular.Her
phonehasbeenof fthewhol eday,andit'
swhathadpr event
ed
herfrom hear i
ngawor dfrom Ryan.Ands hewasc l
earlymi s
sing
him.
 "Whatabouty ouClai
re?Howmuc hc anyoubetthatLydia
wil
lgetwastedt
onightassheal waysdoes?"Itwasav oi
ceof
Chri
stopherAmbrose,anotherjokerbef
or eNathanPanther
,
whopl uc
kedherfrom thespace.

"Huh?"Shegasped."
Um--ahundredbuc
ks?
"Sheutt
ered
wi
thoutknowingandearnedher
sel
ffewimpr
ess
edgasps.

"Woah!I
'mteam Cl
aireguy s,Winnerst
akeall
.Sopraythat
youdon'
ttas
temyshotsLy dia,whic
hy ousurel
ywill
."Chr
issai
d
andthel
adyinques
tionrolledherey es
.

"Okaywhat
'sgoi
ngonagai
n?"Cl
air
eas
kedNat
hani
nal
ow
v
oic
e.

Hes hruggedwithagi
ggle."You'v
ej ustearnedorlos
t
y
oursel
fs omec as
hhere.Yous houldstartpayi
ngmor eattent
ion
t
othem ifyoudon'twanttocommi tfewer rorsinfut
ure!
"He
s
aidcasuall
yandt hedoorsopenedatl ast.

"Oh,t hanksf orthewar ning."Sher epliedandt heys t

arted
mov i
ngout ."Sohowmuc hdoIgetChr i
s ,i
nc aseourbetwi ns
?"
Shedec idedt oindulgei ntoat eam conv ersat
ionthatf i
ll
edt he
quietlobbywi t
hc oll
ecti
v enoisesast heypas sedthr ough.Itwas
al
readydar kout si
de,pr obablyarounds even-thi
rtyormor e.
Theywer elikehighs choolersont hei
rwayhomef rom school,
gi
venhowc hatteringandl aughingev eryonewas .

Suddenl
yNat
hanut
ter
ed,"
Lev
y?"

"
Nathan?whati
tit
?"Sher
epl
ied,wi
thherl
aughs
til
l
l
ingeri
ngherli
ps.
 "Overthere?"Hedir
ectedherwi thhisey es
,andwhen
fol
lowed,shes awas hor
t,baldmanwi thaplumpbel l
y;Mr.
Cornwall,t
heircompanyPr esident
,talki
ngtoanot herman
whos esi
ghtmadeherhear tskipabeat ;i
twasaper s
ons he
couldrecogniz
einj us
tahal fofherglance,ands hedidjusts
o.

"
Whati
shedoi
ngher
e?Shet
houghtoutl
oud.

"
Youshoul
dpr obablyaskhi
my our
sel
f.
"Nat
hans
aid
t
eas
ingl
yandClai
res hothi
m aglar
e.

"
No,l et
'sjustgobec auseIcouldreal
lyuseadrinktoni
ght
."
Sheurgedhi m,butt heloudlaughterfrom t
herestwasenough
torepressthem from beingincognit
o.Thetwomeni ntopic
werejustfews tepsaway ,neartheimmediateparki
nglotand
theli
ghtswer eluminousenought ospotbothdi
rect
ions.

"Ithi
nki t
'snotagoodi dea.Youknowt hatbet
tert
hanIdo,
s
oar eyous ureyouwantt oleave?"Heinsi
steduponseei
ngthat
s
hewas n'tactual
lydecis
iveenough,justf
rom thel
ookofher
f
ace.Theywer emov ingsl
owlyasf ewofthemember shadgone
t
ofetchtheircarsreadytohitthec l
ub.

"Ohdamni t
!Whydoyouhav et
obesohones tNat
han?
"
s
hes
coldeduponhi
sremark,andheonl
ylaughed.

WhenCl airegl
ancedov eragain,hereyescoll
idedwith
Ryan's
,whos eemedt ohav ebeenwat chi
ngherforawhi le.He
wasdr es
s edinabl ac
kof fic
es uit
,withhishandsdugi ntohis
pantspoc ketsasusual,ands eeminglyhalf-
int
erestedwith
whatevert heStar
li
ghtPr esidentwass ayi
ng.Herhear t
beats
accel
eratedands hes wallowedhar d.
 "GuysClairewon'tj
oinusfordr
inkst
oni
ght.Solet'
sjus
tget
goi
ngalready,becauseI
'm mis
s i
ngmybedalr
eady."Nathan
mutter
edandt her es
tofthegroupl
ookeddi
sappointed.

"
Ohno,t
hat
'st
err
ibl
e!"c
riedChr
is.

"Rel
axAmbr os
e,s
he'
l
ldef
ini
tel
ypayt
hebet
,ri
ghtLev
y?"
Nat
hanc ont
riv
ed.

Clai
rec
huc kl
ed."Ofc
our
se.J
ustkeepmepost
edpart
ner
!"
s
het
oldChri
s,andit'
swhensomeoneelsej
umpedin.

"Butwhyi ss heleavi
ng?Ithoughti twasat eam thing,oris
shet oogoodt oj oi
n?"ItwasLydia'ssarcas
ticr emar k.From the
ver
ys t
art,shehadbeenhos t
il
et owardsClaire;s hehat edthe
l
atter'sguts,ands hedidn'
tli
keherbei ngpar toft het eam so
easil
ywhi leittookherlongerthant hattobec omear eal
designer.Howev er,noneofthats eemedt obot herClaire,s
he
onl
ys mil
ed.

"
NoLy di
a,I'
lljoi
nyounextti
me.I'
mj usthav
ingani s
sue
ri
ghtnow."sai
dCl air
eandNathansecondedbybr eaki
ngthe
groupandallst
ar t
edheadi
ngintothecars."
Havef un!
"Shetol
d
hi
m andhebeamedbac k.

Afteras hortsigh,Cl
air
es hift
edherat tentionbac ktothe
oppos i
tedi r
ecti
on,wher etheSt arl
ightPresidentandRy anwer e
shakinghandsbef oretheformerwal kedaway ,inac ompanyof
ayoungmanwhos eemedt obehi sdr i
verors omet hing.I
twas
j
us tRyanr emained,andher egardedherwi thalingeringsmi l
e
asifconc eali
ngtheur getoletoutar ealone.Shebl ewof fsome
air
,firmedt hestrapsofherbl ackhandbagonhers houlder,and
s
tar
tedmar
chi
ngt
owher
ehewass
tandi
ng.

"
Youlookt
ired.
"Ry
anr
egar
dedherhal
f-
cor
dial
ly-
hal
f-
moc
kingl
y.

"
Ifitwer
en'tt
hatyou'
ret
heboss,I
'ds
ayt
haty
ou'
res
tal
king
me.
"Clair
esaidwit
hsamemanners
.

Hemov edcloser."Stal
kingi
stoomuc hClai
re,butyou'r
e
notfar
therfrom thetruth."Hesmiledcharmi
ngly,andthesight
madehers hudder .Shemi ss
edhim,ands headmi t
tedins
ide.
"Whyisyourphoneof f?"headdedwhileeyei
ngheri nt
entl
yas
thoughhewasi nspec t
ingforanypossi
blechanges.

"
Bec
aus
eIdec
ideds
o."

"
Exac
tlywhydi
dyoudec
ides
o?"

"Bec
auseit
'smi
neandIc
andowhat
evert
hehel
lIwant
."
s
her
epli
ed.Andbec
aus
eIwasav
oidi
ngy
ou,shet
hought
.

Ryanlaughed."Ithoughtyoumi ght
'vechangedalit
tl
eina
weekti
me,butno,y ou'rest
il
lasstubbornasev er
."heremarked
andsheonlyshrugged."Wellsi
nceyou'vedeli
beratel
ytri
edto
avoi
dme,Idec i
dedt ocomes eeyoumy s
elf
.Howaboutdi nner,
hadonealready?
"

"Iwasgoi
ngforf
ewdr i
nks
,unti
lyous
howedupandIhad
t
opost
pone.
"sheanswer
edaccusi
ngly
.

Hear
chedhi
sbr
ows
."Ohdr
inks
?Wi
th...?
"

Shesighed."
NotNathan,buttheent
iret
eam Ryan,i
fthat
's
whereyou'r
eheading.
"shesnappedandhes mi
led."Youdo
knowt
hatI
'ms
til
langr
yaty
ou,don'
tyou?
"sher
emi
ndedhi
m.

"Ido,butt
hat'
snotthereasonwhyI'm here,
"hesai
d."y
ou
r
ememberaboutdinnertomorr
owr i
ght
?bec auseyouac
cepted
myi
nvi
tati
on.
"Heut t
eredanditcameli
keapang.

Howc oulds
hehavefor
gottenabouti
t?Cl
air
ewonder
ed
whil
ebiti
ngherl
ipss
avagel
y.Sheknewhewasgongtouseit
agai
nsther.

"Iremember ,butt
hatwasbef
ore.Iwon'tbeablet omake
i
t."Sher epl
iedwhilecl
aspi
ngherl
it
tl
es c
arl
etjackettoget
her,
andpi nneditwit
hherf ol
dedar
msac r
ossherc hest
.

"Ohreal
ly?
"Ry anmovedev
enc l
oser."
WhatcancanIdo
then?Becausegrandfat
heri
sal
readyexpect
ingy
ou."hi
s
gli
steni
ngeyesshonedownather.

Claireexhal
eds harpl
y ."
Idon'
tbeli
evey ou;you'r
elyi
ngjust
soyouc antrapmei ntocomi ngwi
thyou."Shec ontr
adic
tedlike
achil
d.Itwasdiff
icultenoughhavi
nghims oc losetoherthatit
st
ressedhernerves,andt herehewas,smil
ingbol dl
yather.

"Okay,waitasec
ond."Ryanutt
eredandt
uckedouthi
s
c
ell
phone;het ouc
hedthescr
eenwhi l
eshewatc
hedhim,
c
luel
ess,unti
lheplac
edittohisear
.

Shequizz
icall
yf i
xedherey esonhim,ashissmilewidened,
andhi shandreachedf orherfaceandbrushedherc heek,whic
h
sheimmedi at
elypus hedaway ,caus
inghimtogiggl
el i
kealit
tl
e
boy.Shenearlyjoinedin,forhelookedveryrel
axeddoingthose
si
ll
yges tur
esthatc ostheragreatdealofbodyheat.Shehad
pr
obabl
ymi
ssedhi
m mor
ethats
het
hought
.

"You'
resi
ck!
"Shesnappedandhei
mmedi
atel
yst
art
ed
t
alki
ngtotheoneonthephone.

"Ohhigr andfat her?"Ryans tar

tedandCl aireshothima
what-the-heckl ook;hes miled."Noit'snothingmuc h,Ijus t
wantedt oas kify ouI fit'
sokayt obringClairef ordinner
tomor row,bec aus es hemi ssesyout oomuc h."headdedand
thi
stimes hegas pedwi thtotalamaz ementofhowc razythat
manbef oreherac tuallywas ."
Ohi sthatso?Wel lthat'
sgr eat,
ands he'sac t
ual l
yr i
ghther e,soy ouc antellhery oursel
f."he
saidandhandedhert hephone,t ogetherwi thaboy ishsmi le.
"It
'sgrandf at
her ,hewant stotalktoy ou.
"hes aid.

" You-gonna- pay -f

or-this!"s hewhi speredbet weenhert eet
h
whi l
et akingthephone;asus ual,Ryanonl ys hrugged." HiMr .
Stevens ?"Shes pokeandas mi l
eappear edonherf ace,only
moment aril
y,asi tquicklyf adedwhens hegl ar edatRy an."Okay
grandf ather,I'
mj ustus edt oc allyouMr .Stev ensthat'sall
."she
chuc kledandi tmadeRy ans mi leinadi fferentmanner ;
somet hi
ngbet weenadmi rationandl onging." Butofc ourseI '
ll
hav et obet her esincey ou'r eper sonallyinv i
tingmenow,and
don'twor ryaboutt hatMr .St --Imeangr andfat herbecause
every thi
ngi sfineandIknowwhatdowi thhi m. "Nows he
grinneds ardonicallyatRy an,andher ai
sedani nquir
ing
eyebr ow." Okayhav eagoodni ght.Itwasr eallynicehear i
ng
fr
om y out oo."andi nfews econdss hehungup.

"Whydidhes
ayt
omakey
oul
aughl
iket
hat
?"Heas
ked
i
mmedi
atel
y.
 "
Noneofy
ourbus
ines
s!"Shes
napped.

"Oops,seemsI '
m bei
ngleftoutnow."Hef ei
gnedsadnes s
ands heonlyscowl edathim."So?We'res etnow,aren'
twe?"
Ryanas kedass her et
urnedhimt hephone.Withsuchasperit
y,
Clair
eleaptathi m andtri
edtohithimr andomlyont hechest,i
n
attempttoreleaseheranger;buthef astgrabbedherwr i
sts
.

Feeli
ngrefr
ained,shewhi ned"You'res
uc haliarRyanhow
couldy ou-
-"andherl i
pswer es hutbyahar dkissonher
yearningli
psasRy anpr es
sedhert ightl
yagainsthisbody.Itwas
start
li
ng,toosudden,andv eryunexpec t
edkissthatinasecond,
t
ur nedherhotandy i
eldedt ohismoul di
ngtongueexpl or
ingher
mout hinawayonl yhewasc apableof.

Shehadc ompl etelyforgott

enwhereshewas,andt hatit
wasal lagai
nstherr esoluti
onfewmi nut
esago;butit'
swhats he
wanted,deepwi thinther ewasapartofherthatneededi t
,and
withoutreali
zi
ngs hewaski ssi
nghi
m hungri
lyuntilbot
hpul l
ed
apart.Itwasalong,y etlingeri
ngki
ssasClai
returnedaround
breathlessl
y.

Shewaspant i
ngheavi
ly,try
ingt oregainhermoment um
aft
eranot hermomentofweaknes s.Shehatedher selfforbeing
soweak;itt ookheronesingletouc hfrom Ryan,tos uccumb
completelyathismercy.Shec ouldn'tunderstandwhathad
gonewr ongf orherbodytobec omes uchat r
aitorofitsown
mind.Luckilytherewasnos oular oundtowi tnesssuc hanPG-
ratedscene;hav i
ngascandalatwor kwast helastofherwi shes
foralif
eti
me.
 "I'
l
ldr i
vey ouhome. "Ryans ai
d,andhewasprettyseri
ous
thathadbeenbef ore.Clai
redr ewi nadeepbreat
hbef orefac
ing
him again,alit
tleaghastupont hechangeofhi
svoice."Pl
ease
don'tstartprotest
ing,I'
l
ljusttakey outoyourhouseand
nothingmor e."headdedc al
ml y.

Hones t
ly,whatRy anhads aidwas n'twhatdi s
tur bedCl ai
re,
butr athert hec hangeofhi sfac i
alexpr essionandv oic e
altogether .Itwasast houghhewasr egrettingki ssi
ngherwhi ch
nev erhappenedbef or e.Shes taredathi m wor dlessly ,and
slowlywal kedt ohi sBl ackMer cedess -cl
ass ;pos si
blyat hirdcar
shehads eenhi m wi t
h.Hef ollowedwi t
hanexas per at ed
sigh.Theyt ookac arridei ns i
lence.Itwasev identthatt heki ss
hadaf f
ec t
edRy anhi ms el
f;itwast hefirstkisshehadwi thher
outofhi sownc onv i
ction.Its i
mpl yhappened,s omet hi nghe
was n'tinc ont rolof.Hehat edt hef eeli
ng;hehat edt obe
emot i
onal l
yi nvol v
ed,andt hatpr ec i
selyhads t
artedt obec ome
thec as e.Hehadbeenal way sinc ontrol;int otalcont rol ,and
utterlydes pisedbei ngl edwi ths t
upidemot i
ons ,andt hat
womannextt ohi m,hads tartedt obreakt hebar r
icadesandhe
knewi thadt os top.

"Whydidyouli
eaboutDori
s?"Cl
air
ebr
oket
hes
il
enc
eaf
ter
dec
idi
ngitwasti
met ogeti
tov
erwith.

"
Idon'
tknowwhyIdi
d."Ry
ans
aidc
urt
ly.

"
What
?Whatdoy
oumeany
oudon'
tknow?
"shebar
ked.

Hebreat
hedaudibly."
IguessIthoughti
twas
n'ti
mpor
tant
atf
ir
st,
"heexpl
ainedvaguely
."bec
aus eIhadnoi
deawewould
seeeachot heragain;noIknewwewoul dseeeachotheragai
n."
Hestumbl edathi swordsandClairestar
edathim
cont
empt uous l
y.Helookedather ."Ij
ustdi
dn'tt
hinki
twould
mattert
oy ou,Ithoughtitwasn'
tabi gdeal
,buti
tbeguntobe,
andIwasgoi ngtotelly
ou.''

"
When?Shes
napped.

"Thelas
tti
mey ouwer
eatmyplac
e,butIdon'
tknowwhat
happenedandIts
li
ppedmymind.
"hes ai
dtr
uthf
ull
y.

Cl
air
eonlysmir
ked;itwasdif
ficul
ttounderst
andhim,and
evenhardert
ounderstandhersel
f.Whatwass heseeingonhim?
Whatwass oimport
antabouthimt hatshehadtoputupwi t
h
hi
ss el
fi
shnes
sandinconsider
ati
on?Sheas kedhersel
fandgot
noanswerinret
urn.

"No,theans werissimpleRy an.Youdon'tcareabout

anyonebuty ou,y ou'r
eselfi
sh,you'retooproudandt oo
arrogant,t
hat'
swhaty ouare!"Shes ai
dwi t
hey esfi
xedatthe
fr
ont .Shefel
tat ingeattheheart,anditreall
ypainedherto
admi thisf
ault
s ,andulti
matelyshef el
tas i
ngletear
droproll
ing
down,butqui cklywipeditoff,f
ollowedwithas oftsi
gh.

"
You'
rer i
ght."Hes aidands heal
mos tlaughed,apai
nful
l
augh."I
'm allt
haty ou'vement i
onedClai
re,"headdedwi t
hhis
eyesatt
her oadinf ront,j
ustl
ikeClai
re'
s."andt hat
'swhy
,I
thi
nk...I'
ml ett
ingy ougonow. "

Ifeyebal
lscoul
des c
apetheey
es,t
henClai
re'
swould'
ve
beenmilesawaybythen."Whatdi
dyousay
?"Sheutt
ered,
l
ookingathim di
rec
tly
.
 Ryanfacedher,andsmiledgentl
y ."
I'
ml eavingy oualone
Clai
re,jus
tasy ouwanted."Herepeated;hisfacerelaxed,and
hisvoicecal
m,s ounli
kel
y."Iwon'tbotheryouagai n,soyouc an
gobac ktoyourlif
ebeforewemetandf orgetaboutme.I 'm not
goodfory ou.
"

Clai
rewaslos
satwords .Shelookedathi
m,andnos yll
abl
e
cameoutofhermouth,onl
yt earsbri
mmedherbeaut i
fuleyes
,
onebli
nkandtheywould'
ves tr
eameddownherf ace."St
opthe
car
!"Shefi
nal
lyut
ter
ed,withoutbreakingt
heeyecontact.

Ryanf
rowned."Ar
eyouc
raz
y?We'
rei
nthemi
ddl
eoft
he
r
oad."het
oldher.

"ISAIDSTOPTHEDAMNCAR! "Shey ell

edandhej uststar
ed
atherphy si
call
yunaf f
ected.Nowt ear
swer er ol
li
ngdown,and
herfac est
if
fenedass het ri
edt oopent helockeddoorina
frenzy.Shewasal mostlikeapr ic
k;buts heonlywantedt obefar
awayf rom hi
m,f araways ot hathewon' twitnesshershadi
ng
tearsli
keat i
midt eenager.

"Okay,I'
m goingtopul
lover.
"Ry ansai
dworri
edl
y,anddi
d
asmuch.Clai
r er
unf ort
hehandlerandswungthedooropenas
i
fshewasbei ngchasedandonlystoppedtosay
;

"
You'r
eanas s
hole;abigi
nconsi
derat
eas shole!
"She
snappedwithgr
eetedteet
hami dhersobs,ands l
ammedt he
dooraft
erwards
.
CHAPTER20

Itwasc oldal lofas udden.I twasmi d-summerbuts hewas

surpris
ingl yfeel
ingat errificchil
l.Shef as
tenedt hesidesofher
scarl
etjac ketandenv el
opedher s elftightl
ywhi lewalkingats uch
apac eintoaf oot-walklane,obl i
v i
ousofany t
hingandany one
aroundher .Clairehadn'tant i
ci
pat edhear ings uchat hingf rom
Ryan;sheknewhewasal lgamesbutknowi nghowc r uellyhe
hadt urnedt het ablesmadeherl os ehermi nd.Shec oul dno
l
ongerr epr esshert ears;s hejustl etthem flowdownendl essly
whilewal kingalongs i
deami ldtraffi
cj am.Int heendhehadj ust
donewhats he'dalway sas kedhi mt o;hehadf i
nall
ylef ther
alone,buti tstil
lfeltsurreal.

"Stopcryingal
readyyoudummy !
"Shes nappedher self
aloud."It'
sexactl
ywhatyouwanted,soshutit!
"Shes obbed.It
waspai nful
;foroncesheregr
ett
edmeet i
nghim,t hathes hould
havejus tl
etherdiethatonest
ormynight.Noneofi twould've
happenedt hen,buttheopposi
tewasherr eal
it
y,ands hehadt o
faceit.

Cl
airer eali
zeds hewastired,prett
yfarf rom home,andher
legshadalr eadyincurredsomebl is
tersfrom herl ongpumps .
Shewant edt obehomeass oonaspos s i
ble,buttherewasno
signoftaxi,neitherofanybus .Shedec i
dedt ogi v
eJorgeac al
l;
forthefir
stt i
mes heneededhi shelp,shec ouldn'tc
arelessof
looki
ngv ul
ner able,andonlyhehappenedt oc ros
shermi nd,as
heronlyMes si
ah.

"
I'
llber
ightt
her
e,andc
alm downpl
eas
e."J
orgeur
gedher
ont
hephone.
 "
Okay.Pleasehurry.
"Shebreathedthewords ,li
keac hi
ld
af
tercryi
ngforawhile.Andshesatdownats omec onveni
ent
st
ore,wit
hhers hoesoffherlegs
.Anditoccurr
edt ohert hatshe
mightneedtous efl
atsforf
ewday sunti
lthebli
stershealed.

Aboutam hourorso,Clai
rearri
vedhome,togetherwit
h
J
orgewhokeptas ki
ngifshewasf eeli
ngbett
er.Hewasv er
y
qui
ckatpicki
ngherup,andev enfedherdespi
teherfir
m
deci
s i
ontoski
pdinner.Intheends hehadfewbitesofchi
cken
sal
adsandahal fgl
assoffreshjui
ce.

"
Areyous
urey
oudon'
twannat
alkabouti
t?"Heas
kedher
y
etagai
n.

Shehadtosmil
e."I
'mfi
neJorge.Thanky
ouf
orpi
cki
ngme
up,andI'msorr
yforthedi
stur
bance."

"Itwas n'tabot hertr

ustme.I'
m gladthatyoucall
ed,at
l
eastIf eell
ikear ealbigbrot
hernow."Jor
ges ai
dinhisfai
nt
humor ,whicheitherway ,managedtomakeCl air
elaugh.

"AndI '
m happytoexperi
enc
ehowbei ngal i
ttl
esist
erfeels
l
ike."Shetoldhim."Well
,haveagoodnightJorge,andI'
llwork
onmyl i
censenextweek;Ijus
thopetheywon'tas kmet oretake
adr i
vingtest.
"sheaddedanditmadeherhear tsti
ngwhens he
recall
edRy antel
li
ngherjustt
hat
;getyoursel
fal i
cenceClai
re,
wil
ly ou?

I
twasonlyaweekago,ands hewaslaughi
nghardatt he
expenseofhi
sbossyvoi
ce;butnoneofthatmatt
eredany mor e,
forhehadsetherf
reeands hehadtobehappyforit
.Afterfew
minutesoft
alki
ngbythestai
rs,wi
thherheadonthecloudst hat
shec ouldbar elyhearwhatJ orgehads ai
d,s her ushedint
oher
room ups tairs
.Onc einsi
de,thenos t
algicfeelingov er
whelmed
her.Sher ec al
ledt hekisstheys haredpubl ic
lyj ustanhouror
twoago,andonl yt ohearhims aythathewasl ett
inghergo.A
stupi
dl aughes capedhermout h,mingledwi thr i
dicul
oussobs,
almos tunc ontroll
ableones .Shef el
tangr yandhur tatthesame
ti
me;s hewant edt osc r
eam outl oudj usttor eleasetheangui
sh.

Afterl eani ngbehi ndthedoorf orawhi le,shedec i

dedt o
changeands lipi ntoc omfort
abl epy jamaswi t
houtev ena
shower .Shej us twant edtoli
edownands eei fshec ouldsleep;
whichs hec oul dn'tasmemor i
esf lashedbac kl i
keamov ie.
Admi ttedly,Ithadbeenonehel lofar ollercoas terbeingwi th
Ryan,buti tfeltwayabs ur
dbei ngawayf rom hi m.I twasav oi
d
shec oul dn'texpl ain,butthenr emi ndedher selfthatitwas
exactlywhats hewant edseveralhour sago,andmay bet hebes t
thi
ngt ohav ehappened.Andt hens her olledagai n,andt urned,
andt os sed;thebedf eltbi
ggert hanus ual,ands hewi shedhe
wast her ewi thher ,t
ohol dherpos sess i
vel yasheal waysdi d,
buthewas n'tt here;itwasallov er.

Andt hemor ni
ngc ame,butnot hinghadc hanged.Cl ai
r e
decidedtohav eac upoft eaintheki tchen,whi l
eev eryoneel se
wasas l
eep.Waki ngupear l
yhadbec omehernor m,exc eptfor
whens hes leptatRy an's ;thethoughtmadeherhear tshr i
nk.
Andar emi ndert hats hewasac tual
lyinv it
edf ordi
nneratt he
Stevensthatv eryday ,madehers huddert ot hebones .
Obv i
ousl
yRy anwasgoi ngt obethere,buts hewasgoi ngt obe
fi
ne,shedec i
ded.Shewasgoi ngtogett here,ands mi l
ebr ightl
y
beforedinner ,andmay bet al
kwhi l
eati t,andi nawhi l
es he'dgo
bac
khome.

"Heythere,s
oearl
yintheweek
endandyou'
reupal
ready
?"
J
orgeappearedoutofnowher
eforagl
assofwat
er.

Cl
air
elookedov erhers houl
der."
Ithi
nkitrunsi
nthefami
ly,
l
ookwho'st
alki
ng!"Shef aint
lysmil
edathim,asheleaned
c
asual
lyatt
hebr eakfas
tt abl
e.

"
May be.Ist
il
lhav
esomewor
kint
heof
fi
ce.Andhowar
e
y
ouf
eel
ingtoday?"

"I
'm good!"Shefedhim exactl
ythes amel i
es he'
dbeen
feedi
ngher sel
fsincedawn."I'
m actuall
ygoingt othecount
ry
housetoday ,s
oIhopet ogetmy selfi
nvigoratedformywor k
battl
eonMonday ."shesmil
edwi dely
,inf ac
adeofs howing
enthusi
asm.

"
That
'sgood.
"Jor
ges
aid.

LATERi nt heaf ternoon,Cl airehadj ustar ri

vedatt hebeac h
house,onl yt ofindi tallempt ywi thnos i
gnofany onear ound.
Sheimmedi atelymadeac alltohergr andfatherwhi l
es ettl
ing
herselftot hemas terbedr oom.Thec allwasqui ckands he
lear
nedt hathehadgoneoutoft ownt oattendper sonalmat t
ers;
hehadf ewr el
at i
vesofhi sownaf teral l
,andCl ai
reunder stood
thatwell.Shehadonc etoldhi mt hatt heyc ouldcomeov erany
timetov isitands tayi fnec essary;shel ovedhav i
ngmanypeopl e
aroundandf eelthel aught erfil
li
ngt hef r
onty ard,orthe
breakfastpar l
ourl ikemanyy earsbef orewhent hehous ehad
severalwor kersandherf ami lywasf ull.
 Decidedl
y,sheinformedBrunoofherpr esenceandas
expected,hewaselatedwi t
hthenewsandqui c kl
yaskedhert o
dropbyhi srest
aurant.Clai
reagreedrightaway ;whatwast he
pointofbroodingallbyhersel
fins uc
hahugebungal ow?She
madenopoi ntto.I
ttookheronlyt hi
rtyminutest ocatchupat
Bruno's.

"Heybeauti
ful
,It
houghtyouwer
epull
ingmyl
egbutyou'
re
ac
tual
lyhere.
"Brunoregar
dedherwarml
ywithaf
ri
endl
ykiss
.

"
Asmuc hasIlovemess
ingupwi t
hyou,hereIr
eal
lyam.
Howar eyousmartguy?
"Sherepl
ied.Atl
astagenui
nesmil
e
appearedonherfacesi
ncet
hehav ocwit
hRyan.

Af t
erf ewfunnyexchanges,sheplainlyaskedhimf oralarge
port
ionofl unchindefensethatshewass tar
vingt
odeat h.
Brunogr antedherdemandbys i
mpl yas napofafingeranda
momentl aters
hewasf ullandsati
sfi
edandhads trongly
i
nsistedt opayf orherfoodwhichtookl ongertomakeBr uno
rel
ent ;heonl yshookhisheadass hec l
earedherc heque.

"Anyt
hingmorema'am?"Hedramat i
cal
lyaskedafter
placi
ngheras t
rawber
rymil
kshakefordessert,t
hatagain,he
saidthati
twasonthehouse.Sheexci
tedlyregardedi
tlikea
chil
d.

"No.Unlessyouwantmet ostopmovingatal
landtur
ninto
awhale.Thi
stastesaamazi
ng!"s
aidClai
reaft
erali
ttl
etas
te,
andheonlysmi l
eddif
fi
dent
ly.

"Itwouldbemypleasur
eifyous
tic
karoundunt
ill
ater,and
wec
anhav edi
nnerathomeafter
wards.
"Hesai
dsuggesti
vely.
 "
That'
sprec
isel
ywhyIcame.Yourgr
andf
atheri
nvi
tedme
ov
erthephonesoweshal
lmeetlat
eranyway
."

"Ohisthats
o?Butwhydoy
ous
oundl
ikel
ikei
t'
ssomeki
nd
ofobl
igat
ion?
"

"
Huh?
"Sher
etor
ted.

"ComeonCl ai
re.Youseem unr
elent
ing,ori
sitmy
i
maginat
ionthatyou'
rehidi
ngsomethingbehindthats
mil
e."He
pr
iedsubtl
y.

" Ohplease.Areyouplay
ingps y
chi cnow?I '
m nothi
ding
anyt
hi ngatal
l;andhey,whydon'twec heckaroundplac
ess o
youcans howmehowt otakegoodpi ctures?Iwanttotry
photographyforanewhobby ."Shetriedtoav oi
dthetopic,t
hat
Ryanwasbehi ndherhideousdisposit
ion.

Andt hatwasenoughofadi v
ergenc y
.Theyl eftt
he
rest
aur antandt hedaywass pentr oamingar oundaimlessl
y,
whiletakingpictures,wit
hBrunot eachingheraboutper f
ect
angles,li
ghts,andallthebasi
c softakinggoodpi ctur
esin
dif
ferenttimesofaday .Andlaterintheev ening,hehadjust
droppedherof ftothehouse.

"
Igues
sI'
l
lseey
ouats
even?
"Hebeamed.

"
Ofc our
se.
"Sheres
pondedsimil
arl
y."Andthanky
ou,Ihad
ablast
."Sheaddedsmil
ingl
y,whi
lec
li
ngingtothemassi
vemain
door.

"I
'mthethankf
ulone;It
'sbeenawhi
les
inceIhadaboat
r
ide.I
t'
sashamewec ouldn'
tscubadi
ve.
"Brunosai
d."
Well
t
hen,I
'l
lpi
cky
ouupi
nanhour
."

"
BrunoIt oldyouI'
l
lcomeonmyown;youdon'
thavet
o,
real
ly.I
'm notsomekindofapri
nces
swhoneedsanes
cort
ever
ywher e,okay?
"

"I
'ms uc
hagent
lemanwhot
reat
sev
eryl
adyast
hey
des
erve.
"

"Ohyou!St
opbei
ngs t
ubbornandgetoutofhere.
"Cl
air
e
s
hoohi
m offwi
thawave,andhelaughedhear
til
y.

"I
'l
lpic
ky ouupandt hat
'sfinal.
"Hes cr
eamedwhi lewal
king
t
ohiscar,l
eavingherallsmiley.Atleastheraf
ternoonhad
t
urnedouttober ewarding;butt hethoughtofhowt heni
ght
wasyettobe,madehers ki
ns hudder.

Bac ktothehous e,Clairer eali

zedhowbi gands caryitwas ,
nowt hats hewasal one.Foramoments hewonder edhows he
wasgoi ngt osleepov erins uc has olace.Shes t
arted
ent ertai
ningt heideaofc heckingi nint
oahot elafterdinner ;
ther ewasnoways hewoul ds pendt heni ghtats uchenor mous
plac e,allbyher self.Shel ockedt hedoor,t urnedont hel ights
andwal kedi ntothebedr oom f orabat h.Sheponder eds ome
mi nut esinas howerwi t
hs ev eraldepres singimagesr eplay i
ngin
herhead.Andonc edone,s hegother sel
fr eadybys l
ippinginto
l
av enderj umps uitthatc arvedhers hapeper fect
ly.

Despitetheblis
ter
sonherankl es,s
headamantlywore
somec ream strapheels
.Herwav yhairfel
lfr
eel
ydownher
shoulders,andal i
tt
lepeachl
ipsti
ckcompl et
edhersi
mpleand
elegantl
ook.Exac t
lyatsev
ens harp,t
herewasac al
lfr
om Bruno
i
nfor
minghert
hathewasnear
lyt
her
e.

"Youj
ustcan'
ttakenoforanans
wer
,cany
ou?
"Shet
eas
ed
uponhisi
nsi
stenc
etogiveherari
de.

"
Noma'am.Justf
ivemi
nut
esandI
'l
lbet
her
e."Her
epl
ied
andt
heyhungup.

Justafterthec al
l,s
hes tartedtoremembersomeoneel se
whodef i
nitel
ynev ertooknof orananswer
.Someonewhohad
turnedherwor ldups i
dedowni nsuchaveraci
ousway ;she
almos thatedhi m,butr eali
zeds hehadnolegi
treasonto.Thati
f
shefeltthatway ,thenitc ouldonlymeanthatshe'dfall
enin
l
ov ewi t
hhi m.

"Lovinghim?Don' tyoudares aythatClai

reLev y."She
mutteredtoherselfwhil
eheadi ngdownf rom herr oom." You're
j
ustinfat
uated,that'
sall
."sheaddedl i
keamani ac."He'ss exy,
andy ouapparentlyl
oves ex.
"Whendi ds hestartl
ov ingsext hat
much?Shet houghtinwardly,andlaughedoutbi tt
er sweetly.It
st
il
lpainedher,buts heknews hehadt olivewit
hi t.

Bruno'sredc arapproached;Clai
rehadleftt
hedooropen
whil
eput ti
ngons il
verearr
ingswhenhehadf i
nall
ydis
mounted
off
.Shec ouldclearlyseehimt hroughthevas
tFrenchwindowat
theloungingarea,andur gedhi mthatthedoorwasopen.

"
Wow!
"Hegas
ped."
Pur
plei
sof
fi
ci
all
ymyf
avour
itec
olor
."

Clai
regi
ggl
ed."You'
recrazy.Youl
ookfr
eshbytheway
;I
c
an'tdeci
debet
weent uxandjeanswhichonedoesyou
f
air
ness.
"Sheutter
edwhilegrabbingapur
se.
 "Ithi
nkthisismyelement.Tux?Orpleas
e!"Heretor
tedand
i
tearnedfewc huckl
esastheystart
edtoheadoutofthehouse.
"
Suchani cehouseyouhav ehere,arey
oualone?"Heasked
c
asuall
y.

"
Yeahappar
ent
ly.Idi
dn'
tknowi
twast
oodar
kout
side.
"

"
Geez
,ar
en'
tyous
car
ed?
"

Shewal kedf ort

helights
witch."
Oht r
ustmeIam.That 's
whyI 'mtakingmyhandbagbec auseIc an'
ts l
eepher e.
"She
ret
ur nedwhi l
es hutt
ingthemaindoor ,andtheres tofthei
r
conversati
onl i
edbet weenthesamel i
neaboutl i
v i
ngalone,
beingafrai
dandhowni cehavi
ngabi gfami l
yactuall
ywas .

Awhi l
el at
er,theyf oundt hems elvesatt heStevenst err
itor
y.
Thec arpull
edov erneart heot herthreer andom- parkedc ars
incl
udingaf ami l
iarblackVoguet hatRy andr ovethelastt i
me
from theretotheCi ty
.Cl air
et ookadeepbr eathatthe
apprehens i
ont hathewasmos tprobabl yalreadyinthere.She
watchedc almlythemi d-summergar denbr immi ngf r
om a
dist
anc eandev erythingl ookedt hesameasbef ore,exceptit
wasdar k.

Insi
de,Mar t
har ecei
vedthem cordi
all
yandment ionedhow
deli
ghteds hewastos eeClair
eagain,whichwasr et
urnedas
giv
en.SheandBr unos eemedmor ecloserthanwi thRyan;the
formerc al
ledherNanny .Clai
rewasn'tsurpris
edbec auseitwas
evi
dentt hatBrunowast hewar mestandki ndestbetweenthe
twobr ot
her s
;andy etshehadt ogeti
nvolvedwi ththeother.She
cursedinwardlyandt hat'
swhens heheardRy an'svoicetal
king
tosomeonethats
healsorec ogniz
edi nasecond;itwasDoris
,
andthetwowereintheli
vingr oom toget
herwithMr .St
evensas
theyfi
nal
lyadv
ancedover,withBr unobesideher.She
swall
owedhardwhenhergl ancec ol
li
dedwi t
hhis.
CHAPTER21

WhenClai
rewalkedi
n,Mr.St
evensr
egardedherwit
havery
bri
ghts
mi l
eandevenst
umbledtogetuphisf
eetjus
ttoexpr
ess
howdeli
ghtedhewasuponseei
ngher.

"Lookwho'sher
e!"Hes
mil
edwi
dely
."ComeinClai
re.
"he
urged,andwi t
hsuchwarmt
h,s
hewal
kedoverandhuggedhi
m
st
eadf ast
ly.

"HiMr.St
evens
?Ihopey
ou'
redoi
ngf
ine.
"Cl
air
esai
d
s
mil
ingl
y.

Theol
dmans
cowl
edabi
t."
Itol
dyout
ocal
lme-
-"

"Grandf
ather!
"Clair
ej umpedin,half
-embar
ras
edandmade
hi
ml aughabit."
Ibetterpract
icemor eoft
en.
"Sheadded
hi
lar
iousl
yandBr unojoinedthelaughter
.

"
Yessil
lygi
rl
,that'
sit.Thankyouforcomingt
onight.Iknow
youdon'thaveanyobligati
ontothisol
dfell
abutyou'vecome
anyway.
"SaidMr .St
evenswi t
houtlet
ti
nggoofherhands .

"Noit'
snothinggrandfather,i
nf actI'mv er
ygr atef
ulforthe
i
nv i
tati
on."Cl
air
es ai
d,andt hat'
swhens heshif
tedhergaz eto
otheraudienceintheliv
ingroom." HiDor i
s?"Sheut tered
pointedl
y,andreceiv
edawr i
ggleoff ingersandapl as t
icsmile
fr
om Dor i
swhowass eatedc ros
s -
leggedbyt hec ouch,holdinga
wineglasswit
ht hesamec olorofherr edwr apdr ess
.

Ryanwasadj
acenttoher,andhiseyeshadbeenfixedl
yon
Cl
air
efrom t
heminuteshe'
dent er
edther oom upt
hatpoint
.It
wasthesamesi
nis
terlookhehadt hef
ir
s tti
mehemether ;it
madeherexhal
efr
us t
ratedl
y,butshemadenoat
tempttol
eti
t
show.Shec
omplet
elyignoredhim,andj
ustt
ookaseatc
los
eto
Mr.Stev
ens
,andacrossfrom Ry
an.

"Soguys?Whendowegett oeat
?I'
mreall
ystar
v i
ng."Bruno,
asal
way s
,star
tedt
oli
ghtenthemood.Hepacedoverandf i
xed
hi
ms el
fatthearmr
estofthesamechai
rCl
air
ehads eated
her
self
.

Mr.St
evenans wer
ed."Whydon'
tyougoandas
kMartha;i
t
wi
llbesuc
har el
iefbecaus
eI'
m aboutt
ocomeandbeaty
out o
apulp.
"

"Ohgr andpa,arey ous ti

llmadbec auseIhidy ourwhi s
ky?
Thedoc torsaidyous houldn'tdr i
nk,soIonlyhelpedy ou
lengtheningyourli
fes pan."Br unorepli
edandt hel adies
laughed.Het henleanedov erandwhi sper
eds omet hingto
Clair
ewhi chintensi
fi
edherl aught r
emendous l
y.

SuddenlyRyangotup,andexc
usedhimsel
fcl
aiminghe'
dbe
backs oon.I
twasabrupt,andwhenhisgl
is
teni
ngeyescol
li
ded
wit
hCl air
e's
,hisjawti
ghtened.

"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"Dor
isas
ked,ast
houghhewashi
s
hus
band.

"DoIreal
lyhavetotelly
ouwhatI'
m goi
ngt
odointhe
bat
hroom?IsaidI'
llbeback.
"Ryanboomedandshebi
ther
bot
tom l
ips
,seeminglyannoyed.

"
Idon'
tunderst
andwhyy ouwor
ryabouthimt
oomuc h,"
Br
unosai
dhalt
ingl
y."nowondermenarescar
edofyoubecause
theythi
nkhe'
syourhus
bandorsomet
hing.Af
reereminder;
don'thangar
oundhimtoomuch,y
ou'
llendupaspins
ter.
"

"
Ohs hutupBr uno!May bey ous houl
ds t
artlooki
ngfora
gi
rlf
ri
endy ours
elf
."Dor i
ss ni
ckeredandmadehi ml aughal
oud.
Forsomer eas
ons,itdidn'tseem foreignatal
lforthetwotobe
bic
keringconsi
deri
ngt heaudi bl
es i
ghsMr .St
evenskeptlett
ing
out.

"Ial
readyhav
eagi
rl
fr
iendDor
is.Don'
ttakemef
oral
oner
."
Her
etur
ned.

"Don'twor
ryaboutthem Cl
air
e;Theyhav ebeenli
kethat
si
ncetheywereli
tt
le,onl
yRyancouldst
opt heirf
ight
s."Mr.
St
evenssaidi
nagr umbli
ngvoic
eandCl ai
resmi l
ed.

"
Isthatso?Wellatl
eas
tthere'sahumortotheirar
gument."
Sherepl
ied,andforamomenthermi ndwanderedofft
othe
imageofthethreegrowi
ngupt ogether
,andthefac
tthatDori
s
wastooattachedtoRyanandstil
lnothi
ngint
imatewasgoingon
betweenthem.

Itwasal it
tl
ehar dtobel i
ev e;shewonderedhowpos si
ble
thatwas ;Doriswasbeaut if
ul,verybeautif
ul,awomanwho
knewwhats hewant edandhowt ogeti
t.Thenwhyhadn' the
consideredhav i
ngar elati
onshipwi thher?AccordingtoBr uno
theynev erdated,andpr obablynev erwill
.Butitsti
lll
eftClai
re
skeptic
alass hewatchedDor iss i
ppingherwinewi thav erysexy
smile,asshet al
kedtoBr uno;s hewast hewomani nlovewi th
Ryan,andi trais
edCl ai
re'sdisli
kesofherwayf urtherthan
before.
 "
Sohowiswor kClai
re?Iheardyou'r
eworki
ngonmy
c
ompanyproj
ect..."AskedStevensandthet
wogotengr
oss
ed
i
ntot
hei
rownc onvers
ation,obl
ivi
ousofther
est
.

Halfofanhourl at
er ,Mar t
haannounc edthatdinnerwasr eady
andinvitedthem tot hediningroom f ill
edwi t
hanalluri
ng
aromaofbakeds weetpot atoes,creameds pinachandal arge
meatloaf.Itwasactuallyatwoc our sedi nnerastheothers i
deof
thetablewasplantedwi t
hf i
shs c
allops ,cucumbersaladsand
steamedbr ownr i
ce;per hapsforMr .Stevenshealt
hydiet.

Twobottl
esofwi ne;redandwhi te,wereplacedi
nt he
middle,t
ogetherwithaf l
askoffruitjuiceandplentyofglasses
,
wit
houtforgetti
ngaj ugofdrinki
ngwat er.
Thesetti
ngwas
i
nvit
ing,almostprof
es si
onal;andev eryoneplacedthems el
ves
ontheirseat
,inahuget able-for
-tenors o,dres
s edwit
hwhi te
pl
atesands hinysi
lverware.

"
Mm ...thislooksdelic
iousMar t
ha,y
ou'r
ethebest!
"Dori
s
utt
eredwithext
raent husiasm.Its
eemedl i
keshehadhadahalf
ofawinebottl
eear l
ier,andshewas n'
tgoi
ngtoquitdr
inki
ng
soonerev
endur ingdinner.

"ThankyouDoris
,enjoyy ourdinnerever
yone."Thekind
womans ai
dbeforedisappearing,andRyanwalkedbackrighton
ti
me,andseatedhimselfacrossfrom Cl
air
eamongal lot
her
emptyseat
saround.

"Car
eforsomescal
lopsbeauti
ful
?"Br
unogr
innedwhi
le
s
howi
ngherthepl
ateaf
terDorishadsome.
 "No,I'
m havingthegiantmeat!"Shebeamed,whi letr
ying
toignorethediscomfortRyankeptbringingherbybeingso
cl
os e,yets
of ar
.Hewasbus yser
vinghims el
fsomes pi
nachand
potatoes;samec hoi
ceasClair
e's
,andc ompl et
ediff
erentfr
om
others.Doriswaseyeingtheshowwi thlessi
ndiff
erence.

Brunogiggl
ed."
Okay,whathappenedt
oHarry?It
houghthe
wassuppos
edt obehere?"heshothi
sbrot
heraquest
ion.

"Hehadot
herpl
ansfortoni
ght
."Ryanans
wer
eddr
yly
,
whi
lepouri
ngs
omewi nei
ntohisgl
ass.

"Somethi
ngli
keadate?"Dori
sasked,ironi
cal
ly,andalley
es
t
urnedtowardher."What
?Isn'
thedati
ngt hatAsi
angi r
l?Your
f
ri
endClair
e,ri
ght
? "Shel
ookedatCl
aire.

"Maybe.I'
m nots
urei
fthey'
redatingyetthough;dat
ingi
sa
l
it
tl
ecomplicat
ednowadays."Cl
airerepli
ed.Mr .St
evens
l
aughedasifshe'
dsai
dwass omethi
ngamus ing.

"
Holdon,youmeanGena?GenaandHarr
y ?
"Bruno
snappedwhilechewi
ngt
heri
ce."
Ohthisi
sunfair
,WhywasIt
he
onlyonelef
tout?"

Dorisr
oll
edhereyes
."That
'sbec
aus
eyou'
ret
oodens
eto
not
ice.
"sheblur
ted.

"Ins
teadoftalkingaboutother
s,tel
lme,whenwi llyoutwo
star
tdatingforreal?Ineedagranddaught eral
r eady.
"Mr .
Stevensbarkedallofas uddenandc ausedas i
lence."Don'
ttel
l
mey oucan'
tfi
ndgoodwomenwhi lethey'rej
us tri
ghtinfr
ontof
you."Hes ai
dplainly.
 Clair
ealmostchockedherjui
ce;notbec
aus eofhisobt
use
remar k,butr
atherthethoughtt
hatshehads l
eptaroundwith
hisgrandsonandt hepooroldmani magi
nednot hi
ngofthesort
.
Ryanr eachedforanapkinandhandedherrightaway.

"Thankyou.
"Shesaid,andhej
ustr
etur
nedtohisfood.I
t
washardtocope,buts
het ri
edtot
akei
teasyi
nregardtohis
i
ndif
ferenc
e.

Dorisemptiedherwi negl assandputi tdown,t hens ai

d,"I
don'thaveanypr oblem wi t
ht hatgrandfather,butits eemsy our
grandsonshavepec uliartast
esi nwomen. "Shes aidpoi nt
edly,a
bitdrunkbutstil
lcons ci
ous;theyal lkeptquit
e,lis
teni ngtoher .
"Whatabouty ouClaire?Youdohav eaboy fri
endr ight?"She
askedandCl ai
regaped." Thatdul l...no...hands omeanddul l
lookingguyIsawy ouwi thatt her est
aurantthatday ,
remember ?"sheaddedandi tir
rit
atedhers ubject."Ac t
uall
y,I
thinkIknowhi m.He' sa--
"

"
Don'tyouthi
nkyou'
vehadt
oomuc
htodr
inkal
ready
?"
Ry
ansnapped,angr
il
y.

"
Oops
!Mybad!
"Dor
iss
mil
ed.

Clair
estar
edather,puzzl
ed,andDoriswasv i
vidl
y
begi
nningtogetonhernervesli
tt
lebyli
tt
le.Sheonlydec
idedt
o
i
gnoreherremarksoutofherrespectf
orMr .St
evens.

Marthar et
urnedwithatelephoneast herewasac al
lforMr .
Stevens
;Heexc us
edhims el
fasitappearedt obeani mpor tant
call
.Andt hat'
swhenapi neapplepiewaspr es ent
ed,andBr uno
jumpedf oritri
ghtaway;hewasagr eateater.Thepielooked
del
ici
ousasMar thaservedthem,butClai
rehadal
readylos
ther
appet
ite;shekeptpicki
ngatthemeatl
oafandonlyfi
nis
hedher
gl
assoft as
tyj
uice,butshehadtoacceptthepi
eoutofcourtes
y.

Thef ouroft hem remai nedsilent

,wi t
hCl ai
retry
ingherbes t
nottos tumbl eatRy an'sf
eetf r
om t i
met ot i
me;herbl is
tered
ankleskeptt orment i
ngher .Atsomepoi ntsheev enbrus hed
againstRy an'slegs,wit
houtanydel i
berateattemptto,and
woul dimmedi atel
ywithdrawbac k.He'
dl ookatherbl ankly,and
onlyonc eCl ai
res awal i
tt
les mirkatthec ornerofhismout h.

"Sobeauti
f ul
,arey oureall
ydatingt hedullandhandsome
guy?"Bruno,li
keabi g-
fat-
trai
tor,r
aisedt hei
ssueonc eagai
n.I
f
lookscouldkil
l,thenhe' dhavebeendeadandgonef rom
Clair
e'sglar
e.Her eturnedremor seful
ly,butshedecidedto
answer .

"He'snotdull,havesomer espectBr uno!

"Clai
rebarked
withaf orcedsmile;wellJ
orgewasabi tdull
,butshehadn't
apprec i
ateanyonec al
li
nghi m names .Hewasherbr ot
her,and
she'ds t
artedtoli
kehimr ecently."Thet hingi
s,Dori
ssawme
with--"shestart
edbutDor isinterruptedherbeforeshefini
shed
hers entence.

"OhnowIr emember !He'stheCEOofDemot tArc

hitect
s;
youar er
eal
lysomet hi
ngClaire,
"Dori
ssnapped,accusi
ngly
.
"seemsli
keyou'reonlysurroundedwit
hrichguyshuh?"She
added,whil
epour i
nganotherdr i
nk.

NowClai
rehadhadherf
il
l."Whatareyoutry i
ngtos
ay
Dor
is?
"Shesnapped.Br
unos
taredapologet
ical
ly,andRy
anhad
unr
eadabl
eexpr
ess
ion.

"Me?Nothi
ng,Ionl
ysaidwhatIsaw;I'
ms or
ryi
fmy
hones
tyof
fendsyou"Sheshruggedhers
houlder
s.

"NoDor is,it
'snoty ourhones tythatof fendsme.I t'sy our
rott
enat ti
tudeandi mmat ur
eway sofdeal i
ngwi thfacts."Said
Clai
rec almly,withames sageonlyDor i
sunder s
tood." Thatguy
yous aw,ismybr ot
her,andy ou'r
er ight,It'
sfunt obewi thric
h
guys.Don' tyouknowt hatwaybet tert hanIdo? "s hedec idedto
renderapay back."Exc
us eme,IthinkI 'm alreadyfull.
"Shegot
upandl ef
tthedi ni
ngr oom.I tseemedl ikeDor i
s'splant omake
herlookr idi
culoushadf ail
edmi s
er ablyands hewasext remely
embar rassed.

"
Ithi
nky
ous
houl
djus
tgohome.
"Ry
ans
aidc
ris
ply
.

"NoIwon't
.I'
ms ti
lleati
ngthepi
e."Dori
sans
wer
ed
menaci
ngl
y,andtheyglaredatoneanother
.

CLAI
REwass eat
edbythepoolwhenBr unoappearedasi fhe'
d
beensear
chingf
orheralloverthehouse.Shewasi
ns pecti
ng
herbaref
eetandfewbruiseswithhershoesdownthef l
oor.
Shewassti
llmad,j
udgi
ngf rom t
hefurr
owofherey ebrows.

"Ohthereyouare!
"AnnouncedBrunoandshel
ift
edher
gaze."OhGeez,whathappenedtoyourfeet
?"Hedr
oppeddown
ref
lexiv
elyandpeekedaclosel
ook.

" I
t'
snothing,Ij
usthadf
ewbl
is
ter
syes
ter
day
."Cl
air
e
r
epl
iedcal
ml y
.
 "Nothi
ng?Yougott
abekiddi
ngme!"Hesnappedandsai
d
af
ter
,"Waither
eI'l
lgogets
omeBand-Aids
."andshewat
ched
hi
m dis
appeari
ng.

Thes ti
ngsonherfeetwast heleastofClair
e'sworri
es.She
simplyc oul
dn'tst
andthes i
tuati
onanymor e;withDoris
breathingunderhernec kandRy anbehav i
ngast houghshewas
atotals t
rangerwhohappenedt ohav ehishous epasswords.
Hows tupi
dwast hat
?Shet hought,al
mos taloud.Bruno
returnedandt ookherfeettohislap,onceseatedatthenex t
poolsidebed.

"Nowithur
ts!
"Shegr
imac
edwhenheappl
ieds
ome
oi
ntment
.

"Eas
y ,it
'l
lbequi
ck.
"Brunosai
dwithhi
sboy i
shs mil
eand
s
hereturnedasmuc h."I
'msorr
yaboutear
li
er,Ifeelpart
ly
r
esponsi
bl e.
"Hestar
ted.

"Noyouweren'
t.It
hinkDori
sandIar
enat
uralenemi
es.
"
Shef
orcedal
aughandhes econded.

"J
us tfor
getabouther,s
hei sdr
unkandwillpr
obablyregr
et
whent hemor ni
ngc omes
."Brunotri
edt
ocheerherupbut
Clai
rek newt hatshewasmer el
ycommunicat
ingherfeel
ingsi
n
themos thonestywaypossi
ble.

"Youknowwhat ?Ijustdon'
tunderstandher .Shei
sso
host
il
et owar
dsme,asi fI'vewrongedherdr eadfull
y?I
t'
snot
thef
irstti
mes heprovokesme.I t
'snotli
keI'
mt hereas
onwhy
shecan'thav
ey ourbrotherforhersel
f.
"Clai
r esaid.
 "
Aren'
tyou?
"Br
unot
agged,t
eas
ingl
y.

"
I'
m not
."Shereturned."Soshes
houldmaybefi
nd
someoneels
et oventhermi s
fort
unebec
auseI'
m notwi
th
Ryan.
"

"
Caret
oexpl
ain?Is
awyoul
eav
inghi
spl
aceandy
ou
admi
tt
edsomet
hingwasup.
"

"
Therewasnothi
ng.Wejustgotc
arri
edaway.
"Sherepl
ied,
almostfur
ious
lyandBrunol
aughedatthesi
ght
."What?You
thi
nkit'
sfunny?"

"
No.Imean,youlookcut
ewheny ouaremad.
"Heteas
ed
herandshearchedhereyebr
owsbeforebr
eaki
ngi
ntoa
l
aughterhers
elf
."Huh?Youarel
aughi
ngnow."Hescr
eamed
vi
ctori
ousl
y.

"
Justf
ini
shplayi
ngdoc
torsothatIcanl
eav
eal
ready
."She
s
nappedathim andhequi
ckl
yscowled.

"Whatdoy oumeanl eavi

ng?Youain'tgoi
ngnowher epret
ty
l
ady .Grandfatherwon' tl
etyou,especi
all
ynotwi t
houtfi
nishi
ng
thepie."Hewar nedands helookedarchlyathim."Okaynot
onlygrandfather ,butal
some,Ic an'tl
etyouleavewhil
ey ou
sai
dy ourselfthaty oucan'ts
leepaloneinthathouse.
"

"AndI'
m notgoi
ngbac
kther
e,I
'm goi
ngt
ogetar
oom i
na
hot
el,t
hat
'sthepl
an."

"Ahotel
?You'
rec r
azy.Wehav eplent
yofroomshere,and
there'
salr
eadyonefory ou.Sodon'ty
ouev ermenti
onabout
hotelsandst
uff
s,wellunlessyouwantmet oaccompanyyouof
c
our
se.
"Hegr
innedandear
nedhi
msel
fahar
dnudge.

"Youwish!I'
drathersleeponar ugorshareMartha'
sbed.
You'
resountrustwor
thy."Shebeamedands t
artedargui
ngli
ke
ki
ds,unt
ils
hec aughtaglimps eofRyanhol
dingDoristosuppor
t
hermovementt owardsherr edMazda.

"
Youli
kehim al
otdon'
tyou?
"Br
unobr
oket
heawkwar
d
s
il
encei
nas er
iousmanner
.

"
Huh?
"Shegas
ped.

"
Ryan.Doy
oul
ovehi
m?"Hemadeav
erydi
rec
tinqui
ry.

"Arey
oucr
azyBruno.Ofc
our
senot
!"Cl
air
eans
wer
edt
oo
qui
ckl
yandhel
aughed.

"
Itsal
ri
ght,youdon'
thavet
ofeelbust
ed,Ijus
ts awtheway
y
oul
ookedathim.I'
m notj
udgi
ngyouthough,Ionlydon'twant
y
out
ogethurtinanyway.
"

"
Whywoul
dIgethur
t?"Cur
ios
itywasal
lov
erherf
ace.

"
Well
--"Brunos tutter ed."WellRyanismybr other,buthe's
tooc omplex.Hei s
,justnott hetypeI '
dbec omfort
ableknowi ng
someoneIc areabouti si nvolvedwith.AndIdoc areabouty ou,
andIdon' twanty out of allforhim,atleastnotwit
houtknowi ng
whaty ou'
reget t
ingy ours elfint
o."hewasext remes er
iousthan
she'deverseenhi m befor e.Butnoneofwhathehads aidcould
clearupthet ensi
onbec aus ehes eemedt obes ki
ppingt he
maj orpoi
nt.

"
Ifeell
ikey
oudon'
twantt
otel
lmet
her
eali
ssue,r
ight
?"
Shequer
ied.

"
There'
snothi
ngmoret
otel
l,andifther
eis
,thenonl
yRy
an
hi
mselfc
antel
lyou.
"Br
unosai
dc asual
ly.

"No.I
t'snotimport
ant.
"Shes nort
ed,andi
twasali
e;s
he
wasdyi
ngtoknowwhoRy anStevensreal
lywas
,andwhatmade
hi
ms odif
ferentandcomplex,butaski
ngformorewoul
donly
pr
ovedesperati
on.

MEANWHILE,Ry
anandDor i
swerest
illargui
ngastheyheadto
t
hecar
.Hes awClai
reandBrunobythepool,ashewasopened
t
hedoorf
orDor i
s;t
helat
terwasj
ustey ei
nghim wi
thangst
.

Shelaughedc r
azil
yandtoldhim,"
Doy ouseethat?Our
dear
estClai
rei snowf l
irt
ingwi
thourli
tt
leBruno.
"Ry anignor
ed
hercomment ,"Nowt ellmeRyan,doyouhavefeel
ingsforher?"
Sheaskeddes peratel
y.

"YouaredrunkDor i
s.
"Hesai
dshor
tlyandmoti
onedf orher
toent
erins
idethec ar
.Dori
ssl
ammedthedoorangri
ly,i
nstead
ofdoi
ngasinst
ructed.

"I
'm notdr unk!IknowwhatI 'ms aying,whyar eyou
pret
endingt hatyoudon'tunderst
andmyf eel
ingshuh?Am Inot
att
racti
vet oy ou?I'mti
redofwai t
inginv ain,I'
ms odamnt ir
ed
ofplayi
ngagoodunder standi
ngfriend."Shel amented,he
deci
dedt ol eaveherbe,bymov i
ngt othedr iv
erside.Butshe
kepthers peec h,"Il
oveyouRy an.
"s hes ai
dbet weenhersobs .

Ry
anwass
tuc
kbyt
hedoor
;that
'sexac
tlywhathe'
dbeen
tr
yingtoav
oid.Heonlyl
ookedathers
tandi
ngbyt
hepas
senger
door,andcol
dlys
aid;

"
Geti
nsi
det
hec
ar.Ri
ghtnow!
"

"Orwhat
?You'l
lfi
remefornotbeingpr
ofessi
onal
?Oh
pl
easeMr.Pr
esi
dent,mindy
outhatwe'renolongeri
ntheof
fi
ce
ri
ghtnowandIcanspeakwhat
everIseefi
t.
"Shebarked.

Hebr eat
hedoutexasperatedly,andrunahandthroughhis
hair
."Fine!Howaboutwedi scussthattomorr
ow,wheny ou'
re
sobber.Pleas
e?"Hetri
edt obeni ceandforonceDori
ss eemed
cal
m." Nowgeti nt
hec ar
,andI 'l
ltakeyouhome."Herepeated,
soft
lyands hecompli
edreluctantl
y .
CHAPTER22

Mr.Stev
ensheardaboutCl
air
e'sannouncementtol
eave;he
st
ric
tlysai
d,"
There'
snowayI'mletti
ngyouleav
eatthi
shour,
whil
ewehav eenoughroomsinthishousef
orevery
one."

AndBrunowassmi
li
ngt
riumphant
ly."
See?It
oldy
ouhe
won'
tagr
ee."Hepr
oudl
ysai
d.

"NowIunder s t
andwhereyourgr andsonshav egotthis
obst
inacyf
rom;Ihones t
lyt
hinkit
'ss t
rictl
ygeneti
c."Clai
resaid
andthetwogentlemenlaugheddelightfull
y."
Okay ,IguessI
don'
thaveac hoi
c e.
"Sheadded,andMar thains
tructedoneof
themaidstoprepareabedroom forher .

Ther estoft heev eni

ngwentunev entful
ly,andbyt hetime
Clairehadr etir
edt oherr es pect
iver oom,Ry anwasn'thomey et
.
Shegotupabr uptly,f
eelingups et,ands toodupbyt hewi ndow;
itwasaper fectviewofany onewhowenti nandoutoft he
mans i
on.Shehadnoc l
uewhatups ethermor e;thefactthathe
was n'thomey et,orthathehadl eftwi t
hDor is
,ormay bebot h.
Shekeptpac inghenc eandf ort
hins idethathugeVic t
orianstyl
e
bedr oom thatac cordingtoBr uno,itus edtobet heirmot her'
s.
He'dev engr abbedoneofhi smot her '
soldclothesinthec l
oset
forhert owear ,buts heki ndlyref
us edandgotoneofBr uno's
pyjamasi nstead.

ForamomentCl ai
redeci
dedt oforgetaboutRyan,andtri
ed
t
omak eherselff
allasl
eepattheveryleast.Butitwasmoreofa
f
ool
'
ser rand,henceshemadeac hoic
et ocallGenainst
ead.The
t
wot al
kedforawhi l
e,wit
halitt
leplaybackofwhatRy antol
d
hert
heotherni
ght
,toget
herwi
tht
hes
il
enc
etr
eat
mentdur
ing
di
nner.

"Ohsweet
ie,andyou'
regoi
ngtolethi
m messwi
thy
ou?I
t
houghty
ouwer eboldert
hanthat
."Cri
edGena.

"Andwhatam Is
upposedtodo?Goonandbeghi mt o
c
ont
inuehar
assi
ngme?"Cl
air
es nappedwhi
lepac
ingaround.

Genalaughed."
Youmeanthesweetharas
sment?Comeon
Cl
air
e,j
ustadmititt
haty
oulov
ehismy st
eri
ouswaysofget
ti
ng
i
ntoyou.Hedrivesy
oucraz
ymyfri
end."

Cl
air
eexhal
edheavi
ly."
OhIdon'
tknowGena.Idon'
tev
en
knowwhatIwantany
more."

"WellIt
hinkIdo."Genasai
d."
Youjus
tneedali
tt
lepush,
andIhearby,pushyoutogoandtalkt
ohim.Noyoudon'tev
en
needtotal
k,j
ustatt
ackhim."

NowitwasCl
air
e'st
urnt
olaugh."
Att
ackhi
m?Whatki
ndof
adv
icei
sthat
?"

Theyt al
kedal it
tlemor e,withoutanydef initesolutionto
herpr oblem,butatl eastshewasabl etolaugh,f eell
es s
confli
ctedandr el
axed.Shes tayedawakef oralmos tanhour ,
andf ellasl
eepf oronemor eunt ilshegotupal lofas udden,
feel
ingt heurget oreall
ys eeRyan.Shedr oppedof fthebed,and
wander eddownt hehalllikeat hief,withoutanyi deawhet her
hewasbac kornot .Itwaspr obabl ymi dnightal r
eady ,andt he
housewasc reepys i
lent.Shes t
illremember edwher eRy an's
bedroom was ,andheadt heres traightaway .I
twasc l
os ed,as
expected,andshestoodbyt hedoor,asthoughconf
li
cted
whethert oknoc
kornot .I
twass tupi
d,ands hehadgat
hered
thatmuc h,butshewass t
il
lther
e;itwassomet hi
ngshecoul
dn'
t
contr
ol.

"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"Av
oic
est
art
ledher
,ands
henear
ly
j
umped.

Ry
an!Shegras
ped."
Um-
-not
hing.Ij
ustgotl
ost
."She
ans
weredti
midl
y.

"You'
rel
ost
?"Ry
anpr ompt
edwhi
leget
ti
ngc
los
er.Hi
svoi
ce
wasnothi
ngbutmocker
y.

"Yes
,that
'swhatIj
usts
aid!Areyouc
omi
ngbac
kjus
tnow?
"
Cl
air
easked,al
mostrepr
oachful
ly.

Hesmirked,andwasalr
eadybyt hedoor
,onl
yas t
epf
rom
her."Iam,why?Wer eyouwait
ingforme?"Hequeri
edwit
h
bri
mmi ngeyes,makingherf
lushi
ngc ri
mson.

"Ofcoursenot!WhywouldIwaitf
ory ou?Andyou're
dr
unk!"Sherepli
edaccus
ingl
y,buthereall
yseemedt ohavehad
al
iquor."
IsthatwhatyouweredoingwithDorisal
lthi
stime?
Dr
inki
ngalcohol?
"

Heletoutanaudibl
esigh,whil
eleani
ngagains
tthewallj
ust
nearthedoor.Helookedti
red,drunkandmaybes tr
ess
ed;and
whenhisey esl
andedonClaire,afai
ntsmil
eescapedhisl
ips.

"
Ican'
tbel
iev
eyous
til
llov
ewhi
ning!
"Heut
ter
edwi
thagr
in.

"
I'
m notwhi
ning,I
'm onl
yas
king.
"Shequi
pped.
 "WhyshouldIansweryourquesti
onMs .Chal
lenge?You're
notmywi f
e."SaidRyan."Il
eftyoual
onebuty ou'
resti
lll
urking
around.Whatdoy ouwantfrom meClair
e?"Heas kedsoft
ly,and
hi
sv oic
ehads omehus ki
ness.

Sheswal
lowed."
Idon'twantany
thingRy
an,Ij
ustgotl
ost
whi
letry
ingt
ogetmy sel
fsomewater.
"Sheanswer
ed,andhe
l
aughed.

"Doy ouwantt os leepwi t

hme? "Ryanaskedblat
ant l
yand
shenear lydroppedherhear tout.Heungluedhimselffr
om the
wallandmov edc l
os ert oher."I'
m aski
ngifyouwantt osleep
withmet onightClair e,becaus eits
eemslikeyoudo."He
rel
eas edhisal coholicbr eath,thatnonet
heless
,neverseemedt o
botherCl ai
re;hi sges tureandt helookofhiseyeswaswhat
bother edher .Hes tar t
edt ostrokeherhairsmoothl
ywhi l
e
searchingintent l
yforhergl immer i
ngeyes.

Sheimmediatel
ywi ncedbac k."NoIdon'twanttosl
eep
wit
hyou.You'
resos hamelessRy an.God!"Shesnappedand
l
ookedaway.Hegiggledlazi
ly."
Jus tgot
oy ourroom,andget
somesl
eep,becausey ou'
redefinitel
ydrunk.
"

"
I'
m notdr
unk.
"

"
That
'swhatal
ldr
unkar
dss
ay.
"

"
ButI
'm notoneoft
hem!
"

"Urgh!
"Shegrowled."Sure,whatev
er!
"Shesai
dandt ur
ned
t
omov ebacktoherroom,f eeli
ngstupi
dallov
eragai
n,for
what
evershewasaboutt odo.That'swhenshefel
tRyan'
sarms
env
elopi
ngherf
rom behi
nd.Shegots
tif
fandhotr
ightaway
.

"Pl
eases
leepwi
thmeCl
air
e."Hewhi
sper
ed."
Jus
tfor
t
oni
ght
."

Shesi
ghedsof
t l
y."Andt henwhat?You'l
lwakeupt omor
row
andaskmetogetlost?Isthatit
?Orhav eyouforgot
tenwhat
youtol
dmey es
ter
day ?"Sheut t
ered,l
amentably
.

"Idon'
tknow.Can'
twejustf
orgetitf
oroneni
ght?Iwon'
t
evenf uc
kyouIswear,Ij
ustwanttofeely
ourwarmth.
"Ryan
i
ns i
sted.

Sheal mos tl
aughed."You'rereal
lyweirdRyan."Shesaid
beforebr eakingfr
om hisembr acetotakeagoodl ookathi m.
"WhatdoIdowi thy our
eally?
"Sheas ked,butmoret ohersel
f
thathim.Shewant edhim,andhewasapur etempt at
ion
hims el
f.Sheknews hecouldn'
tavoidhim,andi twasev en
uselesstryingto.

"
Juststaywi
thme."Herepeatedwi
thhi
ssl
eepyey
esf
rom
t
healcoholinhi
sbl
ood."Pl
ease?
"

"Okay.I'l
lsleepwi thyou."Sheans weredc asuall
y,andin
fewmi nutess hewashel pi
nghi m get
tingsett
ledin;hewasv er
y
tipsynowt hatshe' dseenhi m walki
ngt othebedr oom and
stumbl edbyt hec ouch."Aren'
ty outakingyourclothesoff?
"She
as ked,graspingt hathewasl yingdownonl yaft
erundr ess
inghis
shoes .

"I
fIdo,I
'l
lendupiny
ourpants
.AndIhat
ethaty
ou're
wear
ingsomeoneel
se'
spyj
amas.
"Hekepthi
sdrunkt
alk,and
Cl
air
egi
ggl
ed."
Ohs
oI'
m ac
lownnow?
"Hec
oll
aps
edonbed.

"Ohc omeonRy an!Don'

tbes
uchababy.Takeof
fthej
eans
atl
east,andyoulookdashi
ngont
hem byt
heway .
"Shesai
d
anditwasthetruth.

"
OhIdo?
"

"
Yesy
oudo.
"

"Butyouonl
yhadey
esf
orBr
unoear
li
er.
"Hec
ompl
ained
l
ikeachil
d.

Cl
air
ecouldn'trepressherl
augh."
Isthats
o?Maybeit
's
bec
auseyou'r
esuc haj er
k,wholef
tadefensel
esswomanalone
i
nthemiddleofther oad.
"

Hefr
ownedremorseful
ly."
NoCl
air
e...Idi
dn'
t...meant
o
...
"andoffhewentdead.

"Hah!MaybeIs
houldmakey
oudr unkwheneverIneed
somepeace.
"Shemutt
eredt
ohersel
fwhil
epull
inghisj
eansof
f
hisf
eet
.

Hes uddenl
ygotup,asi fhe'
dbeenfi
ght
ingthesleepi
ng
bat
tl
e."Whatarey oudoing?Comelet'
ssl
eeppleas
e."Heur ged;
hi
svoic
edr owsy,andClair
es mil
ed.

"
OkaySi
r.
"Shepl
acedt
hef
oldedj
eansont
hec
ouc
h.

"Don'tc
allmeSI R!
"Hebarkedandt hel
ightsfl
ic
kedof
f,
beforeshejoinedhi m onbed.Hequickl
ypulledhertohi
sarms
andki s
sedherf oreheadasthoughmaki ngs
ur eshewasact
ual
ly
there."Nowof ftosleepMs.Chall
enge."
 " OkayRyan.Goodnight
."Shewhis
peredbetweenher
chuckles
,whi
lemaki ngef
for
tstopul
lthecoversbec
auseRyan'
s
handswer er
efrai
ningherfr
om movingfr
eely.

Byt het i
meCl ai
r ehadmanagedt oc overt hem bot hwith
thes heet ,Ry anwasf astas l
eep,wi t
hhi sar mshol dingher
pos sessively.As mi l
ewasal loverherf ace;itwasaf eel i
ngs he'd
mi ssedt heent ir
eweek,andt othi
nkonl yy ester days hewas
thinkingi twasal lov er,not hingwaspr edi ct
ableasf arasRy an
wasc onc erned,s her eckoned. Atsomepoi ntint hemi ddleoft he
night;Cl air
emadeanat temptt ogetupandr et urnt oherr oom,
infearofs omeonef i
ndi ngoutt hats hehadn' ts lepti nherown
room,butRy anhadkepthert oocloseandt oot i
ghtt oal lowher
leav i
ng.I twasi mpos si
blet ounder standhowhedi di tinthe
mi ddleofhi sfai
nts nor ing.Shedec idedt os ti
ckar ound,unt il
fiveint hemor ning,whens hef i
nall
ymanagedt opul loutofhi s
arms ,whenher ol l
edov er.Shes miledwar mlywhi lef ixi
ngt he
cov ersupt ohi snec k ,ands l
ippedawayasdi screet l
yaspos si
ble.
Shewasabl et omakei ttoherr oom wi thoutc aus ingany
attentiont owhomev erwasawake.

Thefoll
owingmorni
ngduri
ngbreakfas
t,Cl
air
enotic
edthatRyan
wasn'tpres
entanddec
idedtos
ubtlymakeani nqui
ryabouthi
s
absence.

"It
hinkhewentoutaboutquart
erofanhourago.
"Mr
.
Stev
ensrepli
ed,wi
thhi
sglas
sed-ey
esindul
gedint
oahuge
newspaper.

"
May
behewentt
oseeDor
is;af
teral
lshel
efti
nsuc
ha
s
tat
elas
tni
ght
."Br
unos
nappedwi
thar
idi
cul
ouss
mil
e.

"
Oh,isthats
o?"Cl
air
epr
ompt
ed,andi
twasl
ikeapi
erc
ing
t
otheheart
.

Af
terbreakfas t
,shes t
oodupbyt hefrontwindow,wi t
h
armsfoldedac rossherc hest.Whatbusi
nesswasRy anhav i
ng
withDoristoleav esoearlyinthemor ni
ng?Shekeptsighingin
turnswhilel
eani ngagainstthewindowframe,thatshec oul
dn't
evennoticeapr esenceofs omeonebes i
deher.

"Arey
ouenj
oyi
ngt
hef
lower
s?"As
kedMr
.St
evenswi
tha
s
mil
e.

St
artl
ed,Clai
resmi
ledathi
m andans
wer
ed."
Yes
.It
's
beauti
fuloutther
e."

"I
tis
,butwhydoy
oul
ooks
osad?
"Heas
kedagai
n,wi
thout
wi
pinghi
ssmil
e.

"
Sad?I
'm nots
ad.
"Sher
epl
iedweakl
y.

"OhClai
re,
"Hes i
ghed."
Imaybeanol dman,butt
hat
's
prec
isel
ywhyI'
vel
ivedlongenoughtounders
tandt
hemeaning
behi
ndpeople'
swor
ds ,l
ooks,andev
ensmiles.
"

"Grandfat
her,whatar
ey out
ryingt
osaynow?Shel aughed
outthewor ds,andhebeckonedhertofol
lowhim out
side,
wheret heytookawalkbythegarden;t
hes unwasjus
ts t
art
ing
toshine.

"Iknowmyt wograndsonsver
ywel
l,
"Mr.Stevenssai
dwith
apause."andf
rom t
hat,I
'mv er
ymuchawar
et hatBrunocan
notbetheonetomakey ousad;he'
stoolovi
ngtocauseanyone
aheart
ache,es
pec i
all
ythosehec ar
esabout"Hest
aredather
si
deways,i
nas er
iousmanner ."Soi
sitRyan?"Hef
inal
lyshot
.

Clai
regas
pedi nshock."What?Whatar
eyous
ayi
ngMr
.
St
evens?
"Shes nor
ted,nervous
ly.

Hel aughed."
Whenwet alkedonthephonet hel
asttime,I
wonderedwhaty ouandRy anwer edoingtogetheratthatti
me
ofaday,butitwas n'
timport
ant .
"Hehaltedands hedidthe
same."What '
simportanti
showhel ooksaty ou,andtheway
youlookathim Clair
e."Hesmi l
ed.

"
I...don'tknowhowtodealwithhim gr
andfather.
"Cl
aire
deci
dedtoc omec l
eanev
entuall
y."
I'
m notevens ur
ewhatIf eel
forhi
m,andwi thhowcomplic
atedheis,I
'm afr
aidit'
susel
ess
toeventr
y."

"
Iunderst
and."Hesai
d."Ryanisli
keacactus;hedoesn't
all
owany onet
ouchinghi
m,butitdoesn'tmeanit'
simpossibl
e
todoit.Heisagoodboy,youjustneedtobeal i
tt
lepat
ientwith
him."

"
Butwhati
fhedoes
n'tl
etme?
"

"Youwon'tknowunl
essyoutryCl
air
e.Don'
tgi
veuponhi
m
y
et,Iam beggi
ngyou.
"Hepleaded.

Cl
air
esquint
edalit
tl
e."Ican'
tpromiseanyt
hing
gr
andf
ather
.Someti
mest hi
ngsdon'thappenjus
tbecaus
ewe
wantt
hem t
o."Shesai
d.

Thei
rtal
kcont
inuedf
orawhi
le,buti
nst
eadofhel
ping,i
t
l
eftherevenmor edist
raught.Fi rstBrunot oldhertobec areful
,
andnowMr .Stevensaskedhert obemor epatientwithhim;
whom wass hes upposedtof ollow?Andwhatwasal lthe
my s
terysurroundedRy anany way ?Hads omet hinghappenedi n
hisl
ifetomakehi ms odiff
iculttodealwi th?Int heendshehad
noans werandonl ygotherselfr eadyt ogobac kintheci
ty.She
hadnoi nt
ent i
ontowai tf
orRy anwhat soever,andonlyfocused
hermi ndont hegrandpresent ationt omor rowatwor k,which
agai
n,hadt oinvolvehimint hepi c t
ure.

****

RYANwasatt hehouseofDr.Marcos,andhi
swifewar
mlytol
d
hi
mt hatDori
swass ti
lli
nherbedroom.Shewasasbeaut
if
ulas
herdaught
er,exceptshewasveryki
ndandc or
dial
.

"
CanIpl
eas
etal
ktot
oherAnne?
"Ry
anas
ked.

"Ofcour
seRyan.Justgot oherroom becauses
he'
salr
eady
awake;andt
hankyouf orbringingherhomelastni
ght
.Idon'
t
knowwhenshestart
eddr inkingli
keafish.
"

Withafai
nts
mile,Ryanwentstr
aighttoherbedr
oom and
knocked;t
hedooropenedf ewsec
ondsaf t
er,andDori
s
appearedinamess,sti
lli
nthesamedr es
ss hewasweari
nglas
t
night
.

"Comein,"s
heutt
ered."I'
ms or
ry,I'
ms t
il
linsuchawr eck,
di
dn'
tthinkyou'
dcomeher e.
"Hervoicehadahi ntofs
arcasm
buti
tdidn'
tseem t
obotherRyan.Hesatdownont hecouch
whi
les
her
eac
hedf
orherbed.

"
Howdoy
ouf
eelr
ightnow?
"Ry
anas
ked,s
eri
ous
ly.

"I
'm good,asy
ouc ansee,It
oldy
ouIwas
n'tdr
unk,di
dn'
t
I
?"Sheansweredhars
hl y
.

"Iguessso.Well
,It
hinkweneedt ot
alk,aboutlastni
ght
."
Ryans ai
d,ands hegott
ense."
Afteral
lwearefriendsand
col
leagues,soweneedt oputthi
ngsri
ght"

Dor
iss
mir
ked."
Ands
o?Whatdoy
ouhav
etos
ay?
"

"Dor
is,Il
ikey oualot,andy ouknowt hat
!We'vebeen
f
ri
endssi
nc ekidsandy ou'reli
keasistert
hatIneverwantt o
l
ose.
"Hes ai
dc almly."
I'
vel ongknownabouty ourfeel
ings,and
t
hat'
swhyIt r
iedmybes tnottomi s
leadyou;becauseIdon' t
wanttos
poilthisrel
ati
ons hipwehav eandmuc hlesshurtyou."

Dor
isf
orc
edal
augh."
Afr
iend.Al
it
tl
esi
ster
."Sheut
ter
ed
wi
thsar
cas
m.

"
Idon'thav
ethel
eis
urenort
hec onf
idenc
etol
oveyouor
anyone.I
'm qui
tef
arf
rom t
hepersontogivey
ouwhat
ever
you'
relooki
ngfori
naman."Headded.

"
WhyRyan?Whyc an'
tthatper
sonbeyou?I
sitbec
ameof
t
hatwomanagai
n?Thatstupi
dopport
unis
twho--
"

"Pl
eas
edon'tbri
ngherupintothi
s.Don'tevendare
menti
onhername."Ryansnappedangri
ly;he'
deventurnedr
ed
att
heremark.

Shes
wal
lowed."
Okays
orr
y,i
fnotabouther
,thenwhoel
se?
Clai
re?"Shes
napped,andheonlyst
ared."
Ohs oClai
recanbe
withyouandIcan'
t?Areyousay
ingthatIshoul
dbehappyt hat
you'r
ebeingver
yconsider
atewi
thmeandqui tetheoppos
ite
withher?"

"
Idon'
tunders
tandwhyy
ou'
rebr
ingi
ngCl
air
eint
othi
s
ei
ther.
"Hestoodup.

"I'
ms tar
tingtofeelsor r
yforher,"Dorisst
oodupaswel l
.
"I
'mfeeli
ngsor r
yforClaire;shehasnoi deawhataf rozenheart
i
sbeati
ngagains tyourches t
.Becauseyou'reright
,youc an'
t
l
oveanyonewi ththatstonehear tofyours;butIdon't
under
standwhaty ouwantf rom hereit
herway .Doyouwantt o
sl
eepwithherl i
keeveryot hergi
rlsyousleepwi t
h?Isthatwhat
youwantfrom her?"

"StopDor
is!
"Ry
anbar
ked;f
eel
ingl
ikes
he'
dst
art
edc
ros
sing
t
hel
ine.

"Nodon' ttellmet ostop!"Shescreamedtohisf ac

e,t hen
si
ghed." Buty ouk nowwhat ,goaheadanddoi t;i
t'snotlikeI
careaboutt hatspoi l
edbratany way.Dowhatevery ouwantwi th
her,andI '
llbehappyt ogiveherahandkerchi
efwhent hi
ngsgo
wes t
."Shel augheddi abol
ical
ly"It
hinkyou'
refeel
ingbet t
ernow,
I'
llgetgoing."Ryans aid.

"
Ofcour
seI
'mf eel
ingbett
er!Doy outhi
nkI'
dc ryoveryou
l
ikeatimi
dhear
tbrokencoll
egegirl
?ForgetwhatIsaid
y
es t
erday
,andjus
tleavemyhous ey ouscoundr
el.
"Shey el
led.

Hes
ighed."
Youc
ant
akef
ewday
sof
fify
ouwantt
ores
t."
 "Why?DoImakeyouuncomfor
tabl
enow?"Sheyel
ledagai
n;
shehat
edthef
actt
hathedi
dn'ts
eem aff
ect
edatal
lwit
hallthe
hars
hness
.

"
Noyoudon'
t.Ij
ustwanty
outobeinyourri
ghtmi
ndwhen
y
ouc
omebacki
ntheoffi
ce.
"Heret
urneddr
yly
.

Dorisrol
ledhereyes
."OkayMr .Pr
esident
.I'
lldoasyou
wi
sh."Shemut t
eredangri
ly,andheonlynodded,befor
e
di
sappeari
ngoutofhersight.
CHAPTER23

ItwasMondayatl ast
;Clai
rewasup,andr eadyf
orwor ksoearl
y
i
nt hemor ning.Shehadn'theardawordf r
om Ryansinceher
sleepoverintohisroom,andi tdi
dn'
tseem tomatteranymore.
Again,onherwayout ,s
hebumpedi ntoJorgewhoregardedher
wi t
hanas t
onisheds t
are.

"Wow!Issomethi
nggoingonintheoff
icetoday?Becaus
e
youlookawesome."Hesnapped,ali
ttl
eexaggerat
edlyfor
Clai
re'
sopini
onofthematter.

"
Ohpl eas
e!Don'tmakemyheadburstsoear
lyi
nthe
mor
ning.
"Sher et
urned,di
ff
ident
lyi
nmanners
.

"ButI
'm pr
ett
ys eri
ous.Youl
ookamazing,welly
oualways
do,but...you'
vepus hedbeyondor
dinar
yt oday
."SaidJ
orge
casuall
yastheywalkedoutbythemaindoor .

Matter-of-f
actl
y,Cl airewasac t
uallylooki ngherbes t
.She
waswear ingt hec r
eam dr esst hats he'dboughtf ewday sago,at
Gena'sconv ict
ion,claimi ngt hatitwast oos exyt ol i
v eint her ac
k.
Itwasas traightdres s;tight,nott oot i
ght,jus tenought o
emphas i
zehert erri
ficfigureandapai rofbeaut i
full ongl egs.
Forshoes ,shehadbur gundys carpin-heelst hatmat c hedt he
shadeonherl ips.She' dt i
edupherhai rintoapr of es si
onalbun,
andhernec kwasenc ircledwi thas i
mpl egol dnec klac ethat
camei nhandywi thitsmat chingwat chandl itt
leear r i
ngs.I n
short
,shel ookednotmor enorl ess,buteleganti ns impl i
c i
ty.

"
Alri
ghtJ
orge,thanks
.Ihaveani
mpor
tantpr
esent
ati
on
t
oday.
"Shehumbl yremarked.
 "
Oht
hatexpl
ains
,okayhopi
n,I
'l
lgi
vey
our
ide.
"Jor
ges
aid.

"Thankyou.
"Clai
rerepl
iedanddri
ft
edint ohi
sdarkgrey
For
dSUVt hatheseemedtohavemuchl oy
al t
ywit
h;he'dbeen
dri
vingitforasl
ongasshecouldremember ,andtakengr
eat
car
eofi t.

Arr
ivedint heoffi
ce,Cl
air
erecei
vedsamepr ai
sesasJ
orge'
s,
whenherc ol
leagueslandedeyesonher.Shemodes t
ly
ans
weredwi t
hat hank-
you,andtr
iedtosett
ledowninhercube,
whenLydiautteredaudibly
;

"
May bes heshoul
dbeal i
ttl
es ubtl
e;peoplemightt
hink
she'
stry
ingt ouseherlookstoattrac
tourc l
ient
s."Andwiththat
ever
yonel ookedather."
What ?I'
m onlybeinghonesthere,
"s he
sai
d."weal lknowhoweas i
lydis
tractedmenc anbe,andIdon' t
wantourr eputat
iondrai
nedinthemud. "

Asalways,Claireonlysmiled."Don'
tworryLy di
a,Iwon't
evertarni
shy ourreputationifthat
'swhatyou'r
ewor ried
about."Shesaidflatl
y."Buthey ,i
t'
snotsuchabadi deai fmy
l
ooksc anactuall
ydi st
ractthem whileNathangivesthe
presentat
ionright?"Sheaddedandt herestl
aughedi nunison.

"
That
'sri
ght.Wes houl
d'veempl oyedt
hist
acti
clongago
andthey'
dacceptedourdesignsr i
ghtaway.
"Chri
sjokedanda
funnydi
scus
sionarose.Lydi
ar oll
edhereyesasthough
every
onewasnot hi
ngbuts i
mpl etons.

Nathanfinal
lyappear
ed."Okaythat'
senoughAmbrose,"he
toldChri
sami dsthi
sspeech."
Levy,i
nt wohours.
"Hesai
dt o
Clair
e,point
edly.
 "
YesNathan.
"Sheanswered,ands
tart
edtogatherher
thi
ngsready
,beforei
ndul
gingint
oherusualwor
kloadtost
arta
day.

Intwoandahal fhourslater,t
hetwohadal r eadyar r
ivedat
SK.Theywents trai
ghtaheadt ot hesamec onferenc eroom as
before,andinjustawhi lel
ater,Ryanandt hethreeot her
gentlemenar r
ived.Harrywas n'tpr
esent,andnei therwasDor i
s,
butinstead,anotherelderl
ywomanj oi
nedt hem ands eemedt o
ber egardedratherrespect
full
ywi t
hever y
one,inc ludi
ngRy an
hims el
f.

Nathantookt hereign,andpr oc
eededwi t
hallthechanges .
Clai
rewass eatedfarfrom Ryan,whot r
eatedherlikeas tranger
yetagain;shedecidedlydidexactlythes ame,andwi t
hpl easure,
whil
ec oncentr
atingherey esont hes c
reen,andonl yturned
fr
om timet oti
met owat c
hev er
yone'sr eact
ioninregardst othe
changes.

"
Andi nregardstoev ery
thi
ngpr esented,we'vebeen
thinking,wit
hy ourincl
inati
onofc ourse,"Nat hansaid."thati
t
woul dbebes tifwef ur
nishpartofthisbui l
dingwithwood
insteadofac onc r
etesothatitgiv
esadi fferenttouchf r
om the
rest..."hec onti
nued,andt hat'
swhent hedoors wungopen
andDor iswalkedinands howedapol ogeticsmileass he
grabbedas eatnexttoRy an.

"
Itol
dyout
otakeadayof
f.
"Ry
ans
aidi
nawhi
sper
.

"Nomixi
ngupwor kandpersonall
ifeMr.Pr
esi
dent.I
'm
onl
ybeingpr
ofes
sional
."Dor
isanswered,andhesmil
edopenl
y;
shedi
dt hesame,anindi
cat
ionthats
hewasbackt
ohers
ens
es,
andnothingsot
rif
li
ngassuch,c
ould'
vebr
okenher
.

"
OkayPant her,
"Ryansaidabr
uptly."
Ithi
nkIlikeeveryt
hing
today,especi
all
ythepartaboutus
ingthewood,I'ms urepeople
withtastefort
heenv i
ronmentandwilder
nesswoul dlovet
hat."
Heey edtheelderl
ywoman,whos miledbashful
lyandnodded
athimi nsomeknowi ngway.

Clair
eandNat hanexc hangedar el
ievedlook,ass he
proudlyflatteredher s
elfforthei deaofus ingwoodass he
humbl ys uggesteddur i
ngt heirlastdiscussi
on.Shet hengotup,
i
gnor i
ngal lthemur mur sinther oom,andmos t
lythe
undesc ri
babl es t
arecomi ngfrom Dor is
.Nat hans hookhands
withRy an,whi leexchangingf ewwor dst hatshec ouldscar
cel
y
hear,ands hetr i
edtos uppres swhateverdi sc
omf ortshewas
feel
ingf r
om Ry an'scr
uelindifferencetowar dsher .

"Nic
ejobClai
re,s
eemsyou'v
ereal
lydoneitthi
sti
me.
"
Dor
is'
svoic
estart
ledher
,andsheimmediat
elyforc
edasmil
e.

"ThanksDori
s,i
twasat
eam'
sef
for
t!"Sheans
wer
ed,wi
tha
di
spl
ayedhumi l
it
y.

"Iknow."Dor
isr
emar
keddi
sdai
nful
ly,andl
eftasqui
ckl
yas
s
he'
ddroppedby.

Star
ingbac k,Clair
e'seyesbumpedintoRyan'
sf oraver
y
quickmoment ;s hes awnothingbutindi
ff
erenc
ey etagai
n,and
shes l
owlyretractedbygr abbingherpur
seandwal kedoutof
theroom asifget ti
ngawayf r
om herownshadow.Shewas
standi
ngi nfr
ontoft heelevator
,whenNathanappearedwitha
t
riumphants
mil
ethatdughi
sdi
mpl
esdeepl
y.

"Canyoubel
iev
ewedidit?"Heyappedandsher
egar
ded
him withafai
nts
mile."
Oh,IguessI
'l
lhaveagoodni
ghts
leep
today."

"Sowil
lev
ery
oneel
se.
"Cl
air
erepl
ied,s
eemi
ngl
yhal
f-
i
nter
ested.

Nathanmov
edhi
sfac
ecl
oser
."What
'swr
ong?Youl
ookki
ndof
angry?
"

"What?
"Shefor
cedasmile,andthegreydoorsspl
itopen.
"
I'
m notangry
,I'
mjustt
oogladthatwe'r
eov ert
hisone."She
s
aidastheysl
idi
nsi
dethec
abi n.

"You'
rer
ight
.I'
l
ljustcal
ltheoffi
ceandshar
ethem t
hegood
news
."sai
dhe,whil
etakinghiscel
l,andsheonl
ysmil
ed.

Cl ai
re'
sheadwast oooc cupiedtoev enl i
stenwhenNat han
startedtalki
ngwi t
habigs milefrom sidet oside.Shekept
thinkingoftheweekends he'ds pentatSt even's,andhi swor ds
aboutnotgi vinguponhi sgrands ontoos oon.Ac tuallythere
wasnoneedf orsucharemi nderbec auses hewasal readyon
vergeofnotgi vinguponhi m eitherway;hekeptt orment ingher
sincewaybef ore,butyetshef oundher selfinhisarms
somehow.Sowhatwast hepoi ntofrunni ngawayf rom herown
feeli
ngs ?Shewant edt
oc onfronthimf oronc e,andf or cehimto
l
istent oher,andmay behec ouldt el
lherwhatwasr eall
ythe
mat terwithhim.

Thedoor
sfi
nal
lyopenedbyt
hel
obbyf
loor
;st
il
lst
uckt
othe
cabin,Cl
air
etoldNathantogoonahead."
I'
llbei
ntheof
fi
ce
beforetwel
ve,Ipromise.
"Shei
nsi
sted.

"Okay,don'
ttakel
ongert
hant
hat
.We'
rehav
ingameet
ing
af
terl
unch."Heremindedher
.

"YesNathan.Thanks
."Sheutt
eredandimmediat
elypr
ess
ed
t
hel
astfl
oorbuttonontheli
st;Ry
an'sof
fi
cefl
oor
.

Athiss
ecr
etary
'sof
fi
ce,t
hesamepoli
telooki
ngwomantol
d
hert
hatMr.St
evenswasn'
ttobedi
stur
bed,accor
dingt
othe
i
nstr
uct
ion.

"
But
,doyouwantmetoper
sonal
lyas
khi
mthaty
ouwant
t
oseehi
m?"Sheas
kedCl
air
e.

"
Ishewi
thany
one?
"Cl
air
equer
ied.

"
Nohe'
snotbut
--"

"Theny oudon'thaveto."Clai
reutt
ereddryl
y,andoffs
he
r
unforRy an'soff
icedoor,l
eavingthepoorsecr
etarymoaningi
n
t
err
or;duet oClair
e'sdi
sregardingoft
hewar ni
ng,andmaybeof
l
osi
ngherownj ob.

Ry
ans tooduphi
sfeet,amomentCl air
ewalkedi
nli
kea
madwoman;s hewaspanting,v
ivi
dlyupsetofs
omethi
ngand
t
hesecret
arywasri
ghtbehindher.

"It'
sokay,y
ouc anl
eaveusal
one.Anddon'tl
etanyoneels
e
i
n,unlessIsayso.
"Ryantol
dtheter
rif
iedl
ady
,ands henodded
appr
ov i
ngl
y.

Thedoorf
inal
lyc
los
ed,andt
het
wos
tar
edoneanot
her
,as
t
houghoneoft
hem wasgoi
ngt
oki
llt
heot
her
.

"
DidIas kyout omar r
yme?"Clairesnapped.Herques ti
on
for
cedas tar
tledlaughoutofRyan,des pi
tehisuncool
dis
posit
ion.Hepac edf r
om hiss
eat,ands t
oodhims elfnextto
her."
Iaskedi fIeveraskedyoutomar ryme!"Sher epeated,and
nowhel aughedf orreal
.

"
Whatisthi
sallaboutCl
air
e?"Hef
inal
lyut
ter
ed,whi
le
l
eani
ngagai
nsthi
sdes k.

"Not hi
ngmaj orMr .Ry anStevens,"Sheanswered."Isimply
don'
tunder s
tandwhyy oukeeps endingmemi xedsi
gnals;fi
rst
youas kme,no,begmet os l
eepwi t
hy ou,andthenextdayy ou
tr
eatliketrash.Whati sitthaty ouwantf rom me?Ifyou'r
e
shut
tingmeoutofy ourlife,thendoi tli
keaman,ands t
opt his
ri
dic
ulousands tupidgameofy ours!
"Shey el
ledtohisface,that
henar rowedhi seyesreflexivel
y .

"
Whatabouty
ou?
"Ry
anas
ked,i
gnor
inghery
ell
ing.

Cl
air
efr
owned,unabl
etof
oll
owhi
sremar
k."
Whatabout
me?
"

"Whatdoyouwantfrom me?"Ryanreturned,somber l
y,
withoutrev
eal
inghowhef el
tatt
hemoment .Herepeated,
"You'ret
heonewhowant edmet oleav
ey oualone,andit'
s
exactl
ywhatI'
mt r
yingt
odo,s ot
henwhatdoy ouwantf rom me
Clair
e?"

Shepress
edherli
pstoget
her,t
hinki
ngc
aref
ullyofwhatt
o
s
ay;whatdidshewantfr
om him?Sheknewexac
tlywhatwhat
s
hewant
ed.

"Iwanty ou! "Sheans wered,andwal kedclosert oRy an,

whos eey esglistenedi nani nstant."Iwanttos pendmos tofmy
ti
mewi thyou;t alkingtoy ou,hav i
ngdi nnertogether ,andev en
sl
eepingt ogether ."Sheenc ircl
edherhandsar oundhi snec k,
boldl
y ,sendingas hiverdownhi sspine."Iwantt oc ontinue
whiningar oundy ou,ar gui
ngwi thy ou,recei
vingabunc hof
bother s
omet extsdur ingoffic
ehour s,Iwanttol aughwi thy ou!
"

ThatmadeRy anbr okei

ntoanamusedsmil
e,andwithout
hi
spur econsent,hi
shandswanderedaboutCl
aire'
swais
tand
pul
ledhernear ."I
'm notagoodguyCl
aire.
"Heconfes
sed
pl
ainly.

"Doyout
hinkIhaven'tl
earnedthatyet
?"Sheasked,
seemingl
yunbother
ed."Iknowper f
ectl
ywellwhatkindofan
assholey
ouare,andwhatabi t
chIam toputupwi thyoueit
her
way .
"

Ryanbur
s t
edoutl
aughi
ng."
Mus
tyoubes
obr
utal
lyhones
t
Cl
air
e?"Heasked.

Cl
air
eshrugged."
Youwantedmyhonestopi
nion,r
ight
?"
Sheut
ter
ed,andtheywentdeadsi
lentf
oraminut
e.

"Whatki
ndofs
pellhaveyoucastonme?"Heutt
ered
hoar
sel
y,whi
les
tar
ingdeeplyi
ntohershi
ningey
es.

"
I'm nots
ure,
"Cl
air
erepl
ied."
andl
ikeIs
aid,I
'm notas
king
y
out
omar ryme."

Her
ais
edani
nqui
ri
ngey
ebr
owt
hist
ime."
Whydoy
oukeep
ment
ioni
ngt
hat
."Hes
oundedbr
uis
ed.

"BecauseIfeelli
keyou'
r et
err
if
iedofcommit
ment;and
t
rus
tmeRy an,y
ou'r equi
tefarf
rom themanI'dc
onsi
der
marr
y i
ngsomeday ,sodon'
tworryaboutanyoft
hat
."

"Okay ,whydoIfeelsuddenlyoffended?"Ryansnort
ed,and
shechuckled.Hethenbreathedoutsoundl y
,feel
ingsuc
har el
ief
.
"
Youl ookexcepti
onal
lybeautif
ultoday."Headded,
misc
hi ev
ous l
y.

"
Sodoy ou;Navybluetr
eat
syoubett
ert
hanbl ac
k."She
answeredsmili
ngly
,anditwasapuref
act
;helooked
breat
htaki
nglygoodthatmorni
ng.

"
Ohi
tdoes
?"

"
Its
urel
ydoes
."

Theirl
ipsmet,andal ongingki
ss,that
'sbeenr
epress
edfor
anent i
reweek,fi
nall
yt ookit
splace.Nothi
ngelsematt
ered
anymor e;al
lthet
hinkingandponder ingwaswaterunderthe
bri
dge.

"Youdoknowi fwegoondoi ngthi

sImayendupf uc
king
youonmydes k,don'
ty ou?"Ry
anutter
edbreat
hlessl
y;hi
s
handshadal
readytravell
edunderneat
hherdress.

Shequic
klysl
appedthem of
f,gi
ggl
ing."Don'
tyoudar
eRyan!
I'
m goingbacktoworkri
ghtnow."Shewar nedhi
m andtr
iedt
o
pullaway.

Hel
aughed."
Ohc
omeon!Let
'sj
ustpl
ayhooky
."He
announc
edl
ikeat
eenboy
.

"
Shameony
ouRy anSt
evens
!Whatagoodexampl
efor
y
ourhumbl
eemploy
ee,huh?"

"
Mybi
tchempl
oyee?
"

"
Don'
tcal
lmebi
tchy
ouas
shol
ebos
s."

Theystar
tedlaughi
ngagain."
Doy ouhav
etogobac
kri
ght
now?"Ryanasked,ali
tt
ledi
sappoint
edly
.

"Ioughtto,
"sheansweredwhi
lef
ixi
ngher
sel
fwithalit
tl
e
powderkitf
orami r
ror."
Ineedtowor
konmyl i
cens
et oo,I
wonderifIcandoital
lbytheendoft
oday.
"

"
Leav
ethatt
ome.
"Hequi
pped.

"
What
?Myl
ic
ens
e?"

"Yeah.You'
l
lhav
eits
oon,unl
essy
oudon'
tknowhowt
o
dr
iveatall
."

"
Ofc
our
seIdo!Ij
usthav
etor
enewi
t.
"

"
Wel
l,t
hat
'ss
ett
ledt
hen.
"

"
Okay,I
'l
lbemor ethanhappytogetmyl i
cens
ewi t
hout
l
ift
ingafi
nger.
"Clai
resaid,andthetwosharedasmil
e."Ineed
togonow,bye!"Shetr
iedtos l
ipaway,buts
hewasbac ktohis
armsandanotherlongkisswasshared.

"CanIpic
kyouupl
atert
oni
ght
?"Ry
anas
kedwhent
hey
f
inal
lyspl
it
.

"
Ify
ouwantt
o."Sher
epl
ied,s
mil
ingl
y.
 "
Canwehav
edi
nnert
oget
her
?"Heas
kedagai
n.

"
Ofc
our
se,wec
anhav
edi
nnert
oget
her
."

"
Canwes
leept
oget
hert
oni
ght
?"Headded.

"YesRyan,wecansleept
o--"shes
hothi
m aglance,andhe
l
aughed."No!Wecan'ts
leeptoget
heronMonday.Areyou
c
razy?"

"
Comeon!Whynot ?We' l
lgotoyourhouse,andyou'
l
lget
fewclot
hesforwor knextday,orwecanjustbuyever
ythi
ngyou
need."Hei
ns i
sted,wi
thoutlett
inggoofherwaist
.

"
No!I
'l
lgetdi
str
act
ed,andIhav
ethi
ngst
odo.
"

"
Noy
ouwon'
t,I
'l
lev
enhel
pyou!
"

"
Ohs
onowy
ou'
reades
ignert
oo?
"

"
Icanl
ear
n."Hes
aid."
Howhar
dcani
tbe?
"

"
Ashardasputt
ingabuil
dingoutofabareland.
"She
utt
eredandrunfort
hedoor,leavi
nghimlaughi
ng."Cat
chmei
f
youcan.
"Shesnappedbefor
el eav
ingf
orgood.

THEweekwass tart
ingv er
ybl i
ssf
ull
y,andtheglowonCl air
e's
facehadr eturnedt remendous l
ythatnoneofLy di
a'ssarcasti
c
comment sbot heredherwhi l
eatwor k.Shekeptherselfbusy,
withfewas s
ignment sthatNathangav eeachoneoft hem dur i
ng
theafter-l
unc hmeet i
ng.Thet i
mes eemedt ofl
ybyf ast,
especiall
ywi t
hRy an'smes sageseverynowandt hen,tor emind
heroft heirdinnerdat e,andapos sibil
it
yofhers l
eepov erathis
pl
aceandevenhisnaught
yregretthathecouldn'
thaveheron
hi
soff
icedesk.Wi
thabigsmil
e,Clair
er et
urnedhisl
astmessage.

FROM:Cl
air
e

TO:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Mon***4:
17PM

(Subject)DearMr .Stevens,Iclear
lytoldy outhatIcan'tsleep
overtonight;buts i
ncey ou'r
es oinsis
tent,letmej ustsaythatI'
ll
giveyoumyf inalanswerov erdinner.Andabouty ouroffic
e
fantasies
,may bewec ans aveitforanothert i
me;unt i
lthen,jus
t
keepf antasi
zingabouti t
,justli
keIdomi ne.

s
ent
.

Shebitherlipsatthet houghtofRyan'scrazyideaofhav
ing
sexi nhisoffi
ce.Whatamani achewas,shet houghtwhile
blushingtoher self
.Luckil
y,herwor kwasn'taffec
tedatallwi
th
alltheweirdt hi
ngst hatkeptgoingoninsideherhead.Shewas
actuallybackins earchi
ngf orthetr
endybat hroom ideasont
he
web,whenherphonec hirpedagain.
 FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

TO:Cl
air
e

Mon***4:
20PM

(
Subject)OkaydearMs .Chall
enge.I
'l
lbehopef ull
ywai t
ing
foryourreplylatertoni
ght.OhyesIdof antas
izeaboutit,Ijus
t
can'ts
eem t olovethewaitingi
dea.Andy ouhaven'ttol
dme
aboutyourf antasyupuntilnow,what'
sgoingoni nthatsmar t
headClaire?

r
ecei
ved.

Agai
n,Cl
air
es t
artedlaughingli
keanidi
ot,andthankedheavens
forwhomeverinv
entedt heoffi
cepar
tit
ionsforali
tt
lepri
vac
y .
Sheimmediat
elytypedherr epl
y.

FROM:Cl
air
e

TO:RYANTHEJ
ERK

Mon***4:
21PM

(
Subj
ect)Aren'tyouabittoonosyforaCEO?Wel lI'
lll
etyou
knowofmyf antasi
esinduet i
meSi r
.Oh,don'tsay"don'
tcall
meSIR"becauseI '
l
lneverstopifyoudo.Nowpl easegetbackto
workRyan,anddon' tf
orgettopic
kmeupl ateratseven.

s
ent
.
 Shejustplac
edherphoneaside,andevenwhenanew
mes sagearri
ved,shetr
iedt
oignoreunti
lshewasdonewitht
he
notess hewasjott
ingdown.Asweetsmil
ees c
apedherl
ipsas
shereadi t
.

FROM:RYANTHEJ
ERK

TO:Cl
air
e

Mon***4:
55PM

(Subj
ect
)Mybei ngnosywhenc omestoy ou,doesn'
teven
countasadefect
.You'reri
ght,I
'l
lgetbacktowor know.Ihavea
meet i
ngouts
idetheoffi
ce,butI
'l
ldefi
nit
elypickyouupats ev
en.

P.S:Youjus
tkeepc
all
ingmes
ir,andy
ou'
l
lseewhatIc
andot
o
thatfoulmout
hofyours.

r
ecei
ved.

Wi thasmile,Clai
reshookherheadt ot hesides ,ands li
pped
herphonebac kintoherhandbag,bef orepr oceedi ngswi t
hwor k.
Evi
dent lyshewasant i
c i
pati
ngthenights obadl y,andev en
entertainedtheideaofs l
eepingoveratRy an's.Knowi ngthat
Doriswasoutoft heequation,madehergr i
ni ncredul ousl
yf rom
eart oear.EventhoughRy anwas n'
ther s
,thef actt hathe's
was n'tanyone'
sei t
her,madeherf eelconfidental loveragai n.
Andyes,shef
inal
lyfel
lbacktot
heGr
eatRy
anSt
evens
!Hav
e
somethi
ngtosay?Justsayi
t.

Didyouenjoythestor
y?Ihopey oudid.Thisisi
tfort
hefirs
t
part
;it'
sanongoingst
orythat'
ssti
llpubl
ishedonWATTPAD.I
wantedtosharethi
spartsothatIcanhears econdopini
onfrom
you;YESYOU.

Thanky
ous
omuc
hforr
eadi
ng.

Youhav eaquesti
on?Puti tonthecomments ect
ion,oryoucan
als
owr it
etomev iagracegervy
1@gmai l
.com.Ial
way sres
pond,
promptly.I
'dapprec
iateifyourateandsharethi
s.Thanks
again!
!!

Formorest
oriesandchapter
sofCLAI
RE,f
oll
owmeon
WATTPAD.Username:geeger
vy.

Abi
gTHANKYOU!
3 AUDIOBOOK COLLECTIONS

6 BOOK COLLECTIONS