lexandr

supposed to be

, logic, and dignity. I'd watched women with promising future

't knock. It slips through the cracks when

the crack in mine. It

g urgent. Can you stop by the penthouse

stinct was to refuse, professionalism demanded it, but curios

d the a

house was glass and steel, sharp lines softened by soft light.

rougher than usual. "

lied. "You said

tracts, acquisition drafts, and nondisclosure forms. But beneath al

of wine. "You always

"You reme

said. "Especially about

the glass, my pulse betrayed me again. We worked for hours, side by side. I pointed out

atter me,

ink sharper. Lydia says

inder, a chain aro

ky woman," I

moment, then said,

it, steady, unblinking, full of something

hunder cracked outside, and I startled, spill

ing again, too familiar this time, t

r of u

against my wrist

said quietly,

I whispered

. "Tell me you d

oom was too small, the silence too lo

"And I wish that ch

here is nothing. You

don't lie very well

one rang; Lydia's name lighti

ammed back

bag. "This wa

you'll think about it tonight. And you'll know it's no

and breathless. The woman staring back looked no

ut beneath the hate was something more

I realized somethi

ust attract

ved

able: distantly, quietly, safely. No. I loved him in a

the beginni