le was set with the good china, the silverware polished to a mirror shine. It was a

was a man of few words, but his embrace w

rself at Angelena. "Oh my god, I missed you! Tell me ev

herself be pulled to the t

light conversation, the clinking of silverware filling the gaps. Ange

cking up a roll and placing it on her plate. At the same time, he shifted the dish of pecan-crusted asp

otice. But Angelena did. She was severely allergic to tree nuts. Da

ugh her chest. She murmu

, continuing t

in the room. The conversation flowed, but there was a gi

rdella exchanged careful glances, watching Angelena's face for any sign

She talked about the rent prices in SoHo, the difficulty of finding a good wholesal

row furrowed with concern. "Angie, what are your lo

you staying in New York? Because

y. "I'm not going back to the family c

mplete, utt

linked. Cordella paused with he

to the Barlow fortun

ooking at the light in her eyes. It was the same light he saw in th

Dalton said, his voice cutting through

d to him, her

so deeply confused. The silence regarding Gorden was louder than any screaming match could hav