shut, sealing them inside. The s

e scent of her. Aubree's perfume. Something heavy and floral, like gardenias left out in the hea

s eyes. He looked exhausted. For a second, the mask slip

if he had a headache, was a phantom limb. It was an old habit from a time when

closed, "don't dress like you're at

ds tasted like ash. "I'm

ing well, Alexia. It's always something. A

neon streaks. It wasn't an excuse. It was a fact. But facts did

hone

s pocket, the screen lighting up his face i

u saved me from that b

ips. He typed a reply, his thumbs moving quickly.

uld stifle it. She fumbled with the clasp of her purse, her fingers shaki

le rattled ag

oward her. "What is tha

e back into the depths of the bag.

sound of pu

ike it had mass. When they pulled into the underground gara

hed the numbers climb. A

he walked away. "I'm going to the study,"

the study

the cold glass of the window. She was twenty-six years old. She was married t

scent lights of Carlson Glob

tant-and walked toward the R&D department. Her right si

reak room. Laugh

id you see the photos on Page Six? Jen

e. "Where wa

e. Honestly, I don't know why he stays married to h

hand gripped the str

eared loudl

rson in this building who knew Alexia had written the core code

at the break room. The

ession softening into concern

smile. "Good mornin

er, lowering his voice. "Seriously. Y

. "The migration

she swayed slightly. "You are the only stable thing in th

uth to argue, but a

was flanked by the CFO and two board members. But

the hallway seemed

. The executives trailed

ing back, dropping his hand.

looked at Alexia. His g

he said, his voice low and

ood drain from her

do it on your own time. Not on my pay

been with Aubree all night. He had let h

n. "I'm sorry,

h him. Alexia caught Alf's eye an

derisive huff. "Get ba

ay. He didn'

e the whispers in the break room