d. She sat alone in her narrow kitchen, the late afternoon light casting soft shadows on the walls. The cup in her h

ackled in the winter of her past. She moved to the window, gazing at the sprawling

y time. Chestnut curls pulled into a low chignon, sharp cheekbones carve

uldn't

monds. He had looked every inch the heir midnight-black tuxedo hugging

im to deny it. Plead

t velvet-curtained room, qu

d out like this," he had said

he world she kne

o of his silence. Her heels clicking over marble. The nig

Malcolm. Not even Isla. Because some betrayals di

had be

porcelain cracked. She stared down at it, fra

orbell

idn't

t. Let the past knock u

g too modern, too sterile. Weston had chosen it on

unctuation marks. The hostess blinked at her, clearly recognizing the Vance heiress

approached. Always po

ilored to every inch of his tall frame, slee

he said, settli

arly," sh

their menus l

rders, and vanished with the rel

at in

d her wine. "W

ory," We

ak knife if you took me

twitched.

ion thickened like sauc

u never did explain. Five ye

t before

't try to

e alread

er fork down, the clink too loud. "So that'

"You think I didn't

did

ould

ared.

looked at his wineglass i

racked. "God, I h

d mysel

ing sh

anged, softened. Just a flicker. A moment of hu

night," he said, so l

e. "Whic

ore you walked out. Like you

ung between t

that night?"

w and unguarded. "E

cafe that always smelled like burnt espresso. Georgia hesitated

y both used to laugh at. Her boots echoed on the marble as

ad tucked under his chin. She remembered the way he'd smiled at a

God, how she'd

laughter

ng. It was still hideous. Still s

sn't improved," said

pun a

rance, hands in his coat

"What are you

the p

ce w

. I couldn't bear the thought of

ed. "Our

on't look so surprise

er keep

re wr

aint hum of the gallery's lighting, the cli

e here for yo

n replied, voice r

lowed. "

on't say it now

d. His hand brushed hers. Not eno

in pri

s. She could smell cedar and winter spice

lips h

br

w

e pull

. Cold rushed in w

said, voice ra

out, the door swing

memory thick in the air, and the taste