mi'

I wasn't looking for a book-at least not the kind you read. I needed

ym

ntly, not cold-but careful. Like he was watchin

door open a

motes floated in golden slivers of light. Everything abou

mi

ng and stared out the window. Somewhere down that winding driveway

th

you for the

't need to turn t

xan

adable expression he was known for. His presence filled the r

y for you," I repl

just curious about the woman w

"Curious o

d. "A litt

ing-not like a man admiring a woman, but lik

y of... linger

sed to mean

seen ghosts wit

ful, Alexander. Comparing me to the dead mi

hat's the thing. I don't t

was si

av

mfor

ger

end this bef

"Tell Raymond to knock nex

His voice lowered. "M

econd. He didn't see

I fe

est. The ache I bur

ed and ke

funny?" he call

n't a

smell lik

tered-but I

he door shu

-

suite, brushing my hair in slow, steady strokes. My reflectio

was a

me

nging around his neck. His chest was bare, and his hair w

toward me.

odd

bed, elbows on his knees,

to Alexande

't a qu

d

did he

ng imp

w tightened.

it's n

ng his hands on my shoulders. His th

like game

op playi

mirror. They were dar

re's nothing

re's a lot you don't know, Raymond. But you

idn't change. "A

ade me

he added

he words didn't come. In

n't st

-

ext M

e smile as she passed the toast. Alexander, a

rely touch

arity event this weekend. I'd love for you

. "I'd l

fed. "She catc

linked sharply a

ing to be a pattern, you should say so.

said. "Alexander

mock bow. "As t

ve me an apologetic look. "He

Not because of his words-but because of what t

r Th

eviewing an event sc

on the des

, then reac

s a repor

h – Backgr

Page after page of nothing. Blank trails.

e bottom

history, known associates, maternal lin

ed around the e

was d

h for

the envelope and turned-

fro

d to the desk,

reading things t

prying into people y

he door b

lied

" I said. "You

forward. "W

at him, j

oice firmer. "

my voice steady. "Y

my lips, then back t

ed pas

whispered just loud e

ct li

-

t N

e on the balcony wh

Raym

ight

't s

xan

you always wander a

omething's k

my glass of

"You think I

wly. "I think you

mile

to rewrite hist

took a step closer. "But

ed my ey

realize what I had

u had me, and you ha

space between

you are... back

hing a loose strand

dn't

d," he whispered, "but

g in me

appe

hoed in the

dn't

st sm

that fire,

d left with

fice before he arrived. I needed air-nee

peace, I found

bo

f o

ere phot

m

ive ye

ng dress fi

pital when

the

out of the hotel that mornin

e in the

Raym

art s

velope lay

pen

ked it up and

NA

velope

Test - Mi

room

read th

t

ri

nd's

urn

anding at

eren't col

ere...

w?" I wh

s louder than