d on her lap, trying not to look back at the company. She c

er choice. weari

who she now recognized as MARTIN LARK. The

so far she had kno

efore starting the engine. "You

l, polite laugh

The CEO can drain th

d, caught

not get noticed but...." His eyes flicked to h

uickly. "i wasn't thinking,

main road. "no offense, but I was kinda surprised wh

dn't a

ou two have something...."

t" she hurr

... as long as I know, he doesn

bout him right now

"Anything you

a while i

tiful. For a second she was lighthearted. She was wonderi

to take in the view, pushing X

e again, sof

ot like t

stayed

ear her building. "Look... I really like

sharply.

m just doing this to impress or sleep wit

hat dress today?" he ask

es. "it's not for

dn't quite reach his eyes.

g to him. She knew much well tha

front of her

r handle, but he touched

ervous. I'm

t smile. "Thank

see you aga

hesi

love to give you a ride again. And I'

gentleman. "I'll love

s and started lean

ing really fast. Was he going to ki

ek lightly. and then he pu

ork tomorrow or so

ming out from the car. She w

g butterflies in her tummy. Martin is a good

, she could replace

★

oil and old books. Her mother was curled up on the couch

she said, looking

own to kiss he

iled. "You lo

a

t of her shoes a

r mother said, gesturing to t

ngry," Sasha murm

was a

reached f

oday. They're waiting on the

es briefly. "I'll f

you push your

m f

're

re the one in pain, Mom. I'

ng you can. I know that. Just promise me, Sasha... you're not

uiet for a

someone's watching you... not because they care,

inked. "What

ess, and stared at me like... I don'

ay anythi

on't know if it's hate or something

frowned.

" she lied

r a while, the radio s

stood. "Come. Yo

m, the weight of the day stil

eets, after a warm showe

om wen

thoughts

ceiling, unable to shake the feel of Xav

en they