room. The sharp smell of antisepti

t looking out of place against the clinical backdrop. He loo

he asked, his voice flat.

hat she almost laughed. They still thought this was about a choice

raspy from disuse. "A long time ago. Remembe

Stay away from Antone," he warned, his voice a low growl. "He's n

oice calm. "He's not right

added softly, more to

crossed his face. "W

phone buzzed. He glanced at t

as, he turned and left the room to ta

later. "Miss Cole, it's time f

ment sent a fresh wave of fire across her back. She gritted her

corner, she hear

was saying to someone, his voice urgent. "I don't care

e you going to all this trouble? Is it because of C

ntone's voice, low and la

ut her mind at ease. I tried to take the punishment for Dallas, bu

, so self-serving,

th her," the friend suggested.

us. I've never had feelings for her.

finality of those words. Her fingers curled into her palm, h

voice, from the truth she already knew b

ce swung open, and she w

to see her. "Dallas!

e lied, her fa

-looking tube of cream. "I go

ng face. "No, thank you," she said, her voice polite and dis

ll angry? Dallas, I'm sorry about

emotion. "I already told Desmond I'd stay

give me some time. After the wedding, after things calm

to a fool. She knew he was just trying to placate her, to keep h

to argue. She didn

rked on her. She would play along for a little while l