3 AUDIOBOOK COLLECTIONS

6 BOOK COLLECTIONS
 CL
AIRE
Co
pyr
ight© 2
019Gr
aceGe
rva
s

Allright
sr e
ser
ved.Nop ar
to fthi
sb o
okma yber ep
roduc
edo r
tra
nsmit
tedina n
yf or
mo rbya nymeans
,ele
ctr
onicormechani
cal
,
a
ndi nc
ludi
ngphotoc
opy
ing
,reco
rdin
g,orb yanyinf
ormati
onstorag
e
andr e
trie
valsys
tem,wit
hou
tt hewri
tte
nper
missi
ono ft
hewr i
ter.
Thisboo
ki sawo
rkoffi
cti
on;Allna
mes
,char
act
ers,i
nci
dents
,plac
es,
i
nsti
tut
ionsandb
usi
nes
sentit
iesi
nthes
tor
yareei
therfi
cti
onalo
ru s
ed
fi
cti
ti
ous
ly.

Resemb
lan
cet
oanyothe
rworko
far
t,l
iv
ings
itu
ati
on,p
eop
le(de
ado
r
al
iv
e)isapur
eco
inc
iden
ce.
CHAPTER 1

Clai
reL evy;bea u
tiful
,sma rtandi ntel
li
gen t.Shewa sa nonlynatural
chi
ldt oMr .W i l
li
a mL e
vy;o neoft hebesta rc
hitectsinthec o
untry.
Claire'
slifewa sn'ttheonet ocallperfec
t,b utshewa sha ppy,atleastas
l
o n
ga she rmo therwa sali
ve,a ndhe rfamilywa sintact.Bu tthenher
motherdi e
d,a ndCl airewa sjusttwe l
ve.He rli
fes uddenlybecame
ti
nted;thef ather,whowa saf ri
e n
dt ohe r,turnedin t
oawo rka
holic
thatcouldn'tevenn oti
cewhe nsheha dturnedint oawo ma n
.Sheha ted
himfort hat.He 'da l
soma rri
eda no t
herwo ma n,ay earlate
r,whon eve
r
tre
a t
edCl airef ai
rlyata l
l,buts hen ev
erco mpl
ain e
d;s helearne
dt obe
stron
g ,bol
d,a n daf i
ghtero fhero wnb att
les.Sheha tedCi ndere
llafor
bei
ngt oogoo dtob etrue,forshe'da l
waysr etal
iatewhe nshef e
ltthe
needto.Al lthet alkaboutha vecour a
gea ndb ek i
nd,wa sat otal
absurdit
yi nhe ropinio
n.

Fortuna
tely,Clai
r emetDe niswhens hewa sinhighs chool;asonof
herf at
her'sbusi
n es
sp artne
r,a ndachildho o
df ri
enda tsomep oin
t.
Den i
swa sthey o
u nge
stt e
achera ndClaire'spri
vatetutor;t heyfel
lin
l
o v
eb utb r
okeupa fte
rf ewmo nthslat
er,an dheha dt oquitt e
aching
whe nhisfamil
ymo v
eda broad.On ceagainCl ai
relive
dhe rs oli
taryli
fe
asb efo
re.Shedi dwe l
l,howe v
er,inhers t
u di
es,butn ev
erha dfri
ends;
shea l
wa ysbel
iev
e dthey'dha vetole
avehe rsoonerorlater.Bu tdu ri
ng
col
lege,shemetGe na,a ndthet wobecameb estfri
endss i
ncet hen;
perhapsb e
causeoftheirsimila
rb ackg
rou n
d,f orGe nawa sa nadopted
chi
ldi nherfamily.

Duri
ngherJunio
rc o
ll
egey
ear
,Clairel
ostherfathe
rfr
omac ar
a
cci
den
ta n
dthatwasthelas
tti
meforhertohea
rt hewordf
amil
y.
Howeve
r,Shenev
ergotachanc
etotel
lhimhowmu chshede
spi
sedhi
m
atti
mes ,butsti
lllo
vedhimr egar
dles
s;itwasheronl
yregre
t.The
batt
leleftbehi
ndwa sthefightoveri
nheri
tanc
e.He rst
epmothe
rwant
ed
herson,Jo rge,totakeove
rt hecompan
ya l
tho
ughtoClair
e,the
co
mp anywa sli
keadi se
asethatshewa nt
edtogetr
idof;shehadno
i
nteres
to nthes ub
jectwhatsoev
er.Seasonswentb
y,andy e
ars
i
ncreasedinn u
mb e
rs.

Itwa so nebea
uti
fuln i
g ht;theg ra
du atesofLisbayuni
ver s
itywere
havin
ga na fterpar
ty,ada ya ftertheg r
a duati
onceremony.Cl air
ewa s
sit
tin
ga to neofthetabl
eswa tchin
ga tt
ent i
vel
yo t
here x-
studentswho
see
medb us
ywi thdancin
g ,talki
n gandt akingphotoswhil
es omeg uys
werelookin
ga therfli
rtatiousl
y .Shes mileda ndstaredathe rcool
moji
tof oramo mentbefo
r etakingas ipcalmly,ign
oringanya tte
ntion.
Shet ookherp honeoutan ds t
ar t
edb ro
ws ingthephotosofwhe ns hewas
alit
tlegirl
;s heloo
kedsoha ppywi t
hb ot
hhe rpare
n t
s.The yo f
tenu s
ed
togot oMo n t
esbyduringv aca
tions,oras impleweekendgetaway,whe re
theyha dab eachhousebyt hes ea.Itwa sa l
wa y
slikeab e
autifuldream
bei
ngt here
.Shek newsheha dt ogothere;s oo
nertheb e
tter.

"Ar
en'tyo
ujoin
ingus?Co meondon'tb
eshygi
rl
,itsonl
yfor
t
oda
y!"itwasGena'svo
icethats
urpr
isedherf
romherdee
pthou
ghts
,
s
hewass
til
lshaki
ngherhipsinadanc
ingmode.

Clai
resta
redatherbest
ie,al
lsta
rtle
d,thenla
ughed"No ,I
'm
l
eavi
ngsoon."sherep
li
edwhilefi
nis
hingherdri
nk.Ge nawassurp
ris
ed
he
nceaskedifshewasal
right
,whichwa sre
turn
eda gr
eeab
ly."I'
m
sp
endin
gt heweek
endatthebeachhous
e,wouldyouli
ketocome
?"She
as
kedGe naafte
rhesi
tat
ingforawhile
.

"I
'dl
ovet
o!whowoul
dmisst
hea
dve
ntu
re?Sha
llIt
akeo
ur
g
rou
p?"Genaask
edan
xio
usly
.
 "Um-
-It
hin
kit
'san
icei
dea
,it
'l
lbec
ool
!In
vit
ethe
m."s
he
c
ons
ent
ed.

Andthenextday,justasagr
eed,theyarri
vedatMo ntes
bythre
e
hour
slate
rafteranicevanri
de.Itwa sabeauti
fulto
wnwi t
ha t
tra
cti
ve
nat
uralsc
ener
y,lik
eat ro
pica
lpara
dise;fore
igne
rsn e
vermis
sedthe
chanc
etogotherewhentheyvis
itt
hec ou
ntry.The ygotof
fthevan;
the
ywe r
eseve
ni nto
tal,andgotwel
comedbya nol
dma nwhowa staki
ng
car
eofClair
e'scount
ryhouse.

"Cl
air
e!W hatasu
r p
rise
,youhavegott
ental
lmychi
ld,In
ear
ly
f
org
otyo
u."Thechar
mingoldmanreg
ar de
dhe rwi
thahug.

"Iwi
lltak
eitasacomp
li
mentgr
andpa
!Ho wa
rey
ou?"Cl
ai
re
r
etu
rne
dha p
pil
yandal
ltheothe
rsdi
dthesame
.

Theyweree
scor
tedi
nsi
debytha
to l
dmanan
dfo
undat
abl
efu
llo
f
f
oodan
ddr i
nksfo
rb r
eak
fas
t,r
eadyforthe
m.

"W o
w!W hendidy
oup
rep
area
llt
hes
e?"Ge
naa
ske
dwhi
let
he
r
estke
ptt
hee
cst
asy.

Hesmi
le
dc o
rdia
ll
y."Jus
tenj
oythetas
teo
fourfo
odhereki
ds,
ca
llmei
fyounee
da n
ythi
ng.
"here
pli
edhap
pil
yandt
heyallt
hank
ed
hi
m.

"Thank
sGran
dpa
,Idon'
tknowwhatIwou
lddowitho
utyo
u."
Cl
ai
resai
dands
mil
edathi
mwhil
emarc
hingo
utsi
de,ha
ndinha
nd.

"W hattooky
ousolo
ngtoc
omechi
ld?"Hea s
kedheri
nal
ow
t
oneo fvoi
ce,o
nthe
irwaytot
hese
ashoresj
ustf
ewmetr
esfr
omt
he
f
ronty a
rd.
 Clairelo
oke
da thima ndsi
ghedwit
hal i
ttl
efo
rcedsmil
e."Iwas
j
us twai
t i
ngforthepe
r f
ectti
me,I'
ms u
remys t
epmot
hercal
ledher
e,
Didn'tshe?shethoughttheremus
tbesomet
hingpre
ciou
sinhere
,I
re
a l
lypi
t yher!W hyc a
n'tshejus
tbesati
sfi
edwit
ht heco
mpany?"
Claireu
t te
redco
n t
emptuo
u s
ly.

"Cryifwa
nttocry,youcanc
ursei
fyouwa
ntto,It
'st
heonl
ywa y
tot
hrowyou
rbi
tter
nes
st o
wa r
dsyourfa
ther
!"Hes mil
edt
ende
rly
.
"Yourfa
the
rnev
erfor
gotaboutyo
u,trus
tmemychi
ld"heto
ldher.

Cla
irest
aredathim,su
rpri
sed;it
'sl
ikehekne
who wre
pre
ssi
ves
he
hadb
een
."Tha t'
snotcomfo
rti
ngg r
andpa
,p l
eas
edon'
ttryt
oma k
eme
se
ehi
mdiffe
rent
ly.
"s hesa
id,hereye
sfil
le
dwi t
htear
s.

"Hei smys o
n,alt
houghheisn otmyfles
ha ndbloo
d,butIs aw
hi
mg rowin
gu psi
nceIstar
t e
dwo rki
nghere;Hewa ssor
ryfor
ne
g l
ect
ingyouwhenyouneededhimthemo s
t,hek n
ewho wy o
ul i
vedbut
al
lhewa nt
edwa stopre
pareab e
tte
rf ut
ureforyou!"Thi sti
mehewa s
ta
k i
ngas e
atonthebrowns an
d,wa t
chingtheseawa v
ing
.Cl air
e
fo
llo
wedhislead."I'
llgi
vey o
us o
methingl
a t
er,Ihopeyouwilltryt
o
under
standhim."headded.

Theytal
kedfo
rawhilean
dhe a
db a
cktot
hehous
e,whe
reher
f
rie
ndswerewal
ki
ngaiml
ess
lyaro
und.Shehin
tedt
hemabou
tthebea
ch
a
nds ho
wedtheway,b
efo
retur
ningtoGena
.

"Gen
a,I'
mg oi
ngsome
where
,"shes
aid."sopl
eas
eta
kec
areo
f
t
hem,a
ndaskgra
ndfat
herfora
nythi
ngyoune
ed."

"Ok
ayb
ut...a
rey
oua
lri
ght
?Yo
ulo
oks
ad.
"Ge
naa
ske
d.

Cl
ai
ref
orc
edas
mil
e."I
'mo
kay
,do
n'two
rry
,we
'l
lta
lkl
ate
r;I
wo
n'tt
akel
ong
."Shet
oldhe
ran
dwa
lke
dawa
y.

Sheg rabbedataxia f
ter
wa rds,thattookhertot hecemeter
ywithin
half-a
n-hour.Oncea r
riv
ed,Shet oo
kf ews t
epsaheadhe si
tant
lywhile
l
o o
kingaroundthep l
ace
.No thinghadc hanged,shetho u
ght.Ithad
beenfouryearssi
nceherfatherdied,andt hatwashe rfirs
tvis
itsinc
e
theb u
rial
.Shes igheddeep
lya ndwa l
keds lo
wlytowa rdsthece
me t
ery
gate,whereshewentstrai
ghta headtowa r
dshe rfather'
sg r
ave.She
stoodupinfrontofitwit
hap e
n s
ivelo
ok ;asthoughs hehadal otof
questi
onswithnoan s
wers.

"Ho wa mIs uppose

dt ounders
tandwha tgrandpatoldmetoday?
Didyour eal
lynegl
ectmef o
rmyo wnwe l
l-be
ing?"Sheu tte
red;She
knewitwa spoin
tle
ssb l
amingthedead,yetshen e
ededtov e
nt.No
matte
rho wha rdshetrie
dt ounders
tandthelifeshe'
dl e
db yfar,s
he
cou
ldn't
.I tfel
tu n
fair."I'l
ltrytofi
ndp ea
ceinmyhe ar
tforyoudad,
sople
asehe l
pmef or
geteveryt
hing;mya n
g u
isha ndha t
red."shesobb
ed.
Shewi shedhewa sthereforher;sayi
nghewa sp ro
udo fheronher
graduat
ionda yli
keallothe
rs t
udents
;b u
ts hewa sallal
one,no
wa nd
eve
nthen .

W hilele
avi
ng,abi
tlat
er,Cla
iresp
ott
edamanontheway
,doing
so
methin
gwi t
hhiscame
ra.Shedidn'tp
ayanyat
ten
tio
na n
dcont
inu
ed
wal
ki
n gpasthi
m,butsu
rpri
sedl
y,shehe
ardhi
mtalk
ing;

"Arey
ouf
eel
in
gbe
tte
rno
w?"Hea
ske
dwhi
lek
epto
nche
cki
nghi
s
c
ame
ra.

"Pa
rdo
n?"Cl
ai
res
nap
ped."Ar
eyo
uta
lki
ngt
ome
?"Shea
dde
d.

Hel
ook
eda
the
rsmi
li
ngl
y;hewa
sha
nds
omee
nou
gh,wi
thf
unk
y
c
url
s,i
nhismi
d-t
went
ieso
rso
;tal
lwi
thache
erf
ulp
erson
ali
ty,e
veni
na
f
irs
tgl
anc
e."Yesyo
u."Hen o
dde
dhishe
ad,ap
pro
vin
gly.

Clai
rel
ooke
da thim,puz
zl
ed."I'mnotsu
rei
fI'msupp
ose
dto
r
ece
ivet
hatfr
omas tra
n g
er,butthan
ksforyo
urco
ncer
nanyway.
"she
r
epl
ie
dtohimcasua
llyandturnedtowhe
reshewa
sheadin
g.

Thema nco
ntin
ued."I'
ms o
rryi
fI 'v
eoffe
ndedyo
u,Ishoul
d've
i
ntro
du c
edmysel
ffir
st,may
be?HiI 'mBr u
no."hesai
d,inate
as i
ng
manner
,whil
stl
ett
ingoutaki
ll
ersmi
lethatcou
ld'
vedr
ive
na n
ywo man
cr
azy;butn
otClai
re.

Shepac
edfewste
psbackto
wardshi
m,non
cha
lan
tly
,ands
topp
ed.
"Areyo
uajour
nali
stbyanycha
nce
?Be c
aus
eIdon'
thavea
nysco
opfo
r
yo
u,inc
aset
hat'
syouris
sue.
"

Br u
nobur
ste
doutl
aug
hin
g."Ajou
rnal
is
t?MyGod!No,Ij
ust
sawyouint
her
eandIfe
ltc
onc
ern
edt
hat'
swhyIc
oul
dn'
tig
nor
eyo
u."
hesa
id.

"Ohr e
all
y?Ho wsweetofyo
u!Yo usho
uldstayhereanddothe
char
ityjobt
hen!Thankyouforyourc
once
rnBruno,buti
twa sn
't
nec
essar
y,trus
tme.
"s hes
na p
ped.
Hes tar
edathertende
rly,whic
h
madeherloo
senabi
t,andaske
dwhyhewa slo
okin
ga therthatway.

"I'
ms o
rryifIwasrude
,bu ty
ouho
nes
tlyl
ooke
ddeva
stat
edthe
re,
b
utwell
,Icanse
eyouareful
lofene
rgyn
ow;soI'
llta
kemyle
ave.
"he
s
aidca
lmlyandwave
dgoodbyetoher
.

Ashewasturni
ngar
ound,Clai
reloo
kedathi
mf orawhil
e,and
de
cidedtos
tophim."W a
it,
"s heur
ged.Brun
ot u
rnedhishe
ad,
bl
ushing
,be
forehere
sume
dhisc o
mposur
e."I...I '
ms or
ry!I'm
Cl
ai
re,a
ndt
han
kyo
u,s
inc
ere
ly!"s
hes
aids
oft
lya
nds
mil
ed.

Shewasver
ymucha war
eo fherfau
ltys
oci
alsk
il
ls,butthi
sti
me
s
hewant
edtomakea
ne f
fort
;s heneve
rhadpeop
lewor
ryin
ga bou
ther
e
xce
pthe
rfrie
ndGena;shedidn'tk
n o
who wi
tfel
ttobeprote
cte
dby
s
omeo
neel
se.

"Apol
ogyacc
ept
ed!"Hebea
med,an
ds heret
urne
dasmu
ch."So
a
rey
oun
ewa ro
undhere
?I'
ven
evers
eenyoubef
ore.
"

"Oha r
en'
tyouakno
w-i
t-a
ll
?Ho wcanyo
uknowthatI
'mnew?"
Shere
pli
edandhel
aug
hed.Theywe
real
rea
dyout
sidet
hece
met
ery.

"W el
lyoucansaytha
tlou
d.Ikno
wev
ery
onearou
nd,b
utt
hisis
t
hefi
rstc
harmin
gf a
cetomeett
hee
yes
."Heflat
ter
edhera
ndshe
b
lus
hed.

"Ohs
otha
t'sho
wyo
uge
tin
tot
heml
adi
eshu
h?"

Hel
aug
heda
gai
n."Yo
u'r
efu
nnyCl
ai
re!"

Alitt
lecha tledintotheinvi
tatio
nf o
rac of
feeatthene
arest
re
staura
nt,a n
dCl air
edi dn'
ts e
ea nyreas
ontodecli
ne.Theyrodeinhis
re
ds p
ortcart hat'sbeenp a
rkeda way.Ap pa
rentl
y,Therewasaterri
fi
c
re
staura
nttha tCl air
eha dn'tknowa bou
t.Thec arpul
ledov
er,andthey
wentt
oo neoft heemptyt abl
es.So meofthep e
opl
etheregr
eete
dBr uno
andsomema def un
n ysignal
st ohim,li
kear e
gular
.

"Yo
use
emv
eryp
opu
larhe
re.
"Cl
ai
rer
ema
rke
dca
sua
ll
y

Brun
osmil
ed."That'
sbe
causeIl
iv
eov
erther
e."hesai
dwhil
e
p
oin
tin
gafin
geratthes
eco
ndfl
ooroft
hebui
ldi
nginachi
ldi
shwa
y.

Sheq
ues
tio
nedhi
mift
heyr
ent
edr
oomst
her
e,a
ndhes
aidt
hathe
wast her est
aurantowner;shewa simpre
s s
ed.Itwa sherdreamt ohave
somethingo nherposses
sionthatshewo rke
dha rdfor.Shek eptitto
hersel
ft hough.The ytal
kede ve
rythin
ga ndan y
thing;forachange,she
turnedv er
yha ppyforma k
ingan ewf r
iendcapabl
eofb re
akingherribsi
n
as hortmo ment.Nevert
heles
s ,Clai
reneverst
o p
peds t
aringatBru no
whe nhet alke
do rla
ughed.Hewa shandsome,charmin
ga ndboyishin
man ne
rs .Bu tthatwasall;shehadn otimetocrushoversomeguys he'
d
ju
s tme tinthec e
meter
y.

Herpho
nebu
zze
dsudde
n l
y,a
ndI twasGe
na'scal
l."Hel
lo
?"
Shea
nswe
redwhi
lel
ook
ingatBrunowhowasa
lsolo
okinga
ther
.

"He
y,whe
rea
rey
ou?"Ge
nar
epl
ie
dfr
omt
heo
the
ren
d.

"Um-
-wi
thaf
rie
nd,why
?Doy
oun
eeda
nyt
hin
g?"

"W hi
chf
rie
ndtha
tIdon'
tkno
wa bo
ut?yo
u?Spi
lli
t,ha
veyo
u
me
tsomecu
teg
uyove
rther
e?"Gen
aa s
kedheri
nan
aug
htyway.

Cl
ai
reb
lus
hed."St
opi
tyo
usl
y!W e
'l
lta
lkl
ate
r!Bet
her
e
s
oon
!"

"Youb e
tte
r!Be c
aus
eIcan'
twa i
tyouknow,andit
'sg
etti
nglat
eso
c
uto
u ty
o u
rlitt
ler
omance
."shesai
dandhu n
gu p,Gen
awassoo u
tgoi
ng
a
ndcharmin
g,somet
imesve
rynau
ghtybutshewasag r
eatf
rie
nd.

Cl
airelo
okedathe
rwa tc
ha ndhereye
schange
d."OhMyGo d!
It
'salr
eadysixandamstil
lhere
!I '
vegottogoBruno
."s hes
too
du p
hast
il
ya n
dc ol
le
cte
dherthi
ngswhilehewasfi
nis
hingtal
ki
n gt
ooneof
hi
semploye
es.

"Alri
ghtb
ut-
-ta
kei
tea
syCl
ai
re!Ic
ang
ivey
ouar
idei
fyo
u
do
n'tmi
nd"
 "Ahn o,Idon'
twantt
otro
ubl
eyo
u;butt
han
ksfo
rthen
icel
unc
h.
I
'vecomp
let
elyl
ostt
rac
kofti
me.
"shesai
dwit
hasmi
le
,ands
tart
edto
l
eave
.

"But
--"hesta
rted."It
'ss
eemsli
kei
t'
sgoi
ngtor
ains
oon
."he
mu
tte
redwor
rie
dlybutClai
rewa
sa l
rea
dyle
avi
ng.

Thewe at
hercha n
g e
da b
ru p
tly;thes kywastoodar ka sifaveryhe avy
rai
nwa sgoin
gt ocrash.Cl airedidn'tcar
eb e
causes heha danu mb r
ell
a
i
n s
ideherbackp
a c
k .Shewe nttot hemainroadandwa ite
df orat axi
.
Tenminutespassedb uttherewa snos i
gnofa n
yt axi.Shede ci
dedt o
walkhopi
ngthats he'dfindo neont heway.Af te
ras hortwhile
,t he
rai
ns t
arte
dp ouri
ng .Shef eltsodi sa
ppoi
ntedbuts hedidn '
thav ea
choi
cesi
ncesheha da l
r e
adys tarte
d.Shet ookheru mbrel
laando pene
d
i
t,thenwalkedfasterthro u
g hther ai
n,butitwasi ncreasi
ngl
yhe avy.
Shet r
iedtocallGe nabu ttherewa snosig
nal;herj eansands neaker
s
wereal
lwets i
nceitwa sq ui
tewindy .

"Cr a
p!"Shes c
rea
med,"I
'ms
oda
mnt
ire
dan
dthi
sst
upi
d
u
mbr
ell
aisto
tal
lyu
sel
ess!"

Itwasa lr
eadydarka n
da b o
u tthirtyminuteshada lreadyp ass
ed.
Therewa sn'
ta n
ytraceofac a
r ,buso revenat axibuts hek epton
wal
king.Theg e
ogra
phyo fthep l
acewa st er
ribl
ea sfara she avyrai
nfal
l
wasconcerne
d;itwouldeasi
lyg etsli
ppery,a ndat re
me n
do use ros
ion
woul
dt akepartthi
thert
o.Sheha dtowa lkcareful
ly,bu tonec an
't
al
waysb ecarefu
ll
yenough.Su dden l
ys hesli
ppeda ndfellwi t
hout
not
ici
ngtha tshewaswa l
kingon t
oal ittl
es l
ope.The rewa sa nerode
d
par
tthatf ormedatemporar
yr eservoi
ri nwhichr ai
nwa te rcoll
ect
eda n
d
ca
scadeda way.Clai
resli
ds traighttowa rdsitandg rabb edthetree
b
ran
chwhi
chs
upp
ort
edhe
rba
lan
ce,l
uck
il
y.

L oo
kingdowns hefeltt e
rrif
ied;shet ri
edt oholdo ntotheb ra
nch
ti
ghtlyb utitwass oha rdf orhera swat erkeptripp
li
n gp asther,and
ont
ot helitt
lerail
ingb ridge.Shee ventriedtop u
llherselfbuts t
il
l
cou
ldn '
t.Shes c
rea medf orhe l
pbu tthe
r ewa snoo n
et here,n oteve
na n
ani
ma lpassing
.I twa ss os tran
gea ndsu dden;comingf r
o map erfe
ctn i
ce
day,a ndinab l
inko fa ney eshewa sfightingforherl i
fe,ins u
cha
stu
pidma n n
er.Shee v
enha dtolaughab i
t,whileslowlyl o
singher
bre
at h.Shewa scold,a ndt hewa terwou l
dn'tleav
ehe rinp eace
.L i
kea n
angelshini
ngf r
omaf ar
,s heg l
impsedadi ml i
ghta p
pr oa
c hingfroma
dis
ta nce
,a n
ds cre
a medf orhe l
pwi ththel i
ttl
ezealshe'dle f
t;herha nds
werea l
readyouto fs tr
en g
t h,herey e
swe relosi
ngs i
ghta n dshes t
arted
togob lankastheg limpseo fthatdiml i
ghtdi sappe
ared,Ev entual
lyshe
dec
ide dtoletgooft het reeb r
anch,inca seitgottooha rd.
CHAPTER 2

Ons uchas tormyevening

,Mr .St eve
nsa ndhisgran
ds o
n,Ry anwe re
onthei
rwa yhomef ro
mt hehos p
ita
la ft
erhishealt
hycheckup.Hewa s
thefounderofSK g roup
,tha tinc
ludedthelarges
trealest
atecompany
i
nL is
bay .The yowneds e
veralbuil
dings,apar
tmentsandshoppi
ngma ll
s
amongothe rt
hi n
g s
.St even
sha dt wogr a
ndsons,Ryanwhowa st he
CEOo fSK r eale
stateandt heotherwholive
da nadventu
rouslife
sin
cethede at
ho ftheirmother,Emi l
y.The ytwoboysgrewu pi
n
Mo nte
sb y,butRy anliv
edint hecitybythen.

Ther a
inkeptpour
ingin
tense
ly.Rya
nwasdriv
ingthela
rge
s
uburba
nc a
reful
lyasMr .St e
vensto
okabo
ttl
eofwhis
k e
yandhada
s
ip,b
efor
eclea
ringhisthr
oat.

Ryanlo
oke
da thi
m,a ndshookhi
shead;hehadtoldhimmany
t
ime
stoqui
tdri
nki
n gasthedoct
orsai
d,butthatwasalmos
timpo
ssi
ble
f
orMr.St e
ven
s,forhethoug
htwha t'
sthepoi
ntofli
vi
n gi
fonec
an't
e
njo
ythel
it
tlet
hin
g sl
ifehast
oo ff
er.

"W es
houl
d'v
egonet
oyourap
art
men
tso
n,t
hisrai
nwon'
tst
opn o
w;
wi
lly
oubeab
let
odriv
einthi
swea
ther
?"Mr.Steve
nsask
edworr
iedl
y.

"Don'tworry
,Iknowthi
sroada
sthep
almo
fmyha
nd.
"Ry
an
s
aid,con
fident
ly,andheme
antit
.

Hewa st
all,athle
ticbui
ltandmatur
edguy,withab i
tcold
pe
rsonal
it
y,bu
tr atherattrac
tiv
emaninhisearl
ythirt
ies
;o n
eo ft
he
mostel
igi
bl
ebachel
orswit hhi
ghp r
ofi
le
.W itheyesglu
edo ntheroa
d,
hesudden
lyhi
tt hebrakesandlooke
doutsi
dethroug
ht hewindow
at
tenti
vel
y.
 "Ohy o
ug o
nnag
ivemeahe
arta
tta
ck!"Mr
.St
eve
nsb
ark
ed.
"W ha
t'swro
ng?"

"Loo
kovert
here
!"Ry anpo
int
edaf
ing
erwhi
les
tar
ingv
ery
c
are
ful
lyatt
heothe
rsideo
ftheroa
d.

Hi sgra
ndfat
heral
sotur
nedtoseewha
thewa
sta
lki
nga
bou
t,a
nd
i
mme
dia
tel
ycaug
hto n
."It'
sawo man
!"

"Ig
ues
s."

"W ha
tarey
ouwai
ti
ngfor
?Goa ndhel
phe
rso
n,shecl
ear
lyne
eds
ahe
lp!"Theo
ldmanu
rgedi
mpati
ent
ly,andRya
ngoto
ffthecarf
ast.

Her unhur
rie
dlytowher
ethatwomanwasabou
ttofal
l,a
nd
gr
ab b
edherhandsharpl
y.Hep ul
le
dherupwithapai
rofhi
ss t
rong
hands,t
ookherbagandcar
rie
dherinhisarms
,andwit
hhereyes
dr
ows yatthel
astminu
te,t
hegir
lwentunc
onsc
iou
s.

"It
hin
ksheha
das
li
p."Ry
ans
ugg
est
ed.

Mr.Stev
enso
pene
dtheb
ackdo
ora
ndRy
anp
utt
hatwo
mani
nsi
de.
"I
ssheo
kay
?"Hea s
ked.

"Idon'
tknow,It
hin
ks o
!"her ep
li
e dte
nse
ly,asheche
cke
dher
pu
lse
.Theywereal
ldr
enc
hed.Ry anwrappe
dherwithhisja
cke
ttha
t
wasatt
hebackse
atbe
for
eretur
nin
gtot hedri
verse
at.

"W ha
twasshedoi
nginthi
srain
?"Mr .Ste
ven
sgrowl
ed.He
wa
saveryki
ndhe
arte
da ndge
n e
rou
soldma
nb u
tso
meti
mesve
ryhan
dy.

"Onl
ysheca
nte
ll
!"Ry
anl
ook
eda
the
rwi
tho
utawo
rdmo
re,a
nd
s
tar
tedt
heeng
ine
.
Ittookaboutf o
rtyminutestor eacht heirhouse
;itcoul
d'vetakenle
ss,
butther o
adha dn'tbeenfriendlya tall.Hu go,oneofthema l
eemploy
ees
ope
n e
dt hema ssi
vegateandt hec aren ter
ed,Ry anbeck
onedt ohis
dir
e c
tio
nf orhelp
,andHu g ore s
ponde db yass
ist
ingMr .St evenstoget
off
,b e
forehe a
dingin
sidet heho use.Ry ancarr
iedthatladywhowa s
sti
lluncons
ciousandfoll
owe dt hem.Hewe ntdir
ectl
ytoo neoftherooms
onthes ec
ondf l
oorandp u
the ro nb ed.Het hencall
edMa rt
ha,ano l
d
l
adywhowa stheheadhou sekeepertot endthestran
gewo man.

"Howiss
he?"Mr
.St
eve
nas
keda
sso
ona
sRy
andr
opp
ed
do
wnst
air
s.

"I'
vejus
tcal
le
dDr .Ma
rco
s,hewil
lbehe
res
oon
."Ryanr
epl
ie
d.
"She'
ssti
llu
nco
nsci
ous
!Andyousho
uldgoge
tso
meres
t!"

"Noso
n,y
ougoo
nahea
dan
dcha
ngef
irs
t,I
'l
lwa
itf
orMa
rco
sto
a
rri
veMr.Ste
ven
ssa
id.

Ry anwenttohi
sb edroomandq u
ick
lychange
dintoasi
mp l
esweat
er
a
ndg ympants
.Af t
erawhi lethedoct
orcame.Hee xami
nedthewoman,
a
ndt ol
dthemitwasnothingseri
ous;thatal
lshenee
dedwassomerest
a
ndt hemedi
cat
ionhe'
din j
ecte
dhe r
.Ma rc
oswasaf a
mil
ydoctorand
c
los
ef r
ien
d.

"Shewa
sjustins
hoc
k,butwi
llb
efi
newhe
nshewake
sup
t
omo
rrow!Cal
lmeinca
seofa
nythi
ng.
"Sa i
dMa r
cosb
efo
rel
eav
ing
.

Ry angotathou
ghta b
outthatl
ady'
sfamil
y.Af t
erhes
ita
tin
gfor
awhil
ehewe n
ttoherroom;thewhol
ehous
ewa squ
itebythe
n.Theo n
ly
so
undleft
,wasthatofrai
ndrops
.Hel o
okedather,fo
ldi
ngarmsacr
oss
hi
schestandtoo
kade e
pb r
eath.
 "W hattheheckwhereyoudoin
gint hatrai
n?"Hewo nder
edo u
t
l
oud,abo
u tthatmyste
rio
usladyinrain
.Af terawhil
e,hedec
ide
dt o
op
enherb agandtookhercel
lp
honetoatleastca
llan
yone.Andjustas
hetr
iedtodos o,t
herewasanincomi
ngc a
ll.Hep i
cke
dr i
ghtaway.

"Fin
all
yy o
uhav
ede
cidedt
otu
rnonyo
urfil
thyp
hon
e!Hey,do
y
ouhaveanyide
aho
wworrie
dweare
?W herea
reyou
?"Itwa
sa
f
emi
nin
evoic
e.

"Hel
lo?"Ryanre
pli
ed,"I'mso
rrybuttheo
wne
roft
hisp
honei
s
s
ick
,webr
oughthe
rtoo
urho u
se,Ido
n'tt
hinkify
ouc
anco
meri
ghtno
w
b
ut--"

"W hat
?W hathapp
ened?Issheoka
y?"Shei nt
erru
ptedhim,
a
ndhef rowne
d.Howeve
r,withsu
chagit
ati
on,heto
ldherthatshewas
f
ine
,a n
dg av
ehert
headdres
sincaseo
fanythi
ng."Buthey,howcanI
t
rustyou?"thewo
manbarked.

"Youha
ven
oot
herc
hoi
ceb
utt
odoi
t!I
'mha
ngi
ngu
p!"Ry
an
s
nor
ted.

"Yo u
--"shesta
rte
d,b u
the '
da l
rea
dyhungu p
.Af terfewseco
nds
shecal
ledagai
n,butRyandidn'tanswer
;shesentatextandtoldhim
t
ha the
'db et
terno
tdoan y
thingstup
idtoClai
reorels
es he'
dk i
llhi
m.
Ry ansmil
edashereadthetextandloo
kedatthesl
eepin
gg i
rltende
rly
.

"Soy ouareClair
ehuh?Ho winter
esti
ng!"het
hou
ghto
utl
oud.
Her e
pla
cedhe
rp honebac
k,an
dc o
vere
dhe rwit
habla
nke
tass
hewas
s
lee
pin
gs o
undl
yb ef
orele
avi
ngthero
om.

Thes
tor
mha
dfi
nal
lyp
ass
ed.Ab
eau
tif
ulmo
rni
ngc
ame
;bl
oome
d
fl
owersma
det hegardenal
iv
e,theshi
n i
ngsunray
spene
trat
edthe
win
dowswhichb r
ighte
nedeve
ryc o
rneroft
hathugecl
ass
icmansi
on.
Clai
rewokeupandf ou
ndherse
lfinas t
rang
eplac
e,s
hestare
dtheroof
wit
hthebluri
ma geandherheartski
ppedabea
t.

AmIdead?W ha
tisthi
spl
ace
?Shewonde
redwhi
lea
ttemp
tin
gtoge
t
up
.Thememor
yofla
stni
ghtca
meb
acks
ov i
vi
dly
,andherwhol
ebo
dy
wasi
npa
in.

"Ta k
eite
asymis
s!ho
wa reyoufee
li
ng?"Ma rt
haa s
kedwhil
e
he
lpi
nghertos
itup
."Youwer
eb u
rningwit
hf e
ver
,Ihadtos p
ong
e
yo
u"s hes
aidc
alml
yasCl
ai
reremovedatowelo
nherfor
ehead.

"Er...I 'mf i
ne,i
t'sjus
t,myb odyachesal
love
r!W hat
hap
pened?"Cl a
ireaskedinas c
ratc
hyv oi
ce.Ma rt
hatol
dherhowshe
wasbroughtthe
re,andg avehe
rac upofherbalt
eatocal
mherner
ves.
Sheintroduc
edhersel
f,andCl ai
redidthesame."Thankyo
uMa rtha,
an
dI 'msorryforthetrou
b l
es.
"Cl ai
resaidafte
rtaki
ngasi
p.

"Don'
tmenti
on!I'v
ep r
epar
edyouawa r
mb at
handcl
othe
s.Mr.
Stev
ensa
ndhisgrands
ona r
ewa i
ti
ngdownst
air
s"shere
pli
ed"Her
eis
yo
urmedi
cat
ion
,itwil
ltakethec
oldawa
y .
"

"Um-
-tha
nky
ou!"

"W e
llt
hen
,ca
llmei
fyo
une
eda
nyt
hin
g."s
hes
aida
ndl
eft
.

Cl
air
ewa sl
eftal
onethere
.Shes l
owlypacedt
owardsthelarge
wi
ndow,andpeek
edoutsi
de;itwasahugema ns
ionwi
thav eryvast
ga
rden.Shesmile
da tt
hes i
ght,bu
ttheideaofmeet
ingtheSt e
vens
madeherre
all
ynervo
usasifshewasgoingforthej
obinter
view.She
t
ookabath,the
ndress
edher
sel
fupins
omeol
d,butst
yli
shdr
ess.
W hi
leg
etti
ngready
,Ma r
thaknoc
kedanda
skedheri
fshewasdone
.

Marthaesc
ort
edherdown
s t
air
swhereSte
ven
swa shavi
ng
bre
akfas
t,andhisgr
andso
nwasb us
yreadi
ngt
henewspap
er.Clai
re
wal
kedinther
e,andgre
ete
dthem;shei
ntro
duc
edhers
elfandtha
nked
the
mf o
rthei
rk i
ndne
ss.

"I
t'so
kayy
oun
gla
dy,ho
war
eyo
ufe
eli
ng?"Theo
ldma
nas
ked.

Cl
ai
rea
nswe
redq
uic
kly
."I
'mf
ines
ir,t
han
ksal
ot!"

Shewa sinvi
te
df o
rb reak
f as
t.Thewholemo me
nt,Ryanha dbe
en
b
usyasifhecoul
dn'tseeher.Af t
erafewminutesheputawaythe
n
ewspa
per,bef
orepour
inghimselfagl
assofmilk
.The ngaz
e datClai
re;
s
hewastalki
ngtohisgra n
dfatherab
outher
self.Hedr an
kt hewhol
e
g
las
sato nc
eands t
oodu phisfee
t.

"Oh,y
ourf
rie
ndc
all
edy
est
erda
y."Hes
aidwhi
lel
eav
ingt
he
t
abl
e.

ThatmustbeGena
,Clai
ret
hou
ght
."Tha
nky
ou!"s
her
epl
ie
d,
a
ndhedi
dn'
tsee
mt oc
are.

Shewo ndere
da b
outhisindi
ffe
renc
ewhil
ewatchinghi
mleave
.She
n
otice
dtha thewasas no
bbishtypebutye
tonepar
to fhere
xpect
eda
l
it
tlecou
rtesy;thewayhestaredatherandtal
kedwa ssobl
and.She
k
eptonta l
kingtoMr .Stevensandheseeme
dtoenjoyherco
mpanyalo
t
b
ecausesheli
k e
dho wchat
tyhewa s.

THATmo r
nin
gClair
espok
etoGe
naa n
dexp
lai
nedshort
lyonwha
t
ha
ppe
ned.Thecal
lre
assu
redhe
rfr
ien
dwhowaswo r
rie
ds i
ckaswe
lla
s
theresto
fthegr o
u pabou
the rsaf
ety.Afterbrea
kfast,shewal
ked
throu
g ht
heg a
rdena ndstoppedbythepo
o l
,whereshes a
tdowno nthe
deckchai
rabsentmindedl
y.Shewa swonderi
ngwha twould'
vehappe
ned
i
ft he
yha dn
'treachedthereonti
me.Shes ighedslo
wlywhi l
ele
anin
g
backandclo
sedhere ye
s,me di
tat
ive
ly.

"W e
reyout
ryi
ngt
oco
mmits
uici
de?"Su ddenl
y,astr
ong,bu
t
f
ami
li
arvoi
ces
tar
tle
dhe
r.Rya
nwa sstan
din
gb es
ideher
,focu
sedonhi
s
p
hon
e.

Sheg a
sped."OhGo d!Yo u'
vestart
ledme!"Shes atstrai
ght
,
onehandonherchest."Su ic
ide
?Yo ua r
ecrazy!"s hesnap
ped.Ry a
n
turn
edhishead,ands tar
edatherforas e
cond,befo
r ere
suming
whatev
erhewa sdoin
g ."Iwa sj
ust,Imeanitwa sjustanacc
ident
."
sheadded,so
undingan n
oyed.Ryanwa salr
eadyt a
lkingtosomeo
neon
thephone
,andCl a
irefrownedathi
simp o
li
tegesture
.

"Ye s
,reschedul
et hemeeti
ngandl e
tDo ri
sandHa rryk n
owa b
o ut
i
t.I'llbetherefi
rstthingt o
morrowmo r
ning
."Hes ai
d,inav er
ybo s
sy
vo
ice
,a ndhu n
gu p.Cl a
irewa sjus
ts t
aringathimashep a
cedtowards
he
r;hel eane
df orwarda ndtouc
hedhe rshou
lderwit
ho nehand."Ifit
wasn'tasuici
de,good!Bu tbeve
ryc ar
efulne
xttime
,becauseyoumay
no
tb easluckya g
a i
n."het oldherinalowtoneofvoi
ce;amixtureof
ar
roga n
cea n
dc ynic
ism,andwa lk
eda way.

W hatajer
k!Clai
rethought.Sheob
vio
usl
yfou
ndhimpec
uli
ar
a
ndsnobbi
sh.Buthi
satt
itude
,o not
herha
nd,sp
ark
edherso
me
c
uri
osi
ty;ades
iret
okno
whi m.

Notl
onglat
er,s
hele
ftt
hemansi
on,wit
hag r
eatde
alo
fgrat
itu
de
t
owa
rdsthefa
mily.Rya
ndrovehe
rbacktoherho
me;andase
xpe
cted,
theroadwasterr
ibl
yawfu
l.Bu tt
heymana
ged,andfi
nal
lyr
eac
hed
Clair
e'shous
e,wheres
hegotofft
hecara
ndt ha
nkedhi
m.Heo nl
y
noddedwhil
eloo
kingar
oundtheare
a,abi
tdazzl
edbyit
scal
mne
ssand
poss
ibl
yv a
stne
ss.

"Bea
utif
ul,i
sn'
tit?"Clair
eas
kedhimen
thu
siast
ica
ll
y,bu
thej
ust
br
ushedandstart
edtheengi
ne.Shest
oodthe
rel
ikeamonume
nt
watc
hinghisc
ardisap
pear
ing.

Howr
ude
!Shet
hou
ghta
sGe
nawa
sap
pro
achi
nghe
rsl
owl
yfr
om
b
ehi
nd.

"Bac
ktoreal
it
yCi n
dere
ll
a?"Gen
as a
idwhi
lel
ooki
ngatthe
f
ain
tin
gwhee
ls.Cla
irehadn
'tev
enn
oti
cedwhe
nshehadarr
ive
dther
e.

"Yeahfa
irygran
dma,I'
mafra
idI '
velo
stonesho
eandit'
spast
mi
dni
ghtnow.
"s heans
wer
edbla
tant
ly,andtheyl
ooke
deachothe
rfora
whi
le
,be
foreb
ursti
ngoutl
aug
hingl
ik
et womiddl
escho
olg
irls
.

Sheevent
uall
ymettheothe
rsandapol
ogi
zedforthemi
shap
.She
to
ldGe n
atog oins
idewit
hher;whenre
achedthebedroo
mshethre
w
her
selfo
nb e
da ndstar
tedgig
gli
ng.Gen
as atonthechai
rwhil
eloo
kin
g
atherwit
has hocke
dlook.

"Ha
vey
ouwo
nal
ott
ery
?"

"Al
ott
ery
?No
."Sher
epl
ie
d

"The
nwha
t?o
hIk
now,i
sitt
hatho
tti
einac
are
arl
ie
r?"

"Sto
pit!Youarebei
ngs i
ll
y."Clai
reans
we r
eda ss
hewassit
tin
g
up
.Shetol
dheral
laboutherli
ttl
eadve
ntur
efromhermeeti
ngwit
h
Brun
oupt
otheac
cide
nt.Gen al
aughedatherl
ikecra
zy."W hat
'sso
f
unn
y?"

"Nog i
rlf
rie
nd,not
hing!It'
sjustthatIc
a n
'timagi
neyou
rf ac
ein
themiddleo
frainandallt
hat."shesaidW hi
letryi
ngtoco
ntrolhe
r
l
a u
ghter."Sowhos to
leyourhea
rt?I sitt
hecharmin
gguyorthecold
darkknight
?"Ge naaskedinanaughtyway

"Ohp l
e a
seGe n
a,noonedid.W e
ll...honest
ly,Ili
kedBruno
andI'
mme r
elygrat
efult
oRy an.That
'sall
."sherepl
ie
d.Ge nas
tared
athe
r,doubtf
ull
y."I'mser
iou
s!Ry anissocol
d,Ican'
tstandhi
m.
Andbesi
des,Imayn o
tseethe
ma ga
inanyway!"shesai
dwi t
ha
di
sap
poin
tmenthint
.

"ButIdidn'tsayanyt
hingordi
dI?a ndwhydoIg etthefeel
ing
t
hatyouwannaseethemagainhuh?Yousl
yfo x,don'
tte
llmey o
ufell
f
orthembo
th."Ge natease
dhe r
.Theykep
to ntalk
ingunti
loneofthe
g
irl
sinagrou
pinterrup
tedthem.Shehadane merg
encyatherhomeso
a
skedtol
eav
ef i
rst;the
ya l
lagre
edtol
eav
etoge t
her.

W hil
ebiddi
nggoo
dbyestot
heoldman,t
hecarthe
yrent
edhad
j
ustar
rive
d.Ther e
stwen
tin,whil
eClai
rewasf
ini
shin
gthetal
ktohe
r
g
randf
ather.

"Thanky
oug
ramp
s,myf
rie
ndsha
vee
njo
yed!"s
hes
aida
nd
hu
ggedhi
m

"Do n'
tment
ionCla
ire
,andtak
ethisb
efor
eIforge
t."hehande
d
he
ral ar
geenv
elo
pe.Sheaske
dwha twasi
taboutb
uthetoldhe
rto
op
enitathomeandse
eforher
sel
f.Clai
reac
cep
tedandfol
lo
wedthe
ot
her
s .
TW Owe ekshadpasse
dCl aire
'stri
ptoMo ntes
by.ItwasSa tu
rday
morni
ng;herst
epmotherandb ro
ther
,Jo rge,wer
eallatho
me.She
andJo rg
ewerenotasclos
ea showab ro
therandsis
tersho
uld,buta
lso
shehadnoprobl
emwithhim.Hes mi
ledatherasshetookaseat
;the
mothe
rhadc a
ll
edforaf a
milymeeti
ng.

"Ib
are
lys
eey
ouJo
rge
,ho
war
eyo
u?"Cl
ai
rea
ske
dhi
m

"Fine
,I'
mjustabi
toccu
pie
dlatel
y.Youk n
ow?W orkan
dall
?"
heshrug
ged."W hydon
'tyoucomeandworkther
ehuh?"Jorge
sug
geste
d.Hi smot
hergav
ehimal o
okofco
n t
empt,a
sifs
hewastal
ki
ng
non
sense
.

Clair
en o
tic
ed;sheonlysmile
d."No ,I'
mt aki
ngas hortbr
eak
be
for
eIde c
idewhatIr e
all
ywa nttodo,butthanksfortheoff
er."she
an
swere
dt rut
hful
ly.
Jo rgeattempt
edtotel
lhera b
outhowt heco
mpany
wasgoi
ngbutthesubje
ctwa sthelea
stofClair
e'sint
ere
s t
s.

"Okaye no
ugho fthisc
hitchat!"Themo t
herbarked."Ionly
ca
ll
edy o
ut oaskyout hi
s,"shepaused,andtheyallst
aredather
wai
tingtohearwha tshehadtos a
y."Ime tyou
rf at
her'
sa t
tor
neyand
Idis
cove
r e
dt he
remi g
htb eot
herproperti
esso
me wher
e,thathedidn'
t
ment
ioninhiswill
,doy ouknowanythingabouti
t?"

Shea skedherasifshewastalk
ingtoheremp
loyee
.Claire
re
maine
dsile
ntlook
ingather,shewasnowconvi
nce
dt hata
llthat
womancar
eda bo
utwa sthefo
rtune
.Shef el
tsoangrybuttri
edto
co
ntr
olhertempe
r.

Shes
ighe
dso
ftl
yan
dto
ldhe
rtha
tshek
newn
othi
nga
bou
tit
.
Thatwomandidn
'twantt
ob e
lie
vebutClai
retol
dhertha
teve
nifshe
kne
wa bo
utit
,ther
ewasnowa yshewoul
d'veto
ldher.Hermot
hergo
t
soang
ryandthrea
ten
edtothrowheroutofthehou
se.

"Iwase
age
rlywait
ingf
ort
hisday
!Iwo nderwhattoo
kyouso
l
ongt
obri
ngupt
histopi
cMOTHER!"Cl airesnap
ped."Butyo
u
k
nowwhat
,I'
llo
nlyle
avethi
sho
usewhenIf
eelli
ke!"

Thenextt
hingt
hatCl
air
ehear
dwasahe
avys
laponherf
ace
.
Shewi
nce
db ac
k,hol
din
ghe
rchee
k.Tha
tmadeJorgea
ngryfo
rthe
f
irs
tti
me.

"W ha
tar
eyo
udo
ingmo
the
r?St
op!"Jo
rges
hou
ted.

Cla
irerus
hedtoherbe
droomandsl
amme
dthedoo
r,le
avi
nga
mot
hera
nds o
na r
g u
ing
.Shewa nt
edtoc
rybutf
orc
edherwayag
ain
st
i
t;i
twasn'ts
omethi
ngnewaf
teral
l.

I
ntheaft
ern
oonshewen
ttoGe na
'sap a
r t
men
t,a
ndfou
ndhershout
ing
t
osome
oneove
rthepho
ne.Igno
ringtheu s
ual
,Cl
air
epul
le
dher
s e
lfthe
p
il
lo
wsandlie
ddown,unt
ilt
hecalle
n ded.

"Ha veyoutal
kedt
otheSt
eve
ns?"As
kedGe
na;i
twa
stheo
nly
ho
ttop
ic,a
p p
aren
tly.

"No ,andIreal
lydon'
twannage
tenta
ng l
edwiththatf
amil
yGe n
a!
I'
vedec
idedtofor
getital
l.
"Clair
esai
dwhilestari
ngthebot
tle
.She
want
edtob e
li
evet
hatitwasjus
tacoi
nci
dencetomeett
hosepe
oplea
ndit
wasabo
u tti
metomoveonwithi
nhernor
malwo rl
d.

Theydec
idedtogosho
ppi
ng,s
inc
eGenawa
sa b
outtoat
ten
dher
c
ous
in'
sweddi
n gthen
extweek
.Ittoo
kthe
malongwhi
leint
hemal
l;
movi
ngones
hoptoanot
her,andwhil
eheadi
ngout
,Clai
repa
use
d
su
ddenl
y,gl
ari
ngattheothe
rs i
dewhereaver
yfami
li
arguy
,ands
ome
go
rgeou
swomanwerewalk
ingsideb
ys i
debythee
sca
lato
r.

"Heywhat'
swrong?Doy
ouk
nowt
hem?"Ge
naa
ske
dwhi
le
l
ook
inga
tthe
irdi
rec
tio
n.

Cl
ai
reg
awp
ed."I
t'shi
mGe
na,i
t'
sRy
an!"Shes
nap
ped.

"Ohr
eal
ly
?W o
whei
sho
tte
rtha
nIt
hou
ght
,wo
n'ty
oug
oaf
ter
hi
m?"

"Nowa
y,l
et'
sge
tou
tofhe
reb
efo
rehes
eesme
."

"W ait
,W hyarey
ousoworke
du p?ar
eyouavo
idi
nghim?"Gen
a
a
skedcur
iou
sly.Cl
ai
rese
emedl
ikeshewast
ryi
ngtoblo
ckthepa
th
b
etwee
nhima n
dheratal
lco
sts
."An dwhoist
hatwoman?"

"Hi sgi
rl
fri
endperhaps?Ha v
en'
tyouse
enho
whapp
ytheyl
ook?"
s
heq
uip
ped.Genalo
okeda therc
are
ful
lywi
thou
tawor
d."W hyare
y
oul
ook
ingatmeli
kethat?"

"Try
ingtor
eadyou
!Ijus
tdon
'tge
tit
,doyoul
ik
etha
tgu
y
Cl
ai
re?"Genasna
ppe
dinas
eri
oust
oneo
fvoi
ce.

"W hat
?Nowa y!Ido n'
tli
kehi
m,Imean,I'
veonl
ymethimon
ce,
sohowcanIp o
ssi
bl
yli
kehim?"shewhin
edandwalke
da wa
y,le
avi
ng
Genasta
n di
ngthe
remot
ion
less
;sheshr
ugge
dan dfo
ll
owedher
.

Ge
nawassti
llc
uri
ousabo
utClai
re'
sre
act
ion,Shewasde
ter
min
ed
t
ofi
ndouta
bou
tit,hen
ceshebr
oug
htuptheto
picaga
in.
 "Ido
n '
tthin
kshe'
shisg
irl
fri
end,s
hewasob
vio
usl
yfl
ir
tin
gwi
th
hi
m."Genateas
edherwit
hadete
cti
velo
okonhe
rface
.

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ly
?Fl i
rti
ng?"Sheu t
ter
edandGenala
ughe
d."Butsheis
b
eau
t i
ful
,itwon
'tbeas u
rpr
isei
ftheya
redat
ing;an
yways
,le
t'sf
org
et
a
boutit
.I'mhungry!"Clai
resai
d.
CHAPTER 3

Lyingonhe rb e
d,Cl air
es ta
rtedthinkingoftheearl
ie
ri n
cidentatthe
mall.Shewa sn'tsurewhyi tk eptsti
rrin
ghe r,b
utn omatterhowha rd
shetrie
dt oig nor
eit,thereseemedt obeaf i
reburni
nginsi
dehe r
.Ge ta
gripClair
e,y ouha vealottowo rrya b
out;weretheonlywo r
dsshec oul
d
thinkof,too mittheideas.Att hatmo ment,t
heideaofopeningthat
envel
opesheha dr ec
eivedfromhe rfatherpoppe
du p
.Sheg otupfr o
m
bed,opene
dhe rclos
eta ndtookito u
t.Shes a
tdowna ndlookeda titfo
r
awhi l
e,won deringwhatc oul
db ehidingins
ide.

Shehesita
n t
lyopene
dit,andfoundsomedocumentsandap lat
inum
c
redi
tcardu nderhername.Agape,Clai
refli
ppedthosedocument
sa nd
r
eadoneaftertheother.Hereyeswidenedwithsurpri
se;therewasa
l
anddeedandb anka c
coun
tpapers
.W ha tsurpri
sedherwa stheamou n
t
o
fmo ne
ya ndvastnes
so ft
helandinacre
s.Shen e
verexpect
eds uc
haa n
i
nheri
tanc
e;shek ne
whe rfat
herwa sri
chb u
tn ott
ot hatexte
nt.An d
g
rowingup,shek n
ewho wprec
iou
sas mallpi
eceoflan
dc anbea taright
p
lace
.Shewa sami l
li
onai
re.

Recover
ingfromshock,sheu nwrappedanot
herp i
eceofpaperthatwas
sep
aratel
ypackedini
tsowns mallenv
elope
.Itwa salette
rf r
omhe r
fat
her,andsheo p
ene
dq uic
k l
yt oreadit.Accordi
ngt oit
,herf a
ther
expl
aine
dho wsorryhewa sforma kingherfee
ln e
gle
cted;thatheo nl
y
wantedtoprep
areab r
ightf u
t u
rea headforher.Hes t
resse
dho w
i
mp o
rtantshewasinhislifeandt hathelove
dhe rmorethana nythi
ng.

Tearsroll
edCl a
ire'
sfaceendl
essl
yasshefini
shedre
adin
gthel
ett
er.
W hate
vershethoughtbythetimeremai
nedbetwe
enherse
lf
.Sheonl
y
s
niff
ed,dri
edu pthetear
san dbrace
dhersel
f.Shewa snolo
nge
rthe
s
ameda ddy
'slitt
legir
lwhoy ea
r n
edforhisatt
enti
on,an
dn o
thi
ng
would'vechan
gedathing;notev
enthateno
rmousfortu
ne.Sher epl
aced
theenvelo
pebacktot
hec l
ose
t,onan o
tio
nthatshe'dconsul
tana t
tor
ney
toma kesureev
ery
thingisi
no r
der.Clai
rekne
wwha ttypeofamothe
r
sheha d,henc
ewante
dt omakesureofherl
egalsta
nding.Onhe rway
down s
tairsfo
rdinne
r,shegottoove
rhearJor g
ea ndhi
smo the
r
conv
e r
s i
ng;

"W hya
rey
ous
oco
nce
rne
dab
outt
hatb
rat
?"He
rst
epmo
the
r
b
arke
d.

"Momdon'tst
art
!An dtha
tbr
atasy
oucal
lhe
r,ha
ppenstoha
vea
n
ame!Unti
lwhenwil
lyo
upic
konhe
r,c
an'
tyo
uma k
eaneff
ort?"Jo r
ge
s
aidf
uri
ous
ly.

"Hey
,wha
t'swr
ongwi
thy
ou?Fo
rwho
mdoy
out
hin
kI'
mdo
inga
ll
t
his
?"

Jo rgeg
rowled."Stopusi
ngmeasanexcu
seforyo
ura mbi
ti
on!I'm
sosic
ko fi
t.Icantakecar
eofmyli
fesopl
eas
elea
veClair
ealone
,she
does
n'tdese
rvethis
!"hes c
rea
med,t
henhisfo
ots
tepfo
ll
owed.Clair
e
ret
urnedbacktoherroo
m;theapp
eti
tego
ne.

Jo rg
e'smothe
rremai
nedse
ated."W hyi shemada tme?Ung
rat
efu
l!
DoeshethinkIcametot
hishous
etodos omechar
itywork?"She
tho
ughtou tl
oudl
y."Iwon'tl
eav
ehe ra
lone,I'
llt
akeever
ythi
ngt
hatI
des
erveforwasti
ngmyli
feher
e!"s headdedangri
ly.

Shewasi
ndee
da na
mbit
iou
swo ma
n,s
oob
ses
sedwi
thmo
neya
nd
l
uxur
iou
sli
febu
tn o
tsmar
tenoug
h.
THEn extda yCl a
iredr oppedbytheattorne
y 'soff
iceforhe r
do
cument
ation,andlatera fte
r,atthecoff
ees hoptoin v
igor
at ehers
elf
.
Shewass i
ttingacrossahu geg l
asswall
,staringoutsidethou g
htle
ssl
y.
Thestr
eets ee
medbu sted,peopl
emovin
go na n
da bo
ut;t yp
icalcit
ylif
e.
Assheturneda r
ounds ighing,hereye
sme tsome t
hingu ne
xpected.It
wasRyan,t hegorg
eou swo manands o
meo therg u
y;t hethreeofthem
l
ooke
dfrie
n dlyeno
ug htot apeachother
'sb ac
k swhiletalki
ng.The y
wer
ehavingc o
ffe
ea swe ll
.

Shefeltacol
da i
rb l
owi
ngherbodyal
love
r.No ,Nothi
ma g
ain.She
swal
lowe
da sifsee
nag hos
t.He rhea
rtwasthumpin
gandshedidn'
t
l
iket
hes i
tuati
onatall
.Asb es
tie
'sal
waysdo,Cla
irete
xte
dGe naabout
i
tjusttodist
racther
sel
ffromherownre
acti
onwhichwassounl
ike
ly;
herp
ho n
er a
ngami nut
elat
er.

"He
y,a
rey
ous
urei
t'
shi
m?"As
kedGe
na.

"Ofcou
rsei
t'
shim,wit
hthatwoma
nandtheot
herguy
.I '
mle
avi
ng
r
ightno
w!"Clair
erepl
ie
da n
dstoo
dup,g
rab
b i
ngherp
urse.

"Do
n'tb
est
upi
d,g
oan
dsa
yhe
ll
o!"Ge
nas
ugg
est
edl
aug
hin
gly
.

"Arey
oucra
zyGenaMont
ero
? W hyshou
ldI?"Clai
rewas
a
lrea
dyatthee
xitt
hatwa
s,bypu
ref
ort
une,c
los
ertohe
rtabl
e.

"Youaret
hecrazyone
.Ahwha t
eve
r!I '
mhan
gin
gup
,myc
uzn
eeds
me
."Gen
ar e
pli
ed,dis
appo
int
edl
yandrea
ll
yhun
gu p
.

"He
ll
o?He
ll
o?Tr
ait
or!" Shes
cre
ame
d.

On c
eouts
ide
,andf
arfromt
hesi
ght
,shet
ookadee
pbr
eat
h.Itwas
asifshe'
ddodge
dabull
et
.Notfo
rlon
gthou
gh,be
cau
ses
hesudde
nly
hea
r d;
 "CL
AIRE?"

Shesto
ods t
il
l,con
templat
ingthevoic
e.Itwasamasc
u l
inevoi
ce
cal
li
ngherfrombehin
d;a ndfreshl
yfamil
iar.Herbr
eathin
gwa scock
y,
asshetur
n e
db e
hindslowl
y,onlytoseeRy a
nappr
oac
hinghe rway,wi
th
asidesmi
leonhisfac
ewhi l
etel
lingso
me o
nehewasta
lki
n gtoonthe
phonet
hathewo ul
dcallla
terandhu n
gu p.

"RYAN?"I
twa
stheo
nlyho
wshec
oul
dpr
omp
t.

"I
tisr
eal
lyy
ou!Ho
war
eyo
u?"Hea
ske
dan
dst
oodr
ighti
nfr
ont
o
fher.

"Um--go
od!W hata
rey
oudo
inghe
re?"Cl
ai
rea
nswe
redhe
sit
ant
ly
whil
efo
rci
ngasmi
le
.

"Ju s
tgrabb
ingaco
ffe
e!"Heeyedthes
hopi
nst
inc
tiv
ely
."Iwa
s
a
ctual
lytak
ingacal
lan
ds awy
ouhe
re."

"Oh,Is
ee.
"shea
nswe
red."W e
ll
,ho
wisy
ourg
ran
dfa
the
r?"

"Heisf
ine
,I'
mgoin
gthe
ret
omo
rro
w."Hes
aid."Hewo
uldb
e
g
ladify
ouvi
si
thim.
"

Clai
rewassu
rpri
sedbyRyan'sc
alm,f
rie
ndl
ype
rso
na;i
tal
mos
t
s
ounde
dlikea
ninvi
tat
ionofak
ind.

"Ca
nI?"

"Sure
!He r
e,"her
etr
iev
edab
usi
nes
sesc
ardf
romhi
swa
ll
eta
nd
ha
ndedhe
r."Cal
lme!"

Ca
llhi
m?Sheg
awp
ed.

Ry
an'
sat
ti
tudewa
sst
ran
get
hatda
y;hewa
sco
ol,di
ffe
ren
tfr
omt
he
arro
gantgu
yCl a
iremetinMo nt
esby
.Foramomentshewonde
redifhe
hadn'
ttheDis
soci
ati
veIdent
ityDis
orde
r,o
ritwasjustt
hathisact
ing
ski
ll
swereofp
remiumlev
el.Theide
amadehergi
ggl
ewhilehop
pin
ga
ta
xihome.

****

AROUNDt wel
veno
on,t
hef
oll
owi
ngday,Cla
irewasa
lre
adya
the
r
c
oun
tryho
use
;hersbe
cau
sei
twasori
gi
nall
yherla
temom'
s.

"Gran
dpa!"Shescre
ame
da ss
hedro
ppe
doffthet
axi.Theol
d
ma
nsmil
edupo
nsee
inghe
r.Cla
irehu
gge
dhimtig
htl
ywitho
u tawo
rd.

"Yougon
nak i
llmeyoub
igg
irl
."hes
aidwit
hacough,the
njo
ined
he
rlau
ghte
r,unt
ilherfa
cesu
dde
nlyda
rke
ned."W ha
tisitmychi
ld?"

Shesighe
d,ta
k i
ngase
atato
neofthepo
rchchai
rs"Ohg randpa
!
W hats
houl
dIdohu h?Ife
els
olo
stri
ghtnow."shewhine
da thim
t
akin
gas e
atslu
ggi
shly
."Ithi
nkI'
mana wf
ulper
son,s
elf
ish,whoonl
y
t
hinkso
fherse
lf
."

"W hyc
hil
d?"Hec
oug
heda
gai
n.

Cl
airetoo
khert
imetosay,"HeleftmemorethanIn e
ed,Isho
uld
b
eha pp
yr i
ght?"Shek e
pttal
kin
g."ButIf e
elsolon
elygran
dpa!Ifee
l
l
ik
eI '
mt hepoo
res
toneonea
rth;I'msoungra
tef
ulIk now,b
utIjust
c
an'thel
pit."Shelo
o k
edattheoldmansadl
ybu theonlyl
aughe
d.

"Do n
'tthi
nkto
ohardmychil
d,ti
mewillt
akecar
eofe
ver
ythi
ng!"
Here
marked."Andwhosai
dyouarepi
tif
ul?So o
nyouwi
lls
eehow
a
maz
ing
,lovedan
dluc
kyyouare
."hesaidcal
mly.
 Clai
resmi
le
da tt
hoseki
ndwo r
ds,bu
titdidn
'tmea
nshebe
li
eve
d
t
hem.Luc
ky?She '
dlongfo
rgot
tenit
'smean
ing
,afte
rli
fet
ooke
ver
yone
s
hecar
eda b
out
.

L
ate
rwhi
let
aki
ngawa
lk.

"Thisi
swha tbe
lon
gstoyou
!Thisent
irelan
d."Theoldmansa
id
p
oin
tedl
y.Her e
ferr
edtothee
normo
usbe
achp l
otlan
dtha
t'sno
ttoof
ar
f
romthehou
se.

"Al
lofi
t?Bu
t--
"

"Li
fei
ssof
unny;yo
ukno
wwhat
,thi
slan
di sp
art
lyy
ourf
athe
r's
a
ndp
art
lyyo
urmot
her'
s."Hesa
idi
nawiseton
e.

Clairewa ssoastounded,herbi
gha z
ele y
eswideope
ned"W ha t?
How'stha t
?"Shea s
kedc uri
ousl
y.Het o l
dherthestorya b
outhow
he
rg r
andparentsusedtof i
ghtoverthebordersofwhi
letheirchi
ldre
n
we
reslowlyfall
inginlov
ea ndevent
uall
ybor eher
.Thes torywa s
hi
la
riousl
yfas c
inat
ing;Clairela
ughedalota ndfel
tsohappyk nowi
ng
ho
wc raz
yhe rparentswereforoneanothe
r."An dwhe r
edi dhelive
?"
Sheaskeda nxio
usly.

"Ov e
rther
e,alt
houghhesol
dthehou
seinor
dert
ost
artaf
res
hin
thec
ity
,andit
sn o
wab oardi
nghous
eforf
ishe
rmen
!"heans
wer
ed.
Thatwasmorethantwe
ntyyear
sago.

Astimewen ton,Clair
er ea
li
zedhowwi s
eo fheritwas,t
og othe
re.
Sher e
memberedBr unoandde ci
dedtopayhimav i
si
ta r
oundthree
-
thi
rtyaft
ernoon.W hens hea r
rive
d,Brunowa sabouttole
avethe
res
tauran
tb u
tf ort
unatel
yt heysaweachother.Hehu g
gedandk i
sse
d
heronthechee
k;hewa s
n'te xp
ecti
ngtoseehera g
ain.
 "Iwasjusthea
dingho
me,whydo
n'tyo
uc o
meandseewhe
reIgrew
up
?"Br u
nos u
gges
ted.Hewasascha
rmin
ga sCla
irer
emembe
red,a
nd
handso
met o
o.

"Yo
urho
me?Ic
an'
t!"s
her
epl
ie
d.

"W hyn
ot?Doy
ouha
vep
lan
s?"

"W e
lln
ote
xac
tly
,It
'sj
ust
--"

"I
t'sjus
tnot
hing!W earegoi
ngt
oge
the
r."heop
ene
dt hedo
orf
or
he
r.Cl
airewass
peec
hles
s;re
sign
edl
y,s
hesmi
ledan
dcompl
ie
d.

Ontheway,Bru
noa s
kedifs
hearr
ive
dhomesaf
elythatdayc
ons
ide
rin
g
t
hestor
m.Hee venwentt
ochec
konherb
utshewa sal
readyg
one
;he
as
sumedal
lwaswell
.

"Um--y
eah,l
et
'ss
ayIa
rri
veds
afe
ly.
"shea
nswe
red
u
nco
nvi
nci
ngl
y.

Hee yedhers
uspi
ci
ousl
y."Re al
ly?Thenwhya reyou-
-"hisquer
y
gotcutshot
.Hi sce
llb
uzz
ed.Hep lu
ggedtheear
pie
ce."Yesb r
o,te
ll
me."hes ai
d,"Oh,whatacoin
ciden
ce!I'
mo nmawa ythere
."hea dde
d
tothepers
ononthepho
ne."Itwa smybro
t he
r!"Hen o
tif
iedCla
ire
whoon l
ysmile
d.

Thecardi
ver
gedtotheroadthatle
dtoafamil
ia
rp l
ace
;thes a
me
pl
aceshes
pentt
hen i
ghtwhentheunf
o r
tuna
tehapp
ened.ItwasMr .
Steven
sgrandmansi
on.W hattheheck?Clai
rewasstar
ingout
side
wi
thSho c
k.Shes napp
edabrupt
ly;

"Ho
ldo
n,i
sthi
syo
urho
me?"
 Brun
on o
ddeda p
provin
gly."Yes,wha
t'stheprob
lem?"He
r
etu
rne
d,almostst
unned.Claireto
ldhime
very
t hi
ngthathap
pene
don
t
hatda
y."Soy o
ua r
et hefamousgi
rlIwasto
lda bo
ut?Theladyin
r
ain
?"Heg awpe
d.

L
adyi
nra
in?Se
rio
usl
y?Shet
hou
ght
.

"I'msor
ryIli
edear
li
er,i
t'sk
indae
mbar
ras
sin
g."Shema
dehe
r
de
fen
se,fo
rwhic
hBr u
noagree
dwithala
ugh.

THEYme tMr .Steve

nswhowa sa l
sosurpr
isedtoseethemtoge
t her
.
Brunotol
dhi mhowheme tClai
re.AftersometimeRy anpres
ente
d
himsel
f,s
ho c
kedastwic
etohe a
rthestory.Al atel
unchwass e
rved,per
St e
vensor
dera ndt
heyallatetog
ethe
rlikeonebigfami
ly;somet
hin g
thatmadeSt ev
ensandBr u
noha p
pywhileRy anoutofplac
e.

"W hat'swrongson?Youdo n'

tlo
okgood.
"MrSt e
ven
saske
d
him,worr
iedl
y .Theyalll
ook
eda thi
m.Ob vi
ous
lyhewast
herej
ust
physi
cal
ly
,f a
k i
ngsmil
eswhenev
ertheycra
ckedajo
ke.

"Not
hing
,I '
mju
stti
red.
"Hea n
swere
d."Ithi
nkI'
llj
ustg
oto
myr
oom,I
'vegotahe
ada
che!"hea
nswer
edandst
oodup
.

"Yousho
uldp
rob
ablyta
keite
asyRy
,yo
uar
ewo
rki
ngt
oomu
ch.
"
Br
unote
ase
dhisbi
gbrot
herashel
eft
.

Wi t
hRy angone,St e
ven
sstarte
ds c
oldin
gBr uno
;insi
sti
nghe
s
houl
ds t
opwander
inglikeawil
da n
dr et
urnho me.Cla
ireso
ughtitwis
e
g
ivi
ngthemsp
acealt
ho u
ghwa sn'
tnece
ssaril
yneeded.Shewalked
a
iml
ess
lyandlande
dn eartheki
tche
nwhe rethema i
dswerec
hatte
rin
g;

"Sowho
seg
irl
fri
endi
sshe
?IsI
tBr
uno
'so
rRy
an'
s?"On
eof
t
hema
idss
pou
tedwhi
lewa
shi
ngt
hedi
she
s.

Ano
the
rre
pli
ed."Ma
ybeBr
uno
,Oha
ren
'tt
het
wob
rot
her
s
ho
t?"

The
ysha
redas
can
dal
iz
edl
aug
h.

"Ie
nvythel
adyi
nrai
n,s
he'
scl
oset
obo
th.Ho
wlu
cky
!"The
f
irs
tmai
dsig
hedaudi
bl
y.

"An dwhataboutthatmi
ssper
fec
t?Ithou
ghtshewa
sdati
ng
Rya n
;tellu
sMa rt
ha,youmustkno
we v
ery
thi
ngaro
undher
e."the
ot
hers a
idwhilel
ooki
nga tMarthawhowasbu
sypacki
ngs
omefr
u i
tsi
n
t
ot hewideref
rig
erato
r.

Missper
fec
t?Co ul
ditbethatwoman?Themec
hani
cofCl
ai
re'
s
b
rai
nacti
vat
ed.Ma rt
haigno
redthem;shere
mai
nedsi
le
ntasi
ffo
und
t
hemto
on o
syforthe
irowngood.

Thefi
rsta
dded,"W e
ll
,Iwo
n'tb
esu
rpr
ise
difDo
risi
sda
tin
ghi
m.
Ime
an,t
hey'
rebot
h--"

Mart
has
hutt
hemu
p."Ca
n'ty
oug
irl
sst
opg
oss
ipi
nga
nddomo
re
c
lea
ning
?"

Cl
air
ewasst
il
lst
andi
ngt
her
eli
ste
nin
gtot
hem,whe
nBr
uno
a
ppe
are
douto
fthebl
ue.

"Oht
her
eyo
uar
e!Iwa
slo
oki
nga
llo
verf
ory
ou.
"Heb
eame
d.

"Iwa sabo
uttoheadou
tforsomeair.
"Cl ai
resa
id,see
mingl
y
st
art
led."Caretoj
oin
?"Shec asual
lyadded.Hea g
reed.They
wal
kedthrou
ghthegarde
n,Cla
ire
'smindablaz
e;thec
onver
sati
onshe
ha
dhear
ds t
il
ldis
tur
bedhe
rfo
rso
meu
nkn
ownr
eas
ons
.Itha
dn'
tle
ft
he
rin
dif
fer
ent.

"Doy
oul
ik
eiti
nhe
re?"Br
unoi
nte
rru
pte
dhe
rre
ver
ie.

"Um-
-welly
eah,Il
ovet
hispl
ace.Andyou
?"Sher
epl
ie
dast
hey
s
tro
ll
edar
oun
d,mo v
inga
wayfromthehou
se.

"Ofco
urs
eIdo
."her
epl
ie
dva
gue
ly,a
ndCl
ai
res
tar
eda
thi
m
i
nte
ntl
y.

"Thenwhydon
'tyoudoasyo
urg
ran
dfa
the
rsa
y?"Shehi
tthe
p
oin
tandhele
toutalo
ngbrea
th.

Hewasn'
treckl
essinanswe
rin
g ;heto
okhisti
me."Becaus
eit
b
rin
gsbadmemori
es!"het u
rnedbacktolo
okatthehous
ec a
ref
ull
y."I
s
awmymo t
herdyi
nghe re
,slo
wly,andnooneco
ulddoanythi
ng."

Clai
rehadle
arne
dthatthe
irmotherdie
dfro
malive
rcance
r,an
d
thetr
aumamu s
thaveaff
ect
edhi
mb adly
.Shet oo
kfewste
psclo
sert
o
him;bot
hs t
ari
ngatthehous
e.Brun
o '
se y
eswer
enea
rlywet.

Thes
il
enc
ega
vet
hemt
imet
opo
nde
r.

"Tha taloneshoul
dn '
tb ear e
asonenoughBr uno ,
"Sa idCl ai
re,
poi
ntedly
.Het urnedsidewayst ol
ooka ther."De spit
ethosebad
memories
,Ib el
ievethe
remu stbes o
meb eauti
fulones;no,actual
lyI'm
sur
eo fit!Ha v
ey outri
edt orecon
siderotherp e
opl
e'spainaswe ll
?
Yourg randfat
her'sforexamp l
e,orRy an's?"Shet alke
de mot
ionall
y
wit
hou tfaci
nghim.Shet ol
dhi ma bou
the rlif
ewi t
hhe rstepmother
,
howu nbearab
leshewa s,butstil
lshecouldn'timagi
n eherse
lfstayi
ngo u
t
ofthathou s
e;theho u
ses hegrewu p.
 "Soyouwantmet
ocha
ngee
ver
ythi
ngj
ustl
ik
etha
t?"Heq
uer
ied,
a
bse
ntmi
nde
dly.

"I'mnotaski
ngyoutomovebackrig
htaway,qui
tethecon
trar
y,
j
usttr
yt ore
col
le
ctthebe
auti
fulmemori
esandburytheunpl
eas
antone
."
Shesmil
ed."W eallmov
eonli
k et
ha t
,noneofu
sf o
rgetthi
ngsju
st
be
cau
sewewa ntto
."

"Tr
ue.
"Hemu
tte
red.

"Rig
ht,Ibe
li
eveit
'sap
roc
ess
,wes ho
uldmayb
ele
arntob
urydar
k
me
mori
esi
nthede
epe
s tpa
rto
fourhea
rtsandrel
yonhop
efu
lone
s."

Easysayi
ngthando ne
,Clair
ewasa wareofthefact
.Ho wever,
s
he'
df o
undhersel
flec
turi
ngBr un
owhileheali
ngherse
lfatthesame
t
ime
.Shehu ggedhimtightl
y,i
naf r
iendlyway,andhefeltatot
al
c
onso
lat
ion
.The yendeduptalk
ingandlaughin
gb ythepoo
l,tot
all
y
o
bli
vi
ousoftheemoti
onaltu
rmoilt
hey'
de xper
ienc
edawhileago.

ITwassixo'
cl
ocki
ntheev
eni
ng,Cl
air
ewa n
tedtog
obackt
oLis
bay.
Shes
a i
dg o
odby
etoMr .Ste
vensa
ndp r
ompte
difRya
nwa sf
eel
in
gfin
e.

"Heiss
til
linhi
sro
om,y
ouc
ang
othe
rea
nds
eehi
m."Mr
St
even
ssa
id.

Clai
rewashesit
antabo
utthat,butdeci
deda gai
nstherf
ears
;she
st
il
lha dnoide
awhyi tmat
tere
d.Shek no
ckedthedoor,andRy a
n
re
spondedforhertogoi
n.Hewa sfi
n i
shi
ngbu t
toni
nghisshir
tas
Clai
reenter
edhisroomwhi
chwa swellarr
anged,cle
ana n
dn e
at.He
on
lylethisbac
kv i
ew;atwhic
hitsel
fwa saworko fart
.Shei nha
led
so
ftl
y.
 "I
'mso
rry
,It
hou
ghty
ouwer
esti
lls
lee
pin
g."Shesai
dwitha
p
aus
e."Um-
-howi
syou
rhe
ada
che?"Thenaskedhi
m,c
onf
ide
ntly
.

"I'
mgrea
t,i
fyou
'regoi
ngtot
hec
it
y,Ic
ang
ivey
ouar
ide
!"he
s
aidwhi
let
aki
nghi
sbrie
fca
se.

"Okay
!"Sher el
ent
ed;an
dde
cide
dlya
gre
edt
hati
twa
s
i
mpo
ssi
bl
epredi
cti
ngt
hatman.

The yle
ftto
gether,i
nater
ribl
esil
enc
ethatsheende
dtaki
nganap
throug
ho utt
hejour
n e
y.Hedr opp
edherouts
ideherhous
einLi
sbaya
nd
droveoffwit
houtanyfu r
the
radi
eu,le
avi
ngClair
efrowni
ngathis
i
n e
xpli
cablepe
rso
nalit
y.

Bruno
,onothe
rhand,hadsle
ptathisgra
ndfat
her
'st
hatni
ghtand
ev
eryo
newassosurp
rise
d.Mr .Steven
sfeltt
hati
thadso
methi
ngtodo
wit
hCl a
ire
,whic
hma dehi
mlikehe
revenmore
.
CHAPTER 4

Amo nthl ater

;Cl ai
rehadf oundhersel
faj oba tthecons
tru
c ti
on
co
mp any.I twasn'tapermanentpostyet,buts heli
keditasitkepther
busy,andt hesalarywasenought ocove
rtheb asi
csforanaverage
pe
rson.On eeveni
ngsher e
turnedhomef ro
mwo rk,afte
rquit
eal ongday,
andhea ds tr
aighttoherroome xhaust
edly;s hethrewhersel
fo nbed
wit
ho utreali
zi
ngwha tame ssherr o
omwa sin .Ev er
ythi
ngwa soutof
pl
ace,ast houghas ea
rcha ndseiz
urehadt akenp l
ace.Shego tup
abrupt
lyt ograspthesitua
tion.Un ab
letoun derstandhowfarhe rst
ep
motherwa swill
ingtog o
,wen tstrai
ghttoherr o
oma ndknoc
k edthedoor
fu
riously.Ito p
enedami nut
el a
ter.

"W hog
avey
oup
ermi
ssi
ont
oto
uchmyt
hin
gs?"Cl
ai
reb
ark
ed.

Hermot
herlo
okedathe
rinadesp
ica
blewayforamo
ment,bef
ore
r
epl
yi
ng,"Iju
stdidwhatsho
uldb
edoneyouing
rate
,Iwon
de rwher
e
y
ouhidtho
sedoc
ument
s."Shewasnonchal
ant
.

"Sot hat'
sther easonwhyhu h?"Clairesna
pped."Fine,Ihavethe
docu
mentsinmyp ossessi
onandy ouwon'
teverlayyourhandsonthem,
I'
mwa rningyoumo ther
!Yo udo n'
tknowwha tI'mcapa
b l
eof."she
addedst
e r
n l
y,ign
or i
ngthea ng
ryg l
areonhermother
'sface"Oh,a nd
don'
tpla
yt hoseoldt r
ickswit
ht hel
awa syoudidwiththecompa
n y
,
bec
ausei
fIwa ntto,Icant a
keeveryt
hin
ga way.Legal
ly!"Shes ai
d
andwalkedawa y.

"Youwon'tge
tawaywi
ththi
syoubr
at!Youbet
tersta
rtp
ack
ing
a
ndl ea
ve,be
cau
sethi
shou
sei
smine!Eve
ryt
hin
gismine
!"Thewoman
s
ho u
ted,bu
tClair
epai
dnoat
ten
tio
n.

Cl
ai
rer
etu
rne
dba
ckt
ohe
rro
oma
nds
tar
tedo
rga
niz
ingt
hin
gs.
W hi
leatthetask
,shes uddenl
yr e
memb e
redhe rmeet
ingwiththeir
fa
mil
yla wye
rwhenheme ntione
da bouthermother'
srequestfo
rhi mto
fi
ndoutifherfat
herhadal i
fei
n s
urance
.Shej ustc
ouldn'tgetwhy
wasthewomansog r
eedyt obegi
nwi t
h.Mr .Levyhadat erminsura
nce
po
li
cy,inwhic
hhe '
dde p
ositedallt
hemo neyonCl a
ire
'sa c
countway
be
for
edy in
g;noteve
nCl aireherse
lfknewa bo
utit.

Afte
rfin
ishi
ngev
ery
thi
ngshedec
ide
dtogiv
eBrunoacal
l;the
y
t
alke
df o
rawhilea
ndhetol
dherthathewo
uldbei
nL i
sba
yt o
morro
w.

"Ok
ayhan
dsome,I'
lls
eey
out
omo
rro
wthe
n?"Shes
aidl
aug
hin
gly
,
u
ponon
eofBrun
o'sjo
kes.

"Ri
ghto
nti
meb
eau
tif
ul!"Br
unoa
nswe
red.

Att heendofthecal
l,s
hemadeadec
isi
ontogoo
u tfo
rsomea i
r;she
con
stantlywoul
df e
elst
uff
edi
nsi
dethehous
e,an
dafteralit
tlewal
k,
she'
da lwaysf
eelbet
ter
.ShemetJo r
geonherway,whoseemed
dej
ecte
da sthetaxitha
thadbrou
ghthi
mwa sju
stleav
ing.

"HiJo
rge
?Ev
ery
thi
ngo
kay
?"a
ske
dCl
ai
re.

"Ye
ah--j
ustti
redan
dmycarhadso
meis
sue
s."Hep
romp
tedc
alml
y
a
shisper
son
ali
tystr
ong
lys
ugg
este
d."W he
ret
o?"

"Arou
nd!In e
edabre
atherIgu
ess.
"s hean
swer
edsho
rtl
y.She
di
dn'twanthi
mtofi
ndoutabou
twhathismot
herdi
d.Sheknewtha
t
Jo r
gehadnot
hin
gtodowithwhat
eve
rthatmadofawomanpl
oye
d.

"W e
ll
,I'
mgo
nnag
ets
omer
est
."hen
odde
dan
dwe
nti
nsi
de.

Su
ll
enl
y,Cl
ai
rewa
lke
dar
oun
dthen
eig
hbo
rho
od;p
eop
lewe
res
til
l
passi
n gbyo ntheirwa yhomef ro
mwo rk.Shes to
ppedbyt heparka nd
tookas eatatt hewo odenbenc
h;he rmindwa sextre
me l
yov e
rwhelmed
withtho ughts.Shewa sthinki
ngo nhowhe rl i
fewa sgoingtobefr o
m
thatpo i
nt.L e
an i
ngl a
zil
ya gai
nstthewo od,whilefacin
gu pthes ky,she
tookpleasureonwa tchingthewondero fbrightstarsthatn ouri
shedt he
night.As i
gh,c ou
pledwi t
haf ain
ts mil
ee sc
a pe
dhe rli
ps,whe nas ound
ofherp honebu zz
ingb ro
ughtherb acktor e
ality
.Shef etc
hedito utan d
l
o o
k e
da tthes cree
n ;shewa spuz
zle
dt os e
ethen ameRYANTHE
JERK.Shes t
areda tthescree
nf oraf ews e
condsa ndswiped
rig
htwa rd.

"He
ll
o?"s
hea
nswe
redc
aut
iou
sly
.

"He
ll
o?ho
war
eyo
u?"Ry
anr
epl
ie
d.

Cl
ai
rewasal
it
tlewar
y."I'
mgood,i
sev
ery
thi
nga
llr
ight
?Ime
an,
t
hisi
sal
lto
ostr
angetome.
"shes
aid.

"W hy
?Ca
n'tIc
ally
ou?"Her
esp
onde
daf
terab
rie
fpa
use
.

"Um--n
oit
'sn
ott
hat
,"Shet
ookas
igh."o
kay
,ne
vermi
nd!W he
re
a
rey o
u?"

"Sti
lli
ntheo
ffi
ce
,yo
usu
dde
nlyc
amet
omymi
nd,s
oIg
avey
oua
c
all
."

"Real
ly?I'
mho n
oure
d!Ge t
tin
gacallf
romtheb
igsho
tMr.Ryan
Stev
ens?Ishoul
dprob
ablyp
utar e
min
der."Shete
ase
dhima
ndthe
y
al
lla
ughed.

"Ar
eyo
uatho
me?"Ry
ana
ske
d.

"Att
hep
ark
,ino
urn
eig
hbo
rho
od,t
ryi
ngt
ocl
earu
pmyhe
ad.
"
 "Oka
y,woul
dyoumi
ndha
vin
gdi
nne
rwi
thme
?"Hea
ske
dhe
r,a
fte
r
p
ausi
ngforawhi
le
.

Hissuddeni
nvi
tel
eftCl
air
erat
hers
urp
ris
ed.I
twa
sal
mos
t
i
mpo
ssi
bl
et okn
owwhattoexpe
ctf
romRyan.

"Um-
-I'
mn o
tprop
erl
ydress
edandIdo
n'twa
ntt
ogoho
mer
ight
n
ow."shea
nswere
d,dis
app
oin
tedl
y.

"W ha
tisp
rop
erl
ydr
ess
ed?Ar
eyo
una
kedb
yan
ycha
nce
?"He
j
oked.

"He l
lno!"Shesnap
ped,an
dco
uldhearhi
srea
llaugh."Okayfin
e,
don'
tsayIdidn
'twarnyouwhe
nyo
uf i
ndoutt
omorrowinthefr
ontpage
ofanewspa
pert
hatTheSK CEOwa sse
enwit
has hab
b ygi
rlacr
oss
thest
ree
t."Clai
res
aid.

"Not
hatc
an'
tha
ppe
n,I
'mn
otac
ele
bri
ty!"

"Al
ri
ght
,pr
epa
reat
axif
areb
eca
useI
'mp
enn
il
essr
ightn
ow!"

"An
ymo
ree
xcu
ses
?"Heq
uer
ied.

"No
ne?"Shef
rown
ed,t
hens
mil
ed.

Sher us
hedt otheroadf
orata
xi.I
ttooks
omeminut
estorea
ch
Ryan'soff
icebuil
ding
,andwhens
hegoto
ff,s
hewait
edforhisarr
iva
l
whic
ht o
okon l
yami nut
e.Shesmi
le
dathimassher
emember
edthei
r
co
nvers
atio
ne ar
lie
r.

Awhil
ela
t e
r,up
onhe
rarri
valatSK;Ry anwa
lke
do v
ertot
he
dr
ive
r,a
ndhandedhi
masing
lebi
llf
orthef
are
."Keepthecha
nge
."

"Tha
nky
ous
ir!"Thedr
ive
rsmi
le
dina
we,he
adi
ngb
ackt
ohi
sta
xi.
 Cl
ai
ret
eas
edhi
m."Tha
twa
ssog
ene
rou
sbo
ss.
"

"Youmus
tb ei
nagoo
dmoodt
oda
y,a
ndIt
hin
kyo
ulo
oko
kay
!"He
s
mile
d,ig
nor
ingthes
arc
asm.

"Ofcou
rse
,onl
yify
ouwa
ntpeo
plet
othi
nkwe'r
eheadi
ngf
ora
b
usine
ssdi
nne
r."Shewasr
efe
rri
ngtohe
roff
iceat
tir
e.

Thist
imeRyanl
aughe
dhear
til
y,andt
hes
ightf
lut
ter
edCl
ai
re'
s
he
art."Let
'sg
o,myca
risov
erthere
!"Heurged.

THEYwe n
tt othenearestrest
aurantthatseemedtoopriv
ate.Itha d
ec
centr
icambienc
ea ndalmostli
keahi de
out.The ytookat a
b l
e-f
or-two
wit
har omanticcandl
eli
g ht.Clair
eda r
edn o
tma kingacomme ntonthat.
Besi
des,Rya nhadb ee
nt akin
gs e
veralbus
ine
s scal
lswhilebehi
n dthe
wheelandyetanotheronecamewhi l
etheytooktheme nu
;b utheignore
d
i
t.

"Iwonde
rho
wb urde
nsomeiti
stob
ethece
ntr
eofatt
ent
ionl
ikei
n
y
ourpo
sit
ion
."Cla
iresai
dc a
sual
ly
.Helook
edather
,amused.

"Ha rdatt i
mes,"hea n
sweredwithapause."carry
ing
r
espons
ibi
lit
iesoverathousandempl
oyeeso
ny ourshoul
der
s,fu l
fi
lli
ng
c
li
ent'
sdema nds,tig
htdeadli
nesanda l
l;i
t'
sn otqui
tesi
mple
,b utsinc
eI
b
eli
eveinthei
rha rdwo r
ka ndtrus
t,it
'snotto
omu chofab u
r den.I
c
an'tcompl
ain."hea ddedwithhissmil
eyfac
e.I twasobv
iousthathe
l
ovedwhathewa sdoin
g.

"Icano
nlyimag
ine!"Sher
emar
ked."I
'l
lha
ves
ala
dsp
lea
se.
"She
t
oldthemaî
tred'on
ceask
edab
outt
hemenu.

"As
tea
kfo
rme
,me
diu
mra
re.
"Ry
ans
aid.On
cei
npr
iva
cy,he
t
urne
dtoCl
ai
re."An
dyo
u?Ho
w'swo
rk?Yo
uto
ldmey
oug
ota
j
ob?"

"It
'sg
reat
!"Shepr
omp
ted."I
'ml
ear
nin
g,a
ltho
ughI
'ms
til
lno
t
do
ingwhatIwan
t?"

"I
nte
rio
rde
sig
nin
g?"

"Yes,Iwantso
mefie
ldwork
s."Shela
ment
ed."Notsi
tti
ngi
nthe
o
ffic
ema k
ingt
eaandhandl
in
gc o
pie
s!"Shec
ompl
ain
ed."Imean
,I'
m
a
ni nt
eri
ordes
ign
er,n
otasecr
etary
."

Ry anwasl
ook
ingi
nte
ntl
ya the
r,tak
ingi
nal
lthecomp
lai
ntssheha
d
wi
tho
utfee
li
ngbor
ed.Hewa sinfac
tenj
oyi
ngl
is
teni
ngtoher.

"That'
showthela
rgec
omp
ani
eswo
rk;un
les
s,y
ouc
ant
rys
mal
lfi
rms
wi
thl
it
tl
ebur
eau
c r
acy."Hef
ina
ll
ysai
d.

"Ikno
w,bu
tIn e
edtole
arnsomethi
ngsfi
rstIgue
ss.
"Shemadea
fa
ce."AndIdon
'thaveacon
tra
c t
ingl
ic
enc
eyet,b
utwhenIg
eti
t,I
won'
tsta
ndmaki
ngcof
feef
orthem."

Ryansmil
eda
thowde
ter
mine
dshes
ounde
d,andtheyc
ont
inu
ed
t
alki
ngab
o u
tthi
san
dthatfo
ralon
gti
me;main
lyab
o u
twork
.

"Youc
anst
artyo
uro
wncompa
nylat
eronon
cey
ou'v
eprove
ntobet
he
b
estatyo
urwor
k."Hetol
dherwhi
lesi
ppi
ngawar
mc o
ffe
eafte
rameal
.

"Yo
uthi
nk?Ca
nIr
eal
lydoi
t?"

"Thatdep
endsony
ou,andwha
tyo
uca
nof
fer
."Hes
mil
ed,a
ndt
he
t
alkkep
tflo
wingfl
awl
ess
ly.
Theyle
fttherest
auran
t,aboutandhourorsol
ater
,afte
ralov
ely
di
nnerwit
hn i
ceconv
ersa
tio
n.Ry angaveherari
dehome.Thesumme
r
ni
ghtwassoothi
ngtotheeyesandesp
eci
all
ytheshi
nin
gcity
.Itwas
ar
oundnine
-thir
tywhentheyhitthero
ad.

"W hydon
'ty
ouhaveadri
verortho
semachog
uyss
talk
ingy
ourback
l
ik
eat al
e?Li
keot
herbi
gbos
sesinthemov
ies
."Shesudden
lyas
ked,
a
ndhel a
ughe
dhard.

"Maybeyous
houl
dst
opwatc
hingtho
semo
vie
sfi
ll
in
gyou
rheadwi
th
f
anta
sie
s."hesai
d."Il
ovemypr
ivac
yandIonl
ytr
ustmydri
vi
ngsk
il
ls
,
s
oIdo n
'tne
edadriv
ern
orabodygua
rd."

"Suuu
ure
!"Cl
ai
res
hothi
mas
top
-br
agg
ingl
ook
,an
dal
mos
tro
ll
ed
he
reye
s.

Butthenagai
n,shereal
ize
dJo rgewasals
othesame;he'
dr e
loc
ate
d
the
irfat
her'
sdriverassoonasheto
o kthepr
esi
den
cy.Hewa s
n'tafan
ofVIPli
feandallthefl
ash.Altho
ug hshehadanimpr
essi
onthat
wasn'
tthecasef
orRy an;hewa se
viden
tlysome
one
.whol i
kedpower
andexer
cis
ingauthor
ity
.

"Doy
oul
iv
ewi
thy
ourf
ami
ly
?"Ry
ana
ske
d,a
fte
ral
ongs
il
enc
e.

"Um--k
indof
,mystepmo
man
dhi
sso
n."s
hea
nswe
red,a
fte
r
he
sita
tin
gforamome
nt.

"Yo
urp
are
nts
?"Heq
uer
ied.

"Inheav
enmayb e
,ifthe
yli
vedwellen
o ug
hdu r
ingthei
rt i
meon
Ear
th."Shes mi
led,andlo
oke
da way.Ry andidn
'twa n
tt oaskmorea s
muc
ha sCl
airese
emedlikes
hedidn'
twa nttosaymore.Sheo nl
ya dded,
"Thanksf
ortoday;Ihadag r
eatti
me ,a
n dthedi
nnerwa saweso
me ."
 "I
'mg
lad,It
hou
ghtIwa
sat
ota
lbo
rin
g."Hea
nswe
red.

"Oh,s
oyo
uar
emo
des
tto
o?"

Hela
ughe
d."Ma
ybe
."Her
epl
ie
d,a
ndt
heys
har
edas
oot
hin
g
s
mil
e.

Theyevent
u a
llyreachedClaire'
sho u
se,whe r
es hebi
dhi mgoodnight
andgotoffthec a
r.Ry anwa tchedheruntilsheope
n e
dt hegat
et oher
hous
e.It'
swhe nhes t
artedhiscar,rea
dyt oma keareverse
.Ho wever
,
hesudde
nlys p
o tt
edherg et
tingout,andjo
g gingbacktowardshiscar;
hehadtop ul
lover,befor
es c
roll
ingthewindow,al i
ttl
efrownonhi sfac
e.
Shewe n
tt othedr i
versideandstoodtherewi t
houtawo rd,andal i
ttl
e
outofbr
eath.

Heo penedthedoorwithcon
cer
ns,andg
otoffthecar
."Clai
re?"
Hev o
ice
do ut."W hat--"Hewa sabou
ttoaskherifs
hehadfor
gott
en
an
ythin
g,buts herus
hedc l
ose
rtohi
m,andki
ssedhimonthel
ip
s;taki
ng
hi
mc o
mplet
elyoff-
guard,forase
con
d.

Shedidn'twa n
ttoenditther
e;wi
thame r
etouchoft
heli
psonl
y,
b
utRyanwa sstif
f,asifu
n move
d.Thatfor
cedhertoimme
dia
tel
ypul
l
b
ack
,feel
in
ga wful
lyembar
ra s
sed.Howeve
r,shegat
heredt
hecour
age,
a
ndloo
kedhimi ntheey
es.

"I...Iwa n
tedtodot
hisev
ersinc
eIhe a
rdy o
urvoic
eear
li
er.
I
'msor
ry!"sheutt
ere
dinasof
tsighi
ngvoi
ce,wit
hha l
f-r
emor
se,an
d
t
urn
edtowal
ka way
.

Ry
a n
,si
mila
rlyi
nma
n n
ers
,grab
bedhe
rwai
sts
wift
ly,andt
rap
ped
he
rbehi
ndthedoor
.Hisgaz
efl
ewdowno
nhe
rinfl
ames,a
ndshewas
c
omp
let
elys
tun
nedwi
tho
utk
nowi
ngwha
ttoe
xpe
ct.

"Nextti
me,
"hesaidhal
ti
ngl
y,withhiseye
stwink
li
ngdown
mock
ingl
y."do
n'tst
ealaki
ssl
ikethat,
"hep r
ess
edherharde
rag
ain
st
hi
schest
."esp
eci
al
lytoan
othe
rg u
y .
"hea ddedhau
ghti
ly
.

Hi swo rdswerea lmostt hreat

ening,andthenexci
ting
,inhy p
n o
tic
manner.Heq ui
cklyin vadedhe rli
ps,inawa yshe'dneve
rb ee
ns weet
ly
ass
aultedbe f
ore.Itwa s
n '
tt heonet ocal
lpassi
onat
e,butthekindo f
ki
sstoe l
ectri
fya l
lfivese n
s esofab ody,ashecrashedhertonguea n
d
moul
dedwi thhiswi thoutlet t
inghers l
iphissi
de.An dCl a
ire,
i
nsti
nctivel
yc l
ai
me dhi sn e
ckt osteadyhersel
f,whil
eha v
ingaf i
llofsuc
h
araretreat.The yha daho tlongk i
ssever,whic
hlefthercheek
so nfir
e
andherb reathtakena wa y;sheha dn'tki
ssedanyoneinfouryears,and
hewasi ndeedat e
rrifickisser.
CHAPTER 5

Thenextmor
n i
ngClai
remetBrunodownto
wna spromi
sed.The
yhad
l
unchtoge
the
r,afte
racco
mpanyi
nghimtobu yso
mes i
lv
erwar
efo
rhis
re
stau
rant.Het ol
dhertha
theha ddec
idedtosle
epoverhi
sho
use
so
meti
mes,anditwasn
'tsobadashethought.

"Se
e!Yo
u'r
eab
igg
uyn
ow!"Shej
oke
d,a
ndhel
aug
hed.

"Ye
ah,t
han
kst
oyo
u."Hes
aid.

Clai
r eco ul
dn'
tbringhers
elftotellhimabouthermeeti
ngwithhis
bro
thert heo t
hernig
ht;shede c
idedt okee
pittoherse
lf.Sinceherlas
t
bre
akupwi t hDeni
s,duri
nghi g
hschoo l
,shehadn ot
hin
gt odowithmen
anditha db eenc
omforta
blethatway .Bo t
hs heandBrunosatata
co
ffeesho p,whenhetookapictureofherwithoutherknowle
dge;she
wassolo stintosp
ace.Brunok e
ptont aki
ngp i
ctur
esunti
lshereal
ize
dit.

"St
opi
t!"Shes
nap
pedwhi
lehi
din
ghe
rfa
cewi
thhe
rpa
lms
.

Br
unolaug
hedandputdownhi
scame
ra."Alr
ight
!Youa r
e
p
hoto
geni
cthoug
h,didy
o ukno
wthat
?"hea s
kedherwhi
let
akin
gas
ip
o
fhisca
ramelmil
k,s
mil
ingl
y.

"Rea
ll
y?W hydon
'twes
tartourmode
li
nga
genc
ythen
?"Cl a
ire
t
ease
d."I'v
ewan
tedt
oaskyo
ut hi
s,ar
eyouaprop
hot
ograp
herori
sit
j
ustahobb
y?"

"I
'map
rof
ess
ion
al,wa
nnas
eemyp
ort
fol
io
?"Her
epl
ie
dwi
thp
ride
.

"Su
re,I
'dl
ovet
ose
etha
t."s
heg
rin
ned,a
mus
ed.

"Okay
,ne
xtti
memayb
e."hesmil
edboy
ishl
y.Hea
ske
dherto
a
ccomp
anyhi
mtoRyan
'soff
ice
,so
methi
ngthatha
dhe
rali
ttl
ethr
own
o
ff.

"Ohno,Ican
't.
"Clairer
efu
sed,thi
nki
ngo
fthek
issa
ndt
he
e
mb a
rra
ssmen
tuponse
ein
ghimagain.

"Ohple
asebe
auti
ful
!"Brun
oin
sis
ted,a
ndl
ook
inga
thi
sfa
ce,i
twa
s
i
mposs
ibl
etode
cli
nefur
the
r.

"Al
ri
ght."Shere
len
ted,andhei
mme
diat
elyc
all
edRy a
ntol
ethi
m
k
nowabouthi
svi
si
tbef
orehan
d.Theywen
tstrai
ghtahe
adtoSK,
f
romthe
re.

So metimelate
rt heya rrive
db ythel obby,andwa i
t e
df o
rt heb rother
ashe'dins t
ructe
d.Af te
rawhi le,Ry ana ndDo ri
swe rewalki
n go u
to f
theel
ev a
torn onc
hala n
tly,a ndBr unowa vedathi mal i
ttl
edra ma t
icall
y;
desp
itethes it
uati
on ,Claires mil
edatt hes i
ght.Do r
iswa slooking
fanc
iertha nbefo
re;he rb eautif
ultallbodymo vedgraceful
ly
.Shewa s
weari
n gab lac
ko f
ficedres swi t
hap a l
epinkcoata n
dc reamhe el
s .
Aroundhe rg i
raffen e
ckt herewa sac reamp e
arlneckla
cethatma tc
he d
per
fectl
ywi thhers hoes.Asf orRy a n
,hewa sinab l
ackforma lsuit
whichde f
inedhisp osi
tio
nf lawlessl
y.The ywere,withoutado ub t
,a
per
fectma tchineveryone'
se yes;wellexceptCl a
ire'
swhos e
eme dlikeshe
waso nvergeofb ursti
ng.Fo ramo me n
ts hefoundher s
elfsopa thet
icfor
whats heha ddonet heothe rnight.

"Cl
ai
re?"Ryanr
egar
dedhe
rinsuchst
yle
."W he
redi
dyoug
et
he
r?"Hea sk
edBru
no,abi
tsu
rpri
sedtose
ethe
mtoge
the
r.

"Shewasmyda t
etoday.
"Br u
noa n
swere
de n
thusi
ast
ica
ll
y,pl
aci
ng
ahandonClai
re'
sface
.Itdidn
'tsee
mt ob
otherher
,shewastoo
en
gros
sedonherownbatt
le
.
 Dor
is'sey e
swinc
edatthemen
tiono
fthenameClai
re,astho
ughshe
wastyi
ngt oreco
ll
ectame
mo r
y."Clai
re...Clair
e...o h...it'
s
tha
tgirlri
g ht?"Shefac
edRy an."Theon
ey o
usavedthatni
ght?"
Addeds he
.

Cl
air
ewasj
ustsi
le
nt,f
orc
ingas
mil
eun
tils
hef
ina
ll
yut
ter
ed,
"Hi
?"toDor
is.

"HiCl ai
re?Ihear
dal otabou
tyoufro
mRyan.
"Do r
isre
pli
ed.
"I'
mDo ri
s,theon
lygi
rlf
rie
n dRyanhas.Oh,a
ndonl
ybigsi
ste
rBruno
has!"shesai
dwhilec
ross
ingherhandwit
hRyan'
s.Thetwomenbot
h
ro
ll
e dt
hei
reyes,b
utinanamu s
edmanne
r.

"Oh-
-Is
ee.
"Cl
ai
rea
nswe
redb
rie
fl
y,f
eel
in
gap
ier
cin
gonhe
rche
st.

Qui
tec
asua
ll
y,Ryana
ske
d."Ha
vey
ouha
dlu
nch?wewe
reo
nou
r
wa
you
t,may
beyouc
anjo
inus
?"

Br u
noa
ns we
red,"W ej
ustha
dab
itee
arl
ie
r,b
utma
ybear
ealme
al
wi
lldo
.RightClair
e?"

Cla
irewassk
epti
cal
."I '
ms o
rrybutI'mafr
aidIhavetogo
,"She
r
etur
ned."Iforg
otsomethi
ngimpor
tant.
"Shea dded,and
a
polo
geti
cal
lys
taredatBr u
no."W e'l
lkee
pintouc
h."shesai
d
p
oint
edly,a
ndturne
da r
oundquic
kly
,a si
fshe'
de n
count
ere
dag ho
st.

Brunofo
ll
owedhertot
ryco
nvi
nci
ngi
ntos
tay,bu
tfai
le
d.Shewas
u
nus u
all
yperp
lexe
d,an
dsimp
lyru
ntowar
dstheta
xi,l
eav
inghi
mto
tal
ly
i
ns hoc
k.

"Justc
allmet
hen,o
kay?"Hescre
ame
db u
titwa
sto
ola
te.She
wa
sgo
ne,a
ndhejustwat
chedt
hedo
orshu
tti
ng.
 Onces
eate
da tt
heback
,Cl
air
ele
toutahy
ster
ica
lsmi
rk.Shewa
s
t
otal
lypi
sse
do f
f;e
spe
cia
ll
yfr
omDoris
'sr
emar
k.

"W hat?Ry a
ntoldmealota
boutyou?AmIs omeki
ndofas howto
bedi
scus
sedafte
ranepi
sode
?"Shemu t
ter
edfur
ious
lywhi
chma dethe
dri
vert
olookbacka
ther."Ju s
tdoy o
urjobmi
ster
,sto
ploo
kingat
me!"Shes na
ppedathi
m;Thee n
coun
terhadto
tall
yrui
nedherday.

Shea r
rive
dho mea n
dwe n
tst
rai
ghtt
ohe
rro
oml
ikea
lwa
ys.W ha
t
f
oll
owedwa stop ho
neGenast
rai
ghta
way
,an
dto
ldhera
boutt
heKis
s
be
forethehor
ro rafte
r.

"Gi
rl
,afte
rsomeyear
sofpayi
ngs
aintyouha
vef
inal
lyu
nle
ashe
d
y
ourfe
mini
neins
tin
cts
?Bu twhydoyo
us o
undsomad?"Genaask
ed.

"Ime tthatbasta
rdtodayandhewasl i
keadi f
fere
ntpe
rso
n,you
mightaswe l
lsayhehasspli
tper
sona
lit
y,a ndguesswhowas
acc
o mp
anyinghim?Thep re
ttybi
tchsti
ckingallov
erhim!YeahIknow
sheishisgir
lfr
iendbutIjust
--"shegr i
tte
dhe rtee
th."Iju
stfe
ltli
ke
smashin
ghe rface
!"Cl a
iresai
d,asifshewa srec
iti
nganangr
ypoem
wit
ho u
tp a
u s
ing.

Gen
al aug
hedlou
dlyli
kecra
zy."Ta keite
asygir
lfr
iend,i
fy o
ucant
hav
eit
,justfor
getit
!"Shet oldher."Ju s
tchangetheprey;swi
tch
tot
heotherone
,Bruno!Ithinkheisan i
cec
atchhimse
lf,it
'snotl
ike
Ryanistheonl
yflo
werinthefi
eld.
"Ge narappe
d,herinan aught
ywa y
.

"Ohple
aseGena
!wea ren
ottal
kingabo
u ts
omestupi
dhangup
sthat
y
oudumpeve
ryda
y.No!I '
mnotlet
tin
gitsl
idethateas
il
y,I'
llmak
ehi
m
p
ay."Shewhine
d."Idon'
tcarei
fsheishisgi
rlf
rie
nd,aslo
ngasthe
y
a
renotma
rrie
dheisst
il
lanel
igi
bl
eb ac
hel
orwhoisridi
cul
ous
ly
ha
nds
omea
ndab
ast
ard!"Cl
ai
res
aids
lyl
y.

"Gosh!Idon'
tb e
li
evethi
s."Genal
aug
hed."Isthatr
eal
lyyou
Clai
re?Youareoff
ic
ial
lyahomewre
cke
ryoukno
w?"Shes cre
amed
gi
rli
shl
y."I'
mc o
mingbacksoont
oseef
ormyse
lf;ma
y b
eIcanbel
ie
vea
l
it
tle
."
CHAPTER 6

As tr
angerainamidtheSu mmer,ac
compani
edbysmallli
ghtni
ngwas
po
uringonthatFr i
dayn i
ght;i
twass uc
hac ol
dlone
lynightfort
hosein
so
li
tude,li
keClaireLev
yhe r
sel
f.Itwasele
veno'c
loc
k,ands hewassti
ll
ro
ll
ingundertheblanket
,unabl
etosle
ep.Deci
dedl
y,shewa l
k e
doutof
be
da ndopenedthewindowcurta
ins
,towitnes
sthesightthat'
sprob
ably
abitsca
rytoo t
hers;butnottoher
.I fi
tweren'
tforthatinci
den
ta
monthago,she'
dp ro
bablysai
dthatshelov
edrain.

Shel is
tenedthes o
undoftherai
nfal
landsa wtheli
ghtscrackin
g
t
heskywi t
houtaho rror;pe
rhapse
veryo
neouttherewaslos
ti n
b
eauti
fuldreamsb e
hindthei
rclo
seddoors
,shethought.Shef el
tlike
s
hewa stheonlyweirdonetobeawakeatthatmoment.Sighing,she
c
los
edthec u
rtainsands ato
nherbedroo
mc ouc
h,b o
thherlegsont he
c
ushio
namo me ntaft
er.He rmindwentbacktothataft
ernoonwhens he
s
awRy ansmil
ingbrightl
yatthatwoman;asoftexaspe
rate
ds i
g h
e
scape
dhe rlungs.

"Cuti
toutClai
re,i
t'
sno
tli
key
oul
ovehi
mors
ome
thi
ng.
"Shet
rie
d
s
nappi
ngoutofi
t.

Shewa st o
ocuri
ousaboutRy a
nSt e
vens
;s hewasstra
ngel
ydyi
n gto
kno
we ve
rythi
nghedid,wherehewentandwho mhemet.Hewa sthe
fi
rstmantoha v
epiq
uedhercuri
osit
ytosuc
he xte
nt,andshehadnoidea
why.Coulditbeduetohisrudemanne
rs?Orhi sper
sonal
it
ychan
g es
;
so
me t
ime
swa rmsometi
mescol
d?Shec oul
dn'tqui
teunder
stan
dathing.

Shesudde
nlyst
retc
hedherha
ndandunpl
ugg
edherce
ll
phonefro
m
i
tsc
harg
er;shest
aredatitt
houg
htf
ull
yfo
rawhi l
e,a
ndwitho
u the
r
s
anemi
nds
hes
enthi
mat
ext
;

Fr
om:Cl
ai
re

To
:RYANTHEJERK

Fr
i***1
1:
11PM

(Su
bje
ct)Yo
usl
eep
ing
?

s
ent
.

Shewasn'
tre
all
yexpe
cti
nganyr
epl
y,s
os hede
cide
dtogobac
ktoher
b
ed.Afte
rfewminut
esherpho
nebe
epe
d;shegrab
beditf
asta
ndr e
ad
t
hethere
ply
;

Fr
om:RYANTHEJERK

To
:Cl
ai
re

Fr
i***1
1:
16PM

(Su
bje
ct)No
tye
t,Ar
eyo
u?

r
ece
ive
d.

Shef
eltexhi
lar
ate
da tt
hesi
ghtofhi
sre
ply.Jus
ta sshes
tar
ted
t
ypin
gbac
k ,the
rewasanin
comi
ngca
llfr
omhim.Shesmil
ed
mi
schi
evo
usl
yan
dqu
ick
lys
li
dther
ece
ive
r.

"W e
rey
ouwa
iti
ngf
ormyc
all
?"Ry
ana
ske
d,r
efe
rri
ngt
ohe
rfa
st
p
rompt
.

Hi svo
icewasto oin
timi
dati
ng,Clai
ret
hought
.Bu tasstra
ngel
yasi
t
was,sheonl
ys t
artedtoimagin
ehimonhiskin
g-s
ize
db e
dt a
lki
ngtohe
r,
andnothi
ngelseotherthanmarve
ll
in
gwha thewasweari
ngcametomi
nd.
Shewa sgoin
gi n
sa neandshekne
wit.Shef o
undherse
lfgri
nni
ng
ri
dicu
lous
ly.

"W hywoul
dI?Ij
ustha
ppe
nedt
oha
vemyp
hon
ecl
ose
,tha
t'swhy
."
s
heargued.

Ry
anc
huc
kle
d."W hya
rey
ous
til
lawa
ke?"

"Ic
an'
tfa
lla
sle
ep,It
hin
kI'
mde
vel
opi
ngi
nso
mni
a."

"Real
ly?I
'mals
oav i
cti
m,somaybeIsho
uldre
commendy
out
omy
t
herap
ist
!"Hep rov
oke
dhe rwhi
lel
aughi
ngdel
ig
htful
ly
."Shal
lIs
end
y
ouheraddre
ss?"

"He
r?Not
han
kyo
u!"Sher
epl
ie
d,i
nas
eri
ousma
nne
r..

"Bu
twhy
?Ip
romi
ses
hei
stheb
est
."

"OhIb etsheis
,"s
hemoc
ked."ore
lsewhywou
ldyo
umeethe
rif
y
ou'res
til
lawa k
ebynow?"Hervoi
cewasrat
hers
har
p,an
dhe
c
onti
nue
dlau g
hingati
t.

"W hydidy
oule
aveinsuc
hahu
rrye
arl
ie
r?"I
gno
rin
ghe
rsa
rca
sm,
Ry
anchang
edthes
ubje
ct.

"Didy
ouwa n
ttoenj
oyse
eingtheg
irly
ouju
stkis
sedtheo
the
rnight
ma
kin
gafri
endl
ycha
twiththesocal
le
dyourgi
rl
fri
end?"Shesna
pped.
"W e
ll
,Ic
oul
dn'
tgi
vey
out
hep
lea
sur
e.I
'ms
orr
y!"

"Ohsoy
oul
eftb
eca
useo
fDo
ris
?"Hea
ske
d,i
nwha
tso
unde
dli
kea
mo
cke
ry.

"NoIleftbec
auseo
fme !"Shes
n a
ppe
d."Ihav
emypr
ideyouk
now,
e
ventho
ughy o
uthin
klowlyofme
."shene
arl
yba
rke
d,a
ndstar
tedt
o
r
egre
ttext
inghimal
toge
ther.

Ry a
nr emai
nedqui
et,tol
ethers
ayitall
;hefe
ltamus
edbyherwords
,
i
tseemed."An dwhata b
outyouan
dBr u
n o
?Theg i
rlwhoj
ustkis
sed
metheotherni
ghthangingaro
undwit
hmyb ro
thera
shisdat
e,"he
i
nsi
nuated,je
alou
sly
."wha tdoImakeoutoft
hat?"

I
twasCl
air
e'stur
ntol
aug
h."Ar
eyouj
eal
ousbyan
yc ha
nce
?"
Shee
veng
ott
heener
gytoge
tupan
dmove
dba
cktothec
ouch.

"W ha
t?Tha
tshi
tdo
esn
'te
xis
tinmydi
cti
ona
ryy
oun
gla
dy.
"

"W el
lfi
ne!Ifyousa
ys o
."s hecon
tinu
edmaki
ngf
unofhi
m.They
t
alk
edforal
mostanhouran
ds hedeci
deditwas
n'ts
obado
fadeci
si
on
t
otexthi
ma f
tera
ll.

SOMEda yspasse
d,a ndli
fewenton.Cla
irewasp r
epari
ngt he
pre
sentati
onmater
ial
sa twork.Shewa saske
dt oacc
ompanyo neofher
sen
iorstomeetanimportan
tc l
ie
ntintwowee
ks.Shewa sexcite
dto
fi
nall
yg ooutanddos o
mer ealwor
k,eve
nthoughitwasab itodd.She
kep
the rsel
fbusyforthatentir
eweek
,thatcoul
dn'teve
nme etGe n
a
whenshe'dretu
rnedfromhe rtri
p.OnSa tur
daya ft
ernoo
n,ho weve
r,
the
yp l
a n
nedada t
ea tGe n
a's.

Ge
nawa
sn'
tha
ppy
,fo
rhe
rfo
ste
rpa
ren
tswa
nte
dhe
rba
ckho
mea
s
theywer
eonav aca
tio
n.Shelov
edfre
edomandthecity
;g o
ingtothei
r
count
ryhousese
rvedagre
atdea
loftor
tur
e.Plus,shehadbeenli
vin
g
alo
nesin
ceshewasinhig
hs c
hoo
l,du
etoherpar
en t
'strav
ell
in
gsfor
medic
almis
sion
s.

"Sowha
tar
eyo
ugo
ingt
odo
?"Cl
ai
rea
ske
d,wo
rri
edl
y.

"I'
llju
sthav
etoser
iou
slyf
indaj
ob!"s
heg
rin
ned.The
ylo
oke
d
a
tea
c hothe
randsmi
le
d.

"Grea
tide
a."Cla
ires
aid."I
fyouwant,Ic
ana
skJo
rgei
f
t
her
e'sa
no p
eni
ng!"Shesai
dsugg
est
ive
ly.

"Ohb
estf
rie
nd,y
ou'
reas
ain
t.I
'l
lbemo
ret
hang
rat
efu
lify
oudo
t
hat
."

"An
ythi
ngf
ory
ouGe
na.
"Sher
etu
rne
d,a
ndme
ante
ver
ywo
rd.

Ther estoftheda ywasfi

lle
dwi thnothin
gb utanexchangeofsome
chee
s ygossi
p;ma i
nlyabou
tRy a
nSt evensandhisa b
ili
tyt ot
urnher
wacko.The yha dtolea
vearounds u
nset,whenGe nagota nin
vit
ef r
om
someg u
yo nl
ys hek n
ew.That'swhenCl ai
redeci
dedtot akeawalk,with
theeveni
n gai
rb lo
wingpastherhairinas oo
thin
gma nner.Shedi dn't
knowwhe retog oorwhattodoa tthetime;thei
de aofgoingbac
kho me
soughtthewo r
s tofthe
ma ll
.Itwa soneofthemo ment
ss hehate
d,whe n
she'
dl osehersenseofdi
rect
ion.

Ma y
besheshoul
djustdrin
ka nddie,Shewo nde
red,st
andi
ngat
thefro
ntofawhisk
eyb a
rwithal o
nelyexpres
sio
n."Noy oucan'
t
Clai
re,yo
uarenotsuchalos
ery e
t,butperhapsve
rysoon!"shesai
dto
hers
elf
.ShewishedBr u
nowa sli
vi
ngt he
r e
,andmomentari
ly
e
nte
rta
ine
dthei
deao
fca
ll
in
gRy
an.

Shekeptonwo nderi
ngwhil
emo v
ingslo
wlyandstop
pedmovi
ngat
ti
me s.Ifso
me on
es awher,mayha v
ethoughtshewascraz
y.Afte
ra
whileshesto
ppeda tthebusstop
;shejustwantedtot
akeabusandri
de
wha te
verro
utethatwa slonge
r,inhopetoki
llti
me.W hil
ewai
ti
ngthere
,
shethoughtofhowp atheti
cherli
fewas;shedidn'
tknowhowtohave
fun,howtou seherwe e
kendsandspareti
mes.

"An dhereI'mthi
nk i
ngofsomeon
eelse
'sboyfri
endinste
adof
t
akingcareofmylif
e."shemu rmur
edwhilestar
ingatherp hon
ewit
h
Ryan'scont
actnamedisp
layed.Shef e
ltt
heu rgetocal
lhim,tal
ktohi
m,
pr
ovokehimeventhou
ghs heknewthathewasn'tthemanforhe r
.
Wi t
houtthinki
ngfurt
her,shetou
chedthedialpadanda f
terfewbe
eps
,
Ryana n
swered.

"He l
lo
?"Her e
tur
ned.Cl
ai
rest
aye
dsi
len
t;p
artofhe
rmind
t
hin
kin
ga bo
utwha
tshere
all
ywant
edf
romhi
m."He l
lo
?Clair
e,a
re
y
outher
e?"

"Yes...Ia m."Shemu r
mu r
edhu ski
ly
."Imi ssyouRy an,I
shamel
ess
lymi
ssyou."Shebrokeout,hereye
ss p
arkl
ing,onv e
rge
oft
ears
.Sheq ui
ckl
ygotagri
pan dsnif
fed.Shek ne
ws heha dhita
roc
kb o
ttomandmadeacomp
let
efoolofherse
lf.W hatwa sshedoin
g?
Andwhyhi m?Shea sk
edhers
elfandn oans
we rc
amet omind.

Rya
nwa ss
il
entfo
rawhi
le
,bu
twhe
nhef
ina
ll
yta
lke
dheo
nly
a
ske
d,"W he
reareyo
u?"

"Att
heb
uss
top
?"Shemu
tte
red.

"W he
ree
xac
tl
y?"Heu
rge
d.
 "Um--opp
osit
etoGol
denp
ear
lho
tel
?"s
hea
nswe
red.Sheha
dno
i
deawhyhe'
da s
kedtho
ugh.

"I'
mco
min
g,do
n'tmo
veamu
scl
e!"Sa
idRy
an,a
ndhi
sli
newe
nt
de
ad.

"OhGo d,wha
t'sthemat
terwi
thyouCl
ai
re?"Shesn
a p
ped
he
rse
lf,stu
pidl
y."Ha v
ey o
ugonecr
azy
?"Shescrat
che
dherhai
rli
ke
amani
a c
.

She'
dcal
le
dhim,andhe
'da g
ree
dtobethe
re.Itwa
scr
azyb
utr
eal
,
a
nds
hewasn
olong
erinherr
ightmin
d,shet
hought
.
CHAPTER 7

Ryanre
ache
dt he
reaft
ertwe
nty-f
ivemi
nut
esan
dfoun
dClai
resi
tti
ng
the
rel
ik
ealostpup
py.Hep ar
kedthecari
nfr
onto
ftheb
ussto
pa n
d
wal
kedto
wardswhereshewa
ss i
tti
ng.

"Ha v
eyoudec
ide
dt omakemeworr
yabo
uty
ouli
keali
ttl
egir
l?
W hydi
dyousou
ndlik
eyo uwer
eabou
ttodi
e?"Rya
n'svo
icewasa
mi
xtur
eofang
erandconc
ern.

"You...yo
ur e
all
ycame?"Clai
resai
dwit
hdi sb
elie
f.Shesto
od
u
ptocl
ear
lyl
ooka
thim;heloo
k e
ddi
ffe
rent
,ina
bo mi
nableway,dr
ess
ed
u
pcasu
all
y.Thek
indofsi
ghtthatn
owo ma
nwould'v
eresist
edtol
ook
t
wic
e.

"Let
'sgo,Iwo n
derwhe
r eyouc
amefr
omdres
sedupli
ket
hat
."He
s
aidwhil
elook
ingathermi
schie
vous
ly.Herdr
ess
ingwasabi
t
p
rovo
kin
gt ohisey
es.

"Therei
sno
thi
ngwr
ongwi
thmyo
utf
itt
hou
gh.
"shea
rgu
eda
s
t
heyen
ter
edhisc
ar.

Alltha
tRy andidwa staki
nghe
rforalo
ngdriv
etoap l
acetha
t
shedi
dn '
tknowexis
ted.Ry ansai
dshewou
ld'v
een
joyeditbe
tterdur
ing
adayli
ghtbutnonet
hele
ss,itdi
dClai
reagrea
tdealofpl
eas
ure.She
eve
ndozedoffonthei
rwa yback
.

"He
ysl
eep
yhe
ad,wea
reb
ack
!"Ry
ant
rie
dtowa
kehe
rup
.

"Mm...a
lre
ady
?"Cl
ai
res
nug
gle
dinas
lee
pyv
oic
e.

"Sha
llweg
oba
ckt
hen
?"Hea
ske
dinas
eri
ouswa
y.

"Um-
-whya
rewehe
re?"Shes
nap
pedi
nsu
rpr
ise
,af
ters
eei
ngt
he
p
lac
ethe
ywe
rea
t.

Ryansmi
rke
d."Sto
phavi
ngthos
ewi
ldf
ant
asi
es,l
et'
shav
edin
ner
;
t
her
e'sani
cer
est
aur
anti
nthi
shot
el!"Hesn
app
edandgotof
fthec
ar.

"I'
mn o
tfa
nta
siz
inga
nyt
hin
g!"Cl
ai
res
mil
edp
athe
tic
all
yan
d
f
oll
owe
dhim.

Theyha
danot
herni
cedi
nne
ran
dthec
onv
ers
ati
ont
ookadi
ffe
ren
t
t
urnfr
omworkt
opri
vat
eli
fe.

"W he
rewe
rey
ou?"a
ske
dRy
anwhi
lee
ati
ng.

"Toaf
rie
nd'shou
se.
"Clai
reanswe
red.Seei
nghi
sfr
own
ing,s
he
c
lea
red,"HernameisGen
a,i
ncasey
ouarecur
iou
s!"Shesmi
le
d.

"I
'mn
otc
uri
ous
!"Hes
aid.

"You'
ren
ot?"Sher
ais
eda
ney
ebr
ow."Bu
tyo
urf
aces
ays
o
the
rwis
e."

Heshookhi
sheadt
othes
ides
,amuse
db yal
lheri
nsi
ste
nce
.He
s
lowl
ysi
ppe
dthewin
e,wi
tho
utaba
ndoni
ngherfi
neey
es.

"I
'mre
all
ynotc
uri
ous
,tru
stme
!"Hen
arr
owe
dhi
sga
ze,a
s
t
hou
ghmoc
kinghe
rinaway.

"Fi
ne!"Sher
esi
gne
d.

Hel au
ghed."Youlo
vearg
uingalot
,don
'tyou?"hes i
ppe
dhis
win
ea ga
in,whil
esta
rin
gatherherche
wingmout
h.L u
ckil
yClai
rewasa
womanofclass
;shehadgre
atet
ique
tte
;shewasfarfrombei
ngan
embar
rassment
.

"Ido
.W he
nIha
veap
oin
ttop
rov
e!"Shes
aid.
 "Doy
ouha
veab
oyf
rie
nd?"Heb
lur
tedo
ut.

Shea
lmo
stc
hoc
kedhe
rfo
od,a
ndq
uic
klyr
unf
oran
apk
in."No
,I
do
n't
."

Hewa sinc
reasi
ngl
ya muse
d.Hec o
uld'
vestay
edallni
ghtlo
ng,
l
ist
eni
ngt ohowcompe
tit
iveshesou
n de
d.Att hatmome
nt,hejus
t
wante
dt oknowmoreabouther
,withoutanygra
n di
nte
restofaki
nd
tha
ta nygir
lwoul
ds t
artimagin
ing.

"W hy
?You'r
ey o
ung,b
eau
tif
ula
nds
mar
tIg
ues
s,i
t'
son
ly
n
atu
ralt
ohaves
omeon
e."

"Ma
ybeIha
vehi
ghs
tan
dar
ds!"Sher
etu
rne
d.

Hela
ughe
dhard."Real
ly?Tha
t'sal
ott
ota
kei
n!"He
r
ema
rke
d,andsheo
nlys
hru
gged.

"W hata
boutyou
?"Shechang
edt hega
me."Doe
syo
urgi
rl
fri
end
k
nowyou'
reher
erig
htnow?"Andcount
erat
tack
edwhe
nRyanl
eas
t
e
xpe
cte
d;andhewasstra
nge
lyv
eryst
oic
.

"Shedoe
sn'
tne
edto
,"hequi
ppe
d."b
eca
useweha
veamu
tua
l
u
nde
rsta
ndi
ng."Headde
d,gal
la
ntl
y.

Clair
eb i
the
rli
psi
rri
tat
edly
."Oh!L
ikes
omek
indo
fano
pen
r
ela
tio
nship
?"Sheha r
dlyas
ked.

Heno
dded."Sure
,wecang owi
ththat
!"r e
pli
edhe,hau
ght
il
y.
Ann
oye
dwit
hthesub
jec
t,Cla
iredownedhe
rgla
ssinonego."Eas
y
t
her
e!"Hegaspe
d."ThisChardonn
ayisali
ttl
estr
ong!"

"DoIloo
kli
keIca
re?"Shesnor
ted.Itwastheendof
c
onv
ers
ati
on,f
orwhi
chhekep
tsmi
li
ngathersul
kin
gf a
ce.
 "I
sso
met
hin
gwr
ong
?W hya
rey
ouq
uie
t."Heb
oldl
yas
ked.

Shegl
are
dster
nlya
thim."No,e
ver
ythi
ngisfi
ne.
"Sheg
rinne
d,
a
ndr
ais
edagl
ass
."W hatamoro
n!"Shemu mb
led,i
nalo
wvo
ice
.

"W ha
tdi
dyo
usa
y?"

"No
thi
ng,t
hewhe
the
risv
eryn
ice
."

"Thewe
athe
r?"Hel
aug
hed.

"Yea
h,theweat
her
!"Shes
nap
ped,a
ndRy
anha
dhu
ges
ips
oas
t
ost
ifl
ehi
sla
u gh.

Hedr ov
eherba
ckhomeinanawfuls
il
ent
,thatCl
air
eherse
lf
i
nst
igat
ed.Hek e
ptst
arin
gatherfr
omt i
metoti
mewit
has mi
letha
t
was
n'tre
tur
ned.Heu n
derst
oodwhy.

"Don
'tthi
nktwi
cetoca
llmewhenyo
umis
sme
!"Hes
aids
eri
ous
ly
o
ncet
heyarr
ive
dinfr
ontofClai
re'
shou
se.

"Ok
ay,I
'l
lke
ept
hati
nmi
nd.
"Sher
eto
rte
d.

"Anddon
'ts
tic
kyo
urs
elfa
ttheb
uss
topa
sify
ou'
vel
osty
our
p
urp
oset
oli
ve.
"

Shesc
owle
dathim."Ido
n'tdotha
tev
ery
day
,ok
ay?"She
l
ashe
d."Don
'tmis
tak
emeforalo
ner.
"

Heju
stlaug
hed."Als
o,on
emo r
ethin
g,"het
ookap
aus
e,a
nds
he
e
yedhi
mcur
iou
sly."do
n'ty
ouhaveacar
?"

"Ido
n'tn
eedo
ne!I
'mf
ine
!"Re
pli
eds
he,c
oldl
y.

"Real
ly
?NoI
'mn
otc
omf
ort
abl
ewi
tht
hat
!"Sa
idRy
an
t
hou
ghtf
ull
y.
 I g
nori
nghisobnoxi
ousinn
uendo
,Clairela
u ghe
da ndgotof
fthecar
.
"ThankyoufortodayRy a
n."Sheu tt
eredtruthful
ly
."Ag ain,i
twas
gr
eat,anddri
vesafe
ly."shesaidan
dleftwithab i
tinsat
iabl
eloo
k;she
want
edmo r
eafte
rs u
chan ic
edate,b
utagain,themanwa sn
'tforher
.

Ryanstart
edtheca
ra n
ds l
idaway;buto
nhi swa youtoft
he
ne
ighbou
rhood,hefo
undoutthatshe'
dforg
ott
enhe rcel
lp
hone.He
madeaquic
kU- tu
rn.AtClaire
's,herangt
hegateb e
llandthe
ho
u se
maidopen
edafte
rsomeminute
s;shese
emedwor r
iedofsome
thi
ng.

"Exc
useme
,ca
nIs
eeCl
ai
re?Te
llhe
rit
'sRy
an.
"Hek
indl
y
a
ske
dher.

"Ah--a b
ou ttha
t,"themai
dstut
ter
ed,whilehove
rin
ga sif
s
omethinghorri
b l
ewasha p
pen
ing
.Al i
ttl
eworrie
d,Ry anshovedhe
r
a
sideanden t
ered."Si ryo
ucan'
t--
"shetrie
dt osto
phimb u
thewa s
t
oode t
ermi
n e
d.Heo nlydi
dsouponhe
aringtheshout
sb e
tweenCla
ire
a
ndhe rstepmother.

"Ihea
rdt hatyo
urecei
vedahu g
es umofmo ne
yb u
twhydidn'
tI
kn
owa nyt
hinga b
outi
t,tel
lmeyouu n
g r
atefulbr
at?"Themo t
her
ba
rked."Iknewy ouwer
es ocon
nivi
ngsincethefi
rstti
meIcameher
e!
handove
rthelanddeedifwanttokeeponliv
inghere!Besi
des
,what
wi
llyoudowithit?W hyca n
'tyoule
tJo rg
eu s
eitforco
mpany
i
ntere
sts
"

Cla
irewa
ssti
llst
andi
ngthe
re,f
umi
ngwit
han
ger
."W hywo
uldI
gi
vehim?Sa y
swho ?W hatc
anIdowit
hit?Hah!W a
itan
dsee
whatIcandowit
hit!"

"W ha
t?"
 "Isai
djuststayputands e
efory o
ursel
f!"Shet ol
dhe r.
"W hat'
swr o
ngwithy oureal
ly
?Yo u
'vegotthecompany
,youha v
ethe
hous
e,you'
veconf
isc
ateda l
lofmyf a
ther'
sb ankacc
ounts
,aretheynot
en
ough?Ik nowyouma rri
edhimmo ne
ya ndIk no
wy ouneve
rlik
edme
ev
enab i
tbutIenduredeveryt
hing!"Cl ai
rescre
amedangril
ywithte
ars
i
nhere y
es.He rmotherwantedtoslapherbutshequic
klygrabbe
dher
wri
st.

"Ho
wda
rey
ou-
-"Thes
tep
mot
hers
tar
ted.

"W hy?Doesithur
ttohearthetru
th?Thatyoua readamngold
dig
g e
r?Son owyouwannahitmeagai
n?"Shei n
sis
ted."I '
mn ol
onge
r
thatli
ttl
enai
vegi
rlwhoacc
epte
de v
ery
thin
gjustt
opleas
ey ouandse
ek
youratt
enti
on!Youwantthelan
d?Yo u'
llha
vetoki
llmef i
rst
!"

"Howdarey
ou-
-"t
hewo
mant
rie
dtof
reehe
rwr
ist
,bu
tCl
ai
re
k
epti
tgr
ipp
ed.

"I'
llneve
rletyo
uhitmeagai
n!"Shewar
ned."Anddo
n'tthi
nk
I
'mawe ak
lin
gj us
tbec
auseIal
lo
wedyouaf
ewti
mes."Shef
inal
ly
r
ele
ase
dhe rhand,an
dma rc
hedaway
.

Ryanan
dthatmai
dwe r
es ti
llo
uts
idethedo
or;heli
ste
neda
ndc o
uldn
't
st
andi
tany
more.Heha ndedthephon
etotheher
."I t
'sCl
air
e's
!"he
sa
iddr
ylyb
efor
ewalk
inga way.

Hee n
teredhisca
r,ami n
utel
ate
r,andl
eane
dheavi
lyagai
nstthe
l
eatheroft
hedr i
verse
at.Hec ont
empl
ate
dthatco
nve
rsati
onandfoun
d
hi
ms e
lfworri
edaboutClai
re,andt
hat'
swhenhehear
dhe rsl
ammin
gthe
ga
tea ndrunout.
 Shethenst
oppedasiftak
ingabreakaf
terarace
;shewi
pedthe
t
ear
swithherhand,andsta
rtedwalk
ingsl
owlyawayfro
mthehou
s e
.
Ryandr
oppe
do u
tq ui
ckl
y,andfol
lo
wedherdiscr
eet
lyfr
omadis
tance
.

Asus
ualCla
ires
topp
edbythepa
rk."Yo
uca
ngob
ackn
ow,Ido
n't
n
eedyo
urpi
ty!"shes
aidpoi
nte
dly
.

Ryanwass
urpri
sed."Si
ncewhe
nha
vey
ouk
nownIwa
sbe
hin
d
y
ou?"heask
edcal
mly.

Shesneer
ed."Fromt heve
ryb e
ginn
ing!"Shea nswer
e d."Isaw
y
ourca
rearli
er,andsi
nceyouarehere
,"shesighedhe
avil
y."p l
ease
f
org
etwhate
very o
uheard.Don'
tt hi
nkthatyouknowmen ow!"s he
a
ddedcur
tly
,ta k
ingaseatathe
ru sua
lspot
;Ry a
ndidthes ame
.

"Ihav
enoi
deao
fwhatyouaresay
ing
."Hef ei
gne
dobli
vi
on."So
i
sthi
sthep
arkt
haty
outa
lke
da b
ou t
?"hec ha
nge
dthesub
jec
t;hewas
s
ogoodati
t.

Clair
en odde dands mile
df a
intly.Hef ace
dhe r,andmo vedclo
ser
towipehertearswi thhist humb;theg est
urese
n therchil
ls.Shewa s
jus
tlooki
nga thi m,wonde ri
ngwhoher eal
lywas,andwha thecle
arly
wantedfromhe r.W i t
hou tbothe
ringhe rbrai
nfu r
ther,sherunaha nd
onhislef
tsideb urn.He rt ouc
hwa ss ensu
al,andherhe ar
twa sracin
g;
shesl
o wl
yleanedf orward,a ndgradua l
lycl
ose
dhe reyesa sherli
ps
l
a n
dedo ntopo fRy an's
.Shek i
sse
dhi ma ndhea cc
epteditinsucha
manner.Hehe ldhe rt
ightly,tofeelherbodyaga i
nsthis.

"Ilo
veyo
ursmel
l."Clai
remut
ter
edoutofthebl
uewhenthemagi
c
wa
sove
r."Imean
,theper
fume,o
rwhate
veryou
'reus
ing;do
n'tgett
he
wr
ongi
deas
!"Sheg o
tflus
ter
ed,an
dhelaughe
d.
 "Real
ly?Thendon'
tIdese
rveali
ttl
emoreco
mpl
ime
ntfort
hat?
May
beIco
uldbr
ingyo
ut heb
ott
leofmyCo l
ogn
eoneo
fthes
edays!"
Hej
oke
dandshesmi
le
d.

"Yo u
'resoc
orny
!"Shes a
id,andfou
ndthei
reyespu
ll
ingea
ch
o
ther,i
nac al
mway."Ithi
nkwebet
ter-
-"shewante
dt og
etup,buthe
s
uddenl
ypull
edhert
ohissi
de;s
hewan t
edtore
sis
t,butde
cide
dto
r
ele
nt.

Hi swarmembra
cema deherf
eels
a f
e."Ia l
sohaveada
rks
ide
t
hatI'
dr a
thernoo
nefindsout;It
hinkever
yoneel
sehas."Hes
a i
d,
a
ndshescowl
ed."Soy o
uha venor
easontofee
lalar
med!"Headded.

Clai
rep
ull
edhe
rse
lfbac
kf r
omhisarmsandloo
kedupathi
m,
shocke
d."You?Mr.Pe r
fec
t?Ido n
'tbel
ie
veyou.
"s her
emark
ed.
"Yo ukno
wwhat?W henifi
rstsawyou
,It ho
ughtyouwer
earude
jer
k!"

Ryanl
if
tedhise
yebro
w."Ohisthatso
?An dItho
ughtyouwer
e
ani
nsol
entl
it
tlec
reat
urewit
hal
lthef
oulre
mark
sy o
ukep
tretu
rnin
g
me.
"

"Ohn
oSi
r!Iwa
sme
rel
yde
fen
din
gmy
sel
f."

"Fr
omwho
?me
?"

"Ofc
our
se!Yo
uwe
rede
li
ber
ate
lyt
ryi
ngt
oin
timi
dat
eme
."

"Di
dI?"

"Ye
syo
udi
d!"

Hela
ughe
ddeli
ght
edly
."Soyouwe
rei
nti
mida
ted?W ha
tab
out
n
ow,ha
veyouc
han
gedyourmin
d?"
 "Alitt
le!"Shec o
nfess
ed."Af te
rspendi
ngs ometimewit
hy o
u,I
real
iz
edthatperhap
sheisn'
ta sbadasheprete
ndst obe,ormaybeheis
hidi
nghistruesel
fandwearsama skofaruthl
essb us
inessman."sai
d
Clai
re."Bu tal
lI'msur
eofist hatyo
ua r
ethema nwhos avedmyli
fe,
sothankyouRy an!Icoul
dn'tthankyoupro
perl
yt heotherday"Clai
re
tol
dhimc a
lmly.Theybot
hs tayedsi
le
nt.

W henRy anarri
vedhome,some
timela
ter
,hetookhist
imecon
temp
lat
ing
themomentsp
entwithClair
e.Fors o
mereasns
,thatonl
yhimse
lfk
new,
hehuffe
das mal
llaughasthoughimagi
ni
ngsomethi
ngfunn
y.W hil
e
pla
cin
ghisphoneandcarkeysdown,hedeci
dedtomess
ageher;

Fr
om:Ry
an

To
:La
dyi
nra
in

Thu***1
0:4
5pm

(Sub
jec
t)Is
afe
lya
rri
vedho
me.Thi
nko
nlya
bou
tme
,noo
ne
e
lse
.Go
odn
ight
!

s
ent
.

Hewait
edf
ora
boutamin
uteandr
ece
ive
dCl
ai
re'
sre
plywhi
ch
s
eeme
dpl
eas
antt
ohi
sey
e s
;hesmi
le
d.
 Fr
om:L
adyi
nra
in

To
:Ry
an

Thu***1
0:4
6pm

(Subje
ct)I'l
lonl
ydos oifyoupro
mis
etodothes
ame.Actu
all
y,
Ide
mandyou
!An ddon'
tthin
ko fcal
li
ngmebeca
usemyba
tte
ryisdyi
ng.
Sle
epwel
lMr.Pe rf
ect
!To daywa sf
u n
!

r
ece
ive
d.

Uponreadi
ng,Ryan'ssmil
ewide
nedwit
hpl
eas
ure
;hewasab
outto
r
esp
ondwhenac al
lsto
ppedhim;Itwasfr
omDori
s.Hefro
wnedabit
b
efo
reswip
ingtoconn
ect.
CHAPTER 8

The50t
hy ea
ra nni
ver
sa r
yofSt e
ven
sKe r
enskygro
upofcompani
eswas
ne
arlya
pproac
hing;onl
yaf ewdayshadleft
.Ry anwasseate
dinhis
to
weroff
ice
,SK he adquart
ers
,andDo ri
swa sgo
ingthrou
ghs o
meli
st
i
ns u
chafrenz
y .Hisoffic
edoorswungopenandHa rry
,Ry an'
sbest
fr
ien
dandhe adofLegaldep
art
mentwa l
kedin.

"I
t'sdone
!I'
veredr
afte
dt heco
ntra
cta
ndIthi
nkwewon'
thav
e
a
nypro
blemswi
tht
headditi
onalcl
aus
es!"SaidHar
ry,i
gno
rin
gthe
f
rowno
nDo ri
s'
sfa
ce.

Sheg r
owled."Guys,canweg obacktothatdamnedco
ntractaft
er
thi
seventi
so v
er!I'mgoin
gn utshereandnoonesee
mst ono
tice
!"
Ha rryandRy anexc
hangedglanc
esb u
tr e
maine
ds i
le
nt."So ,Ima de
thein
vit
essenttoeve
ryon
eo ntheli
st,andI'msureeve
ryimpo
r t
ant
per
sonhasobli
ged,butwhya mIstil
lfreak
ingout?"Shec o
ntinued
whini
ng.

Aba
ndoni
nghi
scomp
ute
r,Ryanlo
oke
dather
."Ic
lea
rlyt
oldyou
t
ole
tso
meon
ehelpy
ou,bu
tyou'
rej
ustsos
tub
bor
n!"Hes a
iddryl
y.

"Ryan,I'maPR dire
cto
rofthi
scomp
any
;ifany
thin
ggoe
swrong
i
nthi
spart
y ,i
t'
llb
etheendofmycar
eer
!"Sheblu
rted."Iwo
n'tl
et
t
hathap
pen!"Shes t
ron
glysnap
ped.

"Youmea
nt heendofyourpri
de?"Ha rr
ycontri
ved."Comeon
Dori
s,yo
ucan'tdoever
ythin
go nyouro
wn !Le
tothe
rp e
o p
lehe
lpyo
u,
ev
enthepar
typlanne
riscompl
aini
ng;you
'reb
reat
hingunderev
ery
one'
s
ne
ck!"

Sheg
rowl
eda
nds
hotRy
anag
lar
e.Heo
nlys
hru
gge
d."Ma
ybe
y
ous
houl
dgoandr
estabi
t!I'
ma l
rea
dyti
redofy
ourc
omp
lai
ni
ngt
oo.
"
Heut
ter
edb
lat
ant
lyandb
othge
ntl
emenl
aughe
d.

"Ur gh!Ic an'te

xpectanythi
ngf r
oma nyofy o
u !"Shes ma cke
d
t
hetable."Fi neI'l
ldoita l
lbymy se
lfandy o
ug onnaeaty o
urwo rds,
b
ecauseI'llma k
ethisannive
rsarytober e
membered!"Sheg otupa nd
c
oll
ecte
dhe rthing
s,inc
ludin
gab r
andyde s
igne
rp ursethatmatchedher
l
ongheels."Oh,a ndBrunoa s
kedmef ortwoinvita
tions,Iwas
s
urpris
edb ec
ausehenevertake
sp l
easureonanythingthatinvo
lvesthe
c
ompany!An yide
awha t'
su pwithhim?Her ef
u se
dt otel
lmea
t
hing!"

"No
!"The
yan
swe
redi
nun
iso
n.

"Oka
y!Ma yb
ehehasagi
rl
fri
end?"Dori
sin
sin
uate
dwhileatt
he
do
or."W el
lla
ter
,gen
tle
men
!"Shes nap
pedwi
thaning
redi
entof
i
rony
.

Rya
nwa
ssi
le
ntf
orami
nut
e,f
igu
rin
gso
met
hin
gou
ttha
ton
lyhe
k
new.

****

LATER THATa ft
erno
on,Clai
regotacallfr
omBr u
noandagre
edto
mee
thimoutsi
deherworkp
lac
edurin
glu n
chb r
eak.Hea r
riv
edshor
tly
af
tershehadjus
torder
edherse
lfatallgl
assoffre
shjui
ceatane
arby
re
stau
rant.

"He
yb e
auti
ful
,what
'su
p?"Hep
eck
edhe
ront
hec
hee
kbe
for
e
p
ull
in
gas
eatacr
ossher
s.
 "Goo
d!W hatar
eyoudo
ingi
nthec
ity
,an
dwha
t'swi
tht
he
r
ush?"Cla
ireu
rge
dhim.

"Nob i
ggi
e,Ijustn
eedtog etba
ckinMonte
s b
yb e
foredark.He y
t
her
e'sananni
ver
sarypart
yt hisFri
dayan
dIwa shopingifyoucou
ld
c
omewithme!"sai
dBr unokindly
,pul
li
ngCla
ire
'sglas
so fjui
ce."Do
y
oumind?I'mreal
lythi
rsty
!"Hea s
kedc
asual
lyli
keafrien
dwo ul
d.

"Nogoa
hea
d!"Cla
irec
ons
ent
eda
ndheg
ulp
edi
tinaha
lf."So
,
ap
artyy
ousa
y?whe
re?"

Br
unor
evea
ledt
hei
nvi
tat
ionf
romhi
sb a
ckp
ack
."It
'sa
llwr
itt
enin
he
re!"Heha n
dedhera
ndsherea
dital
oud."So?DoIhav
emysel
fa
da
te?"

Cla
ires
mil
ed."Ce
rta
inl
yyoudo!"Sheassur
edhimandhe
fl
in
c hedhisf
ist
stri
ump
hantl
y."But-
-canIbr
ingafri
end?It
'sj
ustI
hateg o
ingpl
ace
swit
hou
therandshelo
vesb
igpa
rti
es!"

Wit
houthesi
t a
tio
nBr u
n oagr
eed."Ofcour
se!Alt
houg
hthat
'sa
s
ing
leper
sonin
v i
te!"Hes aidthought
ful
ly
."W ell
,yo
ucanhav
e
a
nothero
ne,I'
llhavetofi
gureoutmyentr
ance
."

"Bu
tit
'sy
ourc
omp
any
'sp
art
y,whywo
uldy
oun
eeda
nen
tra
nce
?"

Hegr
inn
edchar
mingl
y."Noo
newo
uldr
eco
gni
zemee
veni
fIc
ry
t
hatI
'mt
heowne
r'sgra
ndson
!"

Cla
irel
aug
hedhe
art
il
y."Yo
u'r
esu
chat
rou
ble
mak
er,a
ren
't
y
ou?"

"Af a
mil
ybl
acks
hee
p!"Helau
ghe
d."AndIl
ovepl
ayi
ng
i
nco
gni
to,t
rus
tme!"Herep
li
eda
ndthe
ysha
redal
augh.
 W henClai
retol
dGe n
aabouti
t,thefo
r merwasenthral
le
dand
i
mmedi
atel
yst
artedpl
anni
ngforwhatt
owe aran dbunc
ho fot
herst
uff
s.
I
t'she
rbestf
rie
nd'scon
tig
uou
senthus
iasmthatCl ai
reli
kedthemo
st
a
bouther
;shenee
dedherasmuchasherneededs he
.

THEda yofthepar
tyha dfi
nal
lyarr
ive
d,andthetwob es
tf r
iends
wer
ea l
readymovi
ngforthefunc
tio
natsomefan
cyho t
elinthecit
y .
Brunowasoutsi
dedres
sedinab o
dy-f
itbl
acktuxedo
,tryin
gt ocall
Clai
rewhowa sal
mostthere
.Af t
erashortwhi
le,At a
xipu l
le
do ver
an
dt hetwoladi
esdrop
pedoff.

Bothwerestunn
inglybe
autif
ul;Genawa si
nar e
dballg
own,her
str
aightAsianhairpar
tedtothesides
;shewa sorigi
nal
lyfr
omJa pan
bef
oreadopti
on.Clai
rewa sweari
ngalong,backl
essdres
switha
pl
ungedV-neckandathighleng
ths l
it
;shek n
ewf a
s hi
onandkep
ther
ownstylere
gardle
ssthetren
d.The ywa l
kednonc
ha la
ntl
ytowhere
Brunowa sst
a n
dingasifhe'
dlosthismobil
it
y.

"Ok a
y,ift
hey
ounge
rloo
ksli
kethi
s,t
henho
wistheo
lde
rli
ke?
Ohg
irl
,you'
rei
narea
ll
ybigtr
oub
le!"Genamur
mur
ed.

"ShutupGe na!Ia l
readyknowwhatIs i
gnedupforsoyoudon'
t
nee
dt ore
mindme."Cl ai
resnappe
dwithafakesmilethat
'sdi
rec
tedto
Bruno.Hewa sgri
nninginc
redul
ousl
yasifhi
she ar
tha dski
ppe
dab eat
,
wit
hhi se
yesgli
ste
ningwithple
asureast
heladie
sto o
kfewwidestai
rs
towherehewasstandi
n g
.

"MyGo d!Youlookgor
geo
us!"Hee xcl
aimeda
ndClai
res
mil
ed
humbly
."Ar eyo
uladi
estr
yingt
oste
althespo
tli
ghtt
oni
ght
?"Hes ai
d
whil
estar
ingatGen
an e
xt;shet
oosmi
le
dc as
ually
.
 "Youlooks
tunn
ingyo
urs
elfbl
ackshee
p!Tuxre
all
ytre
atsyo
u
go
od."Clai
resa
id."Yousho
uldwearmoreof
ten
."Shejo
ked,a
ndhe
wave
dhishandasi
fshewasspi
tti
ngno
n s
ense
.

"Mea n
dt u
x?"Her ema
rked."Na
h!I
t'sc
ramp
ingmys
tyl
e."
The
yalls
haredabr
iefl
aug
hter
.

"Um--t
hisi
smybes
tfr
ien
dGe n
a,Genamee
tBr
uno
,myn
ewe
st
f
rie
nd!"Cla
ireg
avet
hemaqui
cki
ntr
oduc
tio
n.

"HiBr
uno
,he
ardal
ota
bou
tyo
u?"Ge
nab
rok
e.

"Go
ods
tuf
fsIho
pe?"Her
epl
ie
dwi
thf
rie
ndl
ype
cka
ndp
art
ial
hu
g.

The ywa lk
edin si
detheg randb allrooma toneoft heho te
laffil
ia
ted
wit
hSK,wi thBr un opla
y i
ngp hotographerfr o
mwha te v
erma gazin
ehe
menti
o n
edt othesecurityteam.Ther oomwa sinround,a ndp eo
plefi
ll
ed
i
twhe rease l
eganta sallthecarsp arkedo utsi
de.Itha dt hreeopen
fl
oorsa r
rangedlikes i
deb al
conies
,i nwhic hotherguestswe rewere
chat
tingwithc hampa i
gnflutesors omeo therk i
ndsofe xtr
a vagant
dri
nkswi thfa n
cya ppet
ize
rs.Thep lac
eha dun i
quearchite
c t
uraldesig
n
anditwa squitefancy.Br unoledt hemtoab igwell
-decoratedround
tab
le,whe r
et heyallsettl
edb uthee xcusedhims el
fforami nut
efor
unt
oldr eas
o n
.Ge nab u
siedherselfwithhe rp honeasiftext i
ngsomeone,
andCl ai
rewa sg e
ttingfamili
arwi ththep a r
tyb ywande ri
n gherg a
ze
aro
un d.

Tha t'
swhenshes
p o
tte
dsomeon
ewhoa salways
,managedtotake
he
rb r
eathaway;Ryan.Shedrewinalon
go neatthesi
ghtofhim;
un
li
keothers
,hewasdress
edca
suall
yincr
eamc ro
pped-
pant
sa n
da qu
a
mari
nestyl
is
hcoat
;theshir
tbe
n e
athwashalfbutt
onedandClair
e
c
oul
dc l
earl
ys eeitev
enfromadi st
an c
e.Hewa ss mili
ngfor
cedl
yatsome
c
oupl
e,whilesi
p p
inghisdrink,witha no
therha nddu gtohispan
tspocke
t.
Afemalevoic
e,thatdrewe v
ery on
e'satte
ntion,hitthemicro
phoneasit
c
ommencedthee v
entthatwa stot akepl
ace.Cl a
irek newri
ghtawaythat
i
twasDo ri
s '
s,andlooke
da the r;Ju stass healway swas
,soclas
sy,so
f
ine
,soe l
egant;sheworeas uit,sl
im-fi
tandt hes amecol
orasRy an'
s
j
acke
t.Cl ai
refrownedrighta way,feel
in
ge xquis
itelyang
ry;itqui
te
i
mposs
ibletoli
keDo ri
s,sheha dp e
rfect
lyaccept
ed.

ITwa sRyan'
stimet
otaket
hesp
otl
ight.Hisexhi
bi
ti
onatthefr
ont
waswelc
ome
dwi t
hawa r
mr o
undofa
pp l
aus
ebef
orehecl
ear
edhist
hroat
tosp
eak;

"Tha nksevery
o neforbei
nghe r
etoni
ght!"Hes aid."It'
sour
g
reatp l
easuretocel
ebratethefi
fty... "hec ont
inue
dwi thhis
c
ele
bra t
orysp e
ech,amidstwhichhisconf
identgazeco
ll
idedwithClai
re'
s
f
roms omewherea mongtheg u
ests.Hec ont
inuedhisspeec
hwitha
p
refe
c ti
n di
ffer
enceb e
foreannoun
c i
ngthepre
s e
nceoftheSK c hai
rman,
Mr.St eve
nshims e
lfwhoa ppea
redlikeayoungst
erinhisg r
eysui
t.The
a
pplauseswereexceeding
lytowardshim.

Brunofi
nal
lyretu
rne
d,an
dthefi
rstt
hin
ghedidwasa
ski
ng;"Ar
e
yo
ugir
lscomf
ort
a b
le?"wit
hhisc
har
mingsmi
let
hatdr
ewhisf
ain
t
di
mpl
es.

"Yeah,wearegoo
d"Genare
pli
ed,andCla
irese
conde
d."Oh,
y
ourgr
andfathe
rloo
ksyou
ng!NowIk nowwhereyo
ua l
lgety
ourg
rea
t
l
ook
sfro
m!"Ge naa
ddedandBr
unog i
ggl
ed.

"Ye
ah!An
dhel
ook
sve
rye
ner
get
ict
oda
y."Cl
ai
res
aidwi
tha
wa
rms
mil
e.

"I'mjustgl
adther
e'snopartofin
troduci
ngfamil
ymembers
!I
hat
et hecharade
!"Br u
n osa
id,andtheyalll
ooke
da thi
m."W ha t
?
I'
mju stbei
nghonest
,canyouima
g i
nemeet
ingsomeonewhoask
swha t
ac
comp l
is
hmentsyouhav
ei nl
if
e.Ime a
n,wha ti
sthat?I t
'st
otal
ly
ob
noxious!"

"Ohhe '
srig
ht!Ihatethatmyself
,"saidGenawhi
letas
tin
gthe
ca
viars."I
t'ssohar
db e
ingwit
hp eo
plewhome a
sureap
erso
n'sval
ue
wit
ht heki
ndofjobandacc
ompl
ishmentsthe
yha ve
!"

Clai
resi
ghed."Tha t'
stheharshrea
li
ty!Ifwe'
real
lthesame
t
henwhat'
sthecol
oro fl
ife
?L e
tthembe,andle
tusbe.Cheer
s!"She
r
ais
edhergla
ssa n
dt hetwojo
inedin
.Fr an
kly
,shewasfarawayfr
om
t
hei
rconv
ersat
ion
;s heon
lyeyedoneper
sonwhoeye
dherbackwit
h
g
all
ant
.

Harrya
ppea
redouto
fthebl
ue,andpl
ace
dahan
do nBrun
o's
sho
ulde
rasawayt oa
nnou
ncehi
spres
ence
."Su c
hagre
atco
mpanyyo
u
hav
ehereBru
no!"

"He ydu de
,what'sup?"Br unos
aidtohimlaughi
ngl
y.Gena
p
inc
hedCl ai
reonherthighthatshene
arl
yjumped."Oht he
sear
emy
f
rie
nds,sheisClai
reandt hat
'sGena.
"Br unoint
roduc
edtheman
d
t
heysaidhel
lotoeac
ho ther.

"HarryRy s!"Ha rr
yg a
vethemaha ndshak ei
nturnswhil
e
havi
ngaseat."Claire
?It hinkI '
vehea
rdq uit
emu cha b
outyou
."he
sa
id,butse
eingherexpre
ssi
o nheimmediat
elyadde d,"Ohf o
rgi
vemefo
r
be
ingbrut
all
yhon e
st,it
'sjust,kee
pin
gs e
cretsbetweenthefo
urofus
hasbec
omealmostimpo
ssib
le,sot r
ytounderstand,a n
dt r
ustme,I'
d
re
all
ylov
etochangetha
t."Het r
iedt
of l
atthete
nsi
onandi
treal
ly
work
ed;heappe
aredtobegoo
dwithwordsandeve
ninse
ttl
in
gmo o
ds.
Hewa sbla
ck,notbu
lkybutfi
tan
dhadv eryni
cete
etha
ndeyes
.

"It'
sokay!"SaidClai
retr
uthf
ull
y,"I
twasn'tasec
reta
nyway.
"
shesmil
ed.Shestar
tedwonde
rin
gifRy a
nhadals
ot o
ldhimabou
tthe
kis
sa n
da l
ltheti
meshar
ed,buti
magi
nin
gRy ana
shes ee
med,s
he
highl
ydoubte
d.

"Okay
,whoist
hiso
neaga
in?"Gen
awhi
spe
red,whe
ntheg
uys
k
eptt
hei
rowncha
tawayfro
mthei
rs.

"Youjusthear
dhim,HarryRys,An dIkno
wt ha
tlook,a
ndt he
fa
ctthatyouhaveathingf
orb
lackgu
y s
!So ,al
lthebe
stgir
lfr
ien
d!"
Clai
rerep
li
edk no
wingl
ywit
hasipofchi
ll
ychampa
g n
e,af
terabit
eof
ta
styappe
tiz
er.

"Heyshutup
!I'
monlyc
hec
kin
gpo
ssi
bi
li
ti
eshe
re.
"Ge
nan
udg
ed
he
randt
heyshar
edal
aug
h.

Afte
rs o
memi nut
esofconvers
ingde l
ight
ful
ly,withallfo
uro fthem
i
ntopic
,theysuddenl
yha dap le
asureofha vi
ngDorisapproac
hingtheir
way,hol
dingRy an'
sha n
dwhi lecongr
a tu
lati
nghimf o
rthen i
cespee
c h
an
dhef ortheperfe
ctpart
ys hehadt urneditaspromis
ed.Thet able
wasenoug
hf orsi
xp eo
ple
,sot hetwosa tdownandg ree
tedtheothers.
Clai
restar
eda tthemblank
ly,hidin
gt hefurycon
s u
minghe rins
ide.

Do
risr
est
edhe
rga
zes
tra
ighto
nhe
r.

"Hel
loCl
ai
re,Ia
lmos
tcoul
dn'
trec
ogn
izey
ou;yo
ulooks
tun
nin
g
t
oni
ght
!"Shesai
d."Ishoul
d'v
egue
sse
ditwasyouBru
nowasdyi
ng
t
oin
vit
e!"Shet
hre
whi
mami
schi
evo
usg
rina
ndheo
nlys
hoo
khi
she
ad.

Iwishyo
udidn '
tthou
gh.Clai
rethoug
ht,ref
erri
ngtoDori
s'sfi
rst
r
emar
k."Tha n
ky ou."Shesmil
ed."Yo uloo
kbeauti
fulto
o,i
nfactyou
a
lway
sdo .
"sherepli
edandDori
sblu
shed."An dI'mgladBrun
owa s
k
indeno
ughtoinv
iteme,he
'ssu
chag e
ntl
eman."Shea dded.

"Thankyo
ub e
auti
ful
,it
'smygre
atple
asu
r e
!"Br un
oresp
onde
d
wi
thhi sb
ests
mile
,andtheres
tali
nger
ingsmi
leexc
eptDori
swho
l
aughed,se
emi
ngamuse
d.

Gen ae
yedherbes
tfri
endsus
pic
ious
lyasshes
hif
tedhe
rey
esto
Ryan;sheunde
rsto
odper
fec
tlyt
heiron
yb e
hin
dherwordsa
ndmos
t
e
spe
cial
lywhatshewasabo
uttosay.

"HiRy an,Ie
njo
yedy
ours
pee
ch!"Cl
ai
res
aidp
oin
tedl
y,wi
tha
n
i
nexp
li
cab
lel
ook
.

"Tha
nksClai
re,I'
mgla
dy o
udi
d!"Ryanret
urne
d,si
mil
arl
yin
ma
nner
s,a
ndsta
redo n
eano
theri
nal
angu
ageo
nlythe
irmi
ndskne
w.

Cl
ai
refe
ltli
keplu
cki
nghiscy
nice
yesr
ightt
her
eandthe
n;she
c
len
chedhe
rfist
su n
derthet
ablebe
for
etur
ningt
oGenaan
ds ai
d;

"I'mgoin
gt other
estroo
m."Sheg otup."Yous ho
uldp utyou
r
Asi
ancharmstou s
eifyouwanttocap
tur
etheb l
ackhott
ie,thatisi
f
he
'sava
ila
blebecau
seapp
a r
entl
y,al
lmenaredogs!"No ws hegla
red
gr
ave
lyatRy an,whowass mi
li
ngatsome
thingDorishadju s
tmenti
one
d
ag
ain
.

"Um--
oka
y ?"Genare
pli
ed.Shekne
whe
rbe
stf
rie
nd'
ste
mpe
ran
d
a
tthemome
ntitwasp
il
inguphert
hroa
t.
 Clai
rewhisper
eds omet
hingtoBrunoandhenoddedbe
for
e
re
turni
ngt hewordswhilepoi
nti
ngdire
cti
ons
.Shewa l
kedawa
y
af
terwards,wit
hRy a n
'seyestai
li
ngherdisc
ree
tly
.Sheha dnonee
d
fo
rar estr
o o
motherthanu s
ingitasanesc
aperout
e;esc
api
ngfro
mthe
pr
y i
ngeyesofnoneotherthanRy anwhombythenwasab i
gbast
ardin
hereye
s.

"Tha
tje
rk!"Shes
nap
pedb
etwe
enhe
rte
etho
ncei
nsi
det
hel
adi
es
r
oom.

Shewa ss tandi
ngb ythemirro
r ,in
cli
nedbyt hema ssi
vecleansink
.
Shewa sb r
eathingcapri
ciou
slywitha nger
.Thes i
ghto fRy ana r
riv
ing
withhisawfull
yb eauti
fulgi
rlf
rie
ndwi thhissha mel
essf a
cekept
remin
dinghows tupidshe'dbee
nb yfa r
.Shes t
a re
dt herefl
ecti
onb e
fore
her,andknewt hatshewa sbeaut
ifultoo;shedidn'tneeda n
yon e
's
appro
valtobeli
evethat.W ithherlooks;tall
,longp r
ettyha i
r,tanned
skinandpropor
t i
onatefi
gurethatfi
t te
da nytypeofclothesshewo re
;
shecoul
dha vehada nyothermane atherp al
mifs hewa nte
dt o,butthen
whyRy a
nSt evens?Shewo nder
ed.

Heha dp rov
edtob enot
hin gbutaPlayboywhot oo
kp le
asurein
pl
a y
ingarou
n dwithan ewface
.Atl e
a s
tthat'
swha tClairebeli
eve
d.
Shes nat
chedap owderfromhers i
lvercl
utc
ha ndreto
uchedhe rface
.
Therewasa nolderwomanb e
sideher,butshecoul
dn'tcarelessofthat
l
a dy'
sfaci
alopini
onregardi
ngt heenrage
dlookofherface.W he ndone
shedrewinan o
therlo
n gbrea
th,r e
adyt ofa
cewhome v
erwa ntstoplay
herenor
mouse go.

"Clai
reLev
y?"Tha twoman'svoi
cecal
le
dafte
rherju
stass
hewas
ab
outtol
eave
.St a
rtl
ed,Cla
ireturn
eda r
oundtoseewhos
hewas
,and
ho
ws hek
newhername,andi
nf u
ll
."I t
'syourig
ht?"Thewoman
a
dde
d,wi
thas
mil
ethi
sti
me.

"Mr
s.Jo
han
sen
?"Cl
ai
rer
esp
onde
d.

Shecoul
dn'tbe
li
evehe
reyeswhe
nshere
ali
ze
dthewomans
tan
din
g
b
efo
reherwasthemothe
rofDenis
,he
rex.Shehurr
iedo
veran
d
s
haredahug
;s hewasli
kease
condmot
hert
oher.

"MyGo d!Lookatyouswe
eti
e,yo
u'reawoma
nnow!"Thewoma
n
sa
id,a n
dClai
resmil
ed."Youuse
dt oc
allmeau
ntGlo
rias
oI'
dli
keto
he
art hati
nst
eadofMr s
.Jo ha
nsen!"

Clai
rel
aughe
d."Ok
ayau
ntGlor
ia!W hendi
dyo
uco
meb
ack
?
L
astti
meIchec
kedyo
ugu
yswe
rest
il
labro
ad."

"W e
'vebee
nher
eforawee
k,andi
t'
sonl
yyeste
rdaytha
tDeni
s
as
kedifwe'
v eg
otint
ouc
hwithyou
.W hataco
inc
idenc
etofi
ndy
ou
he
re!"

"OhDe
nis
!Ho
wishe
?Heha
sn'
tco
meb
acky
et?"

"No,bu
tI'ms ur
ehe'l
lbeecs
tati
ctohearabo
utthi
s,le
t'sge
to u
t
ofhe
r e
,I'
mdo n
e."Gl or
iato
ldherandtheyslo
wlyle
ftt
her e
stro
om.
"Soho whaveyoubee
nmyde ar
?I 'msosor
rythatwecoul
dn'tmakeit
fory
o u
rfat
her'
sf u
neral
."

"I
t'sok
ayandI '
mfin
e,Iknowy
ouha
dp ro
ble
msofyo
urownatt
he
t
ime
,"Clai
rere
pli
ed."an
ds p
eak
ingo
fwhi
ch,howisu
ncl
edoi
ngno
w?
I
shewit
hy o
unow?"

"Ofcoursedarli
ng!Doyouthin
kIc ou
ldat
ten
dt he
sebu
sin
ess
pa
rti
eswit
houthim?I '
ddieofbo
redom.
"The yshar
edalaug
ho nt
he
waybac
ktotheba l
lroom,a
ndClair
efol
lowedhe
rtothei
rta
blewhe
re
shemetMr
.Jo
han
sen
.Het
oo,j
ustl
ik
ehi
swi
fe,wa
sde
li
ght
edt
ose
e
Clai
re.

"Is
wearIwoul
dn'
tha
ver
eco
gni
ze
dhe
rifIs
awhe
rpa
ssi
ngb
y."
Sa
idhetohi
swif
e.

"Ohc o
meo nguys,hav
eIc han
gedthatmuch?"Clair
ep ro
mpte
d
l
aug
hing
ly.W hilee
xchangi
ngstori
eswit
hhe rex'
spare
nts,shesp
otte
d
Ryanon
ceagainamongthecro
wd.Hewa satthesec
ondfloo
r,tal
kin
g
t
osomebi
g-bel
li
edmanwi t
hDo risi
nthemiddle
.

Co uldn'tDori
sleavehima lon
efo raseco
nd?Tob rea
t hmaybe?
Clai
ret hought,dis
da i
nful
ly,b uti
mme di
atel
yo mi
tte
dt heideas.
L a
ter
af
terhe rmo mentwiththeJo hanse
n's,shemadeherwa yb acktoher
or
igi
na ltablewhereGe naseemedp r
ettymu c
ho cc
upi
edwithhe rchatti
ng
wit
hHa rry.Thet wowe r
ela ughi
nga sifthey
'vebee
nc on
v er
singfora
whil
elon ger
.Br unowa snowhe retob esee
n,andjustasCl ai
rema dea
tu
rnt ot heparti
cul
arsideoft heroom,aha ndg r
abbedhera rma n
d
st
artedp ull
ingherawa yfromt heballro
om.

"Shu
tupandfol
lo
wme!Unle
ssyo
uwa n
ttomak
easce
neof
c
our
se.
"Itwasave
ryfami
li
arv
oic
ean
ds hef
rown
edatt
hesi
ght
.

"W hat
'swr on
gwi t
hy ouRyan?"Clair
eb a
rked."You'
rehur
tin
g
me!"Shel ament
edb u
thep l
ayeddeaf
;hedraggedheri
nsi
dethe
el
eva
torjus
ta ssomeon
eelsegotou
tofit.Thetwinel
eva
tordo
ors
marri
ed,an
dt hetwowerea l
onei
nsi
deitsc
abin
.
CHAPTER 9

Oncei
nsidet
hec
abi
n,cl
ose
da n
da l
one
,Cla
irede
tac
hedhe
rse
lf
f
orce
ful
lyfro
mRy a
n'sgr
ip."Le
tgoofmeyoubr
ute
!"Sheb ar
ked
an
gril
y.

Ryanl
aug
hed,a
nddi
dass
hewa
nte
d."Br
ute
?"her
ema
rke
d.
"Me
?"

"Ye
syo
u!Ho
wda
rey
oudr
agmea
rou
ndl
ik
ethi
s?"Shes
nap
ped.

"I
'ms
orr
ytha
tIp
ull
edy
oul
ik
etha
t,"Hes
mil
ed."b
utI
'mn
ota
b
rut
e!"

"Ohple
ase!"Sheroll
edhere y
es,ca
tchi
ngab re
ath."Andwhat
doyo
uwantnow?Tire
dplayin
gt heper
fec
tb o
yfri
endandinne
edofa
ne
wtoy?W hydon'
tyoujustl
etmeg oyouidi
ot?Myf rie
ndiswa
iti
ng
fo
rme."Shecle
arl
yshou
teda thim.

"W e
llIthin
ky o
u rf
rie
ndisinbe
tte
rhandsasweares
peaki
ng,I
doub
tthatshe'
seventhin
kingofyo
uatthemomen
t,andIdon'
tneeda
ne
wt oy
!"Ry a
nr e
pli
ed,cl
osi
ngthedi
sta
nceb
etweent
hemasthe
el
eva
torasc
endedup.

"Non
sen
se!"Cl
ai
remo
vedb
ack
,an
dco
ll
ide
dwi
tht
heg
olde
n
f
aca
deoft
hewall
.

"Yo
ul o
oksobe
aut
ifu
lto
nig
ht!"Heatehe
rwi
thhi
sey
es."I
c
oul
dbar
elyste
pmyeye
soffy
ou."Headde
d.

"St o
pRyan!"Shesnap
ped."I
'mno
tfal
li
ngfo
ryours
lea
zyl
ine
s,
a
nddo
n'tyouc
omecl
ose
r!"Shewarne
dandheon
lysmi
le
d,b
emuse
d.

"I
t'sn
otal
in
e,i
t'
sthep
uref
act
."Hes
aid,a
ndhi
sbo
dywa
sa
do
tfr
omhe
r.

"Is wearRya nIfyoutrytok--"a n

dt hatwastheendofher
s
ente
nceashea t
tackedhersoftli
pswithhertrappe
db ythewallan
d
k
isse
dhe rasthoughhewa sdyingtodosothee n
tireni
ght.Divi
ded
b
etweenherdesi
resoverhi
m,a ndurgestoresi
sthiste
mptati
on,Clai
re
f
oundhersel
fstru
g gl
ingandatlastpushedhimbackwithapunch.

"Argh!"Heg r
imac
ed."You'
ret
heb
ruteo
ne!Damni
t!"Ryan
f
eig
ne dt
hepainf
romherl
it
tlep
unc
h,an
dbrok
eint
oala
ught
erse
con
ds
l
ate
r.

"Isai
ddo n
'tt
ouc
hme
!"Shes
nap
ped,wi
pi
ngo
fft
het
rac
eofhi
s
mo
uthonhers
.

Hel
aug
hedha
rd,a
nds
hek
eptf
umi
ng."Fi
ne,b
utIk
nowy
oul
ik
e
i
t."

"Youkn
ow,you'
recra
zy!"Shesqui
nte
dhe re
yes,comp
let
ely
st
unnedbyhi
sabil
it
ytobeshame
les
s,a
nda tthesa
memo mentthe
dang
lin
gsoundo
ftheele
vato
rsto
ppi
ngwasheard,andthedoor
sp a
rte
d.

"Cra
zy?"Hep r
ompt
ed."Youhav
en'
tse
ent
hec
raz
yye
t!"He
g
rab
b e
dherwri
sta
ndfor
cedhero
ut.

"W hat
'sthematt
erwit
hyo
uRyan?W ha
taredo
ing
?"She
s
crea
medandheopen
lyign
ore
dhe
rpr
ote
st."Yo
u'r
esuc
haman
iac
!
W he
rearey
outaki
ngme?"

"So
mewhe
rep
riv
ate
."Her
epl
ie
d,c
asu
all
y.

"W ha
t?"Sheexcl
ai
med."Ryanwhe
rei
sthi
spl
ace
?"She
a
dde
dfr
anti
cal
ly
,att
hesi
ghtofaq
uie
thal
lwa
ywit
hadimgo
lde
n
l
ig
hts
,an
dnu
mbe
rofdo
orso
nei
the
rsi
des
.

"Ju
sts
hutu
pfo
ras
eco
nd,wo
man
!"Hey
ell
ed.

"Ohno!"Shemu t
ter
ed.She '
dgras
pedtheywer
eheadi
ngint
oa
hot
elroo
m,asherev
eal
edak eyca
rdfro
mhisblueja
cke
t."No,Ry a
nI-
-"Sher e
sis
tedb
utheproc
eededwit
htheswi
peandthedoo
ropen
ed.

"Ohye
sCl
ai
re!Thi
son
e,i
sther
ealc
raz
y!"Her
etu
rne
dan
d
f
orc
edhe
rin
.

"Ryansto
pthi
sno
nse
nse
!Pe
opl
ear
ewa
iti
ngf
oru
sou
tsi
dea
nd
e
spe
cia
ll
yyou
."

"Theyca
na l
lgot
ohellfo
ra l
lIcare
!"Hes a
id,wit
ho u
tas mi
le
thi
stime;hel
ook
edmadallofasudden
."W ha t
'syourdealwit
h
Bruno?"Hea ske
d,whi
leturn
ingthel
ightso
nwiththeremote
con
trol
le
r.

Fo rasec
ondClai
rewaslos
tatthesightofthathugeandbeaut
ifu
l
mode
rnlyfu
rnis
hedsui
te;b
u ti
twasn'
timporta
nta tthet
ime."W hat?
Andwhywo ul
dy o
ucare
?"Sheg l
are
da thim.Sot hatwasallabo
ut
Brun
o,Shewo nde
redanditamuse
dherwildmind,forsomestup
id
re
asons
.

Hec harge
dclos
era ndhel
dherfirmly."No
,Idon'
tcar
e."He
s
aid."Ijus
tdon'tli
ketheideaofyo
ug iv
ingmybro
the
rthewro
ng
i
mpres
sio
njustsothaty
o ucanhurtme!"

Hu rthi
m?Tha tneve
rc r
osse
dCl ai
re'
smindatal
l;buti
tdid
sou
ndlikeabadideaco
mingfromRy anhimsel
f.Shepu
lle
dherse
lfou
t
ofhisgr
ip."Icoul
dneveruseyou
rb r
othertohur
tyou
."Shet ol
dhim.
"IcareforBrun
overymu c
h,andheonlylik
esmeasafrie
ndwoul
d;just
soyo
ukno
w,n
ote
ver
yre
lat
ion
shi
pha
stoi
nvo
lvet
hef
akek
iss
esa
nd
hug
s."

"W ha
tdoy
oume
anf
akek
iss
esa
ndhu
gs?"Her
eto
rte
d.

"Yo uknowperf
ect
lywel
lyouass
hol
e!Ju stl
ik
eyoursfor
i
nst
ance.
"Sher e
pli
edandmovedawayf
romhimbypac
inga r
oundhi
s
l
uxuri
oussu
itethatunt
ilt
henshehadnoide
aofwhyheha donei
na
f
irs
tplac
e.

"Yo
u'r
ere
all
yta
sti
ngmeCl
ai
re!"Hes
ighe
d.

"Thinkwhatev
eryouwa n
t."Shes a
id."Besides,whydoesite
ven
matte
rtoyou?Ime anteve
ryworl
dIs ai
db a
ckthere;yo u
rbrot
herwas
theonewhoinvi
tedmehere,u
nli
keyouwhoha dal
lthei mpor
tun
iti
esi
n
theworl
dbu tst
il
ldidn'
t."Sheb a
r k
edathim,ac
cu si
ng l
y."OhIk no
w,
howcoul
dy ou?W ithyourbea
uti
fulgi
rl
fri
endinv
olved?"Shek e
pt
rapp
ing.

Ryanlau
ghedatthement
ionofhisb
eautif
ulgir
lfr
ien
d;he'd
a
lwa
ysla
u g
hwhe ne
verCla
irement
ion
edDo r
is,asthoughitwa
s
s
ome
thi
ngamu s
ing
."Iwa nt
edtoinvi
teyouClair
e,but-
-"

"Stopyou
rs l
eaz
yexc
usesRy a
n!"Shewa ve
dhe rhand."You
k
now,Ishou
ldbewithBru
nor i
ghtnow,an
dn o
tins
idethi
sGo d-
f
ors
akenhot
elro
omwi t
hyou!"Shea tt
empt
edtowalkpas
thimbuthe
s
top
pedher
.

"Ple
asedon'
tgoClai
re,Ipr
omis
eI'
llma
kei
tupt
oyo
u."Ry
an
u
tte
red,r
efr
ain
ingherb
odyf r
ombehi
nd.

"W hywo
uldyoumakei
tuptome?"Shes
mir
ked."Meandyou
ha
veno
thin
g,s
oy o
udon'
thavetomak
eupfo
ranys
hit!"Shes
aid
whi
let
ryin
ghardtore
sis
tt hei
mpac
tofRyan'
sche
sta
gai
nsthe
rna
ked
bac
k,an
dhi ss
tub
bor
nha ndsaro
undhert
ummy.

"Re
all
y?Doy
our
eal
lyt
hin
kweha
ven
othi
ng?"

"Ye
s,i
tst
het
rut
h."

"W hya reyout

ryi
ngt oden
ywha tyouwantClaire
?"Hehe l
d
t
ight
ly."Ors ho
uldIsay,whatyourbodywa n
ts?"Hewa snow
b
reathi
ngthewordsagai
nstherear
lob
e,whiletra
il
inghisf
ing
ersonher
b
ell
yt o
wardsherfai
rl
yplumpchest
,makinghersqui
ntandshudder
ing
.

Cla
irecl
ose
dhereye
storeg
aincon
tro
lofhermin
d,andswi
rl
ed
a
roun
dtof a
cehi
m,wit
houtbr
eaki
nghisgri
paro
u n
dher."Doyou
r
eal
iz
ewhatajerky
ouare?"Shea s
ked.

Hes
mil
ed."Ia
m?"

"Yesy
ouare
."Sheret
urne
d,wit
hcle
nchedt
eet
h."Soyou
br
oughtmeher
ejus
tsot
hatyoucanha
vemyb o
dy?Istha
twha
ty o
u
wantfro
mme?"

"NoClai
re,Inev
ersa
idthat
."Heeye
dhe rtre
mbli
ngli
ps,
mocki
ngl
y."It
'syouwhowantsmybo
dy.
"Hes a i
dblat
antl
ywitha
smir
k.Hi se
yesnarr
owedwit
hple
asu
reo
fsee
inghermada n
dturne
dat
theon,a
tthesameti
me.

Ther
emarkha
dleftherver
yfl
ust
ere
d."W ha
t...wha
tar
eyo
u
s
ayi
ng?ThatIwanty
ou rb
o dy
?Areyousic
k?"

Hes mil
edye
tag a
in."W hat
?Do n'tyo
u?Do n
'ty
ouwa n
ttoknow
ho
wI tf
eel
sli
kehavi
ngmec l
osea
ndde e
pinsi
deyo
u?Ho wmyr ea
l
ki
sse
stas
te,andal
lthethi
ngsIcoul
ddot oyo
u?"Hec on
tin
uedthe
s
wee
tas
sau
lto
fhi
sha
ndsa
llo
verhe
rba
cka
ndal
it
tledo
wnt
ohe
rbu
tt.

"No !"Shey e
ll
ed."An dthiscon
versa
tionisover
."Shes ai
d,
andtriedtomo ve;butagai
n,shegotpull
edevenclos
erandendedup
l
a n
dingo ntohisli
ps.Shet r
iedt
owr igg
leinresi
stanc
e,buthewastoo
deter
minedt ole
the rgo.An dhi
slipsweretooenchant
ingfo
rhertole
t
themg o
;t hei
rt o
n g
uesmoldedto
g e
therwhil
et he
irhandsstart
edmovi
ng
hereandthe re
.

"Don
'ttrytodenywhatyouwantCla
ire
!"Ry anwhi
spe
red,a
nd
s
hewaspant
ingheav
il
y,fee
li
nghisf
inge
rssli
din
gunder
nea
thherpant
s,
a
ndrig
htins
idethepartn
oo n
ehadtouc
hedinyear
s.

"Ry anpl
easedon'
t--"s hemoaned,whe nhisfinge
rslowlyenci
rcl
ed
thats ens
iti
vespot
,makinghe rsqui
rmc raz
il
y .Shehu ngri
lyp u
lle
dhis
facetoc l
aimhisli
psfr
omb yc ocki
nghe rfaceove
rt heshoul
der,tomeet
hisrightb e
hindher.Then extthingCl a
irereal
ize
dwa sthats hewas
alre
a dyonb e
d,atRy an'
sme r cy
,feel
inghisha r
db odypounding
veracio
u s
lyagai
nsthers
,a shi shardlengt
hf il
le
dhe rli
ttl
eb yli
ttl
e,i
na
mostp le
asurab
lewaythats heha dneverknowne xi
sted.Sheo nly
moan edhisname,dughern ai
lsintohisfle
sh,a ndrocke
dhe rwa i
stto
catchu phispac
e.

CLAIREwa swrappe
dwit
hawhit
eshe
etwhi
lese
atedonahugebed
i
nsi
dethehot
elr
oom.Shewasst
ari
ngatt
hescre
enofherc
ell
phone
wi
thfe
wmi ss
edcall
sandt
ext
sfr
omGenaask
ingofherwhe
reabo
uts.
Shedeci
dedtoc
allher
.

"W hat
'swr
ongwit
hyouCl
aire
?"Genas
napp
edasec
ondshe
a
nswer
ed."Youaret
aki
ngt
hist
enden
cyo
fmak
ingmewo
rrytoose
rio
us!
Ica
n'tse
eyouan
ywhere
,yo
u'r
en o
tpic
kin
gmyc
all
s,a
ndRy
ani
sno
whe
retobes
eenei
the
r;whe
reareyougi
rl
?"

Clai
recl
asp
edherl
ipsi
nafin
eline
,ands
hotRya
nawrygl
anc
e
be
for
erep
lyi
ng."I'
mfin
eGena,don'
tworr
y;I'
llb
edo
wni
nfew
mi
nute
s."

"Yo
u'l
lbedo
wn?W ha
tar
eyo
uta
lki
nga
bou
t?W he
rea
rey
ou?"

"I
'l
lse
eyo
ula
ter
."s
hes
aids
oft
ly,i
gno
rin
gGe
na'
sin
nue
ndo
.

"W a
it,a
reyo
uok
ayt
hou
gh?Yo
uki
ndo
fso
unds
tra
nge
!"a
dde
d
Ge
naworri
edl
y.

"I
'mo
kay
!Ju
stwa
itf
orme
."

"Ok
ay,tak
ey o
urti
me.
"Ge nas
aid,a
ndCla
irec
oul
dte
llwha
tli
ed
b
ehi
ndhe
rfin
alremarkb
utdec
ide
dtohangup
.

Turnin ghercalmgaze
,s hewatchedRy anputt
ingo nhisjac
ket,
wit
hhisha ughtygrinspl
atte
r e
dhisf a
ce.Shewa tche dhimbutcoul
dn't
be
li
evetha ts he
'djusthads e
xwi thhim;sexa n
dn otma ki
nglove
.No t
onc
einhe rlifehads hei
mag i
nedhersel
fha v
ingaran doms e
xwith
anyo
ne,espe c
iall
ywithsomeonesheha dnorelat
ion
shi pofasort
,n o
ra n
y
ty
peofa rran ge
mentwithsimila
rde s
ign.Shewa san gryathim,and
ev
enmorea thersel
fforlo
singa l
lthedigni
tyshehadk ep
tjustfo
rao ne
ni
ghtfullofc raz
ines
sa n
dmi xedemotions
.

"W hya
reyoul
ook
ingatmel
iket
hat
?Doy
ouwa
ntt
omu
rde
rme
?
Ormis
smeal
rea
dy?"Ry angr
inn
ed.

"Shu
tup
!Ju
stg
eto
uto
fmys
ight
!"Cl
ai
reb
ark
ed,s
eemi
ngl
y
ma
d.
 Ry a
n ,l
ikeacue,adv
ancedto
wa r
dst heb
eda ndsatnexttoher.
"W hyareyouangryatme?Do n'
ttellmeyou
'reregr
etti
ngafterusi
ng
menow.
"Hej oke
d,a n
dt r
iedtotou
chhe rbu
ts hebr
usheda way.

"Do n'
tt ouc
hmeRy an
!"Sheg otupa br
uptl
y,cri
ngingthesheet
wrappedonhe rbodya ndst
art
edr e
triev
ingherdressands hoe
sthat
werealloverthefloo
r"Sho ul
dn'tyoubet r
yingtowinovertheinve
stor
s
fo
ry ourgra ndredev
elop
mentpr
ojec
ty oumenti
onedinyours p
eec
h?Or
withyourg i
r l
fri
endma y
be?Inst
eado fsi
n g
ingyourvi
ctor
ys ongfor
ge
t t
ingu n
de rmyp ant
s!"Shewhi nedrightbefo
rehimandheb u
rsted
outlaughi
ng .

"W ow!Se e
msyo
uwereli
ste
ningtomyspee
chsoint
entl
yhuh?"
Ry ansai
d,amus
ed.Hewrapp
edCl ai
rein
tohisarmsbysurp
ris
ea n
d
shestay
edsti
ffl
ybyhi
semb
racewithou
tprov
ingthethr
il
litdec
iphe
red
i
n s
ideherbo
dy.

"Don'
tgetto
ocockywi
thme
!Ev e
ryoneel
sehe
ardthesp
eec
h,soi
t
wa
sn'tt
hatin
ter
esti
ng!"Shewhac
kedathimandheon
lyla
ughed.

"Idon'
tnee
dtoki
ssthei
rass
esfo
rthemtoo
penthe
irwall
ets
!"
SaidRy a
n."Theproj
ecti
tse
lfi
sagol
dmin
e,sot
hey'
repro
bably
f
ighti
ngtopourt
hei
rmoney
."Hea dde
d,andmea
ntallo
fit.

Cla
irerol
le
dhereye
s."Sof ullofy
ours
elf
!"Shes po
keunde
rhe
r
o
wnbreat
ha ndpul
le
doffhi
se mbr
ace."Inee
dt os
hower
;atlea
stI
s
hou
ldn'
tha v
ethisj
ust
-fuc
ked-u
plo o
kwhenIgodown,ri
ght?"She
s
nap
pedwithsarc
asm.

"It
hinkyou
rjus
t-f
uck
ed-u
p-l
ooksui
tsy
oub e
st!Ifee
lli
kegoi
ng
a
notherrou
ndwithy
ou;you
'rej
ustsose
xyClai
reandI'v
eimagi
ned
f
uck
in gy
ous oma
nyti
messi
nceyo
ukiss
edmethatnig
ht!"
 Sos e
xy?Sot hat
'swhatshewast
ohim,ase
xo b
jec
t?Cla
ire
thou
ght,gla
rin
gathim.Ma dl
y,Clai
rel
ung
edtowar
dshimandspo
ket
o
hisfac
e,"Screwy
ou ,b
ast
ard!"

"W ha
t?"Hewa
sst
art
ledb
ythec
oldn
esso
fhe
rto
neo
fvo
ice
.

"Is ai
ds cre
wy ou.
"Sher ep
eated,ca
s u
all
y."I'
mn otaslutRy an!
Ihopey o
udo n'tfor
getthat.
"Shea nnounce
dinaverypain
fulway,
whil
eo nvergeoftearsfo
rwhichs heheldtheminwi
thallhermighty;
thela
stt hi
ngs heneede
dwa sforhimt ofi
ndheraweakli
ng."Ju s
tgo
away,thisnightneve
rha pp
ened!"Shes n
a p
pedanddis
appear
edintoa
showerroom.

Sheo nl
yc ameouta bo
u ttenmi nut
esla t
er,andf o
undRy angone;
shefeltrel
iev
e dandemp tyatt hes a
met ime.Shej ustsli
ppe
dintoher
dressan dheels,be
foretouchingu pas i
mp l
ema ke-u
pwi t
ht o
neofli
psti
ck
thatshea ppl
iedwhilstindeept houghts,withoutevenknowi
ng.She
qui
cklys to
pped,butleftitasiti s
;b lo
odr edactuall
ylooke
dp e
rfec
ton
her.Onhe rwa youtofthee le
v at
or,Cl ai
re'seyesrest
eddirec
tlyon
Dorisa mongtheg ue
sts,butwi thoutRy ana shere n
tourage
.Shef el
t
sta
r tl
edb utnevergui
lty;withade epbreath,sheheldherheadhighand
fol
lowedGe na.

"Ohyou
'rebac
k?An dyoulo
okgr
eat,mi
ndtel
li
ngmewhereyo
u
havebe
eni
nthemiddl
eofthepa
rty?"Genabomb
ardedherass
oonas
shegra
bbe
das ea
tinsi
le
nce.L
ucki
lyGenawasal
oneatthet
abl
e.

"Nowhe
re,Iwasj
ustge
tti
ngsomea
ir!Ithin
kI'
mdo
newi
tht
his
p
art
yandIneedtob
eonbed."rep
li
edClai
rec
alml
y.

Genaarc
hed."Real
ly
?Yo uwer
eouts
ide
?"Shea
ske
dbu
tBr
uno
a
ppe
are
da n
dhe ri
nqu
iri
eswer
ecuts
hort
.
 "Heybea
uti
ful,p
layi
nghideandsee
k?W he
reha
veyoub
een
?"
Br
unoas
ked,l
ean
ingove
rCl a
ire'
sshou
lderf
romt
hebac
kofhe
rseat
.

Genar a
isedaknowi
ngeye
bro
w;shewasn
'tea
sytofo
ole
spe
cia
ll
y
a
fte
rn o
tic
ingthatherbe
stf
rie
ndwas
n '
ttheo
nlyoneg
one
;Ryanwa s
,
a
roundthesametime
.

"Iwen
toutf
orsomea
ir;Ihop
eIdi
dn'
tmi
ssmu
ch.
"Cl
ai
ref
orc
ed
as
milea
ndstu
ckwit
hthesames
tory
.

"Notre
all
y!"Here
pli
edsmi
li
ngl
y."Letmej
usts
tea
lhe
rfo
ra
whi
le
,doyo
umind?"Hedir
ect
edtoGena.

"Nota
ta l
l!"Gen
aretu
rned,wi
thab
igs
mil
easHa
rry
r
eap
pea
redaga
inwit
hmoredri
nks.

BRUNOt o
okClai
ret
omeetMr.Stev
ens
,whoa
sal
way
s,wa
s
ext
reme
lydel
ig
hte
dtohav
ehera
udie
nce
.

"I'
ms ohappyyoucou
ldmakeClai
re,a
ndyoul
ookv
erybea
uti
ful
."
s
aidMr.St ev
ens,andtoherCl
a i
re'
shorr
or,Rya
nwassea
tedju
st
a
cros
sfromher,dri
nkin
gherwit
hhi sey
es.

"Thepl
eas
ureisallmi
neMr.St
eve
ns!Con
gratu
lati
onsf
ort
his
b
igday
;I'mpos
iti
veitmean
salo
ttoy
ou!"Shesai
dkindl
y.

"Oht hankyoumychi
ld!I'mjustanoldmanno
wwhot ake
s
p
lea
sureinse
ei
n gmytwogr
a n
dsonscont
inui
ngmyle
gacy!"He
r
emark
e dandthetwobo
ysexcha
ng e
dlooksupo
ntheco
mme n
t.

Theyta
lke
dforawhil
e,du
rin
gwhichClai
reandRya
nk e
pt
i
nte
rac
tin
gsubt
lyi
nastra
ngemannera
sthou
ght he
yhadalo
ttothr
ow
ateachothe
rbuthadnotimef
orit
.W hens ome
onecametospeakwith
theol
dma n,Clai
reus
edtheop
port
uni
tytos l
ipa
wa ybywishin
gt he
m
wellf
ortheres
toftheni
ght.Shekin
dlythanke
dBr unoforthe
i
n v
ita
tio
n,andaskedGenatol
eav
e,whic
hs heunwi
lli
ngl
yob l
ig
ed.

Ha r
ryoffer
edtog i
vethe
mar i
de;i
tsee
medtohav
ewo r
kedmagic
,
t
hemome nts
ha r
edwithGe n
au po
nherabs
enc
e.Theyrodei
nsile
nce
;at
l
eas
tCl ai
redid,bec
auseGenawasbusyas
kinghe
rnewcrus
ha
c
ountl
essque
stion
sa n
dhea ppe
aredt
oenj
oyanswe
rin
geachofthem.

"Soyo
ust
il
lworkasapri
vat
eatt
orn
eye
veni
ftho
ug hyo
uwo
rkf
or
SK?"Ge
naas
ked,s
eemi
ngl
yimpre
sse
dbyhi
sbei
ngalawye
r.

"Yes
,soify
ouneedal
awy
er,jus
tgi
vemeac
all
,bu
tIg
ott
owa
rn
y
ou,I'
mverye
xpen
siv
e!"Herepl
ie
d.

"Ohdon'
tyo
uwo r
ry,co
zIl o
veexp
ensi
ve!"Sai
dGenabe
for
e
t
hrowi
ngCl
ai
reagla
ncetha
ts heonl
yret
urne
dwithahe
adsha
ketot
he
s
ide
s.

Harry '
sc arpull
edoveratGe na
'sapart
mentwhereClai
regoto f
f
f
irs
ta n
dt hank e
dhi m.Shehe adinsi
defir
stleav
ingthet
wos t
anding
o
utsi
detheb uil
ding,talk
ingthing
so nl
ythetwoofthemknew.On c
e
i
nsi
de,Clairethrewhe rshoesbythedooranddroppe
dherclut
chont he
s
ofa,bef
oreu ndress
ingan dcra
wlingexhau
stedl
yonb e
d.Theo nl
yt hi
ng
s
hewa nt
ed,wa st ogetridofanythought
sr e
lat
edtoRy anSteve
n sand
t
heextraordin
a rysexsheha dhadwi t
hhimu ne
xpect
edl
y.

"I
tsov
ern
owClai
re."Shethoug
htouta
lou
dtr
yin
gtof
alla
sle
ep
whi
chs
hedi
dwithag
reatde
alofst
ruggl
e.
THEt wobestfri
endswokeuplat
ethefoll
owingday.Luck
ilyitwas
Saturdayandneit
herofthemhadp l
ansforada y.W hil
eha vi
nga
sl
eaz
yb re
akfast
,Ge nakep
tgrinn
ingstupi
dlyandCl a
irewasonas i
le
nce
oa
th,think
ingofonlyonethi
ng,unt
ilshecoul
dn olo
ngerst
an dit
.

"Iha
dsexwit
hRy a
n!"Shebr
okeou
tofthebl
ue,c
aus
ingGena
t
ochoc
kherc
inn
amonr
oll
."Ri
ghtdu
rin
gthepa
rty.
"Shea dded.

"Youdi
dwhat?"Ge n
asnapp
ed,dis
bel
ie
vin
gly."OhmyGo d!I
kn
ewsome
thi
ngwasupb
u tIne
verimag
inedi
tcoul
db et
hise
xtr
eme!"
Sheto
sse
dherpho
neas
ide.

Clai
rel
etoutasho
rtsig
h."Ido n
'tk
nowhowtoexpl
ain
,Ij u
st
en
dedint
hehote
lroo
ms ome
how,wit
hhim...a n
dduringargu
ments
weju
st...didit...weha dse
x!"Shec o
ntr
ive
d,s
t a
rin
gintospa
ce.

"Okay
,"Genautte
red."ho
wwa
sit
,te
llme...t
ellmeho
wthe
s
exwas!"Shec
ried.

Wi thnarro
wedeye
s ,Clai
ret
ookherti
methin
k i
ng,whil
stGena
ke
ptdyin
gt ohea
rthewords,andult
ima
tel
ytheformersai
d."Gr ea
t!
No,thebes
t!"sheeye
dGe nawhowa spra
cti
cal
lyjumpi
ngwith
e
xcit
ement
.Cl a
ireb
ithernail
satthememor
yanden de
du psmil
in
g.

"W o
w!Ime
an,wo
w!"Ge
nas
nap
ped."An
d?W ha
tel
se?"

Cl
air
elook
eda the
rands hrug
gedhersl
ende
rshoul
ders
."Idon't
kno
w,I'mnotsurewhatel
sethanthefac
tthatIfuc
kedsome
oneel
se'
s
manandI'moff
ici
all
yahomewr e
cke
r,asyousai
d."Shelaughe
dather
ownexp
ense.

"OhcomeonClai
re!I
t'sn
otl
iket
hey
'remar
rie
dorso
met
hing
,
a
nyo
n ec
oul
dnot
iceho
wRy anke
pts
tari
ngatyouast
hou
ghyou
'rethe
o
nlywomanint
heb
allro
om!"Genat
rie
dt ost
ophe
rbroo
ding
."Yo
u
s
houl
dn'tfe
elb
adabo
utit;l
ik
eyo
usai
d,itju
sthap
pen
ed."

"I
'mjus
tgl
adyo
u'r
eno
tju
dgi
ngme
,be
stf
rie
nd!"Sa
idCl
ai
re
wi
thawea
ksmil
e.

"W hywoul
dIjudgeyou?I'mhapp
yt haty
ou'
refi
nal
lyoutofyou
r
she
ll.
"Sher et
urne
d.Clair
etoldherab
o u
therenc
oun
terwit
ht he
par
entsofDen
isandagai
nGe nawasinshoc
k."Eh?Yo uexin
-laws
werethe
re?"Shescre
amed.

"Tel
lmeaboutit!"Clai
reprompt
ed,f
oll
owedbyadee
ps i
gh.
"Andy ou
?W ha t
'sg oi
ngonwiththehotc
hoco
lat
e?Iknowy o
uha v
e
be
ent e
xti
ngwit
hhi mlik
eallmorni
ng!"ItwasGena'
stur
no nthehot
se
at.Sheb e
amedlikeafla
shli
ght.

"Ohg i
rl
,Ha r
ryisa
wes
ome!"Sheg
rinn
ed."Ili
kehi
m,b
utI
'm
s
til
lge
tti
ngtokn
owhim,s
oIdon
'thav
emuc
htotel
l.
"

"Yo
u?Ge
tti
ngt
okn
ows
ome
one
?Tha
t'saf
irs
t."

"Hey
,heisanint
ere
sti
ngone
!Is ho
u l
dtr
ytoactdec
enta
tleas
t;
Be
sides
,he'
ssin
gle
,soatle
astIdon'
thavetop
utupwit
htheothe
r
wo
ma n'
sdrama
!"

"Ohtha
nky o
uv e
rymu
chf
orthehe
lpf
ulr
emi
nde
r!"Cl
ai
re
s
nor
teda
ndGe n
ac o
vere
dhe
rmout
h.

"Oo ps!Tha tcameoutwrong,myb ad!"Shes ai

da po
loget
ica
ll
y.
Theyspe
ntt here
stofthedayindoors,doingno
thingbutwatc
hingsome
sa
ppymoviesandeatnothi
ngb u
tp i
zz
aa ndcolaforl
unchunt
ilthesun
di
sapp
eareda n
dCl ai
rewentbackhome.Shema deonl
yoneresol
uti
onto
he
rsel
f;shewa snev
ergoin
gt oseeRya neverag
a i
n.
CHAPTER 1
0

Ei
ghtO' Clo
cksha
rponMo ndaymorn
ing
,Clairewa
salre
adyinthe
of
fic
ewa i
ti
ngfo
rherdepa
rtment
'shea
dforthatimp
ort
antmee
tin
gwi t
h
acl
ient
.Sheha dal
rea
dyp r
epar
edthemate
ria
lsask
ed,andpr
ese
n t
ed
hi
ma boutqu
art
er-
an-
hourlat
er.

"Thisi
sgoodL
evy!"Saidhers
uper
ior
;asl
ende
rmanwi
thde
ep
di
mpl
es."But
--Ihav
es o
meb
adn e
wsforyou.
"Hea dde
d.

Cl
air
efr
own
ed."W ha
tne
ws?Do
n'tt
ellmey
ou'
ren
ott
aki
ngme
wi
thyo
u."

"Tha t
'sexac
tlyi
t."Here
pli
ed."Someon
eel
seist
aki
ngt
his
pr
oje
ct,s
oy o
uwo n'
tnee
dtoa
ssi
stmeanymor
e.Sorry
!"Het o
ldher
wi
thapol
oget
iclo
ok.

"Noy o
uc a
n'tbeser
iousNat
han!"Shesnor
ted."Iworke
dmy
a
ssofffort
hispre
sent
ati
onj u
sts
oIcanfi
nal
lyge
to utt
hisb
ori
ng
o
ffi
ceanddosomet
hingreal
,whyareyo
udoi
ngthi
st ome?"She
c
ompl
ain
ed.

Nat
han,who'
dbeensi
tti
ngattheedg
eofhi
soff
icet
abl
erep
li
ed,
"Rel
axCla
ire
,itwas
n'tmydeci
si
ontomake!Buto
nthebri
ghtsi
de,
yo
u'v
ebe
enassi
gne
dtoab i
gge
rproj
ect.
"Heb ea
med.

"Re
all
y?W ha
tpr
oje
ct?"Cl
ai
rea
ske
d,s
kep
tic
all
y.

"Yes,muchbi
gger!An dnorma
ll
ytheydon'
ttak
enewb
iesi
nthe
se
k
indofpr
ojec
tsbutIthin
ky ou
'vebe
enexc
ept
ion
all
yaske
dtobei
ncl
uded
i
nthepr
eli
minar
yplan
n i
ng."

"Ok
ayNa
tha
n,n
owy
ou'
rel
eav
ingmeb
ehi
nd!"Shet
ookas
eat
.
 "W ha
t'st
hep
roj
ecta
ndwho
'st
hec
li
ent
?"

"Ther
emodel
in
gp ro
jec
tofMa
ryr
oses
tre
et;t
heywa
nti
ttob
ea
l
uxu
rio
usne
ighb
orhood!"

"W a
it,i
sitt
hep
roj
ectf
romSK g
rou
p?"Cl
ai
res
nap
pedwi
tha
s
urp
ris
edlo
ok.

"Exa
ctly
!Ho wdoyoukno
w?Ijustfo
u n
doutt
hismor
nin
gmysel
f!
We'v
ebee
no nl
ywork
ingo
nitwi
tho
utk
no wl
edgeo
fwhothec
li
enti
s."
Na
thanwondere
d.

"W e
ll
--i
t'
snotimpo
rtan
tNatha
n,jus
tte
llmemo
rea
bou
tthe
p
roj
ect
,an
dwhoinc
ludedme!"Sheurge
d.

"I'mnotsur
ewhoincl
udedyou
,buti
twasadi
rec
torde
rfro
m
a
bove
;ma y
beyouc a
ntel
lmeLevy
,whohasyo
urbac
k?"Na t
han
r
etu
rned,j
okin
gly;hewasve
ryfri
endl
y,a
ndtoe
ver
yone
.

Ry
anSt
eve
ns!Cl
ai
rec
urs
edhi
min
war
dly
.

"You'
reta
lki
ngno
nsen
se!"Sheros
eu phe
rfe
et."SowhomdoI
a
ska
bou
tthedet
ail
s?It
'sobvi
ousy
ouwon
'tbemyte
ammat
e,ri
ght
?"

"Nonono,you'restuc
kwithmea
gainI'
ma f
rai
d!An dju
stsoyo
u
kno
w,y o
u'l
lonl
yb eano b
serve
r.Asyo
ua l
rea
dyknowSK i st
hemaj
or
sha
rehol
derofSta r
li
g ht
,soonlyt
hebe
standexpe
rie
nce
ddesi
gne
rswi
ll
workonthepro
jec
t."

"St
arl
ig
hti
sap
arto
fSK?"Sheg
asp
ed.

"Ohthatwasn
'tne
cess
aryf
ory
out okn
ow,itonl
ysl
ip
ped!Just
g
etr
eady,t
omorr
owwe'l
lgotoSK,dothepres
enta
tio
nbef
orevi
si
ti
ng
t
hes
ite
."Na t
hantol
dher,ands
hel
efthiso
ffi
cewit
hcou
ntle
ss
qu
est
ion
s.W ha
tki
ndo
fga
mewa
sRy
anp
lay
ingn
ow?Shea
ske
d
he
rse
lf.

THEn extdays hewokeu pquiteearl

ya ndstartedrumma gi
ngherclose
t
i
ns e
archforap erf
ectoutfi
ttowe a r
;s hewasalwa yscar
efulonher
dre
ssing,butforsomereasons,shewa ntedtolookherb e
stthatmo r
ning.
Shep i
ckeddiffe
rentclo
thesa ndthr e
wt hemonb ed,afte
rs o
met i
mes he
de
cidedtowe a
rawhi teline
nb louseandab lac
ku mbrel
las k
irt
;
pr
ofessi
onalandelega
n t
.Af tera nhouro rsoshe'dfin
a l
lygotherse
lf
re
ady,sn a
tchedaha ndbagan ds o
medo c
ument
ss hewa sworkin
go nthe
pr
evio
usn i
ght.Ou tsi
des hefoundJo rgecl
imbi
n guphisc a
ra ndhe
ki
ndlyoffer
edtog i
veherar ide;s heobli
gedwithoutfret
ting.

"W hydo
n'tyo
ujustus
eoneoft
hec
ars
?Yo
ual
way
sri
dec
abs
."
Sa
idJo rg
easthe
ylef
tthehou
se.

"Idon'tk
now;the
y'r
ecomfor
tablemayb
e."Sherepl
ie
dwit
ha
s
ma l
lsmi
le
."Ig e
tti
metorel
axwhilesome
oneel
sedr
ive
s,andIt
hin
kmy
l
ic
enseha
sexpi
redto
o,soi
t'sju
stfineasi
tis."

"Noit'sn
ot,"Heo b
jec
ted."acarisane
ces
sitye
spe
cia
ll
yno
w
t
hatyou'
rework
ing;bu
titsee
mslik
ey o
ufindi
taluxur
y."He
r
emark
eda n
dforoncel
aughe
dc o
mfort
ably
.

"I'l
lthin
kab o
utit.
"Sa idClai
re,i
na t
tempttoki
llthedis
cuss
ion
.
Shesti
llf
eltawkwardarou
ndhim,andthatwa spr
obablythemost
i
nti
matemomentthe
y'dshare
d.Jo rg
ea sk
edhe rali
ttl
ea b
outherjo
b
an
dc o
nver
sedfewotherdet
ail
sunt
ilarri
vedatSt a
rli
ghtwhe r
eshe
t
hankedhi
ma ndheleft
.
CLAIREheadi
ntot
heoffi
ce,toa
tla
stme
etNa
tha
nfo
rthe
iru
pco
min
g
ap
poi
ntme
nta
tSK headq
uarter
s.

"Oh,youlo
okgrea
tL e
vy!"Sa
idNa
tha
nwi
thaf
lus
h,u
pons
eei
ng
he
rapp
roac
hinghiso
ffi
ce.

"Tha
nksNathan
,"s hesmi
le
d."Iho
pet
her
e'sn
oan
yla
stmi
nut
e
c
han
g e
."ands
aidpo
inte
dly.

"Nota
ta l
lma'
am,rel
ax!W e
'rel
eav
ingb
yte
nan
dju
star
emi
nde
r,
y
ou'
reon
lygoi
ngtoobs
erv
e."

"Ik
nowNa
tha
n,y
oudo
n'tha
vet
oru
bitt
omyf
ace
!"

"I'
mjusts
ayi
ng,Ikn
owhowe
age
ryo
uar
etos
howy
ourde
sig
nin
g
s
kil
lsb
utit
'sno
ttheti
meyet
."

Clai
reroll
edhere
yesandmadehi
mlau
ghabit
."Soc
anIatl
eas
t
s
eethesl
ide
so fyo
urpre
sen
tati
on?Iwantt
oatl
eas
tkn
owwha
twe'
re
g
oin
gt ogi
vethem.
"Shea ske
d.

"Su
re,k
eepi
tsa
fe.
"Heha
nde
dhe
rthep
endr
ive
.

Byt e
n-thi
rtyinthemo
rni
ng,t
hetwowereal
rea
dyatSK
he
adquar
ters
;al on
ggr e
yto
werbui
ldi
ngwi
thb o
ldSK signo
nit
.The
y
ap
pro
achedtherece
pti
ondes
ktocon
fir
mthei
ra p
poi
ntme
nt.

"W e'
refr
o mStarl
ight
!"Sa idNathant
oaprett
yrec
ept
ion
ist
l
ady.Cla
irewaswande
ringhere
yesaro
undthehu
geandfanc
ylobby
wi
thfewbusyf
igur
esofempl
oyee
swithbadg
eswal
kin
gb yi
nahu r
ry.

Thepr
ett
yladyma deaca
llandaf
terami
nutes
heloo
k e
du pat
t
hem."Goaheadtothe24t
hfloo
r,the
re'
sahal
linthel
eftandyou'
ll
f
indaco
nfe
ren
ceroom."Shep o
li
tel
ytol
dthe
ma n
dNa thanthank
edher
wi
thhi
sbe
sts
mil
etha
tma
dehe
rbl
ush.

On c
einsi
detheelev
a t
or,iswhenCl ai
re'
sheartst
arte
dp o
u n
ding
heavi
lyagai
nstherchest.Sheha dn oideaofhowthatmorni
ngwa s
goi
ngt oen
di ncas
eRy anwa sr e
all
yb e
hindherinv
olve
menti
nt hepro
jec
t;
asano bs
erve
ro fc
o u
rse.Sheb racedthestrap
sofherredhandbagasif
herli
fedepen
de donit
,whilechecki
nghe rbl
ackpl
atfo
rm-hee
lsthat
st
a r
tedtostingherfee
t.

"Yo
uok
ayL
evy
?"Na
tha
nas
ked.

"Ye
ahI
'mg
ood.
"Shea
nswe
red.

Fin
a l
lytheele
va to
rdo orss wungopena ndreveal
edav er
yq ui
etfl
oor
wit
hha l
lwaysineithersides.The yto o
kal e
ft,andimmediat
elyreac
hed
alargec
o n
feren
cero omthats eemedtotal
lyu nocc
upie
d.The yjustgot
se
ated,waiti
ngfort hearriv
a lofwho meverha dtoshowu p.Afterfe
w
min
utesDo ri
sappeareda ndcouldn'tconce
a lthesurp
risedonherprett
y
fa
cewhenhe reyesme tClaire
' s
.Shef rown e
db utbrokein
toas mil
e
af
terwards.

"Sor
ry,haveyo
uwa i
tedl
ong?"Shea s
kedwhil
eput
tin
gsome
thi
ngsonahugemarbl
etabl
e,b
eforemo
vin
gtoNa t
han."Hi?I'm
Dori
sMa rc
os,Mr .Stev
enswil
ljoi
nyousho
rtl
y."Sheshookhan
ds
wit
hhim.

"Na
tha
nPa
nthe
r."Her
epl
ie
d.

Dori
stu
rne
dtoCla
ires
mili
ngl
y,"Ididn'tkno
wyo
uwo
rka
t
St
arli
ght
."Shesai
d."W hatacoi
nci
den
c ehuh?"

"Ikno
wr i
ght?"Clai
rer
epl
ie
d,t
ryi
ngha r
dtofo
rcearea
lsmi
le
.
Re
call
in
gthatshehads
lep
twit
hherboy
fri
end,ma
deherfe
el
u
nco
mfo
rta
blea
rou
ndhe
r;l
ik
eac
ons
cio
ushy
poc
rit
ewo
uld.

"Ne
edadr
ink
?"Do
riso
ffe
redb
utn
oneo
fthet
woo
bli
ged.

Afterawhi l
e;Ry an,Ha rryando t
herthreeme nente
r e
dther oo
m.I t
wasa ls
oahu ges u
rpri
sef orHa rry,butneverRy an;heo n
lyregarded
Clairewithwi t
haha ughtyg ri
nasheb rushedp as
the ronhiswa yto
takeas eatwher ehecouldclear
lyseeher.Shedr ewinade epbreat
h,
tryi
ngn ottob reakoutherdi sc
omfortofhimb ei
ngt he
r e
.The
pre
s e
n t
ati
o nstartedasRy aninst
ructe
dwi thoutab ot
herfor
i
n t
roducti
o ns
.Na thankeptexplai
ningtheslide
s,du ri
ngwhichRy a
n
keptthrowingg l
a nc
esatCl air
ea ndshereturne
dwi thf e
wg l
a r
es;it
madehi ms mil
ef ro
mt i
met ot i
me.Byt hetimeNa thanwa sdone,
eve
ryo n
ewa sn oddinginag re
ementwhileexchangin
gmu rmurs,every
one
excep
tRy anwhob ro
keo utofnowhere;

"Ido
n'tl
ik
eit
!"Hes
nap
ped.Al
ley
esi
nther
oomt
urn
edo
nhi
m,
s
urp
ris
edl
y.

"Exc
useme
?"Na
tha
npr
omp
ted.

"Ithoug
htitwasgr
eat
!"SaidDori
s,l
ook
inga
tRy
an."Il
ik
e
t
hedes
igns
;theyaret
ren
dy!"Sheadde
d.

"Somu ndane,it
'snotwhatIenv
isi
one
d!"Ry ansai
d,whil
e
t
appi
ngtheta
b l
ewithhisperfe
ctf
ing
ers.Clai
rewaslo
oki
ngand
l
is
ten
ingtohi
ms oa t
tent
ivel
y.Shewasn'tf
arfromhimontha
tnoti
on,
r
egar
dles
showb la
t a
nthisharshwayofpro
vingf
ault
ywas.

"It
'sfl
ashy
,yes...b
utnote
xac
tlywhatIwo
uldde
fin
e
l
uxu
rio
us!"Hef il
le
din
.Sil
enc
eto
okthethr
one
,andNat
hanlo
oke
da
b
itt
ake
n-a
-ba
ck.

"W ha tisittha tyoudo n'

tli
k eMr .St e
vens
?"Cl a
iregotupand
que
stio
n edhim.Na t
ha nsho o
thimawha t-
are-y
ou-doin
gg l
anceandshe
re
turnedwi t
haj u st
-trust-meloo
k."Yo uwa nte
dluxu r
iousdesi
gns,
modern,andf an
cy ;that'sexactl
ywha twasp r
epared.Sot el
lus,what
i
sittha tyouhav eenvisi
onedfortheinte
r i
orsofyourgrand
co
ndomin i
ums!"Shel e
an e
do ve
rt het
a b
letofacehisli
ngeri
ngg r
in.

"W hatdoesfanc
ymeantoyouMs.Le
vy?Expens
ive
?t r
endy?
Fla
shy?L u
xu r
ious?W hatdoyoute
rmasf
a n
cytoy
oureyes
?"Ry an
as
kedher.The rewasatens
ioni
nthero
omthatt
here
stoftheothe
rs
pr
obabl
ywer e
n'tawareof
.

"Tomeitmeanst
aste
,uni
que
nes
s,ti
melin
ess
;somethin
gIc an
e
asi
lyco
nsi
derpay
ingafor
tun
efor...n o
tb e
caus
eIc a
n ,butbe
caus
eit
c
ompl
ete
sme,an
dmyt ast
e!"Clai
reans
wered,wi
thoutbreaki
ngtheeye
c
ont
act.

"W el
lsai
d!Sot el
lme
,asades
igne
ryour
sel
f,andnotasempl
oye
e
ofSt
arli
ght,a
reyouoka
ywitht
hedes
ignsy
ou'
vejus
ts u
gges
tedtous?
Canyo
ua ct
ual
lya
dvis
emetogoonwi
thit?"

Su chaj e
rk!Shec ur
sedi
nwardly
.Shek newwhe r
eRy an
's
c
onc
ernslie
d;s heprobab
lyhadsamethoughtsashisfromthebegi
nni
ng
o
fthepresen
tationtotheend.W i
thas i
gh,a n
dal it
tlet
hink
ing,she
s
tar
eda tthepr o
jec
toranditsc
onte
ntsdis
p l
ayed,thenatNathanwho
n
oddedathe rtosaywha te
vers
hethought.

"YesIwoul
dadvi
seyougoon."Cl
aires
aidcal
mly
.He rrema
rk
r
ais
edfewmur
murs,a
ndanindif
fer
entl
ookfr
omRy anwhoeye
dher
f
ixe
dly
,unt
ils
hesheadde
d."Bu t
,Ihaveasugge
sti
onreg
ardi
ngwhat
Mr
.St
eve
nsma
ypr
oba
blywa
nt.
"

"Goa
hea
d."Ry
ana
ffi
rme
d.

"I'
ms urewha tyou'
v eenv
isi
onedissomethingluxuri
ousbutcapabl
e
offi
tti
ngeveryone
'staste!"Shet o
ldhimwhi lepaci
nga r
ound.Fo ronc
e
Ry a
ns t
raig
ht e
nedu pands atmorecomfort
ably."Ju stbe
causeit
's
e
xp e
nsi
ve,doesn'
tme aneveryonewithmon e
ywi llbuy
,u nl
essi
tf i
tsthei
r
t
a s
te,ri
ght?Sot henwes houl
dn'tfocu
so ntrendsora nyt
hingofthe
sor
t?So mer i
chpe op
leli
kec l
assi
chouses,so
memo de
r n
,someprefer
c
o l
orspl
ash,somep re
ferlightorpl
ain;sowhydo n'
twei n
corpor
ateallof
t
hem?"

"Ho
wso
?"Ry
anq
ues
tio
ned,s
eemi
ngl
yto
ose
rio
ust
hanb
efo
re.

"Ju stl
ikeafiv
e-st
arho te
lwithdif
fer
entt
ypesofsui
tes;i
t'
s
p
oss
ibl
etoma kehome
sf e
elli
keas l
iceo
fheavenf
orevery
one.
"s he
c
ont
inue
dta l
ki
n gwhi
leshowin
ge xampl
esontheal
readymadedesi
gnso
n
t
hesl
ideswit
ht hehel
pofNa thanattime
s.

"And?"Hee y
edhe
rli
keac
hal
le
nge
,an
dshek
newhi
sin
ten
tio
ns
we
ll
;sheke
ptc
alm.

"Thebott
omlineis,wecanmakedesi
gnsbase
do nwhatpeopl
ewa n
t,
andnotfro
mho wexpensiv
eyouwantthemtoloo
k,a n
do fc
oursewitho
ut
de
g r
adingcl
assasyouwa ntthene
ighbo
urhoodtoturnout
.So ,areyou
agre
ein
gwithusMr .St e
vens?Intheendyou'
retheonewit
ht he
vi
sio
n."Shec onc
ludedwithsarc
asm,int
endedtoreac
hRy an,whok e
pt
qu
ietforawhil
e,scrat
chinghisb
labbybear
d.

"Okay!"Hesa
id,a
ndshea
lmo
stcou
ldn
'tbe
li
eveit
."W e'l
lme
et
n
extti
me,whe
nyo
uhavet
hen
ewdesi
gns
."Ry ans
aid,whil
eonhi
sfe
et
a
lre
ady
."Iexp
ectn
o t
hingl
essMr.Panthe
r!"Het
oldNa
tha
nwhi
le
e
xte
ndi
nghi
shandthatheshoo
kitn
erv
ousl
y.

"Ye
sMr
.St
eve
ns!"s
aidNa
tha
n.

"Ms .Le
vy,I
'mlo
okin
gforwa
rd!"Ry
ant
oldCl
ai
redu
rin
ga
ha
ndsha
ke,wit
hhisc
ynicsmi
le
.

W hi
lei
nsi
det
heele
vat
or,Cl
ai
r et
urn
edt
oNathanwi
thagu
il
ty
f
ace
."I'mso
rryNatha
n,Iknowyouto
ldmet
oke
eplo
wb u
t--
"

"Heywhatareyo
usaying?Yousav
edmyassoutt
here
!"He
r
epl
ied."Ihear
dRy a
nSt eve
nsisnoj
okebutIn
eve
rthoug
hthe'
sthis
i
nti
midati
ng.Damn
!In ea
rlypis
sedmypant
s."HeaddedandClai
re
l
aughedal
oud.

"So,wha
tareyougu
ysgo
ingt
odo?Imi
ght
'ver
uin
edy
ourwo
rk
b
eca
useo
fmyfoulmo
uth!"Shewor
rie
d.

"W e'llhav
etore
vis
ethedes
ign
s ,n
owayo ut
."Hes hr
ug g
ed.
"Bes
ides
,wewe ren
'te
xpec
tin
gago-aheadr
ightaway,ev
eryonekno
ws
howdemandingRyani
s;helik
est
hingstob
ep e
rfec
t."

Wi t
ht hatCla
ireha
dn ot
hingtoargu
e;shekne
wRy a
nwelleno
ugh
t
oknowthatfact
.The yar
riv
edthelobb
y,andwhil
eheadingo
ut,her
p
honebuz
zed.Shefrowne
ds e
ein
gt ha
titwasRy a
ncall
ingher
;s he
a
nswer
eda ft
erali
ttl
ehesi
tat
ion.

"W ha
tisi
tsi
r?"Sheb
ark
ed.Na
tha
nha
lte
dass
hes
top
ped
mo
vin
g.

"I
t'sRya
n,I'mnotyours
ir!Do
n'tg
oan
ywhe
re,wa
itf
orme
."
Ry
antol
dherfro
mt heot
heren
d.
 Shefrowne
d."Iha v
etogobacktotheof
fic
e,i
fthisis
n '
tabout
wor
kthenpl
eas
estopwast
ingmy--
"s hest
opp
eddeadwhe nshesawhim
ap
proa
chi
ngfro
mt hean
othere
lev
atortha
twasforexec
utive
so n
ly.

"The r
ey o
uare!"Ry ans a
idbefo
rehangi
ngup.Hema rche
d
t
owardsthem,sur
roundedwit
hhi saut
hor
ita
tiv
ea u
rathate
vident
ly
p
rove
dhi mab o
ssamo n
gevery
oneels
e.Hes to
ppedbef
oreNathanand
t
oldhim,"Youcang oahea
db yyour
sel
fMr .Panther
,Ihave
s
omewheretogowithClair
e."

Cl
air
egawpe
d,andsodi
dNatha
n."Oh-
-ok
ay!"Na
tha
nre
pli
ed
b
efo
ree
xchan
gin
gg l
anc
eswi
thhi
spar
tne
r.

"Ho
wda
rey
ou?"Cl
ai
res
nap
peda
thi
mon
ceNa
tha
ngo
ne.

Ry
ang
rab
bedhe
rbyt
hewr
ist
."Co
meo
n,l
et'
sge
tou
tofhe
re!"

Shepul
ledoffsava
g e
ly."St o
pi t
!I 'mnotgo
inganywher
ewith
yo
u!W hodoy outhi
nky o
ua retoordermea r
oun
d?"Sher ai
sedher
vo
ice
,obl
ivi
ousofthefacttherewer
es eve
ralSK emplo
yeesatthel
obby
whowerecur
rentl
yt a
kingnoteofwha t
everthe
irbo
sswa sdoi
ng;Ryan
di
dn'tgi
veada mn.

"Oh,doyoup
ref
erIdr
agy
oub
yfo
rceo
rca
rryy
oul
ik
eas
acko
f
r
ice
?"Hea sk
ed.

Seein
ghows er
ioushewas,Clai
reen
dedupget
tin
gpul
leda
way
f
romthelo
bbywithhishandholdi
nghers
.Ashea l
waysdi
d,Ryan
o
pene
dthepasse
ngerdoorfo
rCl ai
reandshes
hesto
odther
emoti
onl
ess
i
ndi
cati
ngshewon'
tcomplyofwhatev
erhewant
ed.

"DoIha
vet
ous
efo
rcea
gai
nCl
ai
re?Is
aidg
eti
n!"Her
epe
ate
d
f
ort
het
hir
dti
me.

"Isai
dI'mno
tgo
inganywhe
rewi
thyou
!Can'
tyouge
tthati
n
y
ourthi
cksku
ll
?"Shescr
eamedathi
m,a
ndheo
nlyro
ll
edhise
yes
.

"Ohy
our
eal
lyl
ovechal
le
nge
s,Damnit
!"Ry a
ns n
appe
d,a
ndwha
t
f
oll
owe
dwa
sCla
ireb
ein
gp u
shedi
nsi
detheca
rli
keachi
ld.

"Ry an?Ry ans

topdoi
ngthismad-
-"Clai
repu
tar es
ista
n c
ebu
t
a
llinvain;shewasal
readyi
na n
dt hedo
ors
lammedaft
erwards."You
a
nima l
!"Shey e
ll
edaft
erhimande a
rne
dacroo
kedsmil
efromhimashe
p
aceda ro
u n
dt op
osse
sadr i
vers
eat.

Theridecommencedina b
ov eav
eragesp
eed,withClai
repantin
g
madlywhil
ec hi
rpin
ga boutgoi
ngb ac
kt owork,andhowangrya ndsic
k
hema dehe
rf ee
l.Ry anpaidnoa tt
enti
ontoherranti
ng;in
stead,whil
e
atit
,hep l
uckedhiscell
phoneandma deacal
lduringwhic
hs hewa s
gl
aringathimwi t
hb ewil
derment.Sheu nde
rstoo
dr i
ghtawayhewa s
tal
ki
n gtosomeonefro
mSt arl
ight.

"Ye sIt
'sme!"Hes na
p p
edove
rthec
all
."Clai
reLevywo
n't
re
tur
nt oworkt
oday,Ine
edherto..."hekepts
ayingt
owhomeve
rhe
wasta
lkingt
o,boss
il
y."Right,Goo
d!"Andhehu n
gu p
.

"W hat...wha
tareyoudoi
ng?Areyo
ucr
azy
?"Clai
resna
pped.
"W hatdoyo
umea
nI'mn
o tg
oingbac
ktowo
rkan
dthaty
ounee
dme ?
W hatfo
r?"

Rya
ns mi
le
d."Cr
azyaga
in?Itho
ughtyo
ualr
eadyha
veanans
wer
f
ormyment
alst
ate
,Ohjus
tshutu
pClair
e,I
twil
ldoyougo
od!"

"Yo
u'r
esi
ck!Sov
erys
ick
!"
 "Se
atb
elt
!"

"W ha
t?"

"Isa
idp
utont
hedamnse
atb
elt
!"Herepe
ated,inmoreo
fan
o
rde
rthanas
imp
ler
emi
nder
.W it
hahea
vy,f
rustr
a t
edsig
hCl ai
re
c
omp
lie
d.

The yha dasil

entdriv
eu n
tilRy an'scarpul
ledoverint
oa n
undergroun
dg arageatsomefancybu i
ldi
n ginaveryravi
shingstreet
.
Clairewantedtoopenhermo u
thb utde c
idedtokeepca
lm;de al
in
gwi th
Ry anusingwo r
ds,hasbyf ar
,provedt obet o
tal
lyuse
less.Heg o tout
thecarfirst,an
do pe
nedthedo o
rf orhisa n
g r
ycompanion
.Cl ai
re
scowl
ed,a ndwithmuchr e
luc
tance,whichma deRy anchuckl
eass he
drama t
ica
llydropp
edo f
f.

"No
wwha
t?W he
rea
rey
out
aki
ngme
?"Sheb
ark
ed.

"Ju
stf
oll
owme
!"Hes
aida
nda
sal
way
s,s
het
rie
dtop
rot
est
.

Ign
oringhe
rres
ist
anc
e,hegrab
b e
dherhanda
nddragge
dherwi
th
hi
mtowardsaver
yhide
ousel
eva
torthatwasdo
wnthe
re,a
ndb o
th
en
ter
ed.

Hes eemedt
obetheonl
yo n
ewithanacce
ssanditdrov
ethemupto
thefoye
ro fso
meapar
tment
,ag radapa
rtme
ntthatle
ftClai
reali
ttl
e
dazz
le
d.I twassuc
hab e
auti
fulandfanc
yapart
mentwit
ha noc
eanvi
ew
viai
t'senormo
usbaywin
dow;itlook
edboyi
shandstyl
ing
.

Cl
air
emovedtothewindo
wandst
are
dout
sideforamome
ntto
c
atc
hherbre
ath,b
eforetur
nin
gar
oun
dwithhe
ra rmsfo
lde
dacro
sshe
r
c
hes
t,r
eadytobat
tlewit
hhim.
 "Andma
yIk
nowwha
tist
hisp
lac
e?"Shea
ske
dinas
eri
oust
one
o
fvo
ice
.

"Myhomeofco
urse
!"Ry a
nans
were
dwhil
eta
kingof
fhisj
acke
t,
f
oll
owedbythene
ckti
eandhe
adtot
hela
rgeo
penki
tche
nunra
vel
le
d
a
fterthel
iv
ingr
oom.

"W ha
twi
lly
ouha
ve?W i
ne,c
off
ee?"As
kedRy
anwhi
lemo
vin
g.

Shes co
ffed,un
abletobel
ie
vehisutt
erl
yconfi
dentg
est
ure
s."Of
c
ours
eIdo n'
twa ntany
thing
!"Sher e
turne
d"Ju s
ttel
lmewhyyo
u
b
roughtmetoyo u
rhome,asyouclai
m,whil
eIs ho
uldbewor
kin
gli
ke
e
ver
yo the
rnormalper
sonsoutther
e?"shek e
ptwhini
ng.

Ry ancamebac
kwithabo
ttleofwate
r;heo pe
nedandg u
lpe
daha l
f
ofit
.The nhes a
tdownandor
deredhertodot hesame.ForonceCl
aire
didasa s
ked,butwit
hmu c
hdi
ffi
cultya
she rheel
skepttap
pingthef
loo
r
rest
les
slyunti
lRy a
nfin
all
yde
cidedtospe
ak ;

"W hyarey
ouign
ori
ngme?I'
vec
a l
le
dyoutwi
cet
hiswee
ken
dan
d
y
oudel
ib
erat
elyc
hos
etoig
noret
hemal
l,ande
venmyte
xts!"

"Ohyoumeany o
urtwomisse
dc a
ll
sa ndoneme
ssa
ge?"Clai
r e
re
pli
edsarc
asti
cal
lyandRy a
nn ar
rowedhisey
es."Youmusthav
er ea
ll
y
tr
iedyou
rb e
sttoreac
hmewi t
hthosesle
azyat
tempt
sofyou
rs,huh?I
meanthr
eetri
al
sa ndyou
'reher
ecompla
ini
ng?"

Ryan
'sli
pst
urnedint
oa namuse
dlaughte
rwhenhelo
okedathe
r
f
ace
."Soy o
uthi
nkitwasn'ten
o u
gh?W o ul
dyoup
refe
rIc a
ll
edyou
n
onst
opa
nds e
ntyo
ub un
dleoftextsi
nst
ead?"

Clai
rego
tup,f
lus
tere
d."No!Ine
versa
idtha
t."Shere
pli
ed,
a
ndhea
rche
dhisey
ebro
ws."I'
monl
ysayi
ngtha
tyouco
uldha
ve,wai
t,
y
ou'r
eon
lyt
ryi
ngt
oev
adet
hema
ini
ssu
ehe
re.W hywee
vendi
scu
ssi
ng
t
his
?"

"Be
cau
sey
ouwa
ntt
o?"Ry
ans
aidi
nmo
cke
ry.

"Ofcou
rsenot!Ryan,j
ustt
ellmewhatal
lthi
scha
rade
'sab
outso
t
hatweca
ng e
titoverwi
th!I'
mnotinthemoo
dt op
layyo
urgame
s!"
Sheto
ldhi
ms tr
ict
ly.

"No
thi
ngmu
ch,Ij
ustwa
nte
dtos
pen
dti
mewi
thy
ou;b
eca
useI
mi
sse
dyo
u!"

"Doyo
uevenli
ste
ntoy
our
sel
f?"Clai
regawpe
d.Itwa
simp
oss
ibl
e
f
orhert
ounde
rsta
ndhimev
enali
ttl
e."Doyo
ur e
all
y?"

"Mo
sto
fthet
ime
s!"Hea
nswe
red.

"Youa r
es uc
hab ast
ardRy anSt e
ven
s ,whodoy outhinkIam?A
sl
utwithnodignit
y?OhIk now,ap oorCinderel
lawhoismi s
trea
tedby
he
re vi
lste
pmo m,andonedays hefindsahidingshel
terinthearmsofa
Pri
ncecharming,i
sthatit
?"Sher app
edandRy anremain
edq ui
et
l
ist
eningtoherwhim,hiseye
sg li
sten
ingwit
hb othple
as u
rea nd
di
scomfor
t.

"I
'ven
eve
rsa
ids
uchat
hin
g."Hes
aidc
alml
y.

"Ido n
'tknowwhyy oubro
ughtmeher
e,bu
tI '
ms ureDorisdoe
sn'
t
hav
et hesli
ghtes
tidea."Shetol
dhim."An di
fIma y,ple
aseletmeas
k
yo
ut hispol
ite
ly.
"s hesai
dhalt
ingl
y,a
ndsatnexttohimsoa stolo
ok
hi
mc lose
lyintheeyes
."Plea
selett
ogo."

"Clai
re,"Ryanut
ter
edwhenhereal
iz
edthec
han
g eo
nherf
aci
al
e
xpr
essi
on;thehi
ntofc
hall
eng
e-o
rie
nte
dwo ma
nwasallgo
ne.
 "Ry anSt e
vens,Sir,ple
aselet
'sfi
ni
sht hepro
jectpe
acefu
ll
ya n
d
gotowhe r ewetrul
yb el
ong."Shes oft
lysai
d."Ye s,Iadmitthat
you'v
ema n age
dt oshakemeu pforamoment;Iforgo
tmyp lac
e,my
pri
nciple
sa ndevenmydi gn
ity;butyouknowwha t
?Tha t
'sasfarasI'm
will
in
gt og o.I'mdonewiththis,Ican'
taffor
dt obetheotherwoman,
theevilone!"Sheg otupsl
owlya n
dt o
okherha ndb
a gbef
orewalki
ng
towardst hedoor.

"Sot
hisi
sal
lab
outDo
ris
?"Ry
ans
nap
ped.

Shesta
redbacka
thim,won
der
ingwhatwa
sre
all
ythemat
terwi
th
hi
m."Yeahit
'sal
labo
uther.
"Sher a
nte
d."So,c
anIgonow?"she
bl
urt
edo
utplai
nl
y.

Ryanwal
kedov
era
ndstoo
dinfr
ontofher
;hisfa
cetak
inga
s
eri
oust
urn
."Ar ey
ouf
eel
in
gguil
tyo
rsomethi
ng?"heas
ked.

Wa shese
rio
u s
?Sheleto
utasmirkandb i
therlip
ssava
gel
y.
She'
dstar
tedtothi
nkhewasr
eal
lyoutofhismind;thats
hewas
pr
oba
blyde
ali
ngwithament
alp
ati
ent
,asylu
mme ntal.

"Yourgir
lfr
ien
dDori
s,"shestart
ed."doyoue
venlov
eher
?"She
as
kedhi
mf l
atl
y.Itwasaques
tions
hewa sbur
nin
gtoaskhimfo
ra
whi
le
,andsee
inghimne
utr
alfacemadehersmi
lee
xhaus
tedl
y.

"Do
esi
tma
tte
r?"Heq
uer
ied,a
nds
hehu
ffe
dat
ire
dla
ugh.

"Itwasastup
idque
sti
on,wasn'
tit?beca
useyouk
no wwhy?
Peop
lelik
eyou
,don'te
venknowwhatloveis
;le
talo
nehowt olo
ve
any
on e
!"Shea ddedi
nal o
wv o
ice
,andRy anburs
tedoutlau
ghin
g,
whi
chma dehe
rwa yang
rie
r;sheswall
owed.

"L
et'
ssa
yyo
u'r
eri
ght
."Her
epl
ie
d,a
sifp
lay
ingwi
thhe
r.
 "Yout
hinkI
'majok
e,ri
ght
?"Thisti
mehere
yeswer
efi
ll
edwi
th
t
ear
stha
twerere
adyt
ofalla
sshec
oldl
ygl
are
dathim.

"W hati
fshewe
ren'
tmyg
irl
fri
end?W o
uldy
ouha
ves
par
edme
t
hedra
ma ?"Ryanas
ked.

"Thedrama."Clair
euttere
dsoftlytoher
self.Shep re
ssedher
l
ipstoge
the
rtocatchabreat
ha sheremo t
ion
sstartedgett
ingthebestof
her."Okay,SoifIsayy e
s,whatwouldy oudo?W o ul
dy oulea
vehe r
fo
rme ?"Shes n
a p
pedoutalou
d.Ry anwa ssil
ent,aninde
scri
bable
si
lenc
e."See?Yo ucan
'tevenanswe
rt hat!Ju stletmegoRy an,and
fo
rg e
tabou
tmea sIwil
lyou!"

"Doy
ouwa
ntmet
ole
avehe
r?"Hea
ske
datl
ast
.

"Ca
nyo
u?"Sher
eto
rte
d.

"Doy
ou?"Hes
nor
ted.

"No!Ju s
tdonothin
g,assho
le!"Clair
eb a
rkedandre
ache
dfor
t
hedoorwhic
hwa sal
readycon
fusi
ng;the
rewa sonere
gul
ardoor
,an
d
a
lsoanel
eva
tordoort
hatr e
qui
redap a
sscode.

"Youwo n'tbea bl
etogetoutofhereClai
re,unl
essIletyou!"
Ryans p
okehau ghtil
ybehin
dhe r.Shec l
enche
dherfistsangr
il
yb ef
ore
t
u r
ningaroun
da ndpumpedintohische
st;hiscyni
csmil
ewidenedandhe
f
irmlyti
ghtene
dhe rbythewa i
st."Youc a
n'tesc
apemeCl a
ire!Yo u'
ll
nev
erescap
eme !"Hep l
ace
dhi sfor
ehea
da gai
nsthersbutshejerk
ed
away.

"Don
't.Even
.Think.Ab
outdo
ingt
hatRy
an!"Cl
ai
res
aid
b
etwe
enhergr
itt
edte
eth.
 "Ohy eah?An dwha twil
lyoudo ?Be atmeup?Sc reamforhel
p?
W ha tClai
r e
?Te l
lme !"Heg ri
nned,whilebreat
hingundera
ga i
nst
herneck;shes huthere y
esina t
tempttolockhertreac
herou
sfeel
ings
.
Shet ri
edt owr i
gglearoundjusttogetouto fhi
ss t
ronggri
p,butas
expe
cted;itwa saf ool
'serrandands hewaso nl
yexhaust
ingherse
lf.
Ry anheldherf i
rmlyf ro
mb ehin
d,herha ndstwiste
db ac
ktorefrai
nany
kin
do fstrongmo vefromhe runti
lshecle
arlysaid;

"Okay,Ok
ayy
ouwin
!Ju str
elea
semyha
nds
,ithu
rts
!"s
he
s
urr
ende
redwhe
nal
rea
dyouto
fbre
ath.

"Ver
yGood!That'swhatIli
keClai
re;whenyou'
rep
oli
teand
ob
li
g i
ng!"Ryanutt
ere
dwi t
hab i
gsmil
ebefor
erele
asi
ngherhan
ds.
That'swhens
hetu
rnedaroundan
ds t
art
edhitti
nghimnon
stoponhi
s
hardches
t.

"Yo uani
mal,howc ouldyoudot hi
stome !Ho wda reyou
--"s he
yel
ledbutinaninsta
n c
e,he rmouthwa ssi
lenc
edbyRy a
n'shotlips
cl
aiminghers
,andhe rhan dswereforce
ful
lyrestr
ainedtoherbehind
andma dehertra
ppeda ndhe l
pl
ess."Yo u--
"s hekeptfi
ghti
ngba ck
,but
theheatthatst
artedbuildingupinsi
deherb odymanagedtocea
s eall
hermoves.Shes l
owly,an dgraduall
y,yie
ldedtoRy an'
ssweettorture
ands e
nsualas
saultasher ocke
dhi stongu
einav erytant
ali
zi
ngwa y.

"Can
'tyou-
-"Ryans
pok
eda mi
dstt
heki
ssi
ng."Ju s
tb easq
uie
t
-
-"headded."Ast
his
?"Hel i
fte
dherands
heenci
rcl
edherle
gs
a
bou
thiswais
t.

"Ica
n't
--"Cl a
irebre
athedthewor
dstohi
smouthwhil
epre
ssi
ng
hardtowa
rdshim."You.Ar e.Ab e
ast
!"Shewr a
ppedhisne
ckand
co
ntinu
edhavi
ngthetast
eofhisli
psashehe
avi
lydro
ppedheront
he
s
ect
ion
alc
ouc
h.

"Thebe
asthu
h?Il
oveb
ein
gtheb
eas
t!"Hes
aida
ndr
ipp
edo
ff
he
rblo
use
.

"Ryan!"Cl
air
escre
amed."Ho wc
oul
dyo
u!"Shes n
appe
dbu
t
hi
scar
niv
orou
sgr
inmadeherde
cidei
twa
sn'
twort
hthes
weat.

"Ic
an.
"Hes ai
d,hisey
esfi
ll
edwi
thdes
ire
stop
oss
eshe
r,a
she
p
eel
in
gof
fhiss
hir
tthatwasal
rea
dyunb
utt
oned.

"Br ut
e!Yo u'resuc
hab ru
te!Tha t'
swha tyouare.
"She
muttere
dwhi l
epu l
li
nghimo ve
rt oherfac
ehu n
gril
y.W ithherhip
s
swayingbene
athhi sweig
ht ,s
hef el
thimgrowi
nga gai
nsther
;hislus
tfu
l
eyeskeptmocki
nghe rwhileki
ssi
n gandtea
singeve
rys e
nsi
tiv
epartofhe
r
body,withou
tu ndress
ing;welle
xc e
ptherri
ppedblo
u s
ethatwaslyi
ng
helpl
ess
lyonther ug.

"Ohf uc
kitClai
re!Youdr i
vemenut
s!"Ry angrumb
ledf
eel
in
g
herfi
nger
ss l
idi
nghi
sma nho
odwhe ns
hesudde
nlyfl
ipp
edhimov
erand
unbuc
kle
dhisp a
ntsi
nas wif
t.He rgri
ndi
ngontopofhi
mwa se
nought
o
tu
r nhi
spredato
ryli
bi
doa wake
.

"Shu
tup
!"Sheo
rde
reda
ndheb
ithi
sbo
tto
mli
pss
mil
in
gly
.

"Na u
ghtylit
tlethi
ng,Ohda mnitClair
e!"hemoanedwhenher
l
ipsfi
lle
dhiminwi t
ha nu panddownrhythm.Itwasano
thertragi
cend
fo
rCl ai
reLevy;againshewasinthearmsofherne
wAc hi
lle
s'heelan
d
whathema deherfeel
,wa sbe
yondrea
sons.Shewouldn
'tstopscr
eaming
hi
sna me,andbeghimn ottost
op;whi
chRy a
ngran
tedwithple
asure
.
CHAPTER 1
1

Itwasal
readyaft
erno
onasti
mewentby
,withthet
wolyi
ngonthec
ouch.
Clai
redec
idedt
os t
opove
rthi
nki
ngandjus
tliv
ethemome
ntaft
eral
lthe
att
empt
stog oa
gains
tRy ant
haten
dedupfai
li
ngmise
rab
ly.

"W hydi
dyoudest
roymyb
lou
se?NowIdon
'tha
vean
ythi
ngto
wear
!"s hel
amen
ted.Shewasl
yi
ngove
rRyan
,andheont
hese
cti
onal
so
fa.

Hechuc
kle
d."Iwasi
nahur
ryt
oundr
essyo
uIg
ues
s!"he
a
nswe
redf
lat
lyandCl
ai
rej
oin
edt
hec
huc
kli
ng.

"You
'res
ocraz
yyoukno
w?"shet
oldhi
m,whil
stp
lay
ingwit
hhis
dark
,low-
cutbe
ardtha
tshese
eme
dtoadmi
rethemo
stamo
nghisfac
ial
fe
ature
s.

"You'
vesa
idt
hatami
ll
io
nti
mesa
lre
ady
."Ry
anr
epl
ie
d,wi
thhi
s
ha
ndsal
love
rherb
ody.

Cl
air
egi
ggle
dathi
smi
schi
evo
ust
ouc
honhe
rbe
hin
d."W ha
tar
e
y
oudoi
ngRyan?"

Hes
mil
ed."Exa
ctl
ywha
tyo
ulo
vemedo
inga
mon
got
hert
hin
gs!"

"Ps
ycho
!"Sheu tt
ere
d."W el
l,In
eedtou
setheba
throo
m,whe r
e
i
sit
?"Shes aidwhi
lede
tachi
ngf
romRyan;hegav
eherthedi
rec
tio
ns
whi
leatherf
eet
.

"Ohthats
hirtl
ook
sbet
terony
ou,an
dtho
sel
ongl
egsar
esos
exy
tha
tIwa ntt
ospre
adthema
part!"sai
dRyana
sClai
rest
art
ed
wal
king.

Sheb
urs
tedo
utl
aug
hin
gathi
sob
tus
ere
mar
ks."Yo
usho
ulds
eea
s
hri
nkRya
n,a
ndn
ewsf
las
h;Il
ovemyb
lou
seb
ett
ert
hany
ours
cen
ted
s
hir
t!"

"Bu
tIt
hou
ghty
oul
ove
dmys
mel
l?W ha
tha
ppe
nedt
otha
t?"

"ShutupRyan
!"Shescr
eame
dfa
int
lya
she
rsi
ghtdi
sap
pea
red,
l
eav
ingRy
a nl
aug
hin
gde
li
ght
edl
y.

"Do
n'tb
ema
d,I
'mt
ell
in
gthet
rut
h."Hes
cre
ame
daf
terhe
r.

Fewminut
eslat
er."W ha
ta reyo
udoing
?"Clai
reaske
dRy an
whenshere
turne
df r
omthebat
hr o
om;hewasint
heki
tche
n,andsmi
led
atherwhe
ns hejo
ine
dhim."Ar eyoutr
yin
gtoco
ok?"sheadde
d.

"Tr
yin
g?Ia mco
oki
ng!"here
pli
ed,whi
les
las
hin
gap
ack
eto
fra
w
p
ast
awit
hvege
tab
lesl
yi
ngonthec
ount
erto
p.

"W o
w!Yo uca
nc o
ok?"Clai
regas
pedandheno
ddedwithasma
ll
smil
e.Hemo v
edtot
hes i
nkan
dstart
edwashin
gthev
eggi
es."Isu
ckin
theki
tc
hen,Idon
'tkno
who wtoc
ookanyt
hin
g."shesa
idpl
ainl
y,a
ndit
wasthetr
uth.

Ry
anl
ook
eda
the
rar
chl
y."Yo
udo
n't
?"

"Ata l
l..."shesai
dtrut
hful
ly
,whil
echewi
ngarawc
arr
ot;s
he
wasl
eani
ngaga
ins
tthecab
ine
toppo
sit
etowhereRyanwa
s.
"Surp
ris
ed?"Shea s
kedupo
nhissil
ent
.

"W hywouldI?Iwasn'tpl
anni
ngtohireyoutobec
omemyco
okor
a
nythin
g!"heanswer
edwithasli
ghtbrus
ho fhiswethando
nClair
e's
c
hee
k ,c
aus
inghertos
qui
nt,andhesmil
ed."Beside
s,I'magre
atco
ok;
y
oudo n
'tn
eedtoworr
yaboutmeal
s!"hewi n
k e
d.

"Ha
h!W hywo
uldIe
venwo
rrya
bou
ttha
t?I
t'sn
otl
ik
eI'
m
g
oin
gtol
iv
ewi
thy
ous
ome
day
!"s
her
etu
rne
dla
ughi
ngl
y.

"W hyn
ot?"a
ske
dRy
an.

"Be
cau
sei
t'
simp
oss
ibl
e;i
t'
lln
eve
rha
ppe
n."r
epl
ie
dCl
ai
re.

"Ne
vers
ayn
eve
rbe
aut
ifu
l."

"Be
aut
ifu
l?Tha
t'sBr
uno
's,y
ou'
reb
ein
gun
ori
gi
nal
!"

Hes hr
ugg
ed."W hatca
nIdo?Myl
it
tleb
rot
herwi
llha
vet
o
f
org
ivemefo
rste
ali
ngwha
t'shis
."

"W hatdoe
sthatmean
?"s heq
uest
ion
edhimandheonl
ysmil
ed.
"RyanI
'mt a
lki
ngtoyou
?Doy ouact
ual
lybel
ie
vet
hatyou
'vest
ole
nme
fr
omBruno
?Tha t'
sridi
cul
ous
!"

"Ohi
t'sno
t,he'
samantoo
!"heanswe
redandCl
airebu
rste
dout
l
aug
hin
gathisn
aiv
eideaa
bou
tBr u
nol
ik
ingher
;shebe
li
evedot
herwi
se.

"Hei s,butnotapsy
c hoassomeo
neIk no
w."sherepl
ie
d.The y
c
onti
nue
db i
ckeri
ngandthel a
u g
hte
rfil
le
dRy a
n'sc
oldapa
rtmenttha
t
s
eemedl
ife
le
s sabo
uttwoho ursago
.The ylu
nchwasfin
all
yready,and
t
heyhaditinthebrea
kfasttablei
nthekit
chen.

"So
,ho
wisi
t?"Ry
ana
ske
dwhe
nCl
ai
ret
ookaf
ork
fulo
fpa
sta
.

"Um..."s
hest
utt
ere
dwhilec
hewin
g."It'
sperf
ect
!Ma ny
ou
s
urel
ykno
wyo
urwayi
ntheki
tche
n.It'
sveryde
li
ci
ousjus
tasi
t
l
ook
s!"

Ryanc
las
pedhi
shandst
oge
the
rwi
thr
eli
efa
ndha
don
ehi
mse
lf.
"Mm...Iamthebe
st!"

Cl
ai
rer
oll
edhe
rey
es."Mo
des
tyi
sne
veri
nyo
urdi
cti
ona
ry,i
s
i
t?"s
her
ema
rke
d.

"Ohi t
'snot!"sai
dhewhiledig
gin
gin,an
dboths
hare
dab r
ief
l
aug
h."Ahb ytheway,
"saidRy anhal
ti
ngl
y."yo
uwerea
weso
me
t
oday,du
ringthepre
sen
tat
ion!"

"W a
sI?"Cl
ai
ret
agg
ed,b
lus
hin
gly
.

"Youwe
re.It
'sl
ikey
out
ooka
llthewo
rdsfro
mmymo ut
h;wehad
e
xac
tlyt
hesa
meideaa
ndIwassori
ghttoi
ncl
udeyoui
nthepr
oje
ct.
"

Shesmil
ed."Ikno
wr i
ght?It'
sinc
redi
blehowweha de
xactl
y
s
ametho
ughtabou
tthedes
ignsand...wa i
t,itwasyo
u?"Sheg lar
ed
a
thim."OhIs okne
wthatithadtobeyouwhop u
ll
edthest
rin
gs!"

Ryanonl
yshrug
gedwhil
esip
pin
gthepine
appl
ejuic
e."W el
lyou
k
eptwhi
ni
ngthatyo
uwa n
tedtodosomerea
ljob,s
oIdi dwhatIco
uld.
..andbel
ie
veme,i
twasthebes
tdeci
sio
n!"Hes ai
d,hise
yespl
ayfu
l.

"Iwa
sn'
twhi
ni
ng!"Cl
ai
res
nap
ped."Iwa
son
lyv
ent
ing
."

"I
sn'
titt
hes
amet
hin
g?"

"Noi t
'sno
t!"Shea rgu
ed."Butwe l
l,nottha
tI'
mcompl
a i
ni
n g
tha
ty oudid;Ij
usthop
ey o
uwo n
'ti
nterv
enewithmyworka
g a
in.Ime an
,
Idon'twantanyo
netothi
nkI'mget
tin
gs pe
cia
lt r
eat
men
tso
rs omethi
ng,
whic
hi sexac
tl
ywhatIg o
t!"

W hi
les
tar
ingathe
rwithamus
ede
yes
,Ry
ana
ske
d."W hywo
uld
y
ouc
areo
fwhatothe
rpe
opl
ethi
nk?"

"Idoc a
re;Iwa
nttobea
ccr
edi
tedf
aira
nds
qua
rea
ndn
otb
eca
use
I
'ms
lee
pin
gwithmybos
s."

"Do
n'two
rryMs
.Cha
ll
eng
e,Io
nlydi
ditb
eca
useIwa
nte
dtog
ive
yo
uanoppo
rtuni
ty;f
orwhichbyfar,yo
u'veprov
edtobewor
thyof
,I'm
j
ustwa
iti
ngforournextme
eti
ngtofin
all
ys eewhaty
oucando.
"said
Ryanan
dCl a
iretha
nk e
dhimforthevot
eo fco
nfi
denc
e.

"Ithin
kI'vego
tsomeexpl
ai
nin
gtodowi
thNat
han;t
hankst
oyour
a
maz
ingi
ndi
scr
eti
onSir!"Shec ha
ngedt
hec
our
seo
fthei
rco
nver
sat
ion
;
a
ndhedi
dn'ts
eemtoap
p r
eci
atet
hetur
n.

"Don
'tc
allmeSir
!Andwhydoy
ouha
vet
oexp
lai
nan
ythi
ngt
o
Pa
nthe
r?"Ry anba
rke
d.

"Becaus
ehe'smysuper
ior
,andthan k
st oyouhecannowcomple
te
pu
zzleofwhat'
sgoin
go n
.Yo ucoul
d'v
ejustwa i
tedyoukno
w,di dyou
havetodragmeinfron
to fe
very
oneinc
ludingyourownempl
oyees?"She
re
turned.Onceagai
ntheirbi
cke
ringst
arted,andneit
herofthetwowas
re
adyt obac
ko ut
.

"Idon'
towee
xpl
ana
tio
ntoa
nyon
eClai
re!"Hes
nap
ped."An
d,
wha
tisthi
swit
hPant
her?Areyo
ucl
oset
ohim?"

"OfcourseI'
mc l
osetohim."Shesa
id."W earec
oll
eag
ues,we
worktog
ether
,a n
dhe '
smyb oss!"Andsno
rte
d,whil
esl
idi
ngthepla
te
as
ide;somet
hingthatRy a
nt o
o khi
nta
t,an
dfrowne
d.

"Fi
ni
shy
ourf
ood!"Heg
rowl
ed.

"Exc
useme
?"

"Isa
id,fi
ni
shyou
rfo
od!Iwanttos
eetha
tpla
tecl
ean.
"He
r
epe
ate
d,wit
hat hu
nde
rvo
icet
hat
'ssc
ari
ert
hanthefi
rst
.

Cl
ai
res
ighe
d,a
nno
yed."W hydoy
oua
lwa
yst
rea
tmel
ik
eac
hil
d?

"Be
cau
sey
ou'
reb
eha
vin
gli
keo
ne!"
 "I
'mf
ullRy
an,I
'veha
dmyf
il
l,i
sn'
ttha
tar
eas
one
nou
gh?"s
he
l
ie
d.

"Ohnoi
t'snot
!You'
rego
ingtofi
ni
sht
hef
uck
ingf
ood,a
ndy
ou'
re
g
oin
gtost
opwhin
ing!"Heor
dered.

"Do
n'ts
ayI
'mwhi
ni
ng!Iha
tei
t!"

"The
nst
opdo
ingi
t!"

Tiredofhist
yranny,Clai
redec
idedt
ogobbl
ethep
astaasq
u i
ckl
y
aspo
s s
ible,whi
lel
ooki
ngster
nlyathim."Icl
ean
edthepl
ate
!Ar eyou
hap
pyn ow?"s hequ
ippe
d,mouthfu
l.

"Very!"Ry anprompte
d,andb e
forehecoul
dhe aroraddanythin
g
more
,hisc e
ll
phonebuz
zed;heanswere
df ewseco
ndslater."YesHa rry
whatisit?"Hes ai
d,eyesonClai
rewhok eptsco
wlin
ga thim;helet
ou
ton eofhisevi
lsmil
esspec
ial
lyfo
rhe r
,a n
ds heretu
r n
edaha rs
hg l
are.
"Arey o
us ureabou
ttha t
?"Hef ro
wn e
d,andCl ai
re'
sf ac
etooka
si
mil
a re
xp re
ssi
on."Alrightdowhaty o
uha vetodo,I'l
lbether
e
so
on!"Hes ai
dbefor
edisconn
ect
ingthecal
l.

"W ha
tisi
t?"Cl
ai
rea
ske
dhi
mwhe
nheg
otu
pfr
omhi
sse
at.

"I'
mg oi
ngb
ackt
otheo
ffi
ce.
"Ry
anr
epl
ie
dwhi
leg
ulp
ingt
heha
lf
o
fhi
sju
ice
.

Sheg
otu
phe
rfe
ett
oo."Yo
u'r
ego
ing
?W ha
tab
outme
?"

"Iwo
n'tt
akel
ong
,yo
u'l
lst
ayhe
rea
ndI
'l
lta
key
ouho
mel
ate
r!"

"Areyouk
iddi
ngme?W hydoIhav
estayhe
rebymys
elf
?I'
ll
j
ustgoho
me!"Shestar
tedc
lea
rin
gthet
abl
einahur
ry.

"Ohy
ouwi
ll
?"hemo
cke
d."Ho
w?I
nmys
hir
t?Tha
t'sg
ood,g
o
a
hea
dan
dle
ave
."hel
aug
hed.

Clai
refu
med,aha
n donherwai
st."Yourip
pedo
ffmybl
ouseon
pu
rpo
se,di
dn'
tyou?"sheask
edandheshru
g g
ed."Youdi
dittotr
ap
mehe
re?Sot ha
tIwon'tl
eave
?W hyRy an?"

"Beca
useIwa
nty
oui
nmya
rmst
oni
ght
!Pe
rio
d!"Hea
nno
unc
ed
p
rou
dly.

Cl
air
ewa sto
odu mbfo
u n
dedthi
st i
metoeve
nretal
iat
e;theman
st
andin
ginfrontofhe
rwa soffi
ci
all
yinsan
einhereyes
.Shewi pedher
fa
ceinatt
empttogeteve
rythi
ngstra
ight,andag
ainshehadn ot
hingt
o
say
.St ar
ingatRy an
,hewa sjustsmi
li
ngasifwait
ingforhertorat
tle
,
whic
hsheendedupdoing;

"W ha
tab
outDo
ris
?W ha
tifs
hes
howsu
phe
re?"

Ry
anr
epl
ie
d."Shewo
n't
!"

"Ho
wdoy
ouk
nowt
hat
?"

"Ik
nowhe
rwe
lle
nou
ght
okn
ow!"

OhmyGo d!Clair
egasp
edinwardl
y."Fine
!Ju s
tgoRya
n,I'
ll
s
tayherel
ik
eapri
son
erunt
ilyoudec
idetor
ele
aseme
!"Shean
swer
ed
i
ndefe
at.

"Good!Tha t
'swhatIthou
ght!"sai
dRy anwit
hab igs
mil
ean
d
ki
sse
dherontheli
ps,whi
chshere
fuse
dtocoo
per
ate,b
efore
di
sapp
ear
ingu
p s
tai
rstochan
ge,andl
efts
omeminut
esaft
er.

Onc
ea l
one
,Clair
eu s
edthevo
idtofi
llupthedis
hwasherand
s
tay
edbes
ideit
,sig
hing.Atthatmomen
ts hehadn'
tanyide
ao nwhat
s
hewasdoi
ngwithherli
fe.She'
db e
enalwayscar
eful
,sonove
l,an
dfull
o
fpri
ncip
lesthatn o
tinherwildestdreamhadsheevert
houghto
f
c
ove
tin
gs ome
o n
ee l
se'sman;yetthereshewas,dre
ssedupi
nRy an'
s
s
hir
ta si
fhewa she rhusban
do rb oyfr
iendatt
heveryl
eas
t.She
s
cra
tchedherhea dthoug
htful
ly,untilshego
tanideaandwentf
orher
p
honeinthel
ivingroom.

"HiGena
?Ar
eyo
uho
me?"Cl
ai
res
pok
eaf
terg
ivi
nghe
rbe
st
f
rie
ndac
all
.

Genar
epl
ie
d."Ye
s,I
'vej
usta
rri
ved.W hy
?Ist
her
ean
ypr
obl
em?
y
ous
oun
dedgy
."

Edgyi
su n
ders
tat
ement
,Clai
ret
houg
ht."Nop
robl
em!It'
sju
st,I
wa
swo n
der
ingify
oucoul
dbrin
gmesomec
lot
hes
;aca
sualdr
ess
ma
ybe?"

"Clot
hes?W hy?"Ge naaske
d;evi
den
tlyitwasawei
rdf
avo
urt
o
as
k,c o
mingfromClai
re."Alr
ightwhe
reshoul
dIb r
ingyo
u?"she
de
cidedtoign
orethedet
ail
s.

Therewasanotherde
tailCla
irehadov
erl
ooke
d;ev
enifGenaha d
manage
dt obri
nghert hec
lot
hes,the
rewasnowayshecou
ldgetthe
m
si
nceRy an'
sapart
me n
twa senc
rypte
d.Damnhim!Clai
recur
sedb e
fore
re
tract
ingthefav
our."Yo uknowwha t
,ne
vermin
dGe n
a.Tha nk
s
any
wa y!"

"Uh--o
kay"SaidGe
na."Bu
twhe
rea
rey
ou?I
tdo
esn
'ts
eem
t
hatyo
u'r
eatwor
k."

"Ohs
wee
tie
,I'
msu
rey
oudo
n'twa
ntt
okn
owwhe
reIa
m."

"Tr
yme!"Genasn
app
edi
nhe
rexcit
edtoneo
fvo
ice
."Areyo
u
wi
thRyan
?"shek
eptdi
ggi
nga
ndCla
ireres
pon
dedwi
thano."Okay
,
t
henwhe
rea
rey
ou?"

"AtRy
an'
spe
ntho
use
!"u
tte
redCl
ai
ref
ina
ll
y.

"W ha t
?"Ge nae xpl
ai
n e
dlou
dlythatherfri
endhadtoputt
he
p
honeawayforas e
cond."W ha tar
eyoudoingther
e?W hya r
eyou
s
ayin
gy ou
'renotwit
hhi m?"s heas
kedinseq
u e
landClai
reanswe
red
t
hema l
l,v
aguel
y."Yo ulit
tlesl
yquee
n!W ha tdidyoudotomyClai
re?
W he
reisshe?"

"Prob
abl
ysle
epi
ngdee
plyin
totheunkno
wn.Ic
an'
trec
ogn
izeme
a
nymore
."Clai
rere
pli
edwhil
epaci
ngarou
nd,ne
art
hewin
dowwhere
s
hecou
ldcl
ear
lyse
ethebea
chfromu pa
bove.

"He y,st
opeati
ngyours
elfaliv
e!Yo udidn'
tk i
dnaptheguy,he
ca
mea fte
ry o
uwill
ingl
y,somightaswellenj
oyhim!"Ge n
ag av
eherthe
pe
pta l
kandb ytheti
metheyfi
n is
hedtalk
ing,Clai
r e
'sphonewasboi
li
ng.
"Oh,b ef
oreIforge
t,you
rb r
othercall
edmet oda
y;I '
mha vi
ngame e
tin
g
wit
hhi mtomorr
owa ndIsuppo
s eyoudidtal
kt ohim,ri
ght?"

Cl
air
erememb
ere
d."Ye
ah,Ifor
gott
oletyouk
now.Ita
lke
dto
hi
mthi
smorn
ingand..."t
heycha
ttedo
vertha
tunti
lha
ngup.

Backtothesoli
tude,shede cidedt ogi
veherselfaho usetouro nl
yto
real
iz
ehowb igg
erthea p
ar t
me ntwa stha nitl
ooked;a s
idef romt hethre
e
bedro
omsu pst
air
s,ithadas p aci
ou sstudy,asma l
llibraryfu l
lof
busi
nessandreales
tateinvestmentb ooks,afull
ye q
u i
ppedg ymr oom
that'
sadjoin
edwitha nindoors wimmin gpool
.On eo rtwoo therr o
oms
werecl
osed,henc
eCl a
irecouldn'ts eetheinsi
des,butins hort,itreal
ly
defi
nedRy an.Tire
do fwa i
tingi nva i
n,shedecidedtot u
r ntheTVo n,
andlie
ddo wnontheso f
a.
CHAPTER 1
2

Ryanarr
ive
dintheo
ffic
ea n
dhistwoass
oci
ate
shadbe
enlo
ngwai
ti
ng
f
orhim.Het o
okaseatbehi
ndhisde
sk,andsk
imme
dsomedoc
ume
nts
Harryhadhande
dhim.

"Isee,
thi
sisg
oodenoug
h."hesai
dpoi
ntedly,re
gardin
gt he
c
ontr
actHa rr
ywasworki
ngon."Andwhat'
st heemerg
ency?"he
t
urne
dt o
wardsDor
is,whohadbee
nwatc
hin
ghi ms i
ncee
a r
li
er,wit
han
i
nexp
li
cabl
eloo
kwit
houtaword.

Shes
ighe
dau
dib
lya
nds
aid,"I
'ma
fra
idCl
anc
yha
sbe
ate
nyo
u
u
p."

"W ha
t?"Ry
ane
xcl
ai
med;hel
ook
edt
err
ifi
ed.

"W he
redi
dy o
ugo,a
ndwit
houtte
ll
inga
nyo
ne?"Dor
issn
appe
d
a
ngri
ly
."I'v
etr
iedtor
eac
hyoubuti
tseemsy
ouweret
oob
usyto
a
nswer
!"

"Tel
lmeabou
tCl a
ncy,whathapp
ene
d?"Ry a
nturne
dtoHa
rry
f
ori
nfor
mati
on,a
fterdec
idi
ngthela
dywa sb
ein
ganno
yin
g.

"W e
ll
--"Ha rr
ystar
ted;b
utwhe
nDo
risg
otu
pal
lup
set
,he
adi
ng
f
ort
hedoor,heha
dtost
op.

Ry
anb
ark
eda
lou
d,"Si
tdo
wnDo
ris
!"

"Idon
'tthi
nky
oune
edmehe
re,s
owhys
hou
ldIs
tay
?"s
her
epl
ie
d
c
alml
yandrea
chi
ngf
ort
hedoo
rhandl
er.

"Isai
ds i
tdown
,Direc
torMa r
cos!I'
mtheCEOo ft
hisc
ompany,
do
n'te
verfo
rgett
hat!"hesnapp
edandtheen
tireo
ffi
cewen
tcol
d.
Dor
iswal
kedback
,re
luct
ant
ly,here
yesbri
mmingwit
htear
sthatshe
s
ucc
eede
dtob
ury
.

Ha r
r ypr
oceeded."W e
ll
,see
msli
keClancymadeabi
ggerof
fer,
a
ndthey'
resel
li
n ghimthel
and."hep
aused,sta
rin
gatRy a
nwho s
e
f
acewasexpr
essi
o nl
ess
."Isnoo
pedar
ounda n
dIl e
arne
dthey'
rese
ali
ng
t
hedea
ltomorrow,So ?"

"Anditlo
oksli
kesome
onei
sle
aki
ngourinte
lli
genc
efro
mt he
i
nsi
de.
"Do r
isjump
edin,on
cehe
rmoodgotin
tact.Ry ant
hrewhera
q
uic
kglan
cebef
orel
eani
ngbackt
ohiss
eatthoug
ht f
ull
y."W hatarey
ou
g
oin
gtodo?"sheadded.

"Ab o
utthemole
,I'
mle
tti
ngyoudealwit
hitDor
is.
"s ai
dRy a
n,
a
nds heno
dded."Clanc
y!Thatsche
min
gs onofab
itc
h;we'ren
ot
g
oin
gt odoan
y t
hin
g!"hesnap
ped,andsurp
ris
edhi
saudie
nce
.

"Ry an
!"Bo t
hDo ri
sandHa rr
yexcl
ai
medinu
n i
son
."Ithoug
ht
y
ouwa n
tedthatl
andbadl
y;youpr
omise
dthebo
ardthatIt
'sg
oin
gtobe
o
urnextpro
jec
t."thef
ormerco
ntr
ive
d.

"I'
mnotdoi
ngit
!Peri
od!"Ryanst
res
sed,a
ndnon
eo ft
heothe
rs
co
uldgethi
m."ButIwan
ty out
osp
readt
henewstha
twe'r
epayi
ng
morefo
rthela
nd."

Dori
ssats
tra
ight."Thatwa
yhe
'l
lal
sorai
sehi
sbi
d?"shea
ske
d,
a
ndRy anno
ddedagre
eabl
y."Huh?Youwan
thimtopa
ytha
n
n
ece
ssa
ry?"

Harryj
oine
din,"Andthe
nyo
uba
cko
ut?Bu
tyo
u'l
lal
sob
eint
he
l
osi
nge
nd,do
n'tyouthi
nk?"

"I
'l
ltaketha
t!"sai
dRy a
nwithc
onf
ide
nce
."Bu taf
terIte
ach
hi
male
sson
;b e
causet
het
rut
his,I
'dlo
vetos
eehisf
acewhenhepay
s
t
wic
etheo
rig
ina
lpr
icej
usts
ohec
ans
cre
wus
!"

"W a
it,yo
uk ne
wt hi
swasgoi
ngt
ohappe
ndidn'
tyou?"Dor
is
a
sked."Butthat'
scrazyRya
n ,y
oune
verl
etany
onescr
ewyou!So
t
henwhy?"s hein
sist
ed.

Ryansmil
ed."That'
sp r
eci
sel
yit!Het hi
nkshekno
wsme ,and
I
'l
lpro
vehimwrong!"hesai
d."W e l
l,i
fthe
re'
snothi
ngel
se,I
'llg
et
g
oin
g;I'l
lre
vie
wt hec
ont
ractathome."

"You
'rele
avi
ng?W ha
tab
outdi
nner
?Yousai
dwe'
dgoou
t
t
oni
ght
."Do r
isas
ked,a
ndHarrye
xcus
edhi
mse
lfwi
thakn
owi
ngg
rin
.

Ryangri
ppe
dthecon
tra
ct,an
dros
eu phi
sfe
et."Somet
hin
gca
me
u
pDo
ris
,so
meo t
hert
imemaybe
."hemove
do u
tofhiss
eat
.

"W hat
'sg
oin
gonRyan
?Yo u'v
ebe
ena
cti
ngs
tra
ngel
ate
ly!"s
he
s
aidwhi
lehe
adi
ngout
,Ry
anb e
hin
dhim.

"Nothi
ngi
sgoingon,yo
u'rej
ustbe
ingpa
ranoid."saidhe."You
shoul
dgohomeear
lytoda
y ,an
dr e
laxabi
t,yo
u'rewo r
kingtoohar
d."
hetol
dherwhil
egiv
inghershoul
deraqu
ickmass
a g
e ,an
ds heonl
y
l
a u
ghed.

"Fi
rsty
oul
asha
tme
,an
dno
wyo
u'r
ebe
ingn
ice
?Ho
wlo
vel
y
hu
h?"

"W o
rki
swork
,weshou
lda
lwaysbep
rof
ess
ion
ala
two
rk,do
n't
f
org
ett
hebou
nda
ryDir
ect
orMarco
s."

"YesMr .Pres
ident
,"shesmil
ed,ast
heywal
kedbyRy an'
s
s
ecr
etar
yp o
st."Oh,sohowmuchwillyo
uoffe
rtobea
tClancy
?Ib et
y
ou'l
lhavetopa
yafortu
netogetthatl
and.
"s hes
pokea
lou
d,enoug
h
f
orthese
cre
taryt
ohe
aran
dRy anl
aughe
d."W hat
?Ia
lwa
ysf
indhe
r
s
usp
ici
ous
!"s hea
dde
dwhent
heyfi
nal
lygota
way.

"Co
uldb
e!t
hat
'swhyIl
ety
ouha
ndl
eit
."her
etu
rne
d.

"Aboutthi
smo rn
ing,didyo
uknowthatClai
rework
sf o
r
Star
li
ght?"Dorisaske
do utoft
heblu
e.Ry ans
cowl
ed,butshowe
dn o
hi
ntofbe
ingsur
pris
ed."Iwa ssosu
rpri
sedtose
eherbutitsee
medli
ke
yo
uweren
't."

"Idi
dknows
hewor
ksthe
re,b
u tIdi
dn'
tkn
ows hewoul
dco
me!"
Heret
urn
ed,a
nddughi
sfi
nge
rsforhisp
hon
ebef
oretyp
inganu
mbert
o
di
al
.

"I
stha
tso
?W e
llI
--"

"Ireal
lyn
eedt
ole
ave
,se
eyo
uto
mor
row!An
dIe
xpe
cty
ou'
llf
ind
t
het
rai
tors
oon
."

"OkayIwill
,but
--"shesta
rte
da n
dhewasal
readyl
eav
ing
,
ma
kinghe
rs i
ghwit
haf r
ust
rat
edlaug
h"W hati
sitthaty
ou'
rehidi
ng
Ryan
?"s hetho
ughtou
tlou
dly
.

****

W HENCl air
efi
nall
yo pe
nedhe reyes
,fromt hede
epnap,she
a
ppre
hendedthatshewa sst
illatRy an'
sa n
dhewa snowheretobesee
n.
I
twasa l
readydark,an
dt hea n
n oy
ingcol
dhi tti
ngherski
nfromb e
ing
u
nderdr
essed,wastheonlyreas
o nforherwakingup.Damnhi m!She
c
urse
da ga
in.W hensher ea
chedf orherphonebythecoff
eetabl
e,i
twa s
o
ff;t
heb at
teryhaddied,anditwa sherfaul
tf orl
eavi
ngthatmorni
ng
wi
tho
nlyf
ewp
erc
ent
agel
eft
.

Tiredo fal
ltheimpriso
nedthing,Clairewalkedupstai
rstoRy a
n's
ca
stl
eb edrooma n
dp racti
cal
lyruntob uryherse
lfun de
rthecover
sofhis
King'ssiz
eb ed.Fo rsomeunfat
homa blere
asons,shefoundherse
lfmore
co
mfortableandrelaxedinthatpla
c ethanathero wnho us
e;shewas
ne
verk e
eno ntaki
nga fter
noonnaps,butshedidt hatday,andstil
lfe
lt
dro
ws ytha tsheendedupf a
ll
ingintoslee
pag a
in,inhal
ingRy an
'ssmell
fr
omt hepillo
wsa ndtheentir
eroom.

Af ee
li
n gofb
ein
gwa t
chedwa swhatmanagedtowakeClai
reyet
ag
ain,a
nds hewasri
ght;Ryanwa sthere
,he'dbee
ntheref
ortoolon
g
mayb
e,butthatwasn'
tinque
stio
nwhe ncametoClai
re'
soutbu
rsts
.She
go
tupabruptly
,maki
nghimleapbackref
lexi
vel
yfro
mhe rfu
rylook
.

"W ha t'stheme aningoft hi

sRy an?Yo us a
idy ouwon'
ttakelong
andlookwha tt imeitis!W ha t'swrongwithyour e
a l
ly?AmIj oketo
you?"s heb arkeda thisface;heonlysmirke
d,thenr unhisl
ongfinger
s
throughhisha irwithas igh."No wt akemehome !Ido n'
twa n
ttob ein
thi
sc o
lda partme n
tami nutelonger.
"s hecont
inuedb l
abbe
rin
gwhi le
gett
ingoffo ftheb ed,ando nl
ys to
ppeduponnotic
ingsomethi
ngu n
u s
ual;
Ry anwa sawf ull
yq ui
etthee nt
ireti
me.Hewa so nl
ywa tc
hingand
l
isten
ingt oherwhi ningwithouttalki
ngb ac
k;hewa sn'tmaki
nghis
mockin
gf aceeither,andn ohintofamu se
mentthathe '
da l
waystook
ple
asureatwhe n eve
rs hestarte
db arki
ng.Cl a
ireslo
wlyheldherho rs
es
ands a
tn exttohi m."Ry an,isever
ythingokay?"s hecal
mlyasked,
worri
ed.

Hef i
nal
lysmil
ed,buti
twasn
'tr
eas
suri
ngeno
ughforClai
re."Oh
Jesus
!I t
'sni
cesee
ingyouc
almfo
rasec
ond."hesai
d."Come,"he
i
nst
ruct
ed,an
df o
ras ec
ondti
me,i
fno
tthefi
rst
,Clai
recomp
li
ed
witho
u taword.Hep ul
le
dherforatightembr
acewhic
hcl
earl
ydefi
ned
thathewa stheo
neinnee
d.Reluct
anta tt
hebegi
nni
ng,Cl
air
ewrappe
d
herarmsa ro
undhim,wi
thmi
lli
onquest
ionsre
gardi
nghisc
hangeo
f
att
itude.

"Um--what
'sthematt
erRyan?Didso
methinghappe
natwork?"
s
hepri
ed,wit
hanin
tent
iontoun
ders
tan
dthesitu
atio
n.He rvo
icewas
s
oftan
dc a
lm."Heytalktomepl
eas
e,I
'mreal
lyworri
ed!"

"Youa
re?"Ryanret
urn
ed;hi
scu
nni
ngg
lea
mwa
sba
cki
ntohi
s
e
yes
,andasmi
lep
lan
tedhi
sfac
e.

"Ye
sIa
m!"s
aidCl
ai
re.

"Okay,I'
llte
llyo
uwha t
'swrong."hesai
da ndthe
yb o
thg ot
co
mforta
blyseat
edo nbe
d,wit
hher est
inghi
sheado n
toherlap
."I t'
s
abo
utwo r
k;Je ezIdon'
tusual
lydis
cussmyprob
lemswit
ha nyoneand
her
eIa mreadytowhineli
keyou.
"her emar
kedandshechuckl
ed.

"I'
lll
etyo
uwhin
eto
day
,sote
llmeev
ery
thi
ngan
dleti
tof
fy o
ur
che
st."sheto
ldhi
m.Herfi
nge
rsweredi
ggi
nghi
shai
rinaso
othi
ng
manner
.

"W ell
,I'vebe
enloo
kingintothisl
andinMo nte
sbyf o
rawhi l
enow,
andjustasI'ma b
outtocl
osethede als
omeb ast
ardg o
ta headand
off
eredab i
ggeramoun
t..."hec onti
nuedtherestofthestoryas
dis
cusse
de arl
ie
rintheoff
ice
.I twa sevi
dentthatthelo
ssa ff
ecte
d
Ry a
nmo rethanhehadletonwhe nhet al
kedtoHa r
rya ndDorisbac
k
the
n;b utatthatmoment
,withCl ai
re,heopenl
ya dmit
tedithimsel
f.

"Gosh!W hatabast
ard!Isheyourco
mpet
ito
r?"s hes
nap
ped
a
ndRya
nl a
ughe
da the
rtoneo
fvoi
ce,a
si fs
hehadalr
eadymadean
e
nmi
tywit
hCl
anc
y."Soyo
ual
rea
dyha
vea
not
herp
roj
ecto
nmi
ndf
or
Mon
tes
by?"s
heask
ed.

"Ye ah,byn e
xtyearMo ntesbywil
lbeapartoftheGo ver
nment
's
r
edeve
lopmentpla
n;start
ingwiththeconst
ruct
ionofsubwaythatli
nksit
t
oLisbayandt hebri
dgefromNe wlan
d,whichwillp
aceana cc
ess
t
hroughthes e
a... "a ga
inheg otengr
osse
dintodetai
ls,andClai
re
l
ove
dlisten
ingtohispla
nsa ndvisi
onsofwhathewa nt
edt odo.Heha d
p
lann
edt obuil
dmo de
rnho us
es,fewecono
mya p
artment
sa ndoneoff
ice
b
uil
ding.

"Buty
ou'
real
rea
dyintoapro
jec
tri
ghtnow.Ho
wthehe
llwi
lly
ou
f
ina
ncea
ndmanag
eanothe
rone?"shewo
nder
ed.

"Inthi
sindu
stryClai
re,y
o ucan
'tletyo
urg ua
rdsdown;i
t'
sone
wro
ngmoveandyou'
reout
,butitdoes
n'tmeany o
ushouldke
epi
tlo
w
an
dc o
nte
nte
d;Plus,I'
mnottheo n
efina
ncin
gt hepro
jec
t!"

"Ohy
eah?An
dwhodo
es?"

"Rul
enu
mb e
rone,do
n'tu
sey
ourmo
neyi
nre
ale
sta
te!"Sa
id
Ry
anandCla
iresmi
le
d.

"W ha
t'sr
ulen
umb
ert
wo?"s
hea
ske
d.

"Us
eon
lyo
the
rpe
opl
e'
smo
ney
!"her
epl
ie
d.

"Tha
t'st
hes
amet
hin
g!"s
her
ema
rke
d.

"Tha t
'sthewho
lepoi
nt"saidRyan."I
fyo
us n
ooz
eyoulos
e,n
o
o
newil
lsitaro
undwait
ingforyoutof
ini
shyo
urpr
oje
ctunt
ilt
heyse
ll
t
hei
rlandtoyou!"heexpl
aine
d.

"Ok
ay,b
uty
ouc
ana
lwa
ysf
indar
epl
ace
men
t,n
o?"Cl
ai
re
co
ntri
ved."Mon
tesbyi
shug
e,wit
hthegre
atl
and,ands
inc
ether
e'l
lbe
anin
flu
xo fn
ewpeo
pleai
nnearf
utur
e,i
t'
sonl
ynatu
ralt
obuil
dmo r
e
habi
tat
s."

"You'
rer
ight
,butitwon
'tb
ethesame
;whenIse
tmyeye
sonto
s
ome
thin
g,Ihardl
ychan
g e
!Solett
ingi
tgoit
'sal
owblo
wtome.
"

"Myf atheru sedtos aythatina nychalle

ngelie
sahi dde
n
op
p or
tunity
."s ai
ds he,"An dit'snotade fectbei
ngf l
exibleyouk no
w,
l
osingisap arto fanyg ame!An dli
key ousaid,realesta
tei sl
ike
gambli
n g
;b uty ou'
ren otaloser,you'r
eju s
ts ocare
f u
l."s headde dand
helookedupb emu s
edlya ther."He yli
sten,sinc
epe o
plewillbemo vi
ngin
,
i
tme ansnota l
lo fthemwi l
lmo vetostay;s o
meo fthemwi llonl
yv isi
tand
l
eave.Af te
ra llMo ntesbyisami xturesofa nhisto
r i
caltowna nda
tr
op i
calpara
dis eatthes amep l
ace,doy ouknowt hatthere'sana mazi
ng
sp
o tforscubadi vi
ngo verthere
?"

Ryangotu
ptocl
ear
lyst
areather
."NoIha
dnoi
dea
!Yo
use
em
t
okn
owalo
tmoreab
outthep
lac
ethanIdo
."

"Al i
ttl
e;mypare
ntsli
vedbyt hebea
chasyo
u'ves
eenmyho
use
,
Sothe
yt o
ldmeal o
tofstori
esaboutthepl
ace
.Ials
oha dmy
gr
andf
atherwhoknowsitbet
tersin
c eheus
edtob
eaf i
sher
mana
ndI
e
venkn
owf ewspo
tsforeco
-tour
ism.

"Ok a
ymi s
sChall
eng
e,wherearey
o uheadi
ngat?Beca
useIknow
thattwi
nkleinyou
rey
es,i
t'sexa
ctl
ywha tIsawdu ri
ngp
rese
nta
tio
n
todayandit'
spret
tyau
spi
ciou
sImu stc
on f
ess
."Ry ansa
idandmade
herlaug
ha lo
ud."Goon,tel
lmealr
eady!"hec r
ied.

"Ohwell
,mypo
inti
s,othe
rtha
nhouse
sandap
art
men
ts,It
hin
k
Mo
nte
sbyn
eedsaho
tel
;tou
rist
sandfo
rei
gne
rsdoc
omemo
stoft
hetime
,
butg uesswheret heysta
y;i noneb outi
quehotelwithlessthanahu ndre
d
ro
o ms,o rinsomel o
calin
n's,ors ometi
mesinf e
wb oar
dingho uses
;the
bo
t toml i
neis,there'
san eed,ar e
a lnee
df o
rg reataccommodation;a
pl
acet heycanca l
lho mefarawa yfr o
mho me,an dIk no
wi t'speop
lel
ike
yo
uwhoc anma keithappe
n !"Shes pitandRy antookineverydetai
l
wi
t hhi sgazefi
xe dconst
ant l
yonhe r."Af a
n c
yho tel
,wi t
hb estroo
ms,
ni
cer esort
sa nddi ni
ngexperie
nce.Oh!Il ovedho t
elssinc
el i
ttl
e,so
don'tb eal
a r
med!"s hewar ne
du ponr e
cei
vingra i
sedeyebrowfromRy an.

"Soy
ouwa
ntmet
obu
il
daho
tel
?"Ry
anr
eto
rte
d.

"Iwasonlysayi
ng,oka
y?"Cl ai
retoo
kade fenseandRy a
n
re
mainedsi
len
t."Ik nowhote
lshas
n'tbee
ny o
u rthi
ngo t
herthan
i
nves
t i
ngonafew,b u
tit'
sgoodtobeagamecha nge
r,Ibeli
eve
.That
Clan
c yorwhate
ver,woul
dn'
thavegues
sedthisinami l
li
onyear
stha
t
yo
uwo u
ldac
tuall
ytwistt
heplot
,and--
"

"Oht
hat
'sg
eni
usb
aby
!"Ry
ans
nap
ped,p
ull
in
ghe
rtohi
ssi
dei
n
a
we.

"Itis
?"r
ema
rke
dCl
ai
re,wi
thaf
lut
tero
fpr
ideu
ponhe
ari
nghi
s
c
omp
limen
t.

"Ofcour
seitis
,howc ou
ldInotthinkabo
utit?Ag randho t
eli
n
Monte
sby?Icanalre
adypict
urewher
eI twi
llbe
;s o
mewherenearthe
s
ea... "hest
arte
dde s
cri
binghi
svisi
onsandClairee
njoye
dt hesi
ght
o
fhi
ma thise
lemen
t;hewa sli
keayoungent
husia
sti
cb o
y."Fu ckClai
re,
y
ou'
resosmar
t!Ik newfromthemomentIsawy o
ut ha
ty o
u'refuc
kin
g
s
martasi
defr
omb ei
ngsexyandbeau
tif
u l
!"

"Okay,t
han
ksIgue
ss?"sheut
ter
edb
etwe
enb
ein
gfl
att
ere
dan
da
l
it
tleof
fen
ded;bu
tshec
hoset
hefor
mer.
 Theeveni
ngwa sp ro
cess
ings moot
hly;b e
tweentalki
ng,laughingand
joki
ngwhi l
eRy ank eptlyi
ngcomfortabl
yo nCl a
ire'
slap,enjoyi
n gher
fi
ngersintohishaira ndbeardatt i
mes.Tha twa sonlyuntilRy an'
s
phoneb u
zze
da ndCl airel
earneditwasac allfro
mDo r
is;hee xc
u se
d
himselfandwa l
kedo utofthebedroom,le
av i
ngherr i
ghtwhe reshewa s.
Ab outfi
veminuteslaterRy anreturne
d,an dfoundCl ai
realreadyather
feet
.Sheha da l
readywo rnhersk i
rtback,andtu c
kedRy a n'
ss hi
rtint
o
i
t,s oastor e
duceit'sloo
seness
.W i thherf i
gure,andheight;shes t
il
l
l
ookedg reatre
gardless,whenshef i
nall
yro l
ledit
'ssleev
esu p.

"W hata
reyoudoi
ng?"ask
edRya
nwhil
ecl
osi
ngthedo
orbehi
nd
hi
m,an
ds n
eaki
nghisp
honeba
cktot
hep
ant
spoc
ketatt
hesamet
ime.

Cl
ai
resho
othi
mac
oldg
lar
e."I
'mdr
ess
ingu
p,a
rey
oub
li
ndo
r
s
ome
thi
ng?"

Ry
anwa
lke
din
."Ik
nowy
ou'
redr
ess
ingu
p,b
utwhy
?"hes
nap
ped.

"Sot
hatIcangoho
me!Thi
sisy
ourho
use
,re
memb
er?"s
he
r
etu
rne
d,s
imi
la
rlyi
nmanner
s.

Ryans
mir
ked."Herewegoa
gai
n!"hesl
owl
ymu
tte
redt
ohi
mse
lf.
"Soyo
uwantt
og o
?rig
htnow?"headde
d.

"Yes
!Rightno
w."shere
pli
edwi
thf
ist
sonhe
rwa
ista
sifs
he
wa
sabou
ttos
crat
chhisf
ace
.

Ryanst
are
datherfo
rag o
odwhi
le
;part
icu
lar
lyo
nhe ra
tti
re
whi
chc
ause
dhimtos
tif
leala
ugh."Yo
ua r
egoi
ngli
ketha
t?"

"Iam.Ry a
nsto
pmessi
ngwi
thme,b
e c
aus
eev
enifI'
llha
v eto
b
reakt
hedoor,o
rju
mpthrou
ghthewi
ndow.I'
msti
lll
eav
ingthisco
ld
p
lac
eofyou
rs!"Sheyank
ed.
 Hel aughed."Yo ucould'vejustturnedo nthehea t
erifi
t '
scold!"
a
ndf romt hathee arnedas cowlwhi c
hma dehimp a
cea roun
df ora
s
econd,hisha ndsdu ginsi
dee itherpocket
so fhispan t
s."Oh,t hisis
a
bo u
tthec allri
g ht
?"her eminde dandCl airecr
eptas il
ence
."W e ll
f
ine!Doa sy ouwi sh;ifyouwa nttob re
akt hedoor,goa he
ada nddoi t
s
inceI'mn otopenin
gi tanywa y,an difyouy ouwannaj umpthewi n
do w,
g
oodl u
ckwi tht hat!I'dlovet oseeyo utry."Hewhi spere
dt helas
t
s
entenc
et ohe rearwhi l
emov i
ngt os i
to nthecoucha tthecorn
e r
;
e
vident
ly,hewa sg rinni
ngdia boli
call
y.

"W e 'r
ereal
lydo i
ngt hisag a
in,hu h?W hydoy ouinsi
stonkeep
ing
meherelikeap r
iso
ner?Iwa n ttogoho me ,plea
s el
etmeg ohomedamn
i
t!"s hes hout
ed.Seeingn opositi
ver e
spo nsefromRy an,shegrabbe
d
herpursetoheaddo wnstairsforhe rsho es."Iwa rnedyouRy an,I'
m
goi
ngtob reakthatfucki
n gdo or!"s hea ddeda ndreachedforthe
handle
ro fthebedroom's,andt ohers urprise,thedoordidn'tbudg
e;it
waslocked.Shet ri
eda gainb utitstil
lwo uldn'tope
n.An gril
y,Clai
re
tu
r n
edt oRy anwhoo nlyshr uggedfr o
mwhe rehewa ss i
tti
ng.

"OhCl ai
re,
"Ry anutt
ered.Hef o
ll
owedhe
randhe
ldherc
hinup,
fo
rci
nghert
olookathim."youdon'
tgetit
,doyo
u?"hepl
ayf
ull
yli
cke
d
hi
sli
ps."Youcan'
tgetouto
fhe reu
nle
ssIs a
yso
."

Shecock
edherhea
da n
dlunge
da wayfromhim,l
eav
inghi
ms mil
in
g.
"Doe
stami
ngmema k
eyoufe
elpowe
rfu
lors o
methi
ng?"sheask
edhi m.
"Ist
hisho
wy oude
alwit
hDo r
isan
da l
lotherwomenyo
ufuckaro
u n
d!"

Thist
imeRyanla
ughedal
oud."I'
ma l
rea
dypowe
rfu
leno
ugh
Clai
re,Idon'
tne
edtotameyo
utoprov
eit!"hesa
id,t
rai
li
ngher
po
sit
ion."AndIdon'
tfuckar
oundjus
tanyone
!"
 "OhIshou
ldbegrat
efu
lright
?Thatthemig
htyRyanSt
eve
ns
ha
shisdi
cko
nme !"he
rsarcas
mwa shi
la
rio
ustohise
ars
.

Hel aug
hedy e
tag a
in;hesto
odu pcasua
ll
ya ndlunge
dc l
osetoher.
"Ar e
n'tyougrat
eful
?"hea skedinahu sk
yv o
ice
,whiletaunt
ingClai
re
bycirc
li
nghismovementandhalt
edb e
hindher.Shewa sfullofrage
,
butthi
stimehadn'tanyinte
nti
onofgoingphysi
calwit
hhim;s he'
dha d
al
readyle
arnedhisgame,thatwhenev
ersheresis
ted,Ryanwo ul
dp us
h
harder
."Admi titClair
e,youdon'
twa nttogoanywherebuthere?"he
gri
ppedheracro
ssthechestwit
ho nearm,causi
nghertostayput.

"Iwo n'tque
stio
ny o
urdelir
iumRy a
n,s oyoucant
hinkwhate
ver
y
ouwa n
t!"Cl a
ireanswer
ed.Shewa sstriv
ingnottobu
dge,agai
nst
t
hestro
n gma nwhoha dherunderhi
sskin;heunle
ashe
ds e
vera
lfee
li
ngs
a
tonceinher.Shewa sangr
y,thenshewasn ot
.Shewa nte
dtomo v
e,
t
henherb o
dywo uldn'
tall
owhe r
.

Ry an'
sfreeha n
dtrav
ell
edben
ea t
hhe rshortski
rt;hepl
ayedwit
h
t
hehemo fi
tsfab r
icwhi
lere
sti
nghishe a
do nClair
e'sshoul
dertos
lowl
y
k
issherear
lob
e.Sheb i
therli
pshardlytobloc
ka n
yt i
ngli
ngsen
sati
on
i
tarou
s e
dherbo dy.

"I
'mnotb
eingde
lir
iou
s;Ikno
wy o
uwa n
tme!"hebr
eat
hedthe
wo
rdssl
owl
y,j
ustasthewayhi
shandsne
akeda
llov
erhe
rthi
ghs
.

"Ryanpleas
e,justl
etmelea
vealre
ady."shepl
eaded,an
dfel
this
i
ndec
entf
inge
rsfindi
ngthemostsens
iti
vepa
rtofherfemal
eanat
omy.
"Ooh!"shemoanedsubt
lyandarchedherbac
k,inre
sponset
ohis
fr
ont
alas
sault
.

"W hyCl
ai
re?Ar
eyo
usc
are
dtog
ivei
n?Af
rai
dyo
uwo
n'tb
eab
le
t
ore
sis
t?"
 "Ofc
ourseI
'mno
tsc
are
dofan
ythi
ng!"Shebar
ked,be
twe
en
a
nge
randpri
de."An
dwhatmak
esyout
hinkIc
an'
tre
sisty
ou?"

"You
'retre
mbli
ngi
nmyarmsClai
re."Hesai
dinawhis
per
.
"AndIkno
wy ou'
resot
urn
edo
nr i
ghtnow!Its
howsri
ghthe
rebet
wee
n
yo
urbe
aut
ifull
egs
."

"NoI
'mn
ot!Pl
eas
est
opt
hist
hisma
dne
ssRy
an!"

"Stopit
?Yo ubegge
dmen ottost
opear
li
erthi
sa f
tern
oon,a
ndy ou
weresodamnobe
die
nt!W hya r
eyouaski
ngmetosto
pr i
ghtnowhuh?
Don'tyo
ulik
eit?Iwa n
ty o
ut obegmefo
rmoreClai
re,I'
llmakeyo
ua sk
fo
rmo re
!"Hec onti
nuedwithhisbl
owjobandshewaspanti
ngheavi
ly
.

"I...Iwo
n't
!"Sheu
tte
redb
etwe
enhe
rbr
eat
h.

"Ohy o
uwillCl
ai
re!"Hes
aidho
ars
elywhi
lek
iss
inghe
rne
ck,
ma
kinghe
rsqui
rm.

"Oh.My .Go d.Ple

aseRyandon
't-
-"s hebr
eathe
dandhes
ped
thep
ace;theef
fec
tofhisfe
tis
hto
rtur
ewa sg
etti
ngsev
erean
dherbo
dy
wasget
tin
go nfi
re.

Hesudde
nlyr
ele
ase
dhisfi
nge
rs."Don'
twhatCl
ai
re?Sayit
!
Do
n'twha
t?"Het i
lt
edherf
acefr
ombehi
ndtose
ehersa
ythewo
rds.

"Don'
tsto
p."s hecr
ied,a
n dRy a
nonlyhel
dherfir
mly,fe
eli
nghe
r
heav
yb r
eat
hing
."Pl eas
eRy an,you'
vewonhuh?"sheturnedaro
undto
fa
cehimintheeye
s."Ju stdestro
yme .Now!"sheordere
dwhile
pul
li
nghershi
rtoverherhead.

"That
'swhatIt
hou
ghtba
by,l
etmetak
eca
reo
fyou.
"re
pli
ed
Ry
ana n
dpushe
dheronbe
d.Shesc
reame
douti
ngl
eea
shepu
ll
edher
sk
irtdownherlegs
,justtoc
ont
inu
etowher
ethe
yhadsto
pped.He
pl
ayedherun
tilshebe
gg e
dformor
eandit
'swhe
nhethr
usthims
elfi
nto
he
r,hardandf a
st,fo
rcings
omevul
garwo
rdsou
thermout
h.

Bytheti
met hey'
rebothbackt
oearth,Cla
irewasbr
eathle
ss,
s
ati
sfi
edandspe
nt ;herfac
eburi
edonRy an'
schestwi
thherbody
c
ompl
eten
akedagainsthis
,exc
eptapie
ceofbedsheeta
bou
the rwai
st.
Hewascares
sin
ghe rb a
cksof
tlywhenshesai
d;

"W ha
ta r
eyoudoi
ngtomeRyan?"Shewasr
efe
rri
ngto
e
ver
ythi
ngtha
t'sb
eenhapp
eni
ngs
inc
eshes
tar
tedha
ngi
ngoutwit
hhi
m.

"Exa
ctl
ywha tyoudotome;dri
vi
ngeac
hothe
rnut
s!"Ry an
re
pli
edandtheyshare
das mal
lla
ugh."I'
mstar
vin
g,s
hallweg
oo u
tfo
r
di
nner?"hechan
g e
dt het
opi
c.

Clai
rera
ise
dhe
rfa
ce."On
lyi
fyo
uha
dn'
tri
ppe
dmys
hir
tof
f!"
s
hes
nap
ped.

"Oha
bou
tthat
,Ibrou
g htyo
usomecl
othe
s."Hep
oin
tedt
wo
s
hop
pin
gba
gstha
tshedi
dn'tnot
icet
heen
tir
etime
.

"W he
ndidyoug
etthe
m?"Shea ske
d,el
ate
dly
,whi
lewr
app
ing
he
rnak
edne
sswit
hRy an
'sshi
rtj
ustl
ik
eb e
for
e.

"Ea
rli
era
fte
rtheo
ffi
ce.
"re
pli
edhe
.

Claireti
pto
edtothebagsandreve
a l
edablou
set hat'
sal
mos
t
i
dent
ica
ltothetornone
,anda n
otherbaghadadr essandtwo
un
derwear;di
sturb
ingtyp
eofundewear
.Shel if
tedt he
mu pa
ndaske
d,
"Real
ly?"a ndasusua
l,Ryano n
lyshrugge
d,laughing
ly.Shesi
ghe
d.
"Howdi dyouguessmysiz
e?Didy oushopyou
rsel
f?"
 "Mu
stIg
oin
tode
tai
ls
?"

"Ye
spl
eas
e...
"

"Alr
ight
?Itookyourto
rnbl
ous
eandaske
dt heladyint
heshop
fo
rclot
heswit
hsi
mil
a rsi
ze
,andab
outsho
ppi
ngmys e
lf,it
'sha
lf-
yes
-
hal
f-no
.Pleas
edo
n'ta s
kmetogoi
ntodet
ail
shuh?"

Sheg
igg
led."Okay,a
tlea
stI'
llha
vesome
thi
ngt
owe
ar
t
omo
rro
w."Shes ai
d."Ijus
thopet
hedres
sfit
s!"

"W e
llIhop
eitdo
esn
't,t
hatwa
yIc
anl
ocky
ouu
phe
rea
ndf
ix
y
ourfo
ulmout
h!"

"Do
n'ty
ouda
re!"Cl
ai
res
hothi
mag
lar
e;heb
urs
tedo
utl
aug
hin
g.
CHAPTER 1
3

Ne xtdayatwo rkCl ai
rearrive
dase arl
ya susu
al.Ry andr oveher
himsel
ftotheo f
fic
e,a ndmades ur
et heyhadplansfo
rdi n
n eratn i
ght;
whichClairefor
cefull
yr e
jec
t e
d.Shedi dn'twanttofalli
ntohi strap
onceagai
n,despi
tet hefactthathek e
ptinsi
sti
ngthatitwa sgo i
ngtobe
justdinn
era n
do ut;sti
llClairere
fused.Thet r
uthwa s,shewa sreal
ly
dyingtohavedinnerwithRy an;t
os pendmoreti
mewithhi m,b ut
knowingthathe'dalwayse n
du pfighther,andthenins
idehe rpants,
changedhermind.

Atleas
tn ot
hingou
toft heordin
arywa sgoi
ngonintheoff
icewhen
shemetNa t
ha ntha
tmorni
n g
.Hewa sasfri
endl
ya n
da sres
pect
fulas
hehada l
waysb e
en.Hen e
verme nti
onedaboutherus
ualinv
olv
ement
withRyana ttheSK lobbytheotherday;it'
sasifNa t
hanrespec
ted
herpri
vatel
ifeandshewasetern
allythank
fulforthat
.

"You'l
ljoi
nthedes
ign
ingtea
ms ta
rti
ngtomorro
w."sai
dNa tha
n
a
stheywentthro
ughthese
vera
lpoin
tsofcor
rect
ionanda
lte
rat
ionon
t
hepre
vio
usdesign
s.

Cla
irewassur
pri
sed."Jo i
nthede
sig
ningte
am?Butwhy?"She
q
uic
klyj
umpedin
toske
ptic
ism,whe
nsheent
ert
ain
edthei
deao
fRy a
n
b
ein
ginv
olve
d.

"BecauseIwantyouinLevy;itwasyouride
as oi
t'
sonlyfairthat
youatleas
tg i
veusyourful
linsi
ght."Na t
hanr e
pli
edi
nap rof
essio
nal
way."L o
ok,Ik no
wI '
mb r
eaki
n gtherul
ehere,butIca
n'tle
tac hanceto
crea
tesomethi
ngma r
vel
ouspassusb yju
stbecaus
eofasimpl
eformalit
y;
sobeready,I'l
lwanttose
eyourde si
gnide
aswhe nwesta
rtwork i
ng
tomorr
ow."hes mil
edhisusua
l.
 Clai
rewa satlo
ssforwords.Sheha dwa i
tedsoeag
erl
ytohave
t
hatopp
ortu
n i
tyandthereitwas
,k noc
kingonherdoor
."Oht hankyou
s
omuchNa than,Iswearyouwon'treg
ret!"shealmos
tjumpe
d,onverg
e
t
okis
shimo nthechee
k,butdeci
deda gai
nsti
t."I'l
lgoandfi
nis
ha l
lmy
p
ape
rwo r
ksf r
ommys ecre
tari
alj
ob .
"s hesco
wled.

"Oops
!That'
sno
tmyfaul
tyouk
now,i
t'
sther
ulea
ndI
twa
sn'
t
p
ers
onal
."hes
aidi
nabus
tedway.

"Jus
tadmi
titt
haty
oue
njo
yedmyde
li
ci
ousc
off
eewhi
lei
t
l
ast
ed.
"

"Ju
stb
etwe
enu
sLe
vy,y
ou'
rec
off
eet
ast
est
err
ibl
e!"

"Oh!I
stha
tso
?"Cl
ai
reg
rima
ced.

"Ye
ah.
"Na
tha
nan
swe
redt
rut
hfu
ll
y.

Exactl
yass hehado r i
gin
a l
lyint
ended,Clai
respentherdayworki
ng
endl
ess
ly,ma k
ingu pformi ssi
ngthatonecraz
yda ybec
a us
esomecrazy
mani
ac,assher ef
erre dRy anas.An dtothinkhe'dbeenpes
ter
ingher,
whenev
erheg otthec hance,duri
ngtheoffi
cehourswithcall
sandbundle
ofte
xts,Clairecouldn ol
o nge
runderstan
dho wtodealwitha
rol
le
rcoas
terna medRy an.W henitg o
ttooseve
re,shedeci
dedtotext
himback;
 FROM:Cl
ai
re

TO:RYANTHEJERK

Tu
e***2
:30PM

(Subje
ct)Canyoupl
eas
eshutu
pforami
nut
eRy an
!I '
mtr
yin
gto
wo
rkhe
re.Isa
idI'
mn o
thavin
gdin
nerwi
thy
ou,ps
ycho.

Se
nt.

Sheco
ntin
uedwit
hherwor
k;typ
ingso
methi
ngonhe
rco
mpu
ter
,
whi
leski
mmingsomep
aper
s,u
nti
lhe
rphonechi
rpe
d.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK

TO:Cl
ai
re

Tu
e***2
:35PM

(Su b
ject
)Oh!Yo u'
rehurt
ingmyf e
eli
ngsMs.Chal
le
n g
e.Ican't
co
ncen
tratewit
hmywo rkri
ghtnowb e
causeofy
ou;y
ou'
vegotalit
tle
debtt
orepayClair
e.Noonemesseswit
hmyj ob
.Andaboutdin
ner,I'
m
st
il
lhopi
ngy o
uc o
uldgr
antmethehonors.

Re
cei
ved.
 Clai
recoul
dn'tr esi
stlaughingwhil
erea
di ngRy an
'srep
ly.Hewa s
amixtureofcraz
ine
ssa n
dwi ttywhichhadalway smanage
dtob o
ilher
bl
oodindiffe
rentdimen s
ions.Hewa scap
abl
eo fma ki
ngherfee
langry,
annoye
d,irri
tat
ed,a nde ve
nlikecryi
ng;butalsohe'dmakeherlaughat
ve
rys t
upidthin
gs,an de v
enc onf
iden
tonhero wnt al
ent
swhencamet o
work.Shedi dn'
tun derstandwhyo fal
ltheme nithadtobeRy an;the
co
ld,thejer
k,andmo stdomineer
ingper
sonshe'de v
ermet,i
ncapa
b l
eof
anyemoti
onothertha tsexual;andnotsomeo
nee lse
.Sheq ui
ckl
yt y
ped
backtohim.

FROM:Cl
ai
re

TO:RYANTHEJERK

Tu
e***2
:38PM

(Su bje
ct)Ma ybewes houl
ds t
artbyfixi
ngy ourat
tit
udethat
you'
reincont
rolofev
erythingandevery
oneSir ,I
'mgladyoucan't
conc
entr
ateinyourwork
;t hatwayy oucanunderst
andhowitf e
elsl
ik
e
tobemessedarou
nd;butt hatdoe
sn'tnece
ssa
r i
lymeanIbeli
eveyourpi
ck
-upli
neei
ther.Li
keIsaid,I '
mbusywi t
hwo r
k .An dabo
utdinner,my
deci
si
onstil
lstan
ds.Firml y
!

s
ent
.

Shep
lac
edhe
rcel
lp
hon
ea s
ideandal
lo
wedhermi
ndtodri
ftali
ttl
e
b
yle
ani
ngbac
kaga
ins
thercha
ir.Itwasl
unchb
reaku
nti
lthr
eeandthe
o
ffi
cewa sempt
y.Either
,shehadnoin
tent
ionofle
avin
ghe rof
fic
esta
ll
u
ntilshewasdonewiththework
,andheri
ntenti
ontosto
o dRyanwas
s
til
lintac
t.Iwon'tl
etyoupla
ymeagainRya n
,shethoughtandher
p
hon echi
rpe
dagain.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK

TO:Cl
ai
re

Tu
e***2
:40PM

(Su bjec
t)Ilovei
twhe nyoupl
ayfe
ist
yCl a
ire
,butI'
mn otinthe
moodforthat.Ireal
lywanttohavedi
nne
rwithyoutoni
ght,Sop l
ease
be
ndy ourfirmdec
isi
onforonc
e,huh?Becau
seIcanalwaystrans
fer
yo
uro f
ficetoSK a n
dha veal
lthr
eemeal
swithyou,e
very
da y
;Ohy e
s,
I'
mt hr
eateningy
ourightnow.

P.
S:DON'
TCAL
LMESI
R!!!

r
ece
ive
d.

W henCla
irer e
adthis,sheburs
tedoutlaug
hing.Itwasinc
redi
ble
howthatkin
dofhi deou
sme ss
a g
ecoul
dp os
sib
lyma k
ehe rl
aughin
stead
ofget
tin
ga n
gryathi srema
r k
s.Firsthebeggedher,andthe
nhe
thre
aten
edherbetweenthesamelin
e.Bu ttha
twa snolong
eranissue
forher
;she'
da l
readys e
enalotcomin
gf ro
mhi minjusthal
f-a
-wee
k.
 FROM:Cl
ai
re

To
:RYANTHEJERK

Tu
e***2
:42PM

(Subj
ect
)Ik nowy o
uhavethepowe
rtopus
hthroug
hyo
urthre
ats
SIR.Butifyoutry,Iswe
arI'mg o
nnaqu
itmyjo
b.Oh!An dthat
's
no
tathre
atactua
ll
y,it'
sapromis
e!No wle
tmefi
nis
hmyjob,b
efo
reI
ge
tfi
redfi
rst
.

Se
nt.

Shesmil
edbri
ghtl
yandc o
nti
nuedpi
nchi
ngthek
eybo
ards.An d
j
usta
sshebegant
og e
tseri
ousaga
in,the
rewaswasanin
comin
gc a
ll
a
ndsheknewri
ghtawayitwasfro
mhi m.W i
thaheavysi
gh,shesl
id
t
here
cei
ver
.

"W ha
tno
wRy
an?Ar
eyo
uti
redwr
iti
ngt
hre
ats
?"Sheu
tte
red.

Her e
pli
edthroughthepho
ne,"Areyo
ure
all
ybe
ingada
man
tabou
t
di
nne
r?W e'l
ljustea
ta n
dI '
llt
akeyouho
meaf
ter
wards
!"hehada
ca
lmton
eofvoi
ceforachange
.

"I
'mn
otbe
ingadama
nto
ran
ythi
ng,Ij
ustc
an'
tgoo
utwi
thy
ou
t
oni
ght
?"Shere
pli
ed.

"W hyc
an'
tyo
u?"Ry
ana
ske
d.

"Bec
aus
eIhaveo
the
rplan
s!"Sheli
ed;theonl
ypl
ansshehad
wass
tay
ingi
ntheo
ffi
ceu
nti
llat
e,a
ndgobac
kho metos
lee
ponherown
be
d.
 "Othe
rpl
ans
?W i
thwho
?Pa
nthe
r?"Hi
svo
ices
tar
tedt
olo
se
i
tsc
almn
ess
.

Clai
rer
oll
edhere
yes
."Youdon'tt
hinkI'
mal o
nero
rsomet
hin
g,
doyou?Ihaveothe
rpe
opl
etohango
utwith,Soitdoe
sn'
tha
v et
obemy
bos
sy o
uma n
iac
!"Sheb l
urt
ed.

Shec
oul
dhearhi
sla
ug h."Ok
aywhoa
rey
oup
lan
nin
gtome
et?
Ge
na?"Heinsi
ste
donknowing
.

"No!I
'mhav
ingdi
nnerwit
hmyb ro
the
r,i
stha
tfineo
fan
a
nswer
?"Sheba
rked"You
rs t
epbr
othe
r?"Ryansnap
ped.

Cl
ai
ref
rown
ed."Ye
shi
m.W hydoy
ous
oun
dsu
rpr
ise
d?"

Shehe
ardhi
slo
ngs
igh."Nothi
ng!W el
lhav
ean
icet
imewi
th
y
our...st
epb
rot
her
."Ryansai
ds a
rca
sti
cal
ly
.

"Yo
ube
tIwi
ll
.Ok
ayI
'mb
usy
.By
e!"Shes
nap
peda
ndhu
ngu
p.

****

AS theni
ghtappro
ache
d,Rya nwasheadi
ngoutofSK b uil
din
gwith
Dori
sbesi
deher.Theyhadbeenbot
hb u
sywiththelastmi
nutedet
ail
s,
abo
uttheremo
deli
ngpro
jec
tofMa ryro
sestre
et,an
dits e
emedtobe
co
mingal
onggreat
.W hil
eheadin
gfortheparki
nglot
,Do r
istol
dhim
so
methi
ng;

"Toda
yIheardaweirdr
umorwhenIwasinspe
cti
ngt
helob
by,and
no
wt hatIthi
nko
fit,Ica
n'tc
onc
ealmycur
ios
ityanylo
nge
r."shesai
d
hal
ti
n g
lyan
dheonlygl
anc
edatherwit
hou
tar eac
tio
n."Ihea
rdy o
u
werearg
uingwi
thawo
manandi
tlo
oke
dli
key
out
woha
dso
met
hin
g
se
riou
sg o
ingon
!"Shepr
oce
ede
d.

Ry anl
ook
eda the
rwit
haf a
ints
mil
e."Youc
an'
tstopp
eop
lef
rom
t
alk
ingarou
ndsojusti
gno
rethe
m,itwasno
thi
ngs
eri
ous
."He
a
nswere
dc a
sual
ly
.

"W asithe
r?"Shepro
mpt
ed,herl
egsst
uckt
othegr
oun
d,and
Ryanhadtodothes
amewhe
nhetur
nedarou
nd."W asi
tCla
ire
?"she
br
okei
tdown.

Ryanfro
wned."W ha
t'st
hematt
erwit
hyo
u?"Her et
urn
edwhe
n
hea
ppr
ehen
dedthecha
ngei
nherfa
ce;shewa
sse
rio
usl
yan
gry.

"Doyo
uthi
nkI'mst
upi
dRyan?ThatIdon
'tunde
rstan
dwhat
's
g
oin
gon?"Sheutt
ere
dandhemo
vedc
los
erandcl
ear
lytol
dheri
nthe
e
yes
;

"Do
n'tdot
hisDo
ris
,pl
eas
edo
n't
!"An
dof
fhewe
ntf
orhi
sca
r.

Dori
sf o
ll
owedhe
r."W hy?Areyo
uattr
acte
dtoher?Ta l
kto
me
!"Shes c
rea
medathim,a
ndhest
opp
edbythedoor
,gri
ppi
ngits
ha
ndl
erti
g ht
lyandmadl
y.Hefin
all
yre
tur
nedaroun
da n
ds u
ckina
de
epbr
eath.

"Youa ndI,don'thavethisk
indofarr
angementDori
s,you'
vebee
n
f
orgett
ingyourpla
ceal otla
tel
y!"Hemu t
tere
dt hewordsbe
tweenhis
c
len
chedt e
eth."Youdo n'thaveanyri
ghttoque
stionmypri
vatel
ife
,
a
ndi t'
swha tyo
u '
veb e
endoing,an
dIdo n'
tappre
ciatey
ouract
ingli
kea
j
eal
ou s
ywife."hea dded.

Dori
sswal
lo
wed,he
rfist
scle
nche
dt ohe
rsi
des
."Yo
urp
riv
atel
if
e?
Si
ncewhendoyo
uhaveyou
rp r
iva
teli
fe?"
 "I
'mn otdoi
ngthisb
ull
shit
!"Ry a nsnap
pedandr eac
hedf orthe
doo
ra n
di tswungope
nas e
condlat
er.Hes eate
dhims e
lfbehi
ndt he
whee
l,andwa t
chedherwhil
ebuckl
inguptheseatbe
lt."Tha t
'san ice
ca
rb ytheway,itre
all
ysui
tsyou!"Het ol
dher,ands heref
lexive
ly
l
ooke
da therbrandnewredMa zdabef
orecrac
kingherlongheelsaway
fr
omhiss i
ght.Heo nl
yloos
enedhisti
e,andhitthecl
utch.

Int
hemiddleofthero
ad,Ryandec
ide
dtochec
konCla
ireand
t
hei
rcal
lwa
si mmedia
tel
yconn
ect
edvi
aanearp
iec
ehewaswear
ing
.

"Youjus
tcan'
tle
tmebr
eat
h,c
any
ou?"Cl
ai
res
nap
peda
ndhi
s
l
ip
sstr
etc
hedint
oasmil
e.

"Andyouj
ustc
an'
tben
icef
oreve
nasec
ond,ca
ny o
u?"He
r
etu
rne
d,ey
esfi
xedont
hemi
ldtr
aff
icwhe
nhiscarre
ste
d.

"Tru
stmeRya
n,I'
mr e
all
ytry
ingtobeni
cebuti
t'
sju
sts
o
i
mpo
ssi
bl
ewhenc
ome
stoyoubec
aus
ey o
u'r
ejus
t--"

"Imis
syo
u!"Heutte
reds
oftl
y,t
hate
venwi
tho
uts
eei
nghe
r,he
c
oul
dtel
lhows
tar
tle
dCl
ai
rewas.

"Ar
eyoudr
unkRy
an?"Sher
ema
rke
d."Be
cau
set
hats
oun
dsl
ik
e
adr
unkt
alk
."

"I'mdr
ivi
ng.
"her
epl
ie
d,a
ndt
hens
mil
edwi
thhi
she
ads
hak
ent
o
t
hes
ide
s.

"Oh!"I
sal
lshec
oul
dsa
y.

"Ar
eyo
uony
ourdi
nne
rda
te?W i
thy
ours
tep
bro
the
r?"

"In
eve
rsa
idi
twa
sadi
nne
rda
te!Io
nlys
aidIha
dpl
anst
ome
et
hi
m."
 "So
,ar
eyo
uwi
thhi
m?"Ry
ana
ske
d,a
ndhi
sca
rst
art
edmo
vin
g
a
gai
n.

"YesIam.It'
safami
lyt
imeRyan
,doyo
us e
rio
usl
yha
vet
okn
ow
e
ver
ythi
ngIdo,when
,wher
eandev
enwit
hwhom?"

"Yes
.Iwa
ntt
okn
owa
llt
hat
!"hea
nswe
redwi
thu
tmo
st
s
eri
ous
nes
s.

"You'
reimpo
ssi
bl
e!FineI'
mwi t
hmyb ro
the
rr i
ghtnow,andwe'r
e
abo
uttohavedin
neratho
me,ofcou
rsewit
hmys t
epmothe
ra swel
l.
"
Shea n
swere
dwr yl
y."Areyoubor
edbyanychanceandi
nn ee
dtofin
d
so
meonetomessaro
undwi
th?Be c
auseIdon'
thavetheti
me."

"I
'mr e
all
yb ore
d,butnotbe
caus
eofwha tyou'
reimagi
ni
ngatthe
moment
.Ij u
stmi s
sy o
urpres
enc
e,that
'sal
l.I'mnotsurehowmycold
ap
artmenti
sg o
ingtofeelt
oni
ght."Ryansaid,wit
ha nexhaus
tedy
a wn.
Clai
rewentsi
lentforawhil
e,pr
obabl
ycon
temp l
ati
ng.

"Ju s
tb ar
ewi t
hitRyan.It'
syourho
us e
."Shef i
nal
lysai
d.
"Andi fyo
u '
rethatbore
d,youc
analwaysc
allyourg
irl
fri
endo
ver.Be
ca
refulontheroad,andhav
eagoodnig
htRy an."Shefini
she
da ndt
he
l
inewentdead.

Hes tay
edcre
epysi
len
ti n
sidehisc
ar ,f
eel
in
gafor
eig
ntyp
eof
e
moti
onthathequ
ickl
yshuta waybys p
eedin
gu p
,on
cehehadf
ina
ll
y
p
ull
edthro
ughthejamtowardsafreeroad.

CHAPTER 1
4

Jo i
nin
gthedes
ign
ingte
amwa sthebe
stthi
ngtha
tcoul
d'vehapp
ene
dto
Clai
re.Shelo
vedit
,andthemember
swelco
medherfa
irl
yen o
ugh
co
nside
rin
gfewci
rcums
tanc
es.Sheha db
e e
nwork
ingwit
ht hemi
nthre
e
days
,andt hi
n g
swe repr
oce
edin
gwe ll
.ItwasFr iday,whenJo rg
e
su
ddenlycall
edhe rdur
ingl
unchho u
rsandinvite
dhe rout.Shewa s
sk
epti
calatfirs
t,b u
twhenshethoughtabou
tt hefavourheha ddone
he
rb yfin
dingGe naajob,Clai
rereal
ize
dshes houl
da tle
as tbekin
d.
Shewindedt hi
ngsu pi
ntheoffi
ce,andle
ftforherap p
oint
me n
t ;si
ncei
t
wasFriday,therewasn'
tsuchtodointheoffi
cea f
terlunch.

"Tha n
ksforcomin
go nsuchas hor
tn o
tic
e;Iwa sar
oundnear
by
andIthoughtwec o
uldhavelunch."Sa i
dinJo rg
ei nhi
sc a
ref
ul
manner
s.Hewa shandsome,nottoohandsome;ama nwithsuch
ca
lmnessthat'
seasi
lymistake
nfo rki
ndness
,bu thewa sbo
th.Heha d
manner
sofa nanci
entgentl
eman;ifheweretochoose,he'
dp i
ckdre
ss
pant
soveraj e
ans,asweaterove
raj ac
ket,andal o
aferoveraJo r
dan.
Buthewa sgood,andveryeasytoconv
erse.

"It'sokay,I'mgla
dy oudidcozIwasfa
mi shed!"Cl a
irere
pli
ed
onc
es he'
dp re
ssedherorder.It'
sbeenfe
wda yss i
ncethey
'dsee
no ne
ano
t he r
,a n
dita ppea
redbot
ho fthemsta
yedo u
tl o
n gtoavoi
dtheir
mothe r."Ac t
ua l
lyIshoul
d'vei
nvit
edyoufi
rst;Iwa n
tedtothankyou
fo
rhi r i
ngGe na,itmeansalotme!"sheadded.

Jo
rgesmi
led."Itwasnob
igdea
l!Sheha
dgr
eatc
rede
nti
al
s,a
nd
t
her
ewa
sa nop
enposi
tio
n."hesai
dwarml
y.

"Ei
the
rwa y
,thankyou
."s a
idClai
re,a
ndwhatf
oll
owe
dwa sa
s
imp
leco
nve
rsa
tionabo
utbot
ht he
irwo
rks,whic
hbo
refe
wb r
iefl
aug
hte
r
n
owandthe
nuntilt
hefoo
da rr
ive
d.

Theybo
thhadaf
il
l,an
dp ar
tic
ula
rlyhadani
cet
ime
.Itwas
a
ctu
all
ythef
irs
tti
mef
orthetwotohangoutan
dshar
edamealo
uts
ide
t
hehous
e.
 "Umph!Ithi
nkI'v
eeat
entoomu
ch.
"Jo
rgeu
tte
redwhi
lea
thi
s
f
eet
,re
adytogocl
eart
heche
ck.

Cl
air
elau g
hedbri
ght
ly."Metoo
!Ididn'tkno
wther
e'ssuc
ha
n
iceres
taura
n taro
undmyworkp
lac
e;i
t'
sof
fic
iall
ymynewspot
."She
r
epli
edamidstfi
nis
hin
ghermil
ksha
kefo
rdes
sert.

Wi thJo rgeg one,Clai

restarte
dwa nderi
nghe rgazearoundin
que
stf orno thingp arti
cular
ly.An dthat
'swhe nherhe a
rtg avehera
pang,whe ns ome o
n eunexpec
tedwa l
kedint
ot herest
a ur
ant.Sheq ui
ckl
y
str
aightenedu p ,whilea b
andoningthest
rawa wayf romhermo uth.
Doriswa sen terin
gt her e
staurantasgrac
iousl
ya sshewa s;inac ompa
ny
oftwoo therl adieswiths i
milarambia
nce
.He rsmilewasr adi
a nt
,a ss
he
spo
ket ohe rg i
r l
so nthewa ytotheirtab
le,butdarkenedfastwhe nher
eye
sme tCl a i
re.Bu tthensheg r
a n
tedhercivi
li
tytoCl ai
rea nyway,by
marchingto war dshe rtable
.

"Hel
lothe
re?"Dor
isgre
ete
dwit
hhersmi
leb
ack;itwas
i
mpo
ssi
bl
eforClai
ret
odet
ermi
nedwhe
the
ritwasr
ealorpl
ast
ic.

"Ohhi
?"Cl
ai
rer
etu
rne
d,wi
thhe
rbe
sts
mil
e.

"Suchacraz
yc o
inc
ide
n c
et hatIkeepr
u n
nin
gintoyouwher
eve
rI
go
,"Do ri
ssai
d."seemsli
kewes harethesametas
teineve
ryt
hin
g."
Anda dde
dn o
nchal
antl
y;somethin
ga b
o u
therwayo fsp
eaki
ngle
ft
Clai
reabitdi
stur
bed.

"Ohp erhaps
,b u
tIdo n'tt
hin
ks o.
"Cl ai
reutt
ere
dwithasmal
l
s
mil
e."I'msu r
ewedo n'tha
v es
imi
lartast
eineve
rythi
ng!Buti
t'sgo
od
r
unni
ngintosomeoneyouknow,bypureco
inc
ide
nce,ofc
ours
e!"she
p
oli
tel
yadded.
 Dor
isgri
nne
d."Iho pes
o;beca
useitsohappen
sthatIhate
sha
ring
!"Shes aidpoi
nte
dly,wi
thoutk
ill
ingherownsmil
e."Ohsi
ll
y
me!Iforgo
tthatyouworkatStarl
ight
,obvio
uslyyoumustc
omehe
rea
l
ot."

Cl
air
estar
edarchl
yather,alin
geri
ngsmil
eonherherpe
rfe
ctli
ps,
wi
thhe
rheartbe
ati
ngathou
sandmi l
eperse
cond.Atthatti
meJo rg
e
ha
djus
tfoun
dhiswa yt
her
e;Cl a
iretha
nkedthehol
lysp
iri
tforsu
cha
di
vi
nei
nte
rve
nti
onwhenheaske
d;

"AmIinte
rru
pti
ng?I'
mdon
ewiththebil
l.
"Hewa ssta
ndi
ng
b
ehindCla
ire
,andacr
ossfr
omDor
iswholoo
kedali
ttl
eamu
sedatthe
s
ightoft
hemtwotoge
the
r.

"Notatal
l,Iwason
lysay
inghit
oCl
ai
re.
"Sa
idDo
ris
,smi
li
ngl
y.
"I
t'smewhos
eemstobei
nte
rrup
tin
g."

Jorg
elo
okedbet
wee
nthetwoladi
eswit
hq u
estio
nma r
ks;heha
d
ze
roide
aonwhatwasgoi
ngonhenc
edeci
dedtostayquie
tasClai
re
st
oodupandst
retc
hedhe
rpalep
inkwrap-
dresst
ha tRyanhadboug
ht
her
.

"W ewerea
ctual
lyl
eav
ingDor
is,t
oobad,I'
dhavel
ove
dtoc
ont
inu
e
c
hat
tin
g,butwenee
dt og
ohome."Clai
rea
nn o
unce
d.

"Ohhome?Ok
ay.That
'sn
op r
obl
emwit
hme ,wecana
lwaysfi
ni
s h
wher
ewest
opp
edCl
air
e.Go
odeve
nin
gtoyoubot
h!"s a
idDori
sa n
ds he
no
ddedc
urt
ly.

"Bu
tofc
our
se,g
oode
ven
ingt
oyo
uto
o."Cl
ai
rer
epl
ie
d.

On
ceout
side
,sheexha
ledhe
avi
ly
,asi
fshe'
dbee
nhol
dinghe
r
b
rea
thf
ore
ver.He rhe
artwaspo
undi
nghe
avi
ly
,andtheg
uil
tyen
gul
fed
i
twi t
hc uff
s.Ho wc ou
ldshetal
ktoherli
kethat?It '
swha tClai
r ewas
wonderi
nga sshewalke
dp e
nsi
vel
ytowardsJo r
ge'scar.Doris'
sto ne
wasfullofsarcas
m,asifshewasbei
ngn a
stywithoutbei
ngv u
lgar.Did
sheknow,Cl a
ireaske
dhe r
sel
fandthei
deaterri
fie
dhe r.IfDorisk n
ew
thatshewa ssl
eepi
ngwithRyan,the
nthatits
elfwasa ningre
die
n tfor
dis
aster.

"I
sev
ery
thi
ngo
kay
?"Jo
rge
'sv
oic
est
art
ledhe
r.

"Hu
h?"s
heg
asp
ed.

"I'
maski
ngifyo
u'r
eok
ay,y
oul
ookl
ik
eyo
u'v
ese
enag
hos
t!"He
r
epl
ie
d,l
aug
hingl
y.

"Ohy e
ah,Iamok
ay."Clai
rere
tur
ned."Areyoug
o i
nghome
e
arl
ytoda
y?b e
cau
seIam!"sheadde
dafterr
ega
ini
nghercomp
osu
re.

Jo
rgea
nswe
red."Ye
ah,I
'mdo
nef
ort
heda
y."

"Oka y
,le
t'sgo.
"Cl a
iresmi
ledwe akl
ywhil
ehoppi
ngin.Shetri
ed,
to
oha r
dt ofor
get,ab
outhertê
te-â
- t
êtewithDor
is;butitwas
i
mpossi
bletoanni
hil
atet
hetoneofherv o
ice
.Sher unherhandsi
ntoher
hai
r,fol
lowedbyacoupl
esi
ghsu n
tilthecarst
arte
d.

"W howasthatla
dyearl
ier
?Youtwose
emedtok
nowe a
chot
her
,
b
utthe
nlik
ee n
emie
s."Jo r
ge,whoha
dbee
nsil
entt
heent
ireti
mei
n
c
ont
empl
ati
on,fi
nal
lyspo
ke.

Cl
ai
regi
ggl
ed."W hywoul
dyout
hin
kwe
'ree
nemi
es?"s
hea
ske
d.
Ar
en'
tyou
?He rsubc
onsc
iou
swarn
ed.

"Ido
n'tkno
w,Iju
s tse
nse
d."Her
ema
rke
d."W e
llIf
eell
ik
eI'
ve
s
eenhe
rbef
ore
,whoisshe?"
 "Ma y
bey
ouhave
."rep
lie
dshe
."He rna
mei
sDori
s,shework
sa t
SK,aPR Dire
cto
rorso
methi
ng.I
'veo
nlyme
the
rre
cen
tly
. "shesai
d
va
gue
ly.

"An
dye
tyo
utwol
ook
edl
ik
eri
val
s?"

"Ohpl
ease
,I'
mno
tsu
rewha
tyo
usa
wtot
hin
ktha
twa
y,b
utI
a
ssu
reyo
uit'
snot.
"

"Ok
ay.
"Jo
rges
mil
ed.

"Doy
ouha
veag
irl
fri
endJo
rge
?"Cl
ai
res
udde
nlya
ske
d.

Hel o
okeds
tart
led,b
utrepl
ie
d."Um--No
,Iha
donebu
tweb
rok
e
u
pno
tlo
nga g
o.W hatabouty
ou?"heask
edwit
hasmi
le
.

"Me?"Clair
echu
cke
d,ri
dic
ulo
usl
y."Ido
n'tt
hin
kIha
veo
ne.I
me
an,Ido
n'tha
ve!"Shesai
d.

"Idon'
tge
tit
,yo
uso
undl
ik
eyo
u'r
eno
tsu
reo
rso
met
hin
g.I
sit
c
omp
lic
ate
d?"

Sheonl
yhadamati
ngp
art
ner
.Shet
hou
ght
."I
t'sn
otc
omp
li
cat
ed,
Ij
ustdo
n'thav
eon
e."

"That'
sodd.
"Jo r
gesai
d."Ar
eal
ltheg
uysi
nyo
uro
ffi
ceb
li
nd
o
rso
met
hin
g?"Her e
marke
d.

"Jo r
ge!"Cl
ai
ree
xcl
ai
med,andhel
aug
hed."W ha
tar
eyo
u
i
nsi
nua
tin
g?"Shemadei
tcas
ual.

"No t
hin
g,don'
tge
tmewr on
g.W e'res
ibl
in
g s
;bloodre
lat
edor
n
ot.
"Hel au
ghed."Ij
u s
tthi
nkit'
sodd,be
causeyou
'resmart
,yo
u'r
e
b
eaut
ifu
landmostofal
l,ve
ryki
nd."
 "W e
llI
'mf
lat
ter
ed!"Shes
aid.

Butt ha
twa se
xac
tlywhatshewasto
ldbysomeo
newit
ha
g
irl
fri
end;Ry a
n.Shethoughti
nwardl
y,andke
ptittohe
rse
lf
.

W he nshefi
nall
yg othome,Clai
rereac
hedf ortheshowerandt oo
kt he
l
o n
gero ne
.It'
db eenonehellofamentalexhaust
ionforada y;esp
eci
a l
ly
afte
rs ee
ingDorisattherestaur
ant.Sheb lewairwhileweari
ng
pyjamasforan i
ght,withherheadjig
gledwi t
hRy ana ndDor i
simages.
First,hehadb e
ensile
ntthewho l
edays i
n c
ehisma n
ya tt
emptstoha ve
mealswithher;fromdinnertolunc
h,fromlunchtodinner;andCl ai
re
rej
ectedthemall
.Shewa ss u
ppose
dtob ehappywiththeo u
tcome,but
thecontrar
ywa sthema tt
er.

Shejustdroppe
do nbed,andlie
ddo wnonhertummy ,r
eche
ckin
g
al
lhismessa
gesan dthe
irma nyexchan
g e
s.As mil
eesc
apedherlip
sa nd
re
ali
zedshemighthada ct
uall
ymi s
sedhim;butshewasn'tgoi
ngtocall
hi
m.Awhi l
elate
rGe nacall
edher,anditwasliket
ele
pathybecau
seshe
al
sowa n
tedtotalktoherbadly;toventandmayberec
eiv
eab est
-fri
end-
bac
k-up.

"Ts
ups
wee
tie
?"Ge
nas
pra
wle
d.

"Co
ol,ho
war
eyo
u?"Cl
ai
rea
ske
d.

"I
'mf
ine
,ac
tua
ll
yI'
mhy
ped!"t
hef
orme
rsc
rea
medo
ntheo
the
r
e
nd.

Cl
ai
res
mil
ed."Ok
ay,a
tle
asts
omeg
oodn
ewsf
orac
han
ge.
"

"Ha
rryi
nvi
te
dmeo
vert
ohi
spl
acet
omo
rro
w,a
ndI
'ms
ofr
eak
ing
o
ut.
"
 "Alri
ght !"Cla i
regri
nned,bef
oresi
tti
ngmo r
ecomfo
rtabl
yonhe
r
b
edro
o mco
uch."W hya reyoufreak
ingou
t?I t
'snotli
keyou'
ve
r
egai
nedyourv i
rgi
nityorsomethi
ngthatyou
'rescar
editmig
hthurti
n
c
asetheho
tc hocol
atemakesani n
dece
ntmove
."s headde
dwithasmil
e.

Genajoi
nedin."Iknow.It'sju
st...Ido n'
tk nowClai
re.I'
m
sudde
nlysca
red;whatifI
'mmo v
ingtoofas
t?IthinkI'mget
tin
gtoo
i
n v
olv
edwithhim,andatthespeedofalig
ht.He '
sn i
cere
all
y,ver
ynice
thatIfee
lli
kehe'
st o
ogoodf o
rme... "sheke
pttel
li
ngandherbesti
e
hadtositmorest
raig
htsoa sbemoreatte
nti
ve.

"Ohp le
aseGe na,yo
u '
rethemo s
tself
-co
n sc
iousgi
rlIkn
ow.Yo u
nev
erha dthi
si ns
ecur
itythi
n gbefo
re,sowhat'sthematte
r?An dwhat
doy o
ume a
nhe 'stoogoo
df oryou?"Cl ai
reremindedher
."Pleas
esto
p
thatrot
tenthought;you'
reg or
geousandinc
redible
,andI'msu
reHa rry
knowsthattoo!"

"You'reanange
lbes
tie
.I'mal
readyfee
li
ngtheov
erf
lowing
c
onf
iden
ce!Ik ne
wIs ho
uldtal
ktoyou
,b e
causeb
etwe
enus,youhave
t
urne
dtob eanexpe
rtre
cent
ly.
"Theys har
edalongandri
b -
crac
kin
g
l
aug
hter.

"Oka
yg ue
sswhat
,ImetDo
rist
oda
yan
d...
"Cl
ai
res
tar
ted
n
arr
ati
ngherhorr
ors
tory
.

"W ha
t?Doy
out
hin
ksheha
ssn
oop
ed?"Ge
nag
asp
ed.

"I'
mp o
sit
ive
!Shewa sdefi
ni
tel
ysen
dingmeames
sagebe
twee
nher
s
pee
ch.W el
lIguesss
hewo n
'tne
edtoworryan
ymor
e,be
caus
eI'mbac
k
t
omys e
nse
s."saidCla
irewit
has i
gh.

"Ar
eyo
u?Ar
eyo
ure
all
y?"Ge
nap
romp
ted.
 "Ye
s.I
'mc
ert
aint
hist
ime
,an
dma
yGo
dhe
lpme
!"Cl
ai
rede
cide
d.

OnSu n
day,thetwometduringafte
rnoonanddec
ide
dt odosome
shop
ping.Genatol
dhera b
ou therdatewit
hHa rrytheothe
rda y
,
whic
ht urn
edouttobesomethingco
mpleteo
utofheranti
ci
pati
on;het
ook
hertohispar
ent'
shouseandi twasquie
tahassl
eesp
ecial
lyaf
ter
meet
ingHa rry'
smothe
r.

"Youhav
enoideahowstra
ddledIfe
ltwhenIst
oodbef
orehis
p
erfe
ctf
ami
lywit
hgreatmora
lvalu
es.Iwasoutofs
paceg
irl
fri
end."
s
aidGenaast
heyrummage
da ro
undthemall
.

Cl
ai
rebu
rste
do utl
aughi
ngthewhol
eway
."Shoul
dn'tyoube
happ
ythou
gh?Atl e
asthe'
sdece
ntenou
ghtoi
ntr
odu
ceyo
ut ohisf
ami
ly
,
ri
ght?"Sheask
ed.

"Ohno!"Sheobj
ect
ed."Iwasnotre
adyfo
rthatClai
re;yo
u
shoul
d'v
ese
enhowhi
sobnoxi
ousmo
thersc
owle
dmefro
mhe a
dt oea
sifI
wassomesl
eaz
ywoma
nfromtheNethe
rworl
d.Shenev
erli
kedmeone
bit
."

"Ohp
lea
se!"

"Isweartoyou
!"Ge nai
nsis
ted"Ohg i
rl
,It hi
nkt
her
eis
s
omet
hin
gc r
ookedwit
hmo t
her
-in
-laws
!"Shes a
ida n
dherbe
sti
ewas
j
ustl
aughi
ng."Ma yyoupl
eas
estopla
ughi
ngal
ready?Youj
ustdon
't
k
nowhowterri
blemynig
htwas."

"I'msorr
yho ne
y."Clai
reke
ptla
u ghi
ng."It'
sjus
t,Ican'
t
i
magi
neyourfaceaf
terfi
ndi
ngou
titwa sac
tuall
yyouri
n-l
awsplac
e."
Sheadded."Bu tt
henagai
n,It
hinktheywerejus
tassta
rtl
edasy o
u
ar
e;maybey
ous
houl
dg i
vethe
msomeb
enef
ito
fado
ubt
."Shet
eas
ed
he
rfri
end,a
ndshea
lsost
arte
dla
ughi
ng.

"Ohpl
eas
edo n
'tsaythewordin-
laws
,itsc
aresthec
reepouto
f
me
!"Sheutte
red,andthe
ywe n
to nwit
htheshop
pingwhi
lstla
ughi
ng
he
art
il
yatGena
'sexpen
se.

"Doesthi
slo
okgo
od?"Clai
rea
ske
dwhe
nshet
rie
dano
ffi
cedr
ess
.
"I
t'sk
indofti
ght!"s
headde
d.

"W e
llIthi
nkit'
sperf
ect!"Ge n
ar e
pli
ed."Girlyou'
vegotabody,
andthatboo
tyfit
sperf
ect
lyinther
e,youshoul
ddefi
n i
tel
ytakethat
dre
ss."shecont
riv
ed,andtheyshar
edsimil
arspe
echoverandoverunt
il
the
ys c
rat
chedthei
rcre
ditcards
.

Lat
er,whi
leg
rabbi
ngabit
eatso
mec
off
eeho
use
;Cl
ai
rea
ske
d,"So
a
rey
oureadyf
orwor
ktomor
row?"

"Ye
ahIa m!"sai
dGe n
a."Ohb
ythewa
y,doy
ouk
nowt
hat
Ry
anisouto
ftheco
untry
?"

Thatwa
sen
oughtoc
han
gethepa
ceo
fCl
ai
re'
she
arta
ndmo
od,
a
lto
get
her
."Ohishe
?"shequi
ppe
d.

"Yeah,t
hat'swha
tHa rr
yt o
ldme
."Genasai
d."He '
llb
ether
e
f
oraweekIguess
,hedidn
'tt
elly
ou?"Shea
sked,wor
rie
dly
,whil
e
g
obb
lin
ghe rf
rie
s.

"No,andhehadnore
asonto!"r e
pli
edClai
re,pe
nsi
vel
y;he
rfac
e
s
howedn
othingb
utdis
comf
ort,b
uthe rfri
endc
ouldn'
thin
tonthat
,as
s
hewasalr
eadyeng
ros
sedwit
hherp hone
.
CHAPTER 1
5

THEf oll
owingweekwentu nevent
full
y,exce
ptforon eti
me,on
We dnes
da y,whenBr u
nodr oppedb yandClair
eha dl u
nchwi t
hhim.
Despi
tebein
gb usywithwo r
k ,underat i
ghtdeadl
ine,shes t
il
lfoundti
me
goi
ngwa yslowerthanshepre f
erred.Ag ai
nshehe ardnothin
gf r
om
Ryan,an ditsomeho
wb otheredheri mmens
elywithoutadmitti
ngitto
her
self
.Shek eptbe
li
evingitwa sb e
tte
rthatwa y
,t hatit
'sexactl
ythe
chang
es heneededfo
rhe rli
fet ogetbacktonormal;thenormalbefor
e
get
tin
ge nta
n gl
edwithRy ana ndhi ssuc
kli
nggame s.

OnFr i
dayeve
ning,Clairedec
idedtorel
axwithamoviei
nsidehe
r
bedroo
m.Shewa sbore
d;s hewa tc
hed,butcou
ldn'
tseewhatthemovi
e
wasa bo
utassheke
ptcha n
gingp o
stureher
eandthere
,withherhead
zo
n i
ngnowandthen.Bu tsuddenl
y,theide
apoppe
dintoherhe
a d;she
cal
ledGenaandaskedherifshewa sfreet
hateve
ning
.

"Ia
m,b
utwhy
?W a
nnac
omeo
ver
?"As
kedGe
na.

W hi
lep
aci
ngaro
undhe
rro
om,Clai
rer
epl
ied"Iwann
agoout
;let
's
g
otoaclu
boranywhe
re.
"Shesna
ppe
d,asser
ious
lyass
heco
uldbe
.

"W ha
t?Yo
uwa
ntt
ogot
oac
lub
?Yo
u?"Ge
nae
xcl
ai
medl
oudl
y.

"I
'mco
min
gtoy
ourplac
einase
c,"Cl
air
esai
d,ign
ori
nghe
rsho
ck.
"wa
itf
orme
!"Sheins
ist
ed,andwa
lkedo
utimme
dia
tel
y.

Ab ou
ta nhourl
ater
,shewasal
rea
dya
tGe n
a's
,andt
hela
tte
rwas
st
il
lfla
bber
gaste
da b
outtheide
a,e
veni
fCl
air
ewasrig
htt
her
e,and
de
termi
nedtodoassaid.

"Sole
tmegett
hiss
tra
ight
,areyoubei
ngs
eri
ousa
bou
tthi
s
c
lub
bin
gthi
ng?"Genaha
dtoinqui
rea
ga i
n.
 "Ofco u
rseIam;Imean,it
'sFri
day,s
houldn
'tweg e
toffsome
s
tea
mo rsomethi
ng?I'
mgett
ingdepr
ess
edsit
tin
ga ro
und,wait
ingfor
Mondaytoarriv
e."Cl
air
esaid,whi
leru
mmagingGena'sdre
sserfo
r
s
omethi
ngtowe a
r.

"De
pre
sse
dov
ers
omeRy
an?"Ge
nas
nap
pedwi
thap
rov
oki
ngs
mil
e.

"Idon'
tkno
wGe na,butIdo
n '
twa n
ttoen
ter
tai
nthei
dea,a
tall
."
Clai
recon
tin
uedtoin
spec
tthedre
sser."Hey,Iwantso
met
hin
gflas
hy,
an
ds exy
,anysugge
sti
ons?"sheadded.

Genasnic
kered."Thi sou
ghttobegood!"Shemu rmure
d."L e
tme
s
eewha ttoputont hatsexybo
dyofy o
urs
."s heshov
edClair
easide
a
ndt oo
kc on
trolofp i
cki
ngtheout
fit
s."Youk nowwhat,yo
u'rer
ight,
l
et'
sjustgo,havefu n,a
ndg e
twastedwhi
leatit!"

"Ye
ah,l
etsdoi
t!"Shes
nap
ped,a
lle
xci
ted.

"I'
mg onn
acal
lforanUberbec
aus
eIdon
'tthi
nkI'l
lbeab
let
o
dri
velat
er,andsi
nceyou
'ver
efus
edtore
newy
ourli
cen
se,no
neofu
swi
ll
bei
nc o
nditi
ontodri
ve.
"

"Ithi
nkI'l
lhavetowor
ko nt
hatsoo
nerorl
ater
."Shemumb
led,
whi
lepee
lin
go f
fherhide
ouspyj
amas."Dri
vi
ngyourownc
ari
s
i
mportan
ts o
meti
mes.
"Shea dded.

Theyt
ookthe
irt
imepi
cki
ng,t
oss
ing
,andte
sti
ngdi
ffe
ren
tcl
othe
s
u
nti
lanhou
rlat
erwhenthe
yfin
all
ygotre
adyt
og o
.

"W ow!You'
rel
ooki
ngsmoki
ngho
tg i
rl
fri
end."Gen
asai
dwhen
Clai
refi
ni
s he
dpu
tti
ngonali
ttl
ereddr
essthatc
r a
mpe
dherc
urve
sin
to
pl
ace
.
 "Yo
ulo
okg
rea
tyo
urs
elfSa
mur
aiQu
een
!"Cl
ai
rer
etu
rne
d.

Wi t
hha i
rflai
li
ngfree
lydo wnthei
rshoul
der
s,thetwobestfr
ien
ds
wal
kedintoahotclu
bint heCity,wit
hheavymusict
hatregar
dedthem
i
ns t
yle
.Ge nawasar e
gula r
,shejus
thadas hotofmarg
arit
aa nd
sl
ip
pedint
ot hedanc
efloo
rt hatwasalre
adyact
ive.Smil
ingl
y,Clai
re
re
formedheratte
nti
ontot hebarte
nderwhofin
a l
lygr
antedhi
su t
most
at
tenti
ontoher.

"Ha v
ey o
uma deu
pyo
urmin
d?Beca
useI'mnotgi
vi
ngyouache
rry
s
odawit
hho wste
amyyoul
ook"Thec
url
y-ha
iredg
u ybe
hin
dthe
c
oun
tersai
d.

Shelaug
hed."W hatmakesyouthi
nkthatIwan
tche
rrys
oda,
hu
h?An deve
nifIwere
,what'stheprob
lemwit
htha
t?"Sheretu
rne
d
wi
thashou
t;itwasq
uiteno
isytobegi
nwith.

Theguyle
ane
doverl
aughi
ngl
y."Ev
ery
thi
ngi
swr
ongwi
tht
hat
;It
g
oesag
ain
sttheFri
dayni
ghtrul
e."

"Ohreal
ly
?Fr i
dayni
ghtr
u l
e?"Sheey
edhim,se
nsu
all
y,a
ndhe
f
oun
dhims
elfdrag
gedin
tot
hesphereo
fhe
rter
rif
ice
yes
.

"Ye
ah,t
hato
ne.
"

"Ar
eyo
usu
rey
ouha
ven
'tma
dei
tup
?"Shes
mil
ed.

Helau
ghedal
oud."Ok
ay,y
oug
otme
!"Hes
lowl
ywi
nce
dba
ck.
"Sowha
twilly
ouhave
?"

"Sur
pri
seme!"Sai
dClai
rep
lay
ful
ly
,wit
hhere
lbo
wsonthe
c
oun
ter
,su
ppo
rti
ngherhe
ada
shergaz
emethi
s,fr
omadis
tan
ce.
 Hewethi
spl
umpli
psta
nta
li
zi
ngl
y."Asyouwis
h!"hes
aid,
b
efo
remo
vin
gawayan
ds t
art
eddoi
nghismi
xol
ogy
.

Clairer e
aliz
edthatbybeingthere
,itwastheb es
tc hoic
e.Atl eas
t
shewa sabletor el
ax;watchi
ngp e
opl
emin g
li
ngo nthedan ceflo
or,some
makin
go uti nsomeda r
kc o
rners
,otherschatt
ingandlaug hingwhile
sea
teda ttheb oothswit
hf ai
ntli
ght;itwasa l
lworthit.W he ns he
fi
nall
yr es
u medhe robj
ectofint
erest
,therewasaco c
ktailglassinfron
t
ofher,withap inkliq
uiddresse
dwi t
has li
ceofpin
e a
pplea ndalittl
e
str
aw.Shea rchedaneyebro
wa tthesightofit
.

"Tha
twa
squ
ick
!"Shet
oldt
heb
art
ende
r.

Heonl
ysmi
le
darchl
y."Ica
lli
t ,
"heeye
dClai
re."He y
g
org
eou
s!"Hesaidi
nhissof
tvoi
ce,ands
mil
edr
ele
ntle
ssl
y.

"He ygorg
eous
?"Shepro
mpt
ed,whil
esuc
kin
ginthedri
nksl
owl
y,
wi
thou
tleav
inghise
yes
."Ar
eyoufl
ir
tin
gwithmerig
htnow?"she
pl
ai
nl
ya s
ked.

"NoI'
mnot,I'
mjus
tadmir
ingy
oure
yes
."Theg
uyr
epl
ie
d,a
nd
p
ull
edba
ckabi
t,tote
ndano
the
rsoul
.

Cla
irel
aug
hedab it
."He '
scute
!"Sheu
tte
redt
ohe
rse
lf
,an
dhe
s
eeme
dtopiq
uecur
ios
ityonhe
rwo r
ds.

"W hatdi
dyo
usa
y?"Hea
ske
dov
erhi
ssho
ulde
r,whi
lep
ick
ing
mo
regl
asse
s.

"Isaidy
oua r
eno
tmyt
ype
!"Sher
etu
rne
dlo
udl
y,b
eca
useo
fthe
i
nte
rfe
rin
gmusic
.

"W hyn
ot?I
'mha
nds
ome
,I'
mco
ol,s
owhyn
oty
ourt
ype
?"He
r
emark
edo
ncehe
'ds
erv
edas
mok
eywhi
ske
ytoag
uyn
exts
too
l,s
til
l
s
mil
in
g.

"Yesyouarec oo
l."Clai
rere
pli
ed."ButIlov
efire
!"Shet hought
al
oud,andforonceshelethe
rmindwa n
derofftos
omeone
'sc
old
apa
rtment
,whe r
es hegottoe
xperi
enc
eami l
li
onemo
tio
nsinon
eda y.
That'swhenshefeltahandsli
ppi
nghershoul
deran
ds o
meon
eutterl
y
fa
mili
arappea
red.

"He
yst
ran
ger
?"Ama
lev
oic
esn
app
edhe
r.

"Na t
han?W hatareyoudo
inghe
re?"Sheg
ras
pedwhe
nshe
di
sce
rne
dt ha
titwashe
rb o
ss.

Nathantoo
kas eatc
asual
ly,be
sidehe
r."Ithoug
htI '
vemadea
mis
take
."Hes mil
ed."Youlook...a wes
omeLe
v y
,Iwa tc
hedyousi
nce
ea
rli
erandIt ho
ughtitwassomeon
eelse...dou
b l
escot
chple
ase!"He
sai
dtoCl a
ireandbart
ender
,respe
cti
vel
y.

"Um-
-tha
nks!Ididn
'tk
nowy
oua
lsoc
omet
othe
sek
indo
f
p
lac
es.
"Shetol
dhim.

"W el
lIdoon
cei
nawhil
e;i
nfa
ctI'
mnottheon
lyo
ne,t
hee
nti
re
t
eamiso
verthe
ree
xce
pty
ou.
"Her ep
li
edpo
int
edl
y.

Cl
air
efoll
owedhi
sga
zea
nds
awt
her
est
."Oh,ho
wwo
uldIk
now
i
fIwas
n'tin
vit
ed?"

"W ewant
edt
oin
vit
eyo
u,b
uty
ouk
now,wet
hou
ghty
ouwo
uldn
't
wa
nttohang
."

"Ohp
lea
se,doIl
ookl
ik
eap
ast
or'
sda
ught
ero
rso
met
hin
g?"
Nathanbur
ste
dou
tla
ughi
ng."Yo
u'r
esof
unn
y!"An
dhi
ssc
otc
hwa
s
pr
esen
ted.

Clairedeci
dedtogototheot
her
sanddroppe
dahi;theyhangeda
b
it,befo
r eever
y o
neel
seei
the
rwe n
tfort
hedancefl
oor
,res
troom,or
a
ny whereels
eb utawayfr
omt heb
oot
h.Deci
dedl
y,shere
turnedtothe
c
oun t
ertogetherwit
hNa t
hanwhok e
ptt
alk
ingofhowtheyendedup
t
herea f
terwo rk.

"Yea
h,wehadafr
eepa
ssbec
ausemyb
rot
her-i
n-l
awo
wnst
his
p
lac
eandwear
etheo
newhodec
ora
tedit
."Heb l
urt
ed.

"Ohisthatso?"s heprompte
d,withali
ttl
eindiff
eren
ce.Aftera
l
it
tlemoret
alk,andanotherroundofdri
nks,Gena'
sp honewasri
nging
i
nsi
deherpurse,butClair
eoptedtoigno
re."Yeah,itseemsli
keLy
di ais
a
lreadydru
nk."s here
ma rke
dwi thalaughast
heys pot
tedoneoftheir
c
oll
eague
sdancingoutofthesongb e
at.

Ag ai
nthephonerang,andClai
refi
nallydec
idedtoc hec
kwhoi t
was;shefoundoutitwa sHa r
ry,andst
a ri
ngatGe na,itwa si
mpossi
ble
tole
the rkno
wfr o
ma lltheworkshe
'dbeendoing;dan
c i
nga nddrin
k i
ng
alt
ernat
ely.See
ingho wp e
rsi
sten
ttheca
llerwas,shedecidedtoanswer,
buttheycoul
dn'
tu nders
tandoneanot
her
;Ha rrywasp r
a cti
cal
ly
sco
ldin
ga ndClai
rec o
uldn'tu
nderst
andthewo r
dheha ds a
id.

"I
tsimp
ossi
bl
etoma
k eadec
entp
honeca
lli
nhe
re,p
erha
psy
ou
s
hou
ldste
pouts
ide
."Nathansa
idsugg
est
ive
ly.

"Ye
ah,i
twa
sus
ele
ss.
"Sher
epl
ie
d,a
ndl
uck
il
yGe
nawa
sjo
stl
in
g
he
rwayt
here
.

"Yo
usho
uld'
vej
usti
gno
redhi
m."Sn
app
edGe
na,o
ncel
ear
ned
abo
utthecal
l."Heist
hemostannoy
ingg
uyIknow,ho
wda r
ehecal
ls
menowafte
rigno
rin
gmycal
lsthewhol
eday?"Sherat
tle
d,andi
t
se
emedli
keshewasabi
tti
psy.

"OkayGen
a,sitdo
wna
ndre
laxab
it.
"Cl a
iresai
d."You'
re
dr
unkan
dy o
ushou
ldcal
mdo
wn!"Shefor
cedheron
totheba
rst
ool
.

"NoI'mnotdru
n k!"Genalashed."W ai
t,I
'lls
howhi mwha
tI
r
eal
lyam.Alawyerornot,n
oo n
eme s
s e
swit
hGe n
aMo nt
ero!"She
s
qui
rmed."Doyoumindtaki
ngas e
lfi
ewithusCla
ire'
sboss?"She
r
ega
r de
dNathanwhoha dbee
nobserv
ingthe
minsil
ence
.

"Um-
-nop
rob
lem!"Na
tha
nan
swe
redhe
sit
ant
ly.

Cl
air
efr
own
ed."W ha
tareyoudoi
ngGen
a ?"sheas
kedher
f
rie
ndwhowa
spul
li
ngt
heothe
rtwotog
ethe
randsna
p p
edaphot
o.

"W ow!thisi
sg o
od,an
d...sent
!"Ge n
amu t
ter
edaminu
te
l
ate
r.Cl
aireandNa t
hanexc
han
geda
na mu
sedgla
nce
s,whi
les
hakin
g
t
hei
rhea
dst ot
hesides.

****

HARRYha djustpickedRy anfromtheAi rpo

rttha tn
ight ,asso
onas
t
heSK p ri
vatej
e tl
an ded.Thet wowereridin
gb acksmoothlywith
Ryana sthedriv
erhi mself
;heloveddri
vingcarss i
nceyou
ng ,thathe
l
earn
edt odri
vea tthea geoftwel
ve.Theywe retalki
ngabou thistr
ip
an
df ewdetai
lsabo u
tt hecompanyu p
onhisa b
sencethatweek.Du ri
ng
t
heentireti
me,Ha rr
yl ooke
da ngryashekeptstaringhi
sp ho n
ewitho
ut
l
ett
ingitoutofhiss i
ght.
 "W ha
t'swr
ong
?Ar
eyo
uexp
ect
ingac
all
?"Ry
ana
ske
dhi
m
c
asu
all
y.

"No!it'
snot
hin
g!"Ha
rryr
epl
ie
d,c
urt
ly;b
uthi
sfa
ces
pok
e
c
omp
let
elyt
heopp
osi
te.

Rya
nleto
utamoc
kin
glaug
hte
r."Doyoukno
who
wsu
spi
ci
ousy
ou
l
ook
?Isitawo
man?"Hea s
kedhi
myetag
ain.

"Ohcomeon!W hywo
uldy
ouc
onc
ludei
t'
sawo
man
?"Ha
rry
s
nap
ped,e
vasi
vel
y.

"I'
venev
ersee
nthatlo
oko nyourf
acebe
fore
,andI'
ms u
rei
thas
n
othi
ngtodowit
hwo rk
.So ,areyoure
all
ysee
ingGenano
w?Se e
ms
l
ik
eyoutwoarege
tti
ngser
ioushuh?"Ry ante
asedhi
m.

Ha r
rysna
rle
d,enr
a g
ed."Stopk
iddi
ngaroun
ddu de!Doyou
kn
owwhe ret
hoset
wowo menar
erig
htnow?Ye s
,in
cludi
ngClai
re.
"He
ba
rk e
da n
ditpi
que
dRy an'sc
uri
osi
tyf
oronce
."Che c
kthis,
"Ha rry
handedhi
mhisphone
.

Ryanst
aredatthepic
tureofthos
et wowomen,in
clu
dinghisown
subj
ecto
fin
tere
st;Clai
re.Hi sbrowsfurrowe
d,inappre
hensi
onofwhat
shewaswea
ring
,a n
dmo stes
peci
all
ywhe nhedete
ctedapres
enceof
NathanPant
her;hisja
wc l
enche
d.

"Doy
ouk
nowt
hep
lac
e?"Hea
ske
dse
rio
usl
y.

"It
hinkIdo.It'
stheo
nlyc
lubGe
nag
oest
o,f
romwha
tshe
'dt
old
me
"Ha rr
yr e
pli
ed.

"Okay!"wast
heonl
ythi
ngRy
ans
aid,b
efo
rec
han
gin
gtheg
ear
a
nda
cce
ler
ate
dthes
il
verSUV.
Ho wo rwhe ntheywereabletodoi t
,wa s
n'tinquesti
onatthemome nt
;
Ryana ndHa rryb r
okeins
idet hecl
ub,ands t
arte
dl ook
ingaroun
di n
se
archf o
rt hetwowo mentheyb othpart
icu
larl
yk new.Itdidn'
ttake
muchlongerforHa rr
ytos eeGe naswayi
nghipsont hedancefl
oor,and
asforRy an,hek newexact
lywhe retofin
dCl air
e.Thel att
erwalked
to
wa rdsthec o
unterwherehisg li
ste
nin
ge ye
sr e
stedonNa thanPan t
her,
bes
idethes amewo manhe'
dma dehispres
encether
eu p
on.

"AmIinterr
upti
ng?"Hea nn
ounc
edassoo
na shegr
abbedaspot
i
nascan
dalo
usma nn
er.Clai
re,whohadbe
enlaughi
nghea
rti
lyat
Nat
han'
sexpen
se,wasnea
rlyonvergeo
fdrop
pin
ghe rj
awoffthef
loo
r.

"Ry -
-Ryan?"Sheg aspedandstoodu pherfee
t.Thinkin
g
p
erhap
shermind,wit
hal i
ttl
ealc
oholinherb l
oods
treamswasplayi
ng
t
ric
konher,b
utt hear
rogantl
ook,mingl
edwi t
hs o
methingli
keange
ron
t
hefaceo
fhis
,Cl ai
regra
spedimmedia
tel
yt hatitwasr e
all
yRy an
.

"HiPa
n t
her?MindifIs
tealy
ourcol
le
aguef
orami
nut
e?"Ry
an
r
ega
rde
dNathan,i
gno
rin
gClai
re'
sasto
undedlo
ok.

Withsi
mil
ars
tar
tle
dlo
ok,Na
tha
nre
pli
ed."Ofc
our
sen
ot,Mr
.
St
eve
ns!"

"Thank
s."Ryansai
d."Shal
lwe?Mis
s.Levy
?"Het u
rne
dto
Cl
ai
re,wi
thhisu
sua
lin
sol
ents
mil
etha
tke
ptherb
loodb
oil
.

"Ryanwhatar
eyoudoi
nghere
?Doy o
ua c
tual
lythi
nkI-
-"Cl a
ire
s
tar
tedt
ocont
radi
ct,b
uthel
eane
dclos
etoherea
ran dwhi
spe
red;

"Yo
udo
n'twa
ntt
ocr
eat
eas
cen
ehe
re,doy
ou?"

As
oftb
rea
the
sca
pedhe
rlu
ngs
;co
nsi
der
ingt
hel
egi
tfa
ctt
hat
so
meofhe
rcol
le
agu
eswer
epres
entatt
hepl
ace;s
hekn
ewg
oin
gag
ain
st
Ryan
,attha
tmoment
,wasn
'tathe
rbesti
nte
res
t.

"Fi
ne,l
etmeatl
eas
tcle
art
heche
ck."Shea
nswer
edc
alml
y,a
nd
s
wif
tlyt
urne
dtothec
ount
erwhi
leo
pen
inghe
rW al
le
t.

Nathanhe
ldherhand."Isa
idthi
sisonmeLe
vy,we
lco
metot
he
t
eamtr
eat?"Hes mil
edwarml
y,andCl
airer
etu
rne
dexac
tly.

"Than ksNathan
,Ig ues
sI'lls
eeyouonMo nday;andtodaywa
s
fu
n."Shet oldhi
mk no
wingly
,befor
efaci
ngthenear
lyice
bergofaguy
ne
xtt oher.W iththa
tlit
tleges
tureofNathanPantherhol
ding
Clai
re'shand,andpayi
ngforherdrinks
,Ry an'
sjawclen
chedbuthe
ne
verlosthiscool
.

"Shal
lwe
?"Heu
rge
d;wi
thg
rea
tde
alo
fre
luc
tan
ce,Cl
ai
re
o
bli
ged.

"Ohn
o,Ge
na!"s
hes
nap
pedf
ews
tep
sla
ter
.

"Do
n'two
rrya
bou
the
r,s
he'
spr
oba
blyo
uts
ide
."Re
tur
nedRy
an.

"W ha
ta rey
outal
kin
gabout?"Shes no
rted,a
nditwaslesso
fan
a
rgumen
tunti
lthe
yfin
all
yste
ppedawa yfro
mt heheav
ymu s
ic,a
nd
s
pott
edGenaandHa rr
yargui
ngo u
t s
ide
,neartheparki
nglo
t.Clai
re
l
ook
edatRyan,andheonl
yshrugged.

"Le
tthe
ms or
tthe
irowni
ssu
e,"sai
dheha
lti
ngl
y,"b
eca
usewe
ha
veou
rstosol
ve.
"headdedp
oin
tedl
y.

"Hah!"Cla
iregasp
ed."Ofcou
rsewedo,s
ole
tmer
etu
rnmy
f
rie
nd'
spu
rse
,sothatwecanal
sodot
hesame.
"

An
dwi
tht
hat
,shef
oll
owe
dGe
na,di
sre
gar
din
gHa
rrywhos
eeme
d
tobeha
vinghi
sfi
llfr
oma l
lthedrun
kta
lktal
kfromt
heAsi
anwo
man
.
Cla
irebut
tedi
n,andkin
dlyaskedhi
mtogi
vethe
maminu
te.

"Sure,goa
head.
"Ha r
ryr
epl
ie
dwi
thg
rea
tci
vi
li
tya
nds
tep
ped
a
side
,towher
eRy a
nwa s
.

"Ar
eyo
uok
ay?"Cl
ai
reha
nde
dhe
rpu
rse
.

"Ofco
urs
eI'
mok
ay.Doyo
urea
ll
ythi
nkfewMarga
rit
asho
ts
c
oul
dtak
emedown
?"Genas
pou
tedan
dherfr
ien
dla
ughe
d.

"Act
ual
lyi
twasmorethanafe
w,"Sa i
dClai
re."b
utany
way,
whatnext
?doyouwantmetosti
ckaro
und?Bec
auseIdowa
nnast
ick
ar
ound!"Sheaddedi
na l
mostasca
re.

ItwasGe
na'
stu
rnt
ola
ugh."W hy
?Ar
eyo
usc
are
dtob
eal
one
wi
thhim?"

"Hone
stl
y,Iam.Ist
hatwei
rd?Ime
an,n
ote
veni
nmywi
lde
st
dr
eamha
veIexpe
cte
dtose
ehimhere
."

"W e
irdl
yfai
r,bu
tno,Icanhandl
eHa rr
yallbymys
elf
.Afte
ral
l,
hewantsustoge
tthi
sove
rwithbef
orethen
ighte
n ds
,an
dIwa n
tthe
sameIgue
ss."rep
li
edGena.

"Heissoswee
t,unl
ik
esome
oneIkno
w!"Cl a
ires
aid,an
dshota
da
ggeratRyan
."W ellIgue
ssI
'l
ljus
tgetg
oin
g,andplea
seben
ice
Gena
,thegu
yistr
ying
!"

"I
'l
ltry
."Genasaid.Theyshare
dafri
endl
yhugb e
forep
art
ing
,
wit
hClair
eretu
rni
ngtoRy an,a
ndHa rryt
oGe n
aa f
ter
wa r
ds.W hat
fo
ll
owedwasastar
ingco
n t
estbe
twee
ntheot
hercra
zycoup
le.
 "Ihavep
lent
yofqu
esti
onsr
ightn
ow,
"Cl
ai
res
aid,wi
thap
aus
e.
"b
utI'
llo
nlyaskone
."shesi
ghe
d.

"Goa
hea
d...
"Ry
anr
epl
ie
d.

"W ha
t'st
heme
ani
ngo
fthi
s?"

"Ofwha
t?"

"Sto
pp l
ayi
ngdu mbwit
hmeRy a
n!I'mtal
kin
gabou
ty ouc
omin
g
al
lthewayherej
u s
ttoruinmyni
ght
."sheba
rked."Iunder
sta
nd
Ha rry
'sat
tit
ude,bec
auseheha
sagoodre
aso
nto,buty
ou ?W hat
madeyouco
mehere?"

Her a
ise
doneeye
browathe
r."Ialsoha
veago
odrea
son
,yo
u!"
hes
nap
ped."W hatwer
eyoudoi
ngfl
ir
tin
gwithPa
nthe
r?"

"Do
ingwhat
?"Shey e
ll
ed."Iwasn
'tfl
ir
tin
gwit
hhi
m,a
nde
ven
i
ftha
twasthec
ase,i
tha
snothi
ngtodowit
hyou?"

"Ohits
ure
lydo
es!Eve
ryt
hin
gab
outy
ouCl
ai
rema
tte
rst
ome
,do
y
oug
eti
t?"Hesnap
ped.

"NoIdo n'
tg eti
t!"Shee xc
laimed."Ithoughtwe'redonewit
h
theshitRyan,whenyoude c
ide
dt omu tefo
ro v
erawe ekandlef
tt oGod
knowswherewithoutawordIt houghtitwasoverbetwee
nu s,andIwas
rel
iev
edthatatlasteve
rythi
ngisb a
c ktonormal
.Bu tguesswhat,her
e
youare,on
ceagaintomesswithmyl ife
!"Shes c
reamedamidstthe
parki
nglot
,andf oronc
esomedr un
ke ncoup
lepass
edb ywhichshuther
downmo me
ntari
ly.

"That
'swhatItho
ughtei
the
r."Hes a
id."Buti
tal
lchan
ged
whe
nIsawthepi
ctu
reofyou
,andthat...andtha
tPant
her!"
 Tha tr
emar
kmadeCla
ires
tif
lealaug
h.Thepi
ctures
eemedt oha
ve
a
ffe
ctedRyanmoret
hanhe
'dle
ton,andforso
mest
upidreas
on s
,that
s
impl
efactbr
oug
htheragr
andfel
ici
ty.Atea
sthewasjea
lous,she
t
hought.

"Ands
owha t
?Doy ouwa n
tmet oapp
rais
ey o
uforyo
urher
oicact
o
frui
ni
ngmynig
ht?Be c
auseIwasr e
all
yenjo
yingmys
elft
her
e;Na t
han
i
sfu
ntobear
ound,bu
ty o
uc a
mea n
d--"

"Doyouwanttogoback
?"Ry anr
eto
rte
d;hi
svo
icewa
scal
m,a
nd
hi
seye
sver
ys e
rio
us."Iftha
t'swha
tyouwan
t,yo
uca
ng oa
hea
d!I
won
'tst
opyou
."hea dde
d.

Shes wal
lo
wed,loweri
ngherguar
dsforon
ce.Seei
nghi
ma c
tin
gas
s
uchwasar ar
escene
,a n
df o
rthefi
rstti
meshefe
lts
omekin
dof
a
dmira
tio
nt o
wardshim.Shehe si
tat
ed,ni
bbl
edherl
ips
,andev
en
t
houg
htforawhi l
e,be
forerep
lyi
ng;

"No,Ijustwanttogeto
utofhere
,it
'sg
etti
ngcol
d."Sheo
pen
ed
t
healr
eadyunl
ocke
dc a
r,andsli
ppe
dintot
hepas
seng
erseat
.Rya
n
f
oll
owe
dhe raminu
telate
r,wi
thhislo
oksi
ndi
ffe
rent
.

TheSUVhi tther oad,andt heri

dewasrathersil
enta sbothkeptthei
r
thoughtstothe msel
vesint hemeanti
me.Clairefoun
dhe r
selfst
arin
ga t
him,butu n
ab letoutterawo rd.Ry ankep
thissightfixedlyontheroad,
withoutshowin ganyo fwha t
everhewasthin
king.Thes i
le
n c
estart
edto
bringab o
redo m;a n
de venwithhereyessti
cki
ngtot hesli
dingbuil
dings
alongs
idethet wo-laneasphalt,Cl
air
efel
ttheu r
get ofurtherin
quire
abouthistri
p ,a n
dt hereasonwhyhes to
ppedcommun i
cati
n gwit
hhe r.

"Imi
sse
dyo
u!"Thewo
rds
,tha
tca
mea
sas
tar
tle
,pi
erc
ed
Cl
ai
re'
sea
rsa
nds
heg
lan
ceda
thi
m.

"W ha
t?"Shep
romp
ted.

"Is
aidImi
sse
dyo
u."Ry
anr
epe
ate
d,b
ygr
aci
nghe
ras
tar
ethi
s
t
ime
.

Therewa saflu
tte
rofjo
yforhe
r,b
utshedi
dn'
twa n
ttoshowi
t.
"Ifyo
udid,thenwhydidn
'tyoudoa
nyt
hin
g?"shetol
dhim,wit
ha
pe
rfe
ctin
dif
ferenc
e.

Hesmi
le
d."Be
cau
seIwa
nte
dtodoa
syo
uwa
nt;t
ole
avey
ou
a
lon
e."

"An
dthe
nwha
tcha
nge
d?"Cl
ai
rer
etu
rne
d.

Hes i
ghe
d."Ido
n'tkn
ow,mayb
eyou
'ret
ooi
rre
sis
tib
let
obel
eft
a
lon
e."hesai
dwit
hahinto
fsi
nce
rit
y.

Shewa sha p
py,heari
ngtho s
etrivi
alwordsma deherveryhappy
;
butn o
thappyenoughtoforge
tt hathewasac ove
tedma n;hewa s
n'tfor
her,andshewa sjus
ta nin
truder.Theli
ttl
eg l
eamofp l
easur
es l
owly
fa
de d,andshefoundnothi
ngo fin
teres
tinhercontinui
ngdiggin
ga bo
ut
wha t
everRyanha dforher.Itwa sthebatt
lebet
we enherfe
eli
ngs
againstpr
inc
ipl
esthatshe'
dk epti
n t
actherenti
reexist
ence
.

"Imetyou
rgirl
frie
ndlastweek.
"Shet ol
dhim,a n
ds ha
redthe
expe
rie
ncepe
rherowninter
preta
tionoft
heenco
unter
."Shek nows
aboutus
,Icanfee
litthatsheknows.
"Cl a
irepai
nful
lysai
d,andhe
didn
'tsayaword.

Thec
arf
ina
ll
yp u
ll
edovera
tClai
re'
shous
e,a
ndit
'swhens
he
r
eal
iz
edho
wcr
azyherfee
li
ngswer
egr
owingf
ortha
tcr
azymanbe
side
her.Shedi dn'twa nttopartawayfromhi m;theideaofgoi
ngi n
,to
thatenormousho us
ewhe reherste
pmotherwa salwaysonthewa i
tto
spr
a wlherclawswhe neve
rtheysawe achother,madeClair
esick.Fo r
onc
e,s i
ncemeeti
n ghim,shewishedforRy antob eghertosta
y ,orat
l
eastf o
rcehera sheu s
uall
ydid,buthedi dnotdoa ssuch.Thet wo
sta
y edinsi
lence
,i n
sidethecar,des
pitethefactthatthe
ywe realre
ady
the
r e.

"I
fitwere
n'tfo
rDori
s,"Ry a
nu t
ter
edouto
fthebl
uea
mids
ther
tho
ughts."wou
ldthin
gsbedi
ffe
rentbe
tweenu
s?"heey
edherwi
tho
ut
det
achi
nghisheadawayf
romtheseat
.

Woul
dthe
y?Shetoo
,wonde
red."Ido
n'tkn
ow,bu
tI'
mcert
ainl
y
s
uret
haty
ouyo
u'r
eno
tthety
peofmanIdre
amedof.
"Sheans
wered.

"W ha
t?"Hee
xcl
ai
med."An
dwhoi
syo
urt
ype
?Pa
nthe
r?"he
a
ske
d.

"W hat'
swithyouandNa than?Ar eyoujea
lo u
so fhim?"Cl a i
re
sn
appedandhef r
owned."He '
sn i
ceyes,butIhaven ev
ertho u
g htof
hi
mi nsuchama n
ner
."Shes aid."Bu tthe
na gai
n ,whyn o
t ?Hema y
no
tb ethathands
ome,buthest
illl
ooksgoodenough.He '
sc harmin
g ;he
doe
sma kemesmil
emostofthetime
,a n
dhe '
ss i
ngl
e...ma ybe?"s he
ru
bbedin.

Madl
y,Ry
anmutt
ere
d."Is
weari
fyo
ucont
inu
etal
ki
ngtha
twa
y
a
bou
thi
mI '
mgo
ingt
otran
sfe
rhi
mtoso
meove
rse
abran
ch!"

Clai
regasp
ed."W hat
?Ar ey
oucr
azy
?W hywou
ldy
ousen
dan
i
nnoc
enthar
dwo rk
ingmanj
ustb
eca
usey
oudon
'tl
ik
eho
wItal
kabou
t
hi
m?"Sheb lu
rtedout
.
 "Be
causeIcan
."Herepl
ie
dbl
ankl
y."AndIthoug
htbyno
w
y
ou'
veal
rea
dyc o
nfi
rme
dtha
tI'mcr
azy
,andca
pab
leofdoi
ngj
ust
t
hat
!"

"Noy
ouc
an'
tdot
hat
!"Shea
rgu
ed.

"Ohy
esIc
an.Tr
yme
!"Her
epl
ie
d.

Shest
arte
dlaughin
g."Ohn
o,y
ou'
rej
ustb
luf
fin
gRy
an
St
eve
ns!"shecon
tri
ved.

"Don'
ttr
ymeCl
ai
re!I
'mn
ota
sgo
oda
syo
uwa
ntt
obe
li
eve
."he
i
nsi
ste
d.

"Ikno
wy ou'r
efarf
romgo
od,bu
teve
nso,Is
tillt
hinky
oucan
'tdo
i
t!"Sheinsi
stedeve
nmore
."Bec
aus
eifyo
udo,I
'llnev
erfo
rgi
ve
y
ou!"sheadded.

Ryans t
aredathe r
,agape
."Go d,W hatas t
ubbo
rnwo man!I
sweart
het hi
ngsIwa nttodowiththatmouthof-
-"hesnarle
d,in
att
empttoreachher,buthismove
mentwasrestr
aine
dbythes ea
tbe
lt.
Clai
reburste
do utl
a u
ghingatthesi
ghtofthatsi
mplege
sture.He
l
eanedbackhisseat
,defeate
d."Ha vin
gfuna tmyexpe
nse,huh?"

"Somuchfun!"shean
swered,l
aug
hing
ly,a
ndheende
dup
l
aug
hin
gtoo."It'
shardtof
athomwhenyou'
rese
rio
usa
ndwhenyo
u'r
e
n
otRyan,b
u tI
'mtryi
ngtoadj
ust."Clai
resa
id.

Hehe l
dherha nd."Do n'
ttryto
omu c
hCl a
ire,youmayg e
t
co
nfus
ed."Hesaid,a n
di tsoun
dedmorel
ikeawa r
n i
ng;ei
therway,it
wasfarf
romasca
r easfa rasClai
rewasconc
erne
d.She 'dchosen
ta
kin
ghimashewa s,withou
tmu chi
mposi
ti
onofwha thetrul
ywa s.
 "I
'mn o
tscaredofyo
u ,e
veni
fyo
u'r
escar
ytomos
t."Shetol
dhim,
b
lat
ant
ly."Ijustdon'
tunder
stan
dwhatyo
uwa n
tfr
omme."sheadde
d,
a
ndrei
gnofsil
encefo
ll
owe
d.

"I
t'st
imet
ogoho
me!"Hes
nap
peda
fte
rawhi
le
.

"I
'ma
lre
adyho
me!"Sher
epl
ie
d.

"Myho
me.
"

"Yo
urc
olda
par
tme
nt?"

"W ec
ana
lwa
ysu
seahe
ate
r!"Het
emp
tedhe
r.

Againshewastorn
.Bu ton
et hin
gwa sstr
ongerthananyot
her;
shewantedtobewithhi
m,andno t
hingels
ecoul
ds t
opheratthemoment
.
Look
ingathim,butt
erf
li
esfl
ewinhe rsto
ma c
h;hisgazeal
onewas
eno
ughtor e
kindl
ethefl
amesofpassi
onthathavebeenfa
intl
y
dis
appea
ringinaweekti
me.Itallcameback.

"Fi
ne,l
et'
sgo
!"Shea
gre
ed,a
nda
tla
stt
hede
sir
ewo
n.
CHAPTER 1
6

On c
eRy an'scarwa sparkedintotheu ndergro
un dlotofhisa pa
rtment
buil
ding
,thet woa dvancedtothep riva
tee l
evato
rwhi chs t
a r
ted
asce
ndingafterheha dpresse
dt hesecretdigit
s.Cl ai
rewa sb us
y
cons
ulti
nghert reacherousfeel
in
g sthatha dledhe rtothats amepla
ce
shehadt r
iedha rdt oavoid.Shel ookeda tthema nbesi
dehe r,andall
shecoul
ds e
ewa st hemo stirre
sisti
blema nshe'de v
ercomea cros
s;he
wasg e
tti
ngt obecomehe rwe ak
nes s
,a ndevenatt hatmome nt,whil
e
l
ookingathim,s heco ul
df ee
lherho rmonesrocketi
nginside.Shes hut
hereyes
,a n
db r
eathe ddeepl
yjus ttotakec o
ntrolofherb odythatkept
behavi
ngli
keat e e
n.

"Ar
eyo
uok
ay?"Ry
anu
tte
redwhe
nthes
il
enc
ebe
cameu
nbe
ara
ble
.

Cla
ires
wa l
lo
wedner
vous
ly."Um--yea
h."sheans
we r
ed,bu
the
wasn'
tsoconv
ince
d;hemarc
hedclo
seran
dp l
ace
dhishugepal
monhe
r
fo
rehea
da si
ftesti
nghe
rtempe
ratur
e.

"You
'reho
t,andyou
rchee
ksarered.Areyous
ick
?"Ry
ana
ske
d.
Hi
sto
newasacou
pleo
fseri
ous
nes
sa n
dwo rr
ies
.

Shebr
ushedhishan
da si
de."I
'mok
ay.
"s hes
aidwi
thoutl
ett
ing
goofRyan'
shandtoherside
.Heo nl
yfr
owne
d,andshef
ixe
de y
eson
hi
m,whil
ebrea
thin
gj e
rki
ly.

"He
y,a
rey
ou-
-"Hes
tar
ted.

"Da mnitIcan
'ttakei
t!"Clair
emu t
tere
dinawhi spe
rande v
en
be
for
ehe rc
ompani
oncoul
drespo
nd,sheven
turedforhisli
psandmade
hi
mg ro
wlwithsurp
ris
e.Shema dehimyie
ldbytheg r
eywa l
lofthe
ca
bin
,a n
dp r
esse
dhersel
fmo u
ldyagai
nsthische
stwhi l
eass
ault
inghi
m.
 "Ok
ay,t
his...wa
sun
exp
ect
ed!"Sa
idRy
anb
etwe
enhi
sbr
eat
h.

"Ju stshutupandkissme
!"Cla
iresna
ppedan
dtheysha
reda
wi
stf
ulsmil
ewhileatt
acki
ngeac
hot
her
'sli
psandhegra
bbedhe
rbythe
wa
isttoti
ghtl
yma keherhi
s.

"Yo us
urel
ys u
rpris
emeClai
re!"Heu tte
red,withhishands
hol
dingherbacktotheothe
rendofthec
abi
n,soa stobetheonein
co
ntrolofher
.Sheg i
ggl
edwhenhebang
edhertot hewal
l,andheldhe
r
ne
ckhi g
hv e
raci
ousl
ywithouta
ctu
all
yinf
li
cti
ngpain.

"I'mgladIdo ,cozIha t
eo r
dinari
es!"Shes na
pped,andhe
l
aughed;againtheg amewenton,withtwok iss
ing,touchi
nga ndtal
king
atthesametime,un t
ilt
heelev
atorswungo penbyt hefoyer,andRy a
n's
spa
ciou
sl i
vi
ngr oomu nf
olde
dwi t
hf l
uore
s ce
ntlightfromthee l
evat
or
cab
in."Oo ps!It hinkwearein."Clairespokeoverhissho u
lder
.He r
dre
sswa sbyt henaboutherwaist,hal
f-exposi
nghe rupperbody;she
st
il
lha dab r
as s
iereon.

"To
obadhuh?Iha dnoide
aele
vator
sc anse
rveotherpurp
osesi
n
l
if
e."Her e
pli
edwit
hou
tu np
inni
nghimse
lffromher;theyshare
da
l
augh.Hetookti
metoadmir
eherbeaut
ifulhaz
ele
yes,andb r
ushedthe
s
trandso
fherhai
r."Ok ayl
et'
sgo."Hef i
nal
lyre
lease
dhe r
.

"Thank
sforsp
ari
ngt
hedre
ss;i
t'sn
oteve
nmine
."Shesai
dwhil
e
p
ull
ingt
hedre
ssup
,andRyang
rabbe
dhistr
avelb
agfro
mthec
abin
f
loo
r.

"I'
mn oti
nahu
rryt
oda
y."Her
epl
ie
dwi
thami
schi
evo
uss
mil
eas
t
heyst
eppe
do u
t.

"Bu
tIa
m."Shes
aidp
lay
ful
ly
.
 "Ohyouare
?"Hep ro
mptedandhermockin
gg i
ggle
sma dehi
mhi
m
l
if
therupl
ik
easack
,wit
houtabot
hertofl
ic
kt heli
ghtson,and
dr
agge
dhertot
hesames
ect
ion
alco
uchwheretheg a
mec o
ntin
u e
d.

ITW AS al it
tlel
ate
rwhe ntheypla
cedthe
ms e
lve
sbythek i
tche
n .It
wasalmoste
lev
eno'c
loc
ka ndtheybothre
ali
zedhowstarv
ingtheywe r
e.
Goingoutfo
rdinne
rwa sn'
ttheb e
stopt
ionattheti
me,henc
ede c
idedto
che
cka n
ythi
ngedib
leintheki
tchen.

"Ho wcanyouke
epsoma n
yg ro
cer
ieswhe nyo
uhaveb ee
na wayf
or
aweek?"Cl a
irewass
urpr
isedfromhows t
ockedhiski
tchenwas."Oh,
doe
ss hedro
pb yandk
eepthegoodwork?"s headdedwi
t hsarc
a s
m
whentheide
at ha
tDori
smight'
vebeenresp
on s
ibl
efort
ha tcro
ssedhe
r
mi
nd.

"W ho
?"Ry
anp
romp
tedwhi
ler
umma
gin
gthec
abi
net
s.

"W hoe
lse
?Yo
urg
irl
fri
end?"Sher
epl
ie
d,s
eat
edb
ythec
oun
ter
t
op.

"Shec
an'
tdot
hat
!"Her
epl
ie
dfr
ank
ly.

Cl
ai
res
mir
ked."Shec
an'
t?W hy
?"

"Beca
useshedo
esn
'thaveac
ces
stomyhous
e."Hea n
swer
ed,wi
th
hi
shandsful
lofJam,but
teran
db r
ead."Br
eakf
astf
ordin
ner
,doyou
mi
nd?"hea s
ked.

"Shedo
esn
'thaveacc
ess
?Bu
twhy
?"I
gno
rin
ghi
sfi
nalr
ema
rk,
Cl
ai
rest
uckt
othefi
rst.

Ry
anf
rown
ed."Da
mni
tCl
ai
re!"Hes
nap
ped."Ca
nyo
upl
eas
e
sto
ptalk
ingaboutDoris?Shedo e
s n
'thaveacc
esstomyhouseb
e ca
useI
don'
twanta n
yonetohaveit,a
ndt heonl
yp e
rso
nwhoha sit
,istheone
whocle
ans,buysthefucki
nggroc
erie
sandc o
okssomet
ime
s;anelder
woman,whocomesthric
eawe e
kfort ha
t!No w,istha
tenoughf
o ran
expl
anat
ion?"heb ar
ked,andshewa slo
statwords.

"Okay
,Igeti
t!Yo
udo
n'tn
eedt
osho
ut.
"Sher
ema
rke
dinal
ow
v
oic
e,wi
thapo
ut.

Ryansig
he dheav
ily,whi
lerun
ningahandthro
ughhishai
r."I'
m
s
orryo k
ay,Ididn'tmeantoyel
l,
"hes ai
dwhil
eenci
rcl
in
ghisarms
a
ro u
ndhe r
."you '
reju
sts ofu
cki
nga n
noyi
ng.Youknow,Ithi
nkIbet
ter
t
ellyouthi
sbecauseIcan'tdr
agitanymore
.Dorisand--"

"I'
mg o
ingtouset
her
est
roo
m,e
xcu
seme
."Shec
uthi
msho
rta
nd
dr
opp
edoffthef
loo
r.

"Ok
ay.
"Her
etu
rne
d,s
kep
tic
all
y.

On c
eintheb athroo
m,Cl ai
restarte
ds l
a p
pinghe r
self."W ha t'swrong
withyouCl ai
re?"Shes po
ketohe rs
elfviaahu gemi rr
orbyt hewa ll
.
"Yo uknewwhe reyou'reg e
tti
ngy ou
rselfint
o,sot henwhydo esitbot
her
younowhu h?"Shet ookade eps i
gh,whilewa shi
n gherha nds.She
madeap romis
et odoa wa yanythi
ngDo ris-
rela
ted,a ndfocuso nthe
moment;evenifdeepinsideshek n
ewitwa sa gai
n s
tt herule
,t hatshe
wasj u
sttheotherwo ma n."Ok aynow,l e
t'sgetba c
kt here
,a ndp r
ete
nd
ev
erythin
gi sfi
n e
!"Shea dded,fol
lowedwi t
hal ongde epsi
g h.

Andbac
ktothekit
chen
,apl
ateofwel
lcu
tsandwi
cheswaso
nthe
t
abl
e.Rya
nha djus
tfin
ishe
dpou
ringso
mecol
dg u
avajui
cei
ntwo
g
las
ses
.Her eg
ardedherwi
thhi
sbestsmi
leo
nceshes
atdown.
 "As
andwi
ch?"Hea
ske
d.

"Mm...t hes
elo
okde
li
ci
ous
!"Shes
nee
redwhi
leg
rab
bin
gon
e.
"Than
ks,I
'l
len
joyi
t!"

Hes
mil
ed."W ha
taf
oodmo
nge
r!"heu
tte
redi
nal
owv
oic
e.

"Ihe
ardthat!"Shepoute
d."Are
n'tyouthesa
me?L oo
ka tus,
ea
tin
gi nt
hemiddl
eoftheni
ght."s
hesa
id,ca
u s
ingsc
att
eredchuck
les
.
"Gua v
ajui
ce?It'
smyfavo
urit
e!"Sheutt
ere
da ft
ertak
ingas i
p.

"Oh,wha
tac o
inc
ide
nce
?Ilovethi
son
eto
o."Ry
ans
aidwhi
le
a
ddi
ngs
omemayo
nnai
sein
tohiss
li
ces
.

"Doy
oul
ik
etha
tthi
ng?"Cl
ai
rea
ske
dwi
thdi
sgu
st.

Herais
eda
ney
ebr
ow."W ha
t?Ilo
vemysa
ndwi
chwi
th
ma
yon
nai
se!"Hesn
app
ed,a
ndshema
deafac
e,a
sifi
twasl
oat
hin
g.

"Iha
tet
hes
ighto
fit
!"Sheg
rowl
ed.

Heonl
yla
ughed."W hydoy
ouha
tet
hes
ighto
fit
?Do
esi
t
r
emi
ndyo
uofsome
thing
?"

"Notre
all
y,i
t'
sjust-
-"shesto
ppedwhenshere
ali
ze
dthemea
nin
g
be
hin
dhisst
upi
dques
tio
n."Yo u
'resocra
zyyoukno
w,howdirt
y!"
Shenudg
edhiman
db ot
hs t
art
edlaughi
ngatthei
dea.

"I'mj
ustt
ryi
ngt
oun
derst
andou
rdiff
erenc
esher
e.Anyways
,I
b
eli
evet
her
emustb
eso
methi
ngswehav
eincommon.
"Ry ans
a i
d.

"Okay,let
'strythi
s...fri
edchi
c k
enorst
eak?"Clai
reas
ked,
an
dhechosethela
tter
."Ohn o
,Ilovechi
cke
n!"sheutte
red
di
sap
poi
nte
dlyandhela u
ghe
d."W in
terorsummer
?"s heas
kedagai
n.
 "Ofco
ursesu
mme r
,whywo
uldIwa
ntt
oomu
chc
old?"Ry
an
r
epl
ie
dandshesu
lked.

"Ho wc o
meswe'
res
odif
fere
nt?Ilov
ewint
er,b
eca
useit
'sgoo
dfo
r
c
uddl
ing
."s hesai
d."Okayl
et'
ssee
,thebes
tvac
ati
onspo
t;bea
chora
c
ount
ryside
?"

Af
teral
it
tlet
hin
kin
g,her
epl
ie
d."Ab
eac
hIg
ues
s."

Cla
ireg
rumbl
ed."Ugh!Beac
hesaremu
ndane
;Iloveag
ood
c
oun
trysi
dewit
hlarget
ree
s,g
ree
ny,an
dma ybear
ive
r."

"W e
ll
,wha
tca
nIs
ay?"her
etu
rne
d,whi
lec
hewi
nghi
ssa
ndwi
ch
s
lowl
y.

"Bl
acko
rwhi
te?"Shel
ook
eda
thi
m.

"Bl
ack
!"Hea
nswe
reda
nds
heg
rowl
eda
gai
n.

"Tr
utho
rda
re?"

Ry
anl
aug
heda
lou
d."Da
re.
"Hea
nswe
red.

"Ida
reyoutoc
arr
ymet ot
heb
edr
oom,a
nds
lee
pwi
thy
ourha
nds
o
ffo
fmetoni
ght!"Shesho
t.

Hena
rrowe
dhi
sey
es."Pi
eceo
fca
ke!"Hes
aidc
onf
ide
ntl
y.
"Bu
tca
nyou?"

"W e'
lls
eeab
outthat
,we'l
lse
e!"Shesno
rte
d."Abou
tour
di
ff
ere
nce
s,OhIg i
veup!W e'
reli
kenor
tha
ndsout
h."Sheut
ter
ed
whe
ntheyfi
nal
lyr
esumedse
rio
usne
ss.

"Tha
t'st
hepoi
nt,un
li
kecha
rgesa
ttr
act
."Hesa
idandshare
da
s
mil
e."Ohbytheway,I
'l
lbehavi
ngdi
nne
ratho
met
hiswe
eke
n d,a
ndI
wa
ntt
obet
hef
irs
ton
etoi
nvi
tey
ouo
ver
."Hes
aid.

"Athome,y
oumeanaty
ourgr
andp
a's
?"Cl a
irea
ske
d,a
ndhe
n
odded."Sur
e,butwhy
?W hat'
stheo
ccas
ion
?"

"Nothinggr
and,it'
ssomekin
doffamil
ytr
adi
tio
n,thatweallhav
e
di
nnertoget
herattheendofthemont
h.Ou rmo
the
rstar
t e
ditsome
yea
rsa go
,andgrandfat
herwon'tl
etofdi
e!"Ryanmadeitsou
ndl i
ke
anobli
gati
on,bu
tCl a
ireli
keit
.

"Ok
ay,i
nvi
tat
iona
cce
pte
d!"Shes
eal
ed.

"W ow!Yo
u'r
esocoo
per
ati
veto
day,what
'sg
oin
gon
?"Het
eas
ed
he
r,se
ei
nghowa
gree
abl
eshehadbe
enfo
rac ha
nge
.

"Ma yb
ebe
caus
ey o
u'vere
ste
dbe
ingaje
rkf
oronc
e,an
ddon'
tpu
sh
i
tRy a
n,Imayst
arttoreb
el.
"Sherepl
ie
dandthe
rest
art
eda
b
ick
eri
ng.

Byt heti
methetworet
ire
donbed,af
terawarms ho
wer,i
twas
a
lrea
dyp as
tmidni
g ht
.Ju s
tasClai
redaredRyantodo,hekep
tone
e
ndo ft
heb ar
gai
nb ycar
ryi
ngheru
pstai
rs;bu
ttheotherpa
rtofit
s
eemedtobealit
tlebi
tofahardwor
k.

"Ac
tua
ll
y,y
oul
ook
eds
exyi
ntha
tre
ddr
ess
."Hes
aidwhe
nbo
th
l
ie
ddown
.

"SoI
'vehe
ard,f
romt
wog
uyse
xcl
udi
ngy
ou.
"Sheb
oas
ted.

Ryanqui
ckl
yros
eupt
ocl
ear
lys
eehe
r."Ohy
eah?An
dyo
umu
st
b
eve
ryha
ppyhuh?"

Shes
mil
ed."Ofc
our
seIa
m,whowo
uldn
'tb
e?"

"Ok
ay,I
'l
lle
tits
li
de...b
utdo
n'ty
oue
verdr
essl
ik
etha
twhe
n
I
'mn
otwi
thy
ou!"Ry
ans
aidi
nac
omma
ndi
ngv
oic
ean
dCl
ai
rel
aug
hed.

Therewasac r
azypartofherthatl
ove
dhisc
ont
rol
li
ngfre
ak
n
atu
r e
;itsti
rredhe
ru pinso
mes tra
ngeway,a
ndmuc
hmo res
hewou
ld
g
ettoobj
ecthimwheneve
rhep l
ayedboss
y.

"Sayswho
?Ic
anwe
arwha
tev
erIwa
nt,a
ndwhe
nev
er.
"She
s
nap
ped.

"Ok
ay,p
rayt
hatIdo
n'tc
atc
hyo
u...b
eca
usei
fIdo
--"

"W ha
t?W hatwi
lly
oudo
?Hu h?"Shele
ane
dclo
sertohi
sfa
ce.
"Pu
nis
hmewit
hy o
urki
sses
?Orlo
ckmeupi
nthi
scol
dapart
ment
?"

Hej
ustl
eto
utas
mir
k."Yo
u'r
ere
all
ylo
oki
ngf
ort
rou
ble
,ar
en'
t
y
ou?"

"AmI
?"Sheq
uip
ped.

"Don'
tpr
ovokemeClai
re,I
'mnotsurei
fIcanr
esi
stt
hete
mpta
tio
n
s
olet'
str
ytosl
eepqui
etl
y.Ihaveamee
tin
ginthemo
rni
ngandI'
mdamn
t
ire
d."

"Oh,howdisap
poin
tin
g!Ho wa bo
utag o
odnig
htk i
ss?"She
ur
ged,befo
repre
ssi
ngherlip
ssoft
lyonhis
,makinghimwatchhe
rslo
w
move
menttohisl
apashisarmssli
ppe
daroundherwaist
.Thek i
sswas
ve
rys l
ow,acc
ura
te,andint
ense
.

"Damnyouwoma
n!Howdoyo
u--
"het
rie
dtoma
keas
tro
ngmo
ve
b
uts
heq
u i
ckl
ygra
bbe
dhi
ssma
rtha
nd.

"It
hou
ghtwehavea
nagre
eme
ntsi
r,jus
taki
ssre
memb
er?g
ood
n
ight
!"Shewhi
spe
redandp
ull
edhers
elff
romhi
sar
ms.

"Re
all
y?Ar
eyo
upl
ayi
ngha
rdt
oge
tno
w?"Hel
ame
nte
d.
 "Ther
e'sal
waysn
extti
meRy a
n!Youha
veame
eti
ngt
omorr
ow
a
ndIn
eedtovi
si
tthec
onst
ruc
tio
nsit
e"Shesai
dwi
thagi
ggl
e.

"Good,we
'l
lgot
oge
the
rthe
n.In
eedt
ose
eho
wthewo
rki
s
p
roc
eedi
ng."

"Okay,l
et'
sdoi
t...s
otha
tev
ery
onec
ank
nowI
'ms
lee
pin
gwi
th
myb
oss!"

"Noo
newi
llk
now,b
uti
tdo
esn
'ts
oun
dba
dei
the
r."

"Je
rk!"

"Aha
nds
omej
erk
?"

"Anevi
lje
rk...t
ellmea
bou
tyo
urt
rip
,whe
redi
dyo
ugoa
nd
wha
tdidy
oudo?"

"W e
ll..."Ryans
tart
edt
ell
in
ghe
rofi
t,u
nti
lthe
ybo
thf
ell
a
sle
epi
neachot
her
'sa
rms.
CHAPTER 1
7

NEXTda yaro
undni
ne,Cla
irewokeu
pands adl
ythehous
eownerwa
s
nowhe
retobesee
n.W i
thay awn,s
hedrop
pedo f
fbed,a
ndthat
'swhen
shefo
undan o
teont
heb e
dsi
detabl
ewhic
hr e
ad;

He
ybe
aut
if
ul,
hadtole
aveea
rlybe
causeofameet
ing
,a n
dIdidn'twanttowakeyo
uu p
.
I'
mn ots
urewhenI'
llco
meb a
ck,butyou
'ren
otap ri
son
er.Youcanle
ave
anyt
imeyouwantu
singthedoor
;andifyoupre
ferourel
eva
tor
,thepass
co
deis...
L
ate
r,R.

Therewa
sab r
ightsmi
leonhe
rfa
cewhe
nshere
adthenote
.
Ove
rwhel
medwit
hjoy,shej
ustgav
ehi
macal
lwhi
chwen
tt hr
ougha
fte
r
f
ewrin
gs.

"Hit
her
e?AmIi
nte
rru
pti
ng?"Shes
aids
oft
ly.

"No
,I'
mgladyouc
all
ed.
"Repl
ie
dRya
n,f
eel
in
glya
mus
edb
ythe
c
all
."Ar
eyous
til
latho
me?"hea
dded.

"Yo
ume
any
ourho
me?"Shec
orr
ect
ed.

"Ou
rho
me!"Hea
men
ded.

Cl
ai
reswa
ll
owed."Stopi
tRyan,i
t'
sn o
tfun
ny!"s
heb
ark
ed,
whi
lehe
adin
gtothebat
hro
omforat
oothbr
ush.

Shehe
ardhi
sla
ugh."I
'mn
otb
ein
gfu
nnyt
hou
gh.I
twa
sju
sta
n
a
part
mentfewdaysa
go,andno
witf
eel
sli
kehome
."Hesaid,a
ndshe
k
eptqui
et."Oka
y,for
getwha
tIsai
d;soarey
ougoi
ngt
othesi
te?"

"Ye
s,b
uta
fte
rIg
oho
mea
ndc
han
ge.
"Shea
nswe
red.

"OhIf o
rgoty
ouwerewea
rin
gadi
stu
rbi
ngdre
ssla
stni
ght.W e
ll
y
oucandr
iveyou
rse
lfho
me,the
re'
sac
arkeywhe
reyouf
oun
dt he
n
ote
."

"Ido
n'tha
veal
ic
ens
e."

"Se
rio
usl
yCl
ai
re,wha
tar
eyo
u?Ac
avewo
man
?"

"Tha
nksal
otf
ori
nsu
lti
ngme
!"

"Ohp
lea
sedo
n'tg
ivemet
hat
!Ge
tyo
urs
elfal
ic
ens
e,wi
lly
ou?"

"Ye
sSi
r!"

"Do
n'tc
allmeSi
r!"Heb
ark
eda
ndi
twa
sen
oug
htoma
kehe
r
l
aug
h.

Shes
tart
edbru
shi
nghe
rte
eth."Do
n'two
rry
,I'
llj
ustg
rabat
axi
o
uts
ide
."sa
idshe
.

"Ido
n'tl
ik
etha
t!"r
epl
ie
dRy
an.

"W e
llb
arewi
thi
t!Tha
nksf
org
ivi
ngmet
hep
ass
wor
d,I
'm
ho
nour
ed.
"

"Ohy
ous
hou
ldb
e!"Heg
aveaha
ught
yre
mar
k.

"Youju
stc
an'
tbemo
des
t,c
any
ou?W e
llI
'mha
ngi
ngu
p,ha
vea
n
iceda
y."

"L
ike
wis
e,a
ndc
allmewhe
nyo
uge
tho
me!"
 "I
'l
lthi
nka
bou
tit
,Si
r!"

"DON'
Tca
llmeSi
r!"Hes
nap
peda
ndCl
ai
rehu
ngu
p,s
mil
in
gly
.

I
twa snearl
ytwelv
ewhe nshefin
all
ygotoutofthepr i
vateele
vato
r
i
ntothegarage
;sheo n
lyuseditoutofcur
iosi
tywhetherthep ass
word
gi
venwasa u
thenti
cornot.Shewa selat
edtofindthatitwa s,andthat
Ryang a
veittoherwill
ing
ly.W hilewal
kingbythefai
n t
lyda rklot
,she
sp
otte
ds ome
onewa l
ki
nginwhi l
eswingi
ngthecarkeysont heindex
f
inger
.Shek n
ewr i
ghtawaywhot hepers
onwa sandcouldn'tesc
ape
be
ingspot
tedeit
her.

"Cl
ai
re?"s
hehe
ardo
uta
lou
d.

"Br
uno
?"s
heu
tte
red,b
efo
res
wal
lo
win
gha
rd.

Afterre
cov
eri
ngfromshock
,b o
thClai
rean
dBr un
owerein
sideared
sp
ortcarupo
nhisoffe
rtogiveherari
dehome
.Itwasalit
tleawk
ward
gi
venthest
atehehadfoundherin.I
twasevi
den
tthatshe
'dspen
tthe
ni
ghtathisbro
ther
'spla
ce.

"So,areyouandRyanki
ndof...t
oge
the
rri
ghtn
ow?"Br
uno
a
ske
da f
terhes
itat
ingf
orawhi
le.

"Um-
-it
'sc
omp
li
cat
ed!"Clai
rean
swe
red,ali
ttl
enerv
ous
ly.She
c
oul
dn'
tev
enmee
thi
seyesashewat
che
dherwit
hindesc
rib
abl
eloo
k.

"W hy?Doeshegiv
eyouhardt
imeo
rs o
me t
hin
g?"Hea dded.
"OhI'
ms or
ry,Idon'
tmeantopr
y.I'mj
usttoosur
pri
sed,t
hat'sal
l."
Hedev
isedupo
nseei
ngherdi
sco
mfor
t.

I
tse
eme
dli
keCl
ai
rewa
sn'
tupf
oradi
scu
ssi
onc
onc
ern
ingt
he
matt
er,bu
tshefel
tli
kesheowedBrunoso
meexpl
anat
ionsi
ncehe
'dbe
en
agoodandca
rin
gf ri
endfr
omthever
ys t
art.Sheju
stdidn'
tknowho
w
sa
yit;shewassoafrai
dtorui
nthei
ma g
ehehadofher.

"It'
sokayBruno
,youdon
'tnee
dtoben
ice
."Shesai
dwi
thasi
gh.
"Ikno
wwha tyo
u'r
ethin
kin
grightno
w,s
inc
ethisi
sno
tju
sta
bou
tme
andRyan."

Bru
nofro
wnedab
it."W ha
tdoy
oume
an?"Heq
uer
ied,a
nds
he
s
tar
tedf
idg
eti
ng.

"Frankl
y ,Ido n
'tevenk no
who wRy anandIreachedt ot
hispoin
t.
Itjus
t...i tj usthappe
nedl i
kesomestu
pidgameandt henIforgot
eve
rythi
ngelsea n
dg otmys elfi
ntri
cat
ewithhim."shes ai
da ndhe
l
iste
ned."I'ms oa s
hamedt hatyouhadtof i
ndoutl
iket hi
sBru no
,I
can'
tevensayt hatIwa n
tedt otel
lyoubec
auseI'
llb
ely i
n g
.Idi dn'
t
wantanyon
et of i
ndo u
ta boutthi
s."

"Iu n
derstan
d."sai
dBr unowit
has mi
le
;hisusualsmil
e."Hey
rel
axb e
autif
ul,Idon'
tunde
rsta
n dwhywoul
dy ouf
eelashamedofi
t
thoug
h.I t'
sn otl
ik
eweeasi
lyhaveco
ntr
olofourfe
eli
ngswhencome
sto
matte
ro ftheheart
,So--
"

"Ev
enso,Isti
llk
nowit
'swr
ongandIs
houl
dn'
tbei
nvol
vedwit
h
him."Cl
air
einsi
ste
da ndBr
unof
rown
ed,wi
tho
utbre
aki
nghi
sb o
yis
h
smil
e.

Heface
dhe ragai
n."W hyareyouin
sisti
ngit'
swrong?"he
a
sked."Bothyouandmyb ro
therar
eg r
ownu padult
s,yo
u'rebot
hof
s
oundmind,andyou'
rebothsi
ngl
e,Sowha t'
stheprobl
emifyoudec
ide
t
oha v
esomethi
ngin
timate
?It hi
nkit
'stot
all
yo ka
y,you'
rejus
t
o
ver
r e
act
ing.
"Her app
ed.
 Cl
ai
re'sf
acet
ookadif
fer
entt
urnwhe
nso
met
hin
gbe
twe
enhi
s
s
pee
chc
aughthera
tte
nti
on.

"W a
it,wha
tdi
dyo
uju
sts
ay?"Shea
ske
dhi
m.

"Is
aidIt
hin
kit
'sa
llo
kay
!"Heb
eame
d.

"No,nott
hat
!"Shepra
cti
cal
lys
nap
ped."Ab
outu
sbo
thb
ein
g
s
ing
le.W ha
tdoyoume
anb
ythat?"

"Nothin
gmu ch...j ust,yo
u '
reas i
nglewomanIsupp
ose,an
da s
fa
ra sRy aniscon
cer
ned,heha sbeensin
gleforyears
.Infact
,Ireall
y
hop
et hi
sisseri
ous;I'
ms uregrandfat
herwi l
lbehappyt
ohearthathe'
s
dati
ngsomeone.
"Br unosai
dwi thg r
eatenthusi
asm,whi
leClai
rehad
not
hingbutap uz
zl
edlook
."W ha t ?W hydoy o
ulookbl
ank?"askedhe
upo
nhe rsi
len
ceandutterl
yf l
abbergas
tedface.

"Ry a
nandDori
s,
"s heu
tte
redhal
ti
ngl
y."a
retheyno
tina
r
ela
tio
nshi
p?"sheb
lurt
edout
,herey
esfi
xin
gBrunosoi
nte
ntl
y.

Hejus
trai
sedane
yebr
ow."W ha
tarey
outa
lki
ngabou
t?Dor
is
a
ndRy
an?W hatno
nse
nsei
sthat
?"hele
toutar
idi
cul
ousl
aug
h.

Cla
irewasg
awp
ing
;shejus
tfou
ndhers
elfs
tar
inga
thi
men
dle
ssl
y.
"The
yarenot
?"Sherepe
ate
dy e
tagai
n.

"Ofcours
etheya r
enotinarel
ati
onshi
p.W ellothertha
no fa
b
ossandsub
ordin
ate,orfr
ien
dships
inc
ec hi
ldho
od,whi chweallsha
re,
t
here
'sno
thi
ngmo re.Jeez
,wheredi
dy ouevenge
tt ha
t ?"Hes a
idas
i
fitwast
hecrazi
estthi
ngtoimag
ine
.

"Um--no
whe
re,Ion
lyt
hou
ghts
o."Cl
ai
rer
epl
ie
dsk
ept
ica
ll
y,he
r
v
oic
elo
wertha
nusu
a l
.
 "Ok
ay,ist
hatwhyy ouke
ptta
lkin
gnonsen
seea
rli
er?Beca
usey
ou
t
hou
ghtt
hetwoweredati
ngandyou-
-"hes t
oppe
dmiddl
e-wa
ywhenhe
s
awherf
aci
alre
act
ion."He y
,areyouoka
y?"

Shesni
ffe
d."Ye
ahI'mokay!"Sheli
ed."Um--justt
akeari
ght
t
urnove
rthe
re.
"Sheins
truc
tedhimawaytohern
eighb
orhooda
ndhe
o
bli
ged.

"Bu tyouknow,eve
ryoneisawaretha tDo r
isfe
elsmo r
et hatj
ust
fri
endshi
pf orRyan,it
'sjusthecle
arlyshu thimse
lfup,ands heneve
r
sto
odac ha n
cewithhimsin
cewa ybefo
r e
. "Br unosai
da nds hefou
nd
hers
elfneedy,f
ormo r
einfo
rma ti
onabouta boutRyana nds he.
"So meti
mesIfeelsor
ryforhe r
,andifs helearnsabo
u tthis,I'
ms ur
e
she'
llbeveryheart
broke
n."Hea ddedwi thoutget
tin
gap romptret
urn;
Clai
r ewastoobusyint
ocontempl
ati
on.

"Tha
tisi
fsheha
sn'
tle
arn
edy
et.
"Shet
hou
ghto
uta
lou
d.

"Yo
uthi
nks
hek
nows
?"Br
unoa
ske
d.

"Idon
'tkn
owBr u
no,a
ndI
'mn
ote
vens
urei
fit
'si
mpo
rta
nt
a
nymor
e."sher
epl
ie
d.

"W hy
?"Hep
rie
d.

"No
thi
ng,I
'mj
usts
ayi
ng.
"Cl
ai
rea
nswe
red.
CHAPTER 1
8

Onceathome,Cla
irewal
kedi
na f
teral
ongtha
nky o
utoBr u
no,f
ort
he
ri
de.Asthoughheralr
eadymes
seduphea
dwa sn
'teno
ugh,sheb
ump
ed
i
ntoherst
epmothe
rwhos c
owl
edherfro
mheadtotoeli
keapie
ceo
ftr
ash.

"W e
ll
,wel
l,wel
l...sonowyo
uco
mehomean
yti
mey
ouwa
nta
nd
dr
ess
edupli
keache
apst
rip
er,hu
h?"Shes
tart
ed.

Clair
esig
he dhe
avi
ly
."Idon'
tthi
nki
t'
sinyou
rbusi
nes
s,whe
nI
c
omeorleav
ethishou
se.Sin
cewhe
ndoyouca
re,mo
the
r?"Clai
re
r
etu
rned,asgi
ven.

Theladysmirke
d."L o
okatyo u
rs e
lfyounglady.L o
o kattha
t
dre
s s
,andthewa yyoupres
entyou
r s
elf
.Yo ulooklikeawho reinr
ed.
"
Shewhi ne
da ndClai
reroll
edhereyesfro
mla c
ko finter
estinher
mother'
sspee
ch."Ar en
'tyouashamedofyoursel
f?W ha tifpe
opl
ese
e
yo
uwa lkli
kethatinthestr
eet
s?Doy o
uwa nttot a
rn i
sho urfa
mil
y
re
putati
on?"Shes nappedandClair
eonlylaughed.

"Fa mil
y?W ha tfami
ly?Don'tmakemel augh."Shef o
lde
dhe r
armsa c
rossherchest."So rryi
fyoudo n'
tlikemydr es
s,andabou
t
yourreputa
tion,y
o udon'tnee
dtowo rr
yb ecaus
eIdo ubtifa
nyone
rec
ogniz
esmea syou rdaughte
r.Plus,noonek no
wsI 'mthedaug
hterof
thesameW i l
li
amL evy,thebi
gshotarchite
ct.Soy oucanhaveyou
r
repu
tati
ona l
ltoyo urse
lfMr s.Le
vy,Go odmorning!"shetol
dher
motherandr unforthes t
air
s,le
avi
nghe rbotoxfaceful
le
rwithanger
.

"Tramp
!That'swhatyoua
re!"Thewo
mans
nap
pedb
utCl
ai
re
wa
salr
eadygon
eou
to fs
ight
.

Theo
nlyt
hin
gCl
ai
redi
don
cei
nsi
dehe
rro
omwa
stoc
han
gei
ntoa
jea
nsa n
dab utto
n-upshir
t,befor
es li
ppi
n gint
os neakers,readyt ogo
andfaces o
me o
newhowa sabouttog ettheu ne
xpected.He rmi ndwas
jagge
d;s hejustwante
dt orus
ho verSK,a ndme etRy ana ss oonas
poss
ibl
e.W he nready,sherunoutsidewhi l
etyinghe rha i
rin t
oame ssy
bunandr eachedforataxonthewa y ;foronceshewi sheds heha d
rene
wedhe rlic
ensesothatshecouldp e
rsonall
ys l
idet hecarf asttoc
lea
r
hermindu p.Thet ri
ptoSK s eemedl i
kee t
erni
ty,b utatlas tshewas
ther
e.Att hefro
ntdesksheon l
ya skedthes a
mer ecepti
onistladywho
see
medt orememberheraswe l
l,judgingfromhe rbigs mil
ewhe ns he
gree
tedhe r
.

"Ca
nIseeMr.Ry
anSt
eve
ns?Is
upp
osehei
she
re.
"Cl
ai
re
a
ske
dinahu
rry.

"Doyo
uha v
ea na
ppoi
ntme
nt?"As k
edtherec
ept
ion
ist
,an
dCl a
ire
s
hoo
kherheaddis
agre
eab
ly."W el
l,Idon'
tthi
nkIcanhel
pyou-
-"

"Canyouin
formhimthati
t'
sClair
eLevywhonee
dstose
ehim?"
Sheto
ldhe
rdesper
atel
y."Youknow,ne
vermin
d.I'
lljus
tca
llhi
m
my
sel
f!"Clai
remutte
redwit
hhervoi
ceonve
rgeofb
ursti
ngwit
ha n
ger
.

Ei
therdu
etot here
col
le
cti
onofherbo
s s
'srel
ati
ons
hipwit
hClai
re,
tha
thes c
andal
ous
lyp u
ll
edheroutthel
obbylas
ttime,o
rtheangr
y
moodClai
rewasin;butthere
cept
ionl
adyimmedi
atel
ychang
edhermi
nd.

"W ait,I'
llju
stcal
lhisoff
ice
."Shep ol
it
elysai
d,a n
dg rab
b e
da
te
lep
honerecei
ver.Clai
rewasr e
stl
essthroug
houttheminutesthatthe
ca
llwasma deandt r
ansfe
redtoRy an'sof
fic
e.Un ti
lshefi
nall
ysa i
d,
"Youcang oahead,Mr .St e
vensi
se xpe
cti
ngy o
u .
"f ol
lo
wedb y
i
nstruc
tio
nso nwherehisoff
icel
ocat
ed.

Asq
uic
klya
ssheha
dbu
dge
din
,thee
lev
ato
rte
lep
ort
edhe
rtohi
s
p
ent
houseo
ffi
cefl
oor,a
n dfr
omt he
re,hi
ski
ndl
ooki
ngsecr
eta
ryl
edher
t
oRy a
n'sof
fi
ce,inwhi
c hCla
irefo
undhimi
nthemiddl
eofapho
neca
ll
,
c
asu
all
ylea
ningattheedgeo
fhisdesk.

Heb e
amedlightl
ywhe nhes awherwa l
kin
gi nandmo t
ion
edherto
moveclose
r,whichshestri
ctlyigno
red.Inste
ads hejustst
oodthere
cr
ossly,withhereyessca
nnings u
btlyhi
shu gespaci
ousoffi
ce
sur
r o
un de
dwi t
hg la
sswa l
ls
;I thads e
veralpi
cture
sofa rc
hit
ectu
ral
bui
ldin
g sonthewa l
lsanditwa smodernl
yf u
rnis
he dtoemphasi
ze
so
me onewithgreattas
te.

"W ha
tan i
ces
urpr
ise
!Ididn'te
xpe
cttos
eeyous
oso
on.
"Ry an
s
aidass
oonashefi
ni
shedhisc
alla
ndsta
rte
dpaci
ngto
war
dsCla
ire
.

"Ne
ithe
rdi
dI.
"Sa
idCl
ai
re,c
oldl
y,whi
leu
nfo
ldi
nghe
rar
ms.

Hefro
wnedatt
heton
eofhe
rvoi
ceandt
heloo
konherfac
e.
"W hyareyo
uher
ethou
gh?"Heq u
est
ion
edwit
hs mi
le
,af
terge
tti
ng
cl
ose
rtoher
.

Panti
ngmil
dly
,Cla
ireres
ponde
dt ohi
sq u
ery."Ionl
ycametogi
ve
yo
uthi
s... "andshes
lapp
edhimha r
do nthefa
cetha
titcock
edhis
he
adtothesi
de,bu
thei
mme di
ate
lyrec
overe
d,andhadunrea
dablel
ook
.

"Okay
,whatwast
hatfor
?"Ry
ana
ske
d;i
twa
shi
stu
rnt
oso
und
c
old,butwi
tho
utbe
inga
ngry
.

"Howcoul
dy o
u?"Sheut
ter
ed,asthou
ghi
ngr
avep
ain
."Ho
w
c
oul
dyoudot
histome?"No
wsheb a
rked.

Heo
nlyf
rown
ed."W ha
tar
eyo
uta
lki
nga
bou
t?"

"W a
sitf
un?"Shea
ske
d."Di
dyo
uen
joys
eei
ngmel
osi
ngmy
he
ado v
eryoudespi
tethatItho u
g htyouhadag i
rl
fri
endalre
ady?Tel
l
meyoubas
tard!"Shes na
pped,tea r
sb r
immi
nghereye
s.I t
'swhen
Ryangotahintofwha t
'sgoi
n gon ."W hydidyouli
etomeRy an?
W hydidyouhidei
tfrommet ha tthere'
snot
hingi
nti
ma t
ebetwe
enyou
an
dy ourf
akegirl
fri
end?W hydi dy oupl
aywit
hmeda mnit?"

Fo
rthef
irs
tti
meRy
ans
eeme
dfr
ett
ing
."Ho
wdi
dyo
ufi
ndo
ut?"

Shelaughedi
ncredul
ousl
y."Ho wdidIfindo u
t?I sthateve
n
i
mpor
tant
?"Shec r
ied."Doy ouevenknowhowIf el
ta l
lthisti
me
kn
owin
gIwa sdoin
gs ome
thingter
ribleandye
tcouldn'tsto
pmy se
lf?Do
yo
uevenre
ali
zehowstupi
dIf ee
lrightnowthi
nkingofa l
lthetimeyou
hadacha
ncetotel
lthetrut
ha ndyety o
udidn'
t?Doy ou?"

"I
'msor
ryCl
ai
re,o
kay
?"Ry
ans
aid."Iwa
nte
dtot
elly
out
he
t
rut
hbut-
-"

"Buty o
udidn't
!"Shes na
ppeddryl
y,aft
erwipi
nghe
rtears
.
"Youdidn'tbeca
usedeepi
nsideyoul
ove
dp l
ayi
ngwithmyfee
li
ngs!
Beca
u s
ey o
ue nj
oyedev
erybitofi
t.Youenjoye
ds e
ein
ghowstup
idl
yI
madefoolofmysel
fwhil
e--
"

"Cl ai
replea
sestopi
t!Tha t'
sn o
twha thappe
n e
d."Hes nap
ped;
hesighed,thenrunaha n
di nt
ohishairandanotherreste
da b
outhis
wa i
st."Ido n'
tk n
owwhyIc o
uldn'
ttel
lyoubutit'
sn otwhatyou'
re
thinki
ng."Hes ai
da ndshedidn'
tseemtobeli
eveawo rdofit
."I
didn'
tme antohu r
ty o
u,I'msorry
!"Het rie
dtor eac
hf orher
shoulde
rsb utsheimmedi
atel
ywince
da si
de.

"Don'
tto
uchmeRyan.Youa n
dI,asofno
w,wear
eover
."She
u
tte
redwit
hsobs
,andRyan'sf
acedro
ppe
d;hewasi
nfe
ar;afr
aidof
t
hemean
inghe
rwo r
dsde
cip
here
dtohim."Idon
'twa
nttoev
erseey
ou
ag
ainyoubas
tar
d.Don'
teve
rgetn
earme
!"Shes
cre
ame
dan
dst
art
ed
wal
kin
go u
tifhi
sfa
ncyof
fic
e.

"Clai
rewait,
"hesomewhatmanage
dt ogra
bhe rwris
tandsto
od
her
."p l
easedo
n '
tgo.
"Heb eg
ged,andsheonl
ys n
iffe
d,unabl
etol
ook
athiminthefa
c e
;sca
redtoendupgi
vinginin
tohisspect
acul
ar
te
mptati
onsthathadpro
vedtobenot
hingbutli
es.

Shes l
owl
ypull
edaway."Stayawayf
romme,Mr .Ry a
n
Stev
ens!"Sheutte
redan
df i
nal
lywal
kedawayfromhi
soffi
ce,wi
tho
ut
e
veneye
inghi
ssec
ret
arywhohadr e
gar
dedherqu
itepo
li
tel
yuponher
ar
riv
al.

HER mo rti
fi
cat
ionwasb ey
ondme asure
;ho wev
er,sheknewitwa syet
anot
herexcr
uci
ati
ngb a
ttlesheha dtofi
ghto n
.Hu rtornot,herp ri
de
wassti
lli
ntac
t,andhadn oplanstoexerc
iseanydegreeofhumili
t y,to
anyo
ne.It'
showCl ai
reLevywa s;nothi
ng,andn oone,wasboundt o
chan
geit.ForClair
eLevy,cryi
n gmeantnothi
ngb u
twe akne
ss;s he
hate
dcryin
g,shedespi
sedtears.Se e
ingherowns obs,j
ustb e
caus e
some
oneshehadmetamo ntha gopla
yedwithhe rstupi
dfeel
ings,ma de
herfe
elpat
heti
candmiserable
.

Sheimmediat
el
ydriedupherlas
heswhi
les
ear
chi
ngforher
cel
lp
honeins
ideherca
sualha
n dba
g,toatl
eas
tcal
lGenafo
ra n
emoti
onals
uppor
t,duri
ngwhich,so
meonea
ppe
are
dinthemi
ddleoft
he
waya n
dt o
ldher;

"Do
n'ty
out
hin
kit
'st
ooe
arl
ytos
hadet
ear
sCi
nde
rel
la
?"

"Excu
seme
!"Clair
eexcl
ai
med,an
dme tDori
s,onc
eherey
esli
fte
d.
Thel
att
erwasc
asu
all
ydres
sedinj
ean
sa n
db ri
ghtca
misol
e,wi
tho
ut
f
org
ett
inghe
rlo
nghe
elst
hatk
epthe
rta
ll
ert
hans
hea
lre
adywa
s.

Shes co
wledherf
oras e
con
d."The r
e'l
lnev
erbetwosun
sinthe
sky
,Ihe ard."sai
dDorisandst
ar t
edwal
kin
gp a
sther
;herma n
ner
s
wereexc
eedingl
yofaje
alou
sywife,andt
heforme
rhadn oi
nte
nti
onof
ta
kingtheinsul
ts.

"Doweha
vep
rob
lemsDo
ris
?"Cl
ai
rea
ske
dhe
rwi
tho
utmo
vin
g.

Thetwowe
res
tarin
ga te
ithe
rdi
rec
tio
ns,wi
thonl
ythei
rb a
cksa
t
o
nea
not
her
.Notun
tilDori
sturne
dar
ound,andshedi
dthesame.

"Oop
s!Sorry
,Iwa sjus
tthi
nki
ngoutlo
ud."Shesa
idwit
ha
pl
asti
csmi
le
."W hat'
su pClair
e?Youdon'tl
ookgo
od.Di
dsomet
hin
g
happ
enwit
hRyan?"s hek e
ptmaki
ngsar
casm.

Cla
ire
'sang
er,t
hatwasparti
cul
arl
yforRy a
n,st
arte
dt ofi
nd
i
nter
estonDori
s."Idon'tt
hin
kthat'sanyofyo
urconc
ern
."She
cl
ear
lytol
dher."W earenotc
los
eenoug
ht ota
lkabo
utpers
onalmat
ter
s,
don'
tyouthi
nk?"Shea dde
das mil
e.

Dor
isseemedten
se,butrec
over
edq u
ickl
y,andlunge
dc l
osetoher
fa
ce."An yt
hingrel
atedtoRy a
nismyb usine
ss!"Sheb arked."I
don'
tknowwha tyou'
reloo
kingfor
,b u
tIc anassu
reyouthaty ou
'll
ne
verfi
ndit.Ik no
wv erywel
lpeop
leofyourkindli
ttl
egir
l;Ic a
ns mel
la
gol
d-di
ggerevenfr
omadi st
ance
."s hesni
ckere
d.

Thatco
mmenthadl
eftClai
realit
tleper
p l
exed.Sheev
engas
pedin
s
hoc
k."W hat?Ag o
ld-
digge
r?"s heutte
red."Yo udon
'tkno
w
a
nyt
hingab
outmesodon
'tyoueve
rc al
lmen ames!"Shesnarl
edathe
r.

"Ohpl
eas
e,Idon'
teve
nnee
dtokno
wyoutor
eal
iz
ewha tyou
rgame
i
s.Doyo
uthi
nkyou'
vewonalo
tte
ryo
rsome
thi
ngbyget
tin
gi n
vol
ved
wi
thhi
m?"Do
riss
aid,a
ndCl
ai
rewa
sst
art
ingt
olo
sehe
rco
mpo
sur
e.

"Youkn o
wwha tDo r
is,I'
mn otwasti
ngmye nergyargui
ngwi t
hy o
u.
Soy ouca
nt hi
nkhowe v
eryouwa n
ta boutme,van i
tyisnotmyt hin
g,
thankGod."Cl a
iresai
dwi thl
essexaspera
tiontha tsheact
uallyfe
lt
withi
n.He rargumentwit
hRy anwa senoughfo ral i
fet
imeandn e
eded
notmore
."An dy ou
'rerig
ht,theskyc a
nn eve
rha vetwos un
s."She
addedandtrie
dtoleaveherwiththat,butitdidn'thappenasplanne
d.

"Ipi
tyyo
uCl a
ire
.Youdo
n'tknowwher
ey ou
'reget
tin
gyoursel
f
i
nto
. "Dori
ssnap
pedands
hefr
owned."Beverycare
fulwit
hRya n
;
he
'slik
efi
reandyoumaye
ndupget
tingbu
rned."Shel e
toutadiabo
li
c
l
augh.

Thest
ateme
ntfe
ltcon
tra
dict
ory,b
utClai
reha
dal
rea
dyk
nown
t
hatmuc
h;itwasac
tual
lyastal
enewstohe
r.

"Do n'
ty o
uthinkthatadv i
ceisal i
t t
lemispl
acedhere?"s henow
ask
edDo ri
s,whoturnedtenseagain,ands hesmiledatthes i
ght."W hy
don'
ty oufoll
owyourowna dviceforac hange,andleavetheskyb e
;Isn'
t
i
ttiri
ngp layi
ngthefakesun?"s hes mirkedopenl
yt hi
stimea ndasfor
Dori
s,s hewasa l
mostreadytol e
apa ft
erhe r,butendeav
o u
r e
dwi t
h
ev
erythingshegot,tosta
ys toic
;itignitedCl a
ire'
sa u
dacityasshe
sp
oket oherear,"Oh,Idok nowt hathe '
sfire,bythewa y;butgues
s
what,Ic anbetheexti
nguis
he ranyt i
me !"an dthenshemo vedback,
madea ninnoc
entsmil
e,andca sual
lysaid,"Ha vean i
ceweekend
Dir
ectorMa r
cos."An doffshel e
ft.

Thatwasnotpar
to ft
hepla
n.Allherli
fe,t
heonl
yperso
ns he
'd
e
verhadaheatar
gumentwit
h,washerst
epmothe
r.An dno
wi t
a
ppear
edshehadmadehers
elfanewe
nemy;butback
ingou
twithouta
fi
ghtwasnothers t
yle
.Cl a
irewa san atu
ralf
ighte
randareb
el;s
he
woul
dn'ttak
ea nyt
hingshewa s
n'tu pto
,a ndt
heo n
lyp
ers
onwhoha d
suc
cee
dedtob e
atherr e
sol
uti
ons,b yfar,wasRy a
nSteve
ns,andshe
hadtopla
nstoa ddanothe
ro nthelist
.

Itwa sn oadi sc
ussi
ngmatte
r,tha
tmo rethananyt
hingel
se,she
wante
dt ofor g
etabouthi
m;butgive
nwha tDo r
ishadinsi
nuat
edearli
er,
herdesirest oente
rthechal
le
ngegrewimmensel
y,bu
titc o
nfl
ic
tedwith
herpaina tthes ameti
me.Butno,shewasn'tgoi
ngtoletRyanplayher
agai
n;s het houghtonherwayfromthelobby,ands
lip
pedint
othef i
rst
ta
xishec amea cr
osswhicht
ookhertoGe na'
s.On l
yhe rbes
tfrie
n d
woul
dhe l
phe rr e
lea
setheange
r,shedeci
ded.

"Hithe
re?"Genab
eamedather
,ami
nutes
hewalke
din,buton
ly
t
ofr
ownathersi
ght
."W hat
'swron
gClai
re?Youre
yesarepu
ffy.
"

"Justle
tmeta
keo f
fthes
ejean
sf i
rst
,Ifeelc
ramp
ed."repl
ie
d
Cl
air
e,an
dstart
edpe
eli
ngofft
hetightje
ansshewaswear
ing
,foll
owe
d
wi
ththes
hir
t."CanIha v
eaT- s
hirtorsome
thing
?"sheadded.

"Su i
ty o
urse
lf!"Genasaidwit
hawa veofhand."W hat
hap
pened?Ic an'
tstandthesus
pens
eanyl
on ge
r."shetai
le
dherasshe
wal
kedt oherdre
sserandplu
ckedaT-shi
rt,butthe
na g
ainre
turn
edit
an
do pt
e dforasil
kyrobe
.

Clai
resi
ghe
dha
lti
ngl
y."I
t'sRy
an.
"Shes
aid,a
ndc
ont
inu
edt
o
p
uto
nthero
be.

"Ryan?W hathashedone
?"Ge n
ainqu
ire
ds t
ernl
ya n
dClai
re'
s
si
le
n c
emadehe
rimpati
ent
."W hatdidt
hatje
rkdoy o
uhu h?Di
dhe
hurtyoul
astn
ight
,becau
seI'
llp
ers
onal
lyk
il
lhimifhe--
"
 "Ok ay,wi l
lyoucal
mdo wnas ec?"Cl ai
relaughedb r
iefl
y,and
knewr i
ghta waythatitwastheb e
stde ci
si
ontob ethere."Hedi dn't
hurtme,a tleastno
tphysic
all
y,iftha t
'swhaty o
u'rethinki
n g
.W eha d
awo nderfu
ln ig
htyeste
rday,butthismo r
ning..."s hes atdownon
thelo
v e
seatco u
ch,andkepttel
li
nghe rbest
iewhatr ea
llyhappened
earl
ie
rt hatda y;ev
eryt
hinginc
ludinghertête-
â-têt
ewi t
hDo r
is,and
Genao nlyma deshoc
kedremarksinbe t
ween.

"Thenerv
eofthatwoman!"Shes n
appe
d."Ikne
wf romt hes
tar
t
s
ome
thin
gwa soff
;itju
stdidn
'tfe
elr
ighttha
tonl
yshe,kep
ts howi
ng
o
fft
hatshehasexcl
usi
veowne
rshi
pofhim.Soitwasallal
ie?"

Cl
ai
reo
nlys
ighe
d."Ye
aha
ppa
ren
tly
."s
hep
romp
ted.

"Andshou
ldn'
twecel
ebr
atef
ort
hat
?W hydoyoul
ookl
ik
eyo
u'v
e
l
ostar
oundofOly
mpict
ourna
ment
?"Genaa
ske
dher
.

"Iknowright?"Clai
rer
eturn
e d,pen
sive
ly."Ishoul
db ehap
py;i
n
fac
t,Ifee
lsuchar el
ie
ftha
tIwa s
n'tf o
oli
ngaroundwit
hat aken
-man.
Butitdoe
sn'tju
s t
ifymydi
spo
sit
ion;If e
elsoangryr
ightnow."she
added.

"Ang r
ywi thRyan?"Ge naletou taweaksmil
e,sho
winghow
unde
rstandi
n gshewasofthefact
,a n
dCl a
irenodde
d."Ohho ney,I
thi
nkIwo uldn'
tlov
etobep l
ayedli
ket hatei
ther
;a n
dt ot
hin
kHa rry
hasbeenwithmea ndne
versaidawo rd,howda rehe?"shesudde
n l
y
snap
ped.

"He yheyheyhey,easythe
re!"Cla
irewarn
ed."Iap
pre
cia
teyour
s
upp
ort,butI
'dloven
ott oinv
olv
eyouan
dHa r
ryinthi
s.Hewa s
n't
t
heonewhoproc
lai
medt hathewasinaf
akerel
ati
ons
hip
,goti
t?"
 Genag
runte
d."Ok
ay,b
uthe
'l
lhe
arf
romme
!"s
hei
nsi
ste
dan
d
he
rfr
ien
dlaug
hed.

SomehowClai
rewasabl
etoredu
cet
hefri
cti
onins
ide
,andthet
wo
e
ndedu
pt al
kin
gaboutHarryandthe
irn
ighta
fterc
lub.Acc
ordi
ngto
Gen
a,ev
erythi
ngwasse
ttl
edaft
erwar
dsandco
uldn'
thavebe
enhapp
ier
.

"CanIju
stliedo
wninaf e
w?I '
mfee
li
ngtir
edan dmyheadi
s
sp
innin
gfro
ma l
lthest
res
ses."sai
dClai
reaf
teralongchat
."Ijust
wanttoge
tove
rthisandfoc
usonmyjob.RyanSt e
vensca
nr o
tin
he
ll.
"

"Ar
eyo
usu
rea
bou
ttha
tCl
ai
re?"

"Ab
sol
ute
ly!"Sher
eck
one
d.
CHAPTER 1
9

THEf o
ll
owi
ngMo ndaya two
rk,Clai
rea
dvance
dt oNatha
n'soff
ice
aft
erthemor
nin
gbrief
ing
.Thede si
gnswer
eproc
eedin
gacco
rdin
gly,
exc
eptfe
wdetai
lst
hatma desug
ges
tion
spri
or,dur
ingthebr
ief
ing.

"Soyo
uthin
kweshoul
dadju
stabit
?"Na tha
na s
kedasthe
y
s
ett
ledo
wnwit
htheb
igco
mpute
rscre
endi
spl
aye
dwi t
htheil
lu
stra
tio
ns.

"Um--no
tt hewhol
ethin
g,Iwa sj
ustt
hin
kingofusi
ngthefa
lse
c
eil
in
go ve
rhere
,a ndso
meL EDlight
swiths
imi
larambi
ancel
ike..."
s
hek ep
tyapp
ing,see
ming
lyengro
ssedin
tohe
rele
ment.

Shelovedthea rtsi
ncel
it
tle;herfat
herg av
eherag o-aheadt o
furnis
hherb edr
o omho wev
ershewa nte
da n
di tbec
ameherp l
a yg
ro un
d.
Cl a
irewouldpai
n titswall
s,moveandchangethelayout
,decorateitwit
h
wha te
vershe'dfi
n dinfle
ama rk
ets;itbec
amehe rbes
tho bby
,a nd
growingup,shek newitwasac aree
rshewa nt
ed.Shewa sreadyt opus
h
allthewayt ore
a chherdream,andha vi
ngNa than'
spatronme a
n talot
tohe r
.

"Thatsoundsgre
atLevy.W ecanact
uallyinc
orp
orat
et het
heme
i
ntotheent
irefl
oorandcla
ssi
fyitasmodernstyle
d,sothatwecan
cl
earl
ydif
feren
tiat
edwiththeco
ntemp
o r
arytouchofthi
sside."sai
dhe
andatlas
ttheywe r
edonewithworkmatte
rs."So ,howwa syou
r
week
end?"hea ske
dwhe nClai
regotuptogatherhernot
es.

"Justs
oandso
,no
thi
ngmajor
.I'
msorr
yforle
avi
ngi
nsu
cha
f
ren
zyatt
hecl
ub.
"Sherep
li
ed,a
ndhesmi
lec
asu
a l
ly
.

"Nodon'
tmind.Ikn
ewy o
uwe r
einsafehands.
"Hes a
idi
nsome
k
indofi
nsi
nua
tio
nthatmadeClai
reali
ttl
eunco
mf o
rtab
le."Hesee
ms
t
hej
eal
ous
yty
pehu
h?Ar
eyo
utwoda
tin
g?"

Thatwa sexa
ctl
ywha ts
hewasa
fra
idof;he
rco
worke
rsfi
ndi
ng
ou
therinv
olv
ementswit
hRy an.I
twa
spret
tymuchu
nco
mfort
abl
egi
ven
he
rposi
ti
onintheoffi
ce.

"Um- -nowea r
enotdatin
g."sa i
ds he."He '
sjus
tsomeoneIknew
wayb e
foreIs t
arte
dwo rk
inghere
,andi fit
'spos
sibl
eNathan,I'
dlike
toaskyout okeepi
tbet
weenus.Idon '
twa nttorai
seanis
sueabouthi
m
i
nt heoff
ice.Yo ukn
owho wthin
gsgoa roundhere
,onel
itt
lefac
tand
peo
pleesc
alatethematt
er."Shep l
eaded.

"Butofcou
r s
eit'
llst
aybetwee
nusL e
vy,t
hat
'syo
urpers
ona
l
matt
erandthisisawor kpl
ace
.I'msorryfo
rmaki
ngsuc
hac o
mment
,I
kn
owi t
'snotmyp l
aceandheisthebos
s,ascar
ybossi
ndee
d."Hesaid
i
naf unnyway.

Cl
ai
refou
ndhers
elfl
aug
hinghea
rti
ly
."Nohe 'sno
tsc
aryata
ll
;
ma
ybeal
it
tleu
pti
ghtbutn
otsca
ry."shearg
ued,heshr
ugg
ed.

"Ormaybehetr
iestop
rot
ectwhat
'shisto
omuc
h.Hes e
emst
obe
e
xtr
emel
ypo
ssess
ivea
sf a
ryouareco
nce
rned,whi
chi
squ
ite
u
nder
sta
ndab
le."

"Ohr
eal
lyn
ow?An
dwha
tdo
est
hats
upp
oset
ome
an?"

"Itme
anshe'
scraz
yab
outy
ouL
evy
,an
dI'
msu
rey
ouk
nowt
hat
."
Na
thansai
dtea
sing
ly.

"Yo uk
n o
wwha tNatha
n ,I'
mnotdis
cus
sin
gt hi
swithmybos
s,but
maybei
fwebumpint
oeachotheratRoc
ketne
xttime,Imayre
con
side
r
thet
opi
c."sheto
ldhimwhil
ea tt
hedoor
,andhelaughe
d.
 "Okaynewb
ie,l
et'
shopeweco
ll
ideatthecl
ubaga
in.
"Her
eto
rte
d
a
ndCl
ai
rele
ftwhil
eshaki
ngherhea
dt othesi
des
,smi
li
ng.

Sofarherdaywasproce
edingqui
etwellandtheworkl
oadkeptherto
o
oc
cup
iedtothi
nkabou
tRy ana ndesp
eci
a l
lyNa t
han'
scommentofhim.
Butwhenherpho
nekeptbuzz
ingarou
ndt welv
e,wit
hRy an'
sn ameonthe
sc
ree
n,it
'swhenshest
a r
tedfeel
in
gu ne
a s
y .Sheslo
wlyrej
ect
eda l
lhis
ca
ll
sandg o
thers
elft
extsmessagesi
nstead.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK

TO:Cl
ai
re

Mo
n***1
2:1
2PM

(Su
bje
ct)Pl
eas
epi
cku
pmyc
all
sCl
ai
re.

Re
cei
ved.

Sheletoutafru
strat
edsi
ghu p
onrea
dinghi
smess
age,an
db ef
ore
doi
nga n
ythin
g,Ry a
nc a
ll
edheragai
n.Shestare
dthesc
reenunt
ilt
he
ca
llende
da ndit'
swhenshede
cide
dt or
esp
ond.
 FROM:Cl
ai
re

TO:RYANTHEJERK

Mo
n***1
2:1
5PM

(Su b
jec
t)W ha
tpa
rtof''
wear
eov
er"t
haty
oudo
n'ts
eemt
o
u
nde
rst
and?Plea
seSTOPcal
li
ngme!!

Se
nt.

Shep l
acedthepho n
edo wna ndco
nti
nuedwithwork,whichb ythen
wasa l
rea
dydis t
urbedb e
causeofhim.Shes t
artedthi
nk i
ngofallthe
ti
mes he
'dspentwithhim;y estheyweremagi
cal
,andno teve
no nceshe
coul
db r
ingherselftoforgethi
swi l
dkisse
s,ca
resse
s,touchesandg rea
t
sexshe'
de v
erha d.Bu tothert
ha nbei
ngphysi
calwi
thhi m,wast he
r e
anythi
ngels
es hewasmi ssi
ngab o
uthim?Shek eptask
in ghers
elfand
thebuzz
ingsto
p p
edhe r
;s heche
c k
edherphonequi
ckerthanshewa nted.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK

To
:Cl
ai
re

Mo
n***1
2:1
8PM

(Subje
ct)Allofi
t.Ire
fuset
oa c
cep
tanyo fi
t,an
dt hat
'swhy
wesho
uldme
et.W enee
dtotal
k,andI'
llpe
rson
allymakes
ureit
hap
pen
s.Don'
tforg
etIt'
simp
ossi
bl
eforyoutohidefr
ommefo rt
oolo
ng.

Re
cei
ved.
 Clair
esmirke
dwhenshereadit.Shethoughti
twasincre
dib
lehow
hekeptexerc
isi
nghisc
ont
rol
li
ngn a
turee
veninthatsi
tuat
ion.Hewa s
sup
posedtob e
gher,no
torde
rin
ghe rashedid.Sheg r
abbedthepho
ne
andtypedfuri
ousl
y.

FROM:Cl
ai
re

To
:RYANTHEJERK

Mo
n***1
2:2
1PM

(Su bj
ect)Bu tofcours
eMr .St e
vens.Ho wcanIp o
ssibl
y
f
orgett
hatyou'r
ee v
eryo
ne'sbossarou n
dhe re,andmostespe
cial
lyyou
r
gr
andspher
eofinflue
nce
.Yo ua reri
g ht,Iwo n'
tb eab
letoesc
apeyouas
l
ongasI'msti
lloneofyourempl
oy e
es,bu ti
tdo es
n'tmeanI'
mwi l
lin
gto
f
oll
owyourwhim.Oh,a ndju s
tsoy ouk now...I 'mnotaf
raidofyou
Sir.I'
drathe
rleavethi
sp l
acethanb ecomingyourpet
.

Se
nt.

Ands hetookade epbreath,whilee

n g
ag i
ngba c
kwi t
ht hecomput
er
bef
oreher,asifitwa shermo rtalen
emy.Shek ne
wr ightfromthestart
thatavo
idingRy anwa simpossib
le,butshestil
lwa n
tedtot ry.Soonor
l
a t
ershewa sgoi
ngt ofacehim,a nditsc
a r
edahe lloutofher;hehad
bec
omeb o
thhe rstre
ng t
ha ndwe aknessatthesamet i
me.Ev enthou
gh
Clair
erefusedtoadmitt ha
ts hewa spus
hinghe rs
elfbeyondlimi
tsat
work,ju
sts oshecoul
ddoab etterjoben
o ughtohearhims ayhewa s
r
ightt
obe
li
evei
nhe
r,s
hes
til
lkn
ewt
hatwa
sthec
ase
.

Soi twasn'
ta l
labo
utse
xa ndgoo
dtime
s,s
hene
ededhi
smora
l
su
pport;shealwaysnee
dedso
meonetobep
roudo
fhe
r,andherf
ear
s
werethatshe'
dlandedheri
nsec
uri
ti
esonawron
gpe
rson
.Thephone
buz
zedaga i
n.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK

To
:Cl
ai
re

Mo
n***1
2:2
5PM

(Su
bje
ct)AmIb
ein
gthr
eat
ene
dri
ghtn
ow?

Re
cei
ved.

Al o
udlaug
he sc
apedClai
re'
smo uth;shehadt oapo
logi
zet
ot he
o
the
rsforthei
ndisc
reti
onandluc
kilytheyweretoobusybic
keri
ngo n
s
omemundanet
opic
s.Shec ou
ldalmostimagin
eRy an'svoi
ceaski
ngthat
q
ues
tio
n;sheeve
nentert
ain
edtheideao fmi
ssinghimforamo me
nt,but
i
mmedi
atel
ydis
misse
d.Shet ype
dt herepl
yc a
lmly.
 FROM:Cl
ai
re

TO:RYANTHEJERK

Mo
n***1
2:2
7PM

(Subje
ct)I
t'sbe
styouthi
nki
tt hatway;aft
eralli
t'
swhatI
l
ear
nedfr
omy o
u.Unl
ikey
ouSi r
,I'
vegotthing
stodof o
ry o
urgr
and
p
roj
ect
,soI'
llge
tmyse
lfus
efu
lwhereI
'mt rul
yneede
d.

Se
nt.

Shetos
sedthep
honea
s i
de,I
na no
btu
seat
tempttoge
thersel
fba
ck
t
owo
rk,whi
chbe
cameon
lyshortl
iv
edasano
the
rtextwasrec
eiv
ed.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK

To
:Cl
ai
re

Mo
n***1
2:2
8PM

(Subje
ct)Ial
son
eedy
ou.Imi
ssy
ouCl
ai
re,i
t'
sbe
enahe
llo
f
awe
eke
ndwi
thouty
ou.

Re
cei
ved.

Sheswa
ll
owed,andsu
ckedinadeepb
reat
hwhil
enoti
ngthewords
toherhe
ad.NoClair
e,don'
tfal
lfori
t.Sheremi
ndedher
sel
f,and
dec
idedt
otur
noffthepho
nealto
get
her.Bet
weenwor
kin
gu n
till
ate
,
havi
ngsandwi
chforlunch,dis
cussi
nga ndrev
isi
ngthedesig
ns,an
d
re
cei
vin
gfewcall
sf r
omRy anthatshedeli
ber
atel
yigno
red,andonl
y
re
pli
edoneortwoofhistextsperdi
e m;theweekev
entu
allyfl
ewbyand
i
twa sFri
dayonceagain
.Na t
hanwa lke
dintothe
iroff
iceandcl
aspe
d
hi
sha n
dswithas mil
e.

"Okayg uy
s,"hes a
idwithap a
us e
."we '
llbehavin
gawr appi
ngup
meet
ingaft
erlunch.W e'
r ef
inal
lydonewiththisandIho pee
very
one
wil
lgettosl
eepbette
rthisweeke
nd.Go odjobever
y o
ne!"Hes a
id
pr
oudlyandg o
tre war
dedwithchee
rsa ndhappycomments.Ithadbee
n
averyhect
icweek,andforonce
,Clai
refeltshewasr e
all
ydo i
ngajob.
"Gety o
ursel
freadyforMo ndayLev
y,wea regoingtoSK a ndIhope
ev
erythi
nggoeswe l
l.
"

Cl
ai
rewa
sst
art
led."I
'mg
oin
gag
ain
?"s
heu
tte
red.

"Ofco
urs
eyouar
e,whydoyo
ulo
oksur
pri
sedwhi
lewe
'veb
eeni
n
t
hist
oge
the
rfro
mthesta
rt?"her
ema
rke
d.

"Um--we l
l,not
hing.It'
sokay."Sher e
pli
eda n
dhe rbigges
t
horro
rr e
turne
dt ohau n
ther.Itwass uc
hag reatrel
ieftofi
n a
ll
yf i
nis
h
theinf
amousSK p r
ojectatl
ast
,ho wev
er;eventhoughtheys t
il
l
remai
nedwa r
yo fwhatMr .RyanSt eve
nswo ul
ds aya f
terthenext
pres
entat
ion
.Al linalleve
ryo
neseemedtob eopt
imis
ticastheymu tu
all
y
sugge
stedtogoo u
tforar oundofdrin
kso rtwoa tRocket.

"W esho
uldce
leb
ratef
orkil
li
ngt
hisp
roj
ect
,ri
ght
?"Na
tha
n
a
ske
d,la
terasthe
ywe r
esig
nin
goutfo
raday.

"Su
re,whyn
ot?"Cl
ai
rer
epl
ie
dtot
hei
nvi
te.

"Co
ol!On
lyi
fyo
upr
omi
set
hatwewo
n'tg
etb
ust
eda
gai
n."He
r
etu
rne
djoki
ngl
yan
dt he
yshare
dal a
ugh,ali
ttl
efa
rtherf
romt
he
p
ryi
ngeye
swhil
ewai
ti
ngfort
heele
vator
'sdo
orstoope
n.

Theteamhade i
ghtmemb e
r sexcludi
n gNa thanPa n
ther,theleader;
andever
yonesl
ip
pedintoas pac
iousc a
b i
no ncethedoorssli
da p
a rt.
W hatfol
lo
wedwa sjustus
u alchee
r fulremarksa n
df ewstori
eswhi l
e
des
cendi
ngtheflo
ors.Clai
r ewase xcepti
onallyqui
te;thi
nkingofo ne
pe
rsoninpart
ic
ular.He rphoneha sbe e
no ffthewho l
eday,andi t'
s
whathadpreve
ntedherfro
mhe ari
n gawo rdf romRy an.An ds hewa s
cl
ear
lymissi
nghim.

"W hatabo
utyouClaire
?Ho wmuc
hc a
ny oube
tthatLydiawil
l
ge
twaste
dtoni
ghta
ss healwaysdoe
s?"Itwasav o
iceofChri
stop
her
Ambro
se,an
othe
rjo
kerb e
foreNathanPan
ther,whoplu
ckedherfr
om
t
hespac
e.

"Huh?"Shega
spe
d."Um--ahun
dredbuc
ks?"Sheu
tte
red
wi
tho
utk
nowi
ngan
dearn
edhe
rse
lffe
wimpr
ess
edgasp
s.

"W o
ah!I '
mtea
mCl ai
reguys,W i
nne
rstakeal
l.Sop
rayt
hat
y
oudon
'ttas
temyshot
sL y
dia,whi
chyousure
lywil
l.
"Chri
ssai
dand
t
hel
adyinque
sti
onro
lle
dhereyes.

"Ok
aywha
t'sg
oin
gona
gai
n?"Cl
ai
rea
ske
dNa
tha
ninal
owv
oic
e.

Heshrugg
edwit
hag i
ggl
e."You'
veju
stear
nedorlos
tyours
elf
so
mec a
shhere
.Yo us
hou
ldstar
tpayi
ngmorea
tten
tio
ntothemifyou
don'
twanttoco
mmitf
ewerro
rsinf
uture
!"Hes aidcas
ual
lyan
dt he
doo
rsopen
edatlas
t.

"Oh,tha
nksf
ort
hewarn
ing
."Sher e
pli
edan
dthe
yst
arte
d
mo
vin
gout."Soho
wmu c
hdoIgetChr
is,i
ncaseo
urbe
twi
ns?"She
de
cidedt oin
dulgei
n t
oat e
amc o
n v
ersati
onthatf
il
le
dthequietl
obby
wi
thc ol
lect
ivenoi
sesastheypasse
dt hrou
gh.Itwasalr
eadydark
ou
tside,probab
lyaroundseve
n-thi
rtyormo re
.Theywereli
kehigh
sc
hoole
r sonthei
rwa yhomefroms c
ho o
l,gi
venho
wc ha
tter
ingand
l
aughinge v
eryon
ewa s.

Su
dde
nlyNa
tha
nut
ter
ed,"L
evy
?"

"Natha
n?wha
titi
t?"Sher
epl
ie
d,wi
thhe
rla
ughs
til
lli
nge
rin
g
he
rli
ps.

"Overthere?"Hedi r
ecte
dhe rwi
thhiseyes,an
dwhe nfol
lo
wed,
s
hesawas hort
,b al
dma nwithaplumpbel
ly
;Mr .Cornwall
,the
ir
c
ompanyPresi
dent,tal
ki
ngt oanot
hermanwho s
es i
ghtmadeherhear
t
s
kipabeat
;itwa sapersonshecoul
drec
ogniz
einjustahalfofher
g
lanc
e,andshedidjustso.

"W ha
tishedo
inghe
re?Shet
hou
ghto
utl
oud.

"Yous
houl
dp r
oba
blyas
khi
myo
urs
elf
."Na
tha
nsa
idt
eas
ing
ly
a
ndCl
ai
res
hothimaglar
e.

"No ,l
et'
sjustgobeca
useIc o
uldreal
lyuseadri
nktoni
ght.
"She
u
rgedhim,butthelou
dlaughte
rfromtherestwaseno
ughtorepre
ss
t
hemfromb e
inginc
ogni
to.Thetwome nintop
icwerej
ustfe
ws t
epsaway
,
n
eartheimmedia
teparki
nglotandtheli
ghtswerel
umin
ousenou
ght o
s
potbot
hdi r
ecti
ons.

"Ithi
nkit'snotagoodide
a.Youkno
wt hatbe
tte
rthanIdo,so
ar
ey ousur
ey ouwanttole
ave?"Heinsi
stedup
onseei
ngthatshe
wasn
' ta
ctual
lydeci
siv
eenoug
h,jus
tfro
mt hel
ookofherfac
e.They
wer
emo vi
ngslowlyasfewoftheme
mber
sha dgo
n et
ofetc
hthei
rcars
r
eadyt
ohi
tthec
lub
.

"Ohdamnit
!W hydoyo
uhavetobesoho
nes
tNa
tha
n?"s
he
s
col
dedu
ponhi
srema
rk,a
ndheon
lyla
ughed.

W henClai
reglanc
edoveraga
in,hereye
scoll
idedwithRy an
's,
whoseemedtohavebee
nwa t
chin
gherf o
rawhi l
e.Hewa sdress
edina
bl
ackoffi
cesui
t,wit
hhisha n
dsdugintohispant
sp ock
etsasusual
,and
se
emingl
yhalf-
int
eres
tedwithwhatev
ertheSt a
rli
g htPresi
den
twa s
sa
ying.He rheart
beat
sa c
cel
era
tedands hes
wallo
we dhard.

"GuysCla
irewon'
tjoi
nusfordri
nkstoni
ght
.Sol
et'
sju
stget
g
oin
galr
eady
,becau
seI'mmiss
ingmybedalr
eady.
"Nat
hanmutt
ere
d
a
ndthere
stofthegro
uplo
okeddis
app
oint
ed.

"Ohn
o,t
hat
'st
err
ibl
e!"c
rie
dChr
is.

"Re
laxAmb r
ose
,she
'l
lde
fin
ite
lyp
ayt
heb
et,r
ightL
evy
?"
Na
thanc
ontr
ive
d.

Cla
irec
huc
kle
d."Ofc
our
se.Ju s
tke
epmepo
ste
dpa
rtn
er!"s
he
t
oldChri
s,a
ndit'
swhe
nso
meonee
lsej
ump
edin
.

"Butwhyi ssheleav
ing?It houg
htitwa satea
mt hing,orisshe
toogoodtojoi
n?"I twasL y
dia'ssarc
asti
cremark.Fromt heverysta
rt,
shehadb e
enhosti
letowardsClaire;s
heha t
edthelatt
er'sguts,andshe
didn'
tlik
eherb e
ingpartoftheteamsoe a
sil
ywhil
eitto o
khe rlon
ger
thanthattobec
omear ealdesi
gner.Ho weve
r,non
eo fthatseemedto
bothe
rCl ai
re,s
heo nl
ysmile
d.

"NoLydi
a,I'l
ljoi
nyounextti
me.I'
mjusthavi
nganiss
uer
ight
n
ow."sai
dClair
eandNa thansec
onde
db yb
reaki
ngthegr
oupan
da l
l
s
tar
tedhe
adin
gintotheca
r s
."Ha vefun
!"Shet ol
dhimandhe
b
eame
dba
ck.

Afterashortsigh,Claireshift
edhe ratt
enti
onbacktotheop
posi
te
dir
ect
ion,wher
et heSt arl
ightPr es
iden tandRy anwereshaki
nghands
bef
orethefor
merwa lkedawa y,inac omp a
n yofayoungmanwhos e
emed
tobehisdri
verors o
me t
hing.I twasj ustRy anremai
ned,andhe
reg
ardedherwithal i
n g
erin
gs mileasi fconce
ali
ngtheurgetole
touta
rea
lone.Sheb le
wo ffsomea i
r,f i
rmedt hes t
rapsofherbl
ackhandbag
onhershoul
der,ands tar
tedma rchingt owherehewass t
anding
.

"Yo
ulo
okt
ire
d."Ry
anr
ega
rde
dhe
rha
lf-
cor
dia
ll
y-ha
lf-
moc
kin
gly
.

"I
fitwe
ren'
tthatyou
'rethebo
ss,I
'ds
ayt
haty
ou'
res
tal
ki
ng
me
."Clai
res
aidwit
hs a
mema n
n e
rs.

Hemo ve
dc l
ose
r."St a
lki
ngistoomu c
hCl ai
re,b
utyou'
renot
f
artherfro
mt hetr
uth.
"Hes mil
edcharmingl
y,andthesi
ghtmadehe
r
s
hudder.Shemi sse
dhim,andsheadmitt
edi n
side."W hyi
syourpho
ne
o
ff?"hea ddedwhil
eeyei
ngherint
entl
ya sthoughhewasin
spec
tin
gfor
a
nyp o
s s
ibl
echange
s.

"Be
cau
seIde
cide
dso
."

"Exa
ctl
ywhydi
dyo
ude
cides
o?"

"Be
cau
sei
t'sminea
ndIcandowhat
everthehel
lIwa
nt.
"she
r
epl
ie
d.Andbe
causeIwasa
voi
dingy
ou,shethoug
ht.

Ry a
nl a
ughed."Ithoughtyoumight'v
echange
dal it
tleinaweek
t
ime
,butno,you'
resti
llasst
u bb
ornase ve
r."heremarkeda n
ds heonl
y
s
hrugg
ed."W e l
lsi
nceyou'
vedeli
ber
atelytri
edtoavoidme,Idecide
dto
c
omeseeyoumysel
f.Ho waboutdinn
er,ha doneal
ready?"
 "Iwasgoi
ngforf
ewdri
nks
,unt
ily
ous
howe
dupa
ndIha
dto
p
ost
pone
."sheans
were
dacc
usi
ngl
y.

Hea
rche
dhi
sbr
ows
."Ohdr
ink
s?W i
th...?"

Shes i
ghed."NotNa t
han,bu
ttheent
iretea
mRy an
,ift
hat
's
wher
ey o
u'r
eheadi
ng."shesna
ppe
da ndhesmil
ed."Youdokn
owthat
I'
ms t
il
langryatyo
u,do
n '
tyou?"sheremi
ndedhim.

"Ido,butthat
'sno
tthereas
onwhyI'mhere
,"hesa
id."y
ou
r
ememberabo
utdin
nerto
morrowri
ght
?b e
caus
eyouacc
ept
edmy
i
nvi
tat
ion.
"Heu t
ter
edanditca
meli
keapang.

Howcoul
dshehavef
org
ott
ena
bou
tit
?Clai
rewo
nde
redwhi
le
b
iti
nghe
rli
pssav
age
ly.Shekne
whewasg
ongt
ousei
tag
ains
the
r.

"Iremembe
r,butt
hatwa sbef
ore.Iwon
'tbeabl
etoma
kei
t."She
re
pli
edwhilecl
asp
inghe
rlit
tlescar
letj
ack
ettog
ethe
r,an
dpi
nne
ditwi
th
he
rfo l
dedarmsacro
ssherchest
.

"Ohrea
ll
y?"Ry a
nmo ve
de v
enclos
er."W hatc
ancanIdothen
?
Bec
aus
egr
andfa
the
risalr
eadyexpec
tin
gy ou
."hisgl
is
ten
inge
yesshon
e
do
wnathe
r.

Clai
reexhal
edsharp
ly."Idon'
tb e
li
eveyou;yo
u'r
elyingj
ustso
yo
ucantrapmeint
ocomin
gwithyou."Shec ontr
adi
cte
dlikeachi
ld.It
wasdi
ff
icul
tenou
ghhavinghi
ms oc
losetoherthati
tstre
ssedher
ne
rve
s,andther
ehewa s
,smil
in
gb o
ldl
ya ther.

"Ok a
y,waitase
con
d."Rya
nu t
ter
edan
dtuckedo
uthiscel
lp
hon
e;
heto
uche
dt hes
cre
enwhi
les
hewa
tche
dhim,c
lue
les
s,un
tilhep
lac
edit
tohi
sear
.
 Sheq ui
zz
ic
all
yfixe
dhereyesonhim,ashissmil
ewidene
d,andhis
handreachedfo
rherfacean
db rus
hedherchee
k ,whic
hsheimmedi
atel
y
pus
heda way,ca
usin
ghimtog i
ggl
elikeal
itt
leboy.Shen e
arlyj
oin
edin,
fo
rhel o
ok e
dveryrel
axe
ddo i
ngthosesi
ll
ygest
ur e
sthatcos
therag re
at
dealo
fb odyheat
.Sheha dproba
blymiss
edhimmo retha
tshethought.

"You'
res
ick
!"Shes
nap
peda
ndhei
mme
dia
tel
yst
art
edt
alk
ingt
o
t
heo
neo
nthephon
e.

"Ohhig randfather?"Ry ans t

arteda ndClai
resho thimawha t
-
the-
heckloo
k ;hes mil
ed."Noi t'snothi
n gmu c
h,Ijustwa ntedtoa s
kif
youIfit'
sok aytob ri
n gCl ai
refordinnert o
mo r
row,bec
a useshemisses
youtoomuch."hea ddeda ndt histi
mes heg asp
edwithto t
a lamaze
ment
ofhowc r
azyt hatma nb e
f o
rehe ractual
lywa s."Ohi sthats o
?W e ll
that
'sgreat
,a n
ds he'sac t
uall
yr ig
hthe re,soyoucantellhery o
ursel
f."
hesaidandha ndedhe rt hephone,toget
he rwithaboyis
hs mil
e."It's
grandfa
ther,hewa ntst otalktoy ou.
"hes ai
d.

"Yo u-gonna-
pay -
for-this
!"s hewhi sper
edb et
weenhe rtee
thwhi l
e
t
akingthep hone;asu sual,Ry anon l
ys hrugged."HiMr .St evens?"
Shes pokea n
das mileap p
e ar
edo nherf ace,onlymomentaril
y,asi t
qu
ick
lyf adedwhe ns heglaredatRy an."Ok ayg r
andfather,I'mjust
us
edt ocallyouMr .St evensthat'sall."s hechuckl
eda nditma de
Ryans mileinadifferentma nne
r;s omethingb e
tweenadmi r
a t
iona n
d
l
ongi
ng ."Bu to fc
ou rs
eI 'l
lhavet obet heresinceyou'
repersonal
ly
i
nvi
tingmen ow,anddo n'two r
rya boutt hatMr .St--Ime an
gr
andfa t
he rbecau
see ve
r ythi
ngisf in
ea ndIk nowwha tdowi t
hhi m."
Nows heg rin
n e
ds ardoni
ca l
lyatRy an,a n
dher ai
sedaninq ui
ri
ng
e
yebrow."Ok ayha veag oodn i
ght.I twa sr e
all
yn i
cehearingfromy ou
t
oo."a ndi nfewsecondss hehu ngu p
.
 "W hydidhes
ayt
oma
key
oul
aug
hli
ket
hat
?"Hea
ske
d
i
mme
dia
tel
y.

"No
neo
fyo
urb
usi
nes
s!"Shes
nap
ped.

"Oops,see
msI '
mbeingl
eftoutnow."Hef e
ign
eds a
dn e
ssandshe
o
nlysc
owl
eda thim."So?W e 'r
esetnow,are
n'twe?"Ry anaske
da s
s
heret
urne
dhi mthephone
.Wi t
hs uc
ha sp
eri
ty,Clair
eleaptathi
ma nd
t
rie
dtohi
thimr andoml
yonthechest
,inatte
mp ttorel
easeheran
ger;
b
uthefas
tg r
a b
bedherwrist
s.

Feeli
ngre
frai
ned,shewhined"You'
resuchali
arRy anhowco ul
d
yo
u--
"a ndherli
pswereshutbyahardk i
ssonherye
arnin
glipsas
Ryanpres
sedherti
ghtl
ya gai
nsthi
sbody.Itwasstar
tli
ng,to
os udden,
an
dv e
ryunexp
ecte
dk i
ssthatinasec
ond,tur
nedherhotandyiel
dedto
hi
smouldi
ngton
g u
eexplor
inghermout
hinawa yonl
yhewa scapableo
f.

Sheha dcomp
lete
lyfo
rgott
enwhereshewa s
,andt hati
twa sall
ag
ainstherres
olut
ionfewminu
tesago;butit
'swhats hewant
e d,de
ep
wi
thintherewasapartofherthatne
ededit,andwithoutre
ali
z i
ngshe
waskissi
nghimhungri
lyunti
lbothpu
lle
da par
t.Itwa salong,yet
l
inge
ringkissa
sCl ai
retur
nedaroun
db reat
hles
sly.

Shewa sp an
tingheavi
ly,t
ryi
ngtoregai
nhermomentu
ma ft
er
anot
hermo mentofweaknes
s.Sheha tedhe
rsel
fforbei
ngsoweak;it
too
khero nesingl
etouchfro
mRy a
n,tosuc
cumbcompl
ete
lyathismerc
y.
Shec o
uldn'tunders
tandwha thadgonewro
ngf o
rherbodytobec
ome
suc
hat raito
ro fi
tsownmi nd.Luc
kil
yther
ewa snoso
ularoundto
wit
nesssucha nPG- rat
edscene
;havi
ngas c
andalatworkwasthelas
t
ofherwishesforalife
time
.

"I
'l
ldr
ivey
ouho
me.
"Ry
ans
aid,a
ndhewa
spr
ett
yse
rio
ust
hat
hadb e
enbe
for
e.Clai
redre
winadeepbre
athbef
oref
acinghimaga
in,a
l
it
t l
eagha
stupont
hechang
eofhisv
oic
e."Ple
asedon
'tstartpr
ote
sti
ng,
I'
lljus
ttakey
outoyourho
usea
ndnothi
ngmore.
"hea ddedcal
mly.

Ho nes
tly,wha tRy anha ds ai
dwa s
n'twha tdisturbe
dCl air e
,b ut
r
atherthecha ngeofhi sfacialexpressi
ona ndvo i
cea l
toge
ther.I twa sas
t
houghhewa sr e
gretti
n gkissin
ghe rwhi chn e
verha ppen
edb efor
e .She
s
tareda thi
mwo rdles
s l
y,a ndslowlywa lkedtohisBl ackMe r c
ede ss-
c
lass
;p ossi
bl
yat hirdca rsheha ds ee
nhi mwi t
h.Hef ol
lowedwi tha n
e
xasperate
ds igh.The ytookac a rrideinsile
nce.Itwa se v
identt hatthe
k
issha daffe
ctedRy anhi mself
;i twast hefir
stk isshehadwi thhe rout
o
fhiso wnconv i
cti
on.I ts i
mplyha ppene
d,s omethinghewa sn'tinc ontr
ol
o
f.Heha tedt hefeel
ing;heha tedtob eemoti
on a
llyinvol
ved,andt hat
p
reci
selyhads tartedtob ecomethec ase.Heha db eenalwaysinc on t
rol
;
i
ntotalcontr
o l
,a ndutterlyde s
pisedb e
ingledwi ths t
upidemotions,a nd
t
hatwo mann exttohi m,ha ds t
a rte
dt ob r
eaktheb a r
ric
adesa ndhe
k
newi thadt os t
op.

"W hydi
dyoul
iea
boutDor
is?"Cla
ireb
rok
ethes
il
enc
eaf
ter
de
ci
din
gitwasti
met
ogeti
tove
rwith.

"Ido
n'tk
nowwhyIdi
d."Ry
ans
aidc
urt
ly.

"W ha
t?W ha
tdoy
oume
any
oudo
n'tk
now?"s
heb
ark
ed.

Heb reat
heda udi
bly
."Ig ue
ssIt houghtitwasn'
timportantat
fi
rst
,"hee xpl
aine
dv ague
ly."be
causeIha dnoideawewo ul
ds eeeac
h
ot
hera ga
in;noIk ne
wwewo u
ldseeeac
ho theragain
."Hes t
u mble
da t
hi
swo rdsandCl a
irestar
edathimcontemptuousl
y.Hel oo
keda ther.
"Ijustdidn'
tthinkitwoul
dma t
tertoy o
u,It houg
htitwasn'tab i
g
deal
,butitbeguntob e
,andIwasg o
ingtot el
lyou.'
'
 "W he
n?Shes
nap
ped.

"Thel
astti
meyouwe
rea
tmypla
ce,bu
tIdon'tkno
wwha
t
ha
ppe
nedan
dI ts
li
ppe
dmymin
d."hesai
dtrut
hfu
ll
y .

Clai
reonl
ys mi
rke
d;itwasdiff
icu
ltt
ou nde
rsta
ndhim,andev
en
har
dertou nde
rstan
dhers
elf
.W ha twasshesee
ingonhi
m?W ha twas
soi
mp o
rtantabou
thimthatshehadtoputupwithhiss
elf
ishne
ssan
d
i
ncon
s i
dera
tion
?Shea ske
dhe rs
elfandgotnoanswe
rinret
u r
n.

"No ,t
heanswerissi
mpleRy an.Yo udon'
tc ar
ea bo
utanyoneb u
t
yo
u,y o
u '
resel
fi
sh,you'
retooproudandt ooarr
og a
nt,that'
swha tyou
ar
e!"Shes ai
dwi t
he y
esfi
xe datthefront.Shef el
tat i
ngeatthe
he
art,anditreal
lypai
nedhert oadmithisfau
lts,andulti
matel
ys hefel
t
asin
g l
eteardr
oproll
in
gdown ,butquic
klywipe
di toff
,foll
owedwitha
so
ftsigh.

"You '
rerig
ht."Hes aidandsheal
mostl
aughe
d,apai
nfu
llaug
h.
"I'
ma llthatyou'
vement
ione
dClair
e,"headdedwit
hhisey
esatthe
ro
adi nfront,j
ustli
keClai
re'
s."andtha
t'swhy,Ithi
nk...I'm
l
ett
ingy o
ug onow."

I
feyeb
all
sco
uldes
capet
hee
yes
,the
nCl
air
e'swoul
d'v
eb e
enmi
le
s
awaybythen
."W hatdidyo
usa
y?"Sheut
ter
ed,lo
oki
nga thi
m
dir
ect
ly.

Ry a
nfa c
edher,andsmi
ledgent
ly."I'mleav
ingyoua
lon
eCl a
ire,
j
ustasyouwanted.
"Her e
peate
d;hisfacere
laxe
d,andhisvo
iceca
lm,
s
ou n
li
kel
y."Iwo n'
tbothe
ry ouaga
in,soyoucangobackt
oyourli
fe
b
efor
eweme tandforg
etaboutme.I'
mn otgoo
df oryo
u."

Cl
ai
rewa
slo
ssa
two
rds
.Shel
ook
eda
thi
m,a
ndn
osy
ll
abl
eca
me
o
utofhermout
h,onl
ytear
sb r
imme
dherbea
u t
ifu
leyes
,on
ebl
in
kand
t
heywould'
ves
tre
ameddownherfa
ce."Stoptheca
r!"Shefi
nal
ly
u
tte
red,wit
hou
tbrea
kin
gt heey
eco
ntac
t.

Ry a
nf r
own
ed."Ar
eyo
ucr
azy
?W e
'rei
nthemi
ddl
eoft
her
oad.
"
het
oldher.

"ISAI DSTOPTHEDAMNCAR!"Shey el
ledandhejus
t
star
eda therphys
ica
ll
yunaf
f e
cte
d.No wt ea
rswerero
ll
ingdown,and
herfacesti
ffe
nedasshet
rie
dt oope
nt heloc
keddoori
naf re
nzy.She
wasa l
mostlik
eapric
k;butsheonl
ywa ntedtobef
a ra
wa yfro
mhim,far
awaysot hathewon'
twit
nesshershadingtear
sli
keatimidte
enage
r.

"Okay
,I'mg
oingtopullo
ver
."Ry ansa
idwo
rri
edl
y,a
nddidas
much.Cl
airer
unfo
rt hehandl
erandswu
n gt
hedo
orope
nasifs
hewas
be
ingcha
sedando
nlys t
opp
edtosay;

"You'
rea
na s
sho
le;ab
iginc
onsi
derat
eass
hol
e!"Shesna
ppe
d
wi
thgre
ete
dte
ethami
dhersob
s,andsla
mme dt
hedoo
raf
ter
wards
.
CHAPTER 2
0

Itwa sco l
da l
lofas udden.Itwa smid-su
mme rbuts hewa ssur
pr i
si
ngly
f
e el
ingat erri
fi
cc hil
l.Shef ast
enedthesidesofhers carl
etja
cketa n
d
e
n velo
pedhe rse
lftightlywhil
ewa l
kin
ga tsuchap aceintoafoot-wal
k
l
an e,obli
viou
so fa n
y t
hinganda nyo
nea r
oundhe r
.Cl ai
rehadn't
antici
patedhearings uchathin
gf ro
mRy an;shek n
e whewa sallgames
butk nowinghowc ruell
yheha dturnedthetable
sma deherlo
sehe rmind.
Shec ou l
dn olongerrepre
sshertears;shejustle
tt hemf l
owdown
e
n dless
lywhi l
ewa lki
n gal
ongsi
deami ldtraf
ficjam.I ntheendheha d
j
u stdon ewhats he'
da lwaysaske
dhi mto;heha dfin al
lyl
efthera l
one,
butits ti
llfe
ltsurreal.

"Stopcry
ingalr
eadyy oudummy!"Shes napp
edhe rsel
falo
ud.
"It'
sexact
lywhatyouwa nt
ed,soshutit
!"Shes obb e
d.I twaspai
nfu
l;
foronc
esheregr
ett
edme e
tinghim,tha
thes ho
uldhavejustlethe
rdie
thatones
tormynig
ht.No neofitwoul
d'v
eha p
pene
dt hen,butthe
oppo
sit
ewasherreal
ity,a
nds hehadtofaceit
.

Clai
rereal
ize
ds hewasti
red,prettyfarfromhome,andherleg
s
hadalre
adyincurre
ds omebl
is
tersfromhe rlongpump
s.Shewa n
tedto
behomeassoona spossi
bl
e,bu
tt herewasn osi
g noft
axi,nei
the
rofa n
y
bus
.Shede cide
dt og i
veJorgeac all
;forthefirs
tti
mes henee
dedhis
hel
p,shecou
ldn'tcar
el e
ssofl
ookingvulner
a b
le,andonl
yheha p
penedto
cr
osshermind,ashero nl
yMe ssia
h.

"I
'l
lber
ightt
her
e,a
ndc
almdo
wnp
lea
se.
"Jo
rgeu
rge
dhe
ront
he
p
hon
e.

"Okay
.Ple
asehur
ry."Shebr
eathe
dthewords
,li
keachi
lda
fte
r
c
ryi
ngfo
rawhi
le
.An dshesa
tdo
wna tso
mecon
ven
ients
tor
e,wi
thher
s
hoeso
ffherl
egs
.An di
toc
curre
dt ohert
hats
hemi
ghtn
eedt
ous
e
f
lat
sforf
ewdaysun
tilt
hebl
is
tersheal
ed.

Ab o
utamhou
ro rso,Clai
rearri
vedho
me,toge
therwithJorge
whokep
task
ingi
fshewa sfe
eli
ngbett
er.Hewa sver
yq u
ickatpi
cki
ng
heru
p,andev
enf
edhe rdes
pit
eherfirmdec
isi
ontoski
pdinner
.Inthe
en
dshehadfewbi
tesofchi
ckensa
ladsandahalfgl
assoffres
hjuic
e.

"Ar
eyo
usu
rey
oudo
n'twa
nnat
alka
bou
tit
?"Hea
ske
dhe
rye
t
a
gai
n.

Shehadt
osmil
e."I'
mfineJor
ge.Tha
nky
ouf
orp
ick
ingmeu
p,
a
ndI
'mso
rryf
orthedi
stu
rba
nce.
"

"I twasn'
tab o
thertr
u stme
.I'
mg la
dt hatyo
ucall
ed,a
tl e
astI
f
eell
ikearealbi
gbrothern
o w."Jorgesai
di nhi
sfai
nthumor,whic
h
e
ithe
rwa y,manag
edt omakeClai
rel
augh.

"AndI '
mha p
pytoexperi
encehowbei
ngalittl
esis
t e
rfeel
sli
ke.
"
Shet o
ldhim."W ell
,haveagoodn i
ghtJo r
ge,andI'llworkonmy
l
ic
ensenextweek
;Ij u
sthopetheywon'tas
kmet oretakeadrivi
ng
t
est.
"s headdedanditmadeherhe a
rtsti
ngwhe nsherecal
le
dRy an
t
ell
in
ghe rjus
tthat;gety
o u
rsel
fal i
cen
ceClai
re,wil
lyo u
?

I
twa sonlyawe e
kag o
,ands hewaslaughingha r
da tthee xp
ense
o
fhisb o
ssyvoice
;butn oneofthatma t
tere
da nymore,forheha dsether
f
reeandsheha dtobeha ppyforit
.Af terfewminutesoft a l
ki
n gbythe
s
tair
s,withherhe a
do nthec l
oudsthatshecouldbarelyhe arwha t
Jorgehads ai
d,sheru s
hedi n
tohe rroo
mu pst
airs.On cein si
de,the
n
ostal
gicfee
li
ngo v
erwhelmedher.Sher e
cal
ledthek i
sst heys hare
d
p
ubli
clyjus
ta nhourortwoa go,ando nl
ytohearhi msa yt hathewa s
l
ett
inghergo.As t
upidlaughescapedhermouth,mingledwi th
r
idi
cul
ousso
bs,al
mos
tunco
ntr
oll
abl
eone
s.Shefe
lta
ngryandhu
rtat
t
hesameti
me;shewa
nte
dtoscre
amoutlo
udj
usttor
ele
aset
heangu
ish.

Afterlean
ingbehindthedo orfo rawhile,shede c
idedt ocha nge
ands li
pintocomfort
ablepyjamaswi thoutevenas hower.Shej ust
wantedt oliedownands eeifshecou l
ds le
ep;whichs hecouldn '
ta s
memo ri
esflashedbackli
keamo v
ie.Admi tt
edly,Itha dbeeno nehellofa
rol
lercoa
s t
erb e
ingwithRy a n
,b utitf e
ltwaya bsurdb e
inga wa yfrom
him.I twa savoidshecouldn'texpl
a in,butthenremindedhe rselfthati
t
wase xactl
ywha tshewa ntedseveralho ur
sa go,andma ybet heb es
t
thingtoha vehappen
ed.An dthens her ol
le
da gai
n,a ndturn ed,and
tosse
d;t heb e
df e
ltbig
gert hanu su
a l,andshewi she
dhewa stherewith
her,toho l
dhe rposse
ssiv
elya shea lwaysdid,b u
thewa sn'
tt here;it
wasa llover.

An dthemornin
gc a
me ,butnothingha dchan ged.Cl airedec
idedto
haveac u
po fte
ainthek i
tchen
,whi leeveryo
neelsewa sa sl
eep.W akin
g
upearlyhadb e
comehernorm,exceptfo rwhenshes leptatRy an'
s;the
thoughtmadeherheartshrink.An dar emi
ndert ha tshewa sactual
ly
i
n v
ite
df ordinn
erattheSt eve
n sthatv eryday,ma dehers huddertothe
bones
.Ob v
ious
lyRy anwasg oi
ngt obet her
e,bu ts hewa sg o
ingtobe
fi
ne,shedecide
d.Shewa sgoi
n gtog etthere
,an ds mil
eb r
ightl
yb e
fore
dinne
r,andma ybetal
kwhi l
eatit,an dinawhi les he '
dg obackhome.

"Heyther
e,soe
arl
yint
hewee
kendan
dyo
u'r
eupa
lre
ady
?"
Jo
rgeap
pea
r e
do u
tofno
wher
efo
rag l
asso
fwa
ter
.

Clai
reloo
kedo
verhersho
ulde
r."Ithi
nkitr
unsint
hefami
ly
,loo
k
who'
stal
ki
ng!"Shef a
intl
ysmil
edathi
m,ashel
eane
dcasu
all
yatthe
br
eakf
astta
ble.
 "Mayb
e.Ist
il
lha
ves
omewo
rki
ntheo
ffi
ce
.An
dho
war
eyo
u
f
eel
in
gto
day?"

"I'
mg ood!"Shef e
dhime xac
tlythesamel
ies
he'
dbeenfe
edin
g
her
selfs
incedawn."I'mact
uall
yg o
ingtothecou
ntr
yhous
etoday,soI
hop
et ogetmysel
fin
vig
orate
df o
rmywo rkb a
ttl
eonMonday."she
smi
ledwidel
y,infac
adeofshowingent
husia
sm.

"Tha
t'sg
ood.
"Jo
rges
aid.

LATER i nthea fternoon,Claireha djustarri

vedattheb eachhouse,
onl
ytofindita l
le mptywi thnos ignofanyonearound.Shei mmedi
atel
y
madeaca l
ltohe rg r
a ndfatherwhi l
esett
lin
ghe rse
lftothema s
ter
be
droom.Thec allwa sq u
ickan dshelearne
dt hathehadg on
eo utof
to
wnt oattendper so
n almatters;heha dfewr el
ati
vesofhisowna f
terall
,
andClaireunderstoodt hatwe ll
.Sheha doncetol
dhi mthattheycoul
d
co
meo ve
ra nytimet ov i
s i
tands tayifneces
sary;shelove
dha vi
ngma ny
pe
opl
ea roundandf eelt helau
g hterfi
ll
ingthefrontyard,orthe
bre
akfastparlo
url ikema nyyea rsbef
orewhe nthehousehads e
veral
worke
rsa ndherf amilywa sfu l
l.

Deci
dedly,s
hei
n f
orme
dBr un
oofherprese
nceandasexpec
ted,he
wasela
tedwi t
hthenewsandqui
ckl
yaske
dhe rtodropbyhisres
taurant
.
Clai
reagreedrig
htaway;whatwasthep
ointofbro
odingal
lbyhe r
sel
f
i
nsuchahu geb u
nga
low?Shema denopo
intto.Itto
o khe
ro n
lythirt
y
mi
nutestocatchupatBrun
o's
.

"Heybe
aut
ifu
l,It
hou
ghtyo
uwe
rep
ull
in
gmylegbuty
ou'r
e
a
ctu
all
yhe
re.
"Brunore
gar
dedhe
rwa
rml
ywithaf
rien
dlyki
ss.

"Asmu
cha
sIl
oveme
ssi
ngu
pwi
thy
ou,he
reIr
eal
lya
m.Ho
war
e
y
ousmartgu
y?"Sherep
li
ed.Atl
astag
enu
ines
mil
eap
pea
redo
nhe
r
f
aces
inc
etheha
vocwi
thRyan.

Afterfewfunnyexc
hange
s,shepla
inl
yaskedhimforalar
ge
po
rtio
no flunc
hindefens
ethatshewasstar
vingtodeat
h.Bruno
gra
ntedhe rdemandbysimp
lyasnapofafinge
ran damomen
tlate
rshe
wasful
la ndsati
sfi
edandhadstrong
lyins
ist
edtop a
yforherfo
od
whic
ht o
o klo
ngertomakeBrunorel
ent
;heonlyshookhi
sheadasshe
cl
eare
dhe rchequ
e.

"Anythi
ngmorema '
am?"Hedr ama
tic
all
ya s
kedaft
erpl
aci
nghe
r
astrawbe
rrymil
kshakeforde
sse
rt,thataga
in,hesai
dthati
twason
thehous
e.Sheexcit
edlyrega
rde
di tli
keachil
d.

"No.Unles
sy o
uwa n
tmetos
topmo
vingatal
landtur
nintoa
whal
e.Thist
aste
saa maz
ing
!"sa
idCla
ireaf
terali
ttl
etas
te,an
dhe
on
lysmi
le
ddiff
iden
tly.

"I
twoul
dbemyp
lea
sur
eifyo
ust
ickaro
undunti
lla
ter
,an
dwec
an
ha
vedi
nne
ratho
meaf
ter
wards
."Hesa i
dsugg
est
ive
ly.

"That
'spr
eci
sel
ywhyIcame
.Yourgr
andf
athe
rin
vit
edmeo
ver
t
hep
hon
esoweshal
lmee
tla
teran
ywa
y."

"Ohi st
hats
o?Bu
twhydoy
ous
oun
dli
kel
ik
eit
'ss
omek
indo
f
o
bli
gat
ion
?"

"Hu
h?"Sher
eto
rte
d.

"Co
meo nCla
ire
.Youse
emunre
len
ting
,ori
sitmyima
gin
ati
ont
hat
y
ou'
rehi
din
gs o
methi
ngb
ehi
ndtha
tsmile
."Hep r
ieds
ubtl
y.

"Ohp
lea
se.Ar
eyo
upl
ayi
ngp
syc
hicn
ow?I
'mn
othi
din
gan
ythi
ng
atal
l;andhey,whydon'tweche
ckar
oundpl
ace
ssoyoucanshowme
howtotakego
o dpic
tur
es?Iwa n
ttot
ryphot
ograp
hyforanewhobb
y."
Shetrie
dt oa
v oi
dthetopi
c,t
hatRyanwasbe
hindhe
rhideo
u s
di
spo
s i
ti
on.

Andthatwa sen
oughofadiver
gency.Theyle
ftthere
staur
a n
tand
thedaywasspentroa
mingaroundai
mless
ly,whi
letak
ingpi
ctu
res,wit
h
Brunote
achin
ghe rabou
tperfe
ctangl
es,l
ight
s,andallt
hebasi
csof
taki
nggoo
dp i
cturesi
ndiff
eren
ttime
so faday.An dlat
eri
nthee v
eni
ng,
hehadjustdrop
pedherofftothehous
e.

"Ig
ues
sI'
lls
eey
oua
tse
ven
?"Heb
eame
d.

"Ofco
urse
."Sheresp
onde
dsimil
arl
y."Andt
hankyou,Iha
da
b
las
t."Sheaddeds
mil
in
gly
,whil
ecli
ngi
ngtot
hemass
ivema
indoor
.

"I
'mthethank
fulon
e;It'
sbeenawhi
les
inceIha
dab oa
tride.
I
t'sas
hamewecoul
dn'tsc
ubadiv
e."Brun
osaid."W e
llt
hen,I
'llp
ick
y
ouupinanho
u r
."

"Brun
oItol
dyouI
'l
lcomeonmyown
;youdon
'thavet
o,re
all
y.
I
'mn
ots
omeki
ndofapr
inc
esswhone
edsane
sco
rteve
rywhe
re,o
kay?"

"I
'ms
uchag
ent
lema
nwhot
rea
tse
ver
yla
dya
sthe
yde
ser
ve.
"

"Ohyou
!St o
pbei
ngs
tubbo
rnandge
touto
fhe
re.
"Cl
ai
res
hoo
hi
moffwi
thawa
ve,an
dhelau
ghedhe
art
il
y.

"I'l
lpic
kyouupa ndthat'
sfin
al."Hes c
reamedwhil
ewalki
ngto
hi
sca r,l
eavi
ngherallsmi
ley.Atleas
theraft
ern
o o
nha dt
urnedoutt
o
berewardin
g;butthethoughtofhowtheni
ghtwasy e
ttobe,madehe
r
ski
ns hudder
.
 Backtot hehouse
,Cl air
er ea
li
zedho wbigands c
aryitwa s,now
thatshewa salone
.Fo ramo mentshewo ndere
dho wshewa sg o
ingto
sle
epoverinsuchas ol
ace.Shes t
artedente
rtaini
ngtheideaofc he
cki
ng
i
ni nt
oaho telaft
erdinner;therewasn oways hewoul
ds pendthenight
atsuchenormousplace
,allbyhe rse
lf.Shel o
ckedthedoor,turnedon
theli
ghtsan dwalkedint
ot hebedroomforab ath.Shep ondere
ds ome
minut
esinas howerwiths eve
raldepress
ingimagesrep
layi
n ginherhead.
An doncedone,shegothersel
fr ea
dyb yslip
pingint
olave
n derjumpsui
t
thatcar
v e
dhe rshapeperfec
tly.

Des p
itethebl
is
tersonhe
ra nkl
es,s
headamantl
ywo r
esomecre
am
s
tra
phe el
s.He rwavyhai
rfel
lfree
lydownhershoul
ders
,andalit
tle
p
eac
hl i
psti
ckc o
mple
tedhersi
mpleandel
egantl
ook.Exact
lyatse
ven
s
harp,therewasacallfr
omBrun oi
nfor
mingherthathewasne
arly
t
her
e.

"Youjus
tcan'
ttak
enofora
nan
swe
r,c
any
ou?"Shet
eas
edu
pon
hi
sin
sis
ten
cetog
ivehe
raride
.

"Noma
'am.Ju
stf
ivemi
nut
esa
ndI
'l
lbet
her
e."Her
epl
ie
dan
d
t
heyhun
gup
.

Justaf t
erthecal
l,shestar
tedtore
membersome
oneels
ewho
def
ini
tel
yn e
vertooknoforana ns
wer.Someonewhohadturnedher
worl
du p
sidedowninsuchav e
raci
ousway;sheal
mosthate
dhim,but
re
ali
zedsheha dnole
gitreaso
nt o
.Tha ti
fshefel
tthatway,the
nit
co
uldonl
yme anthatshe'dfal
leninl
ovewit
hhim.

"Lovi
nghim?Don'tyouda
resaythatCla
ireLev
y."Shemutter
ed
t
ohers
elfwhi
lehea
dingdownfro
mhe rro
om."Yo u
'reju
sti
nfa
tuate
d,
t
hat
'sall
."sheaddedli
keamaniac
."He 'ss
exy,andyoua
ppare
ntl
y
l
oves
e x."W hendidshestar
tlovi
ngsextha
tmuch?Shetho
ught
i
nwardly,a
ndlaughedoutbi
tte
rsweet
ly.I
tsti
llp
ain
edhe
r,bu
tshe
k
news hehadtoli
vewithit
.

Bru
n o
'sredcarapproa
ched;Clai
rehadlef
tthedooro
penwhi
le
p
utti
n go
ns i
lve
rearrin
gswhe nhehadfin
all
ydismoun
tedof
f.Shecoul
d
c
lea
rlyseehimthr
oug hthevastFren
chwindowatthelo
ungi
ngare
a,
a
ndu rge
dhi mtha
tt hedoorwa so
pen.

"W o
w!"Heg
asp
ed."Pu
rpl
eiso
ffi
ci
al
lymyf
avo
uri
tec
olo
r."

Cl
air
egigg
led."You'
recra
zy.Youl
ookf
res
hb yt
heway;Ic
an'
t
dec
ideb
etwee
ntuxa ndj
eanswhi
chonedo
esyo
ufair
nes
s."Sheut
ter
ed
whil
egra
bbin
gap urs
e.

"Ithin
kthisismyel
ement
.Tu x?Orp l
eas
e!"Her e
tor
teda
ndit
e
arnedfe
wchuck
lesasthe
ys t
arte
dt ohea
doutoftheho
use."Sucha
n
icehou
seyouhaveher
e,ar
ey o
ua l
one?"Hea s
kedcasu
all
y.

"Ye
aha
ppa
ren
tly
.Idi
dn'
tkn
owi
twa
sto
oda
rko
uts
ide
."

"Ge
ez,a
ren
'ty
ous
car
ed?"

Shewa l
k e
dforthel
ightswi
tch."Oht r
ustmeIam.Tha t'
swhy
I
'mtaki
ngmyha ndbagbe
causeIc
an '
tslee
phere
."Sher et
urne
dwhil
e
s
hut
tingthemaindoo
r,andthere
sto fthe
irc
onver
sat
ionl
iedbet
wee
n
t
hesameli
nea b
outl
ivi
ngalon
e,be
inga f
rai
dandhown i
cehavi
ngabi
g
f
ami
lyactual
lywas.

Awhilela
ter,theyfoun
dt he
ms e
lve
satt heSt e
venster
r i
tory
.The
ca
rp ul
le
do v
erneartheo t
herthre
er a
ndom-parkedcarsinc
ludinga
fa
mili
arblac
kVo g
u ethatRyandr o
vethelasttimefromtheretothe
City
.Cl ai
reto
okade e
pbreat
ha ttheappr
ehensio
nt hathewa smost
p
robabl
yal
readyi
nther
e.Shewatc
hedca
lml
ythemi
d-s
ummerg
arden
b
rimmin
gfromadist
anc
eande
ver
yt hi
ngl
ook
edthes
ameasb
efo
re,
e
xcep
titwasdark
.

Insi
de,Ma r
thar ecei
vedthe mcordiall
ya n dmenti
onedho w
deli
ghte
ds hewa stos e
eCl air
ea gai
n,whi chwa sret
urneda sgiven.She
andBr un
os eemedmo reclo
sert hanwithRy an;thefor
me rcall
edhe r
Na nny
.Cl ai
rewa sn'tsurpri
sedb ec
aus eitwa se v
iden
tt hatBr u
n owas
thewarmesta ndkindestbetweenthetwob rothers;andy e
ts heha dto
getinv
olv
edwi ththeo ther
.Shec ursedi nwa r
dlya n
dt hat'
swhe ns he
heardRy an'
sv oi
ceta l
kingtos omeo
net hats hea l
sorecogni
zedina
seco
nd;itwa sDo r
is,an dthetwowe rei nthel i
vingroomtogetherwith
Mr .St e
vensa stheyf i
nall
ya dvance
do ve
r ,withBr un
ob esi
dehe r.She
swall
owedha rdwhenhe rgla
ncec ol
li
dedwi t hhis.
CHAPTER 2
1

W henCla
irewal
kedin,Mr.Stev
ensr
ega
rdedherwit
hav e
rybri
ght
smi
lean
de v
enstu
mb l
edtog
etuphi
sfee
tjus
ttoexpr
essho
wde l
ig
hted
hewasupo
ns e
ei
ngher.

"Loo
kwho'
shere
!"Hes mi
ledwide
ly."ComeinCl
air
e."heurg
ed,
a
ndwi
thsuc
hwarmt
h,shewa
lke
do v
erandhugg
e dhims
tea
dfas
tly
.

"HiMr.St
eve
ns?Iho
pey
ou'
redo
ingf
ine
."Cl
ai
res
aid
s
mil
ing
ly.

Theo
ldma
nsc
owl
edab
it."It
oldy
out
oca
llme
--"

"Grandf
ather!"Cl a
ireju
mpedin
,half
-emb
arra
sedan
dma dehi
m
l
aughabi
t."Ib e
tterprac
tic
emoreof
ten.
"Shea dde
dhil
ari
ous
lyand
Bru
nojo
ine
dthelau ght
er.

"Ye
ssil
lygi
rl,t
ha t
'sit
.Tha n
kyouforc
omington
ight
.Ik n
owy
ou
do
n'thav
eanyobli
gati
ontothisol
dfel
lab
utyou'v
ecomeanywa
y."
SaidMr .Stev
enswithoutl
ett
inggoo
fherhands.

"Noi t'
snothi
ngg ra
ndfathe
r,infactI'
mv e
rygrat
efulforthe
i
nvi
tati
on."Clai
resaid,andthat'
swhe nsheshi
fte
dherga z
etoo t
her
a
udien
ceintheli
vin
gr oo
m."HiDo ris
?"Sheu tt
ere
dpoin
t edl
y,and
r
ece
ive
dawr iggl
eoffinge
rsandap l
a s
ticsmi
lefr
omDo r
iswhowa s
s
eate
dc r
oss-l
egg
edb ythecou
ch,holdi
ngawi negl
asswi
tht hesame
c
olo
rofherr e
dwr apdress
.

Ry a
nwa sadj
acenttoher
,a ndhi
seyesha dbeenfixe
dlyonClai
re
f
romtheminut
eshe'
den te
redtheroo
mu pthatp o
int.Itwasthesame
s
ini
ste
rlookhehadthefirs
tti
meheme ther;itma deherexha
le
f
rust
rate
dly,bu
tshema denoatte
mpttole
tits how.Shec ompl
ete
ly
i
gno
redhi
m,a
ndj
ustt
ookas
eatc
los
etoMr
.St
eve
ns,a
nda
cro
ssf
rom
Ryan.

"Sog uys
?W hendowegett
oe a
t?I'mrea
llys
tar
ving
. "Bru
no,
a
salwa
ys ,s
tart
edtol
ight
ent
hemood.Hep a
cedove
randfixedhi
mse
lf
a
tthearmres
tofthes
amecha
irCl
aireha
ds e
atedhe
rse
lf.

Mr.Ste
venans
were
d."W hydo
n'tyo
ugoan
da s
kMa r
tha;i
t
wi
llb
esu
charel
ie
fbec
aus
eI'
mab o
utt
ocomean
dbeaty
out
oap u
lp.
"

"Ohg r
andpa,areyo
us t
il
lma dbec
auseIhidyou
rwhi s
ky?The
doct
orsai
dy oushou
ldn'
tdrink,soIonl
yhelpe
dy o
uleng
theni
ngyo
ur
l
ifespa
n."Br un
or e
pli
edandtheladi
eslau
ghed.Het henl
eane
dover
andwhisp
eredsomet
hingtoClair
ewhichint
ensi
fi
edherlau
gh
tr
emendou
sly.

Su ddenl
yRy ang
otup,an
de xc
usedhims
elfc
lai
minghe
'dbebac
k
so
on.Itwa sabr
upt
,andwhenhisgl
is
teni
ngeyesc
oll
ide
dwithCla
ire
's,
hi
sjawtighte
ned.

"W he
rea
rey
oug
oin
g?"Do
risa
ske
d,a
stho
ughhewa
shi
s
hu
sban
d.

"DoIr ea
ll
yhav
etote
llyo
uwhatI
'mgo
ingtodoint
hebat
hro
om?
Isai
dI '
llb
eback
."Ryanboo
medan
dsheb
itherbot
toml
ips
,se
emi
ngl
y
an
noyed.

"Idon'tunde
rst
andwhyy ouworr
ya bou
thimtoomuc
h,"Bruno
sa
idha l
ti
ng l
y."nowondermenares
care
do fyoube
caus
etheythi
nkhe
's
yo
urhu sb
an dorsome
thin
g .Afreer
eminde
r;don'
thangaro
u n
dhimtoo
much,you
'llendupaspi
nster
."

"Ohs
hutu
pBr
uno
!Ma
ybey
ous
hou
lds
tar
tlo
oki
ngf
ora
g
irl
fri
endyour
sel
f."Dor
issn
ick
eredan
dma dehi
ml aughal
oud.For
s
omereaso
ns,i
tdidn'
tse
emfore
ignatal
lfo
rthetwot obebi
cke
rin
g
c
onsi
deri
ngtheaudi
bl
esi
ghsMr .Stev
enskeptl
ett
ingout.

"Ial
rea
dyha
veag
irl
fri
endDo
ris
.Do
n'tt
akemef
oral
one
r."He
r
etu
rne
d.

"Don'
two r
ryaboutt
hemCl a
ire;Theyhav
ebee
nli
ket
hatsi
nce
t
heywerel
it
tle
,onl
yRy anco
uldstopthe
irfi
ght
s."Mr.Stev
enssai
d
i
nagrumbl
ingvoi
cean
dCl ai
resmil
ed.

"Isthatso
?W e llatle
astther
e'sahu mo
rtotheirarg
ument.
"
Shere
pli
ed,andforamo menthermin
dwa ndere
do f
ftotheimageoft
he
t
hreeg
rowinguptoge
ther,andthefac
tt ha
tDo ri
swast o
oatta
chedto
Ryanandsti
llno
thin
gi n
timatewasgoin
go nbet
weenthem.

I twasal i
ttl
eha rdtobelie
ve;shewonderedhowp o
ssibl
ethatwas;
Dori
swa sbeauti
ful
,v erybe
a u
t i
ful
,awo manwhok n
ewwha tshewante
d
an
dho wt oge
ti t
.The nwhyha dn'theconsi
deredhavi
ngar el
ati
onshi
p
wi
thhe r?Acc o
rdingtoBr unotheyn e
verdated,andproba
b l
yneve
rwill
.
Butitsti
lll
ef
tCl aireskep
ticalasshewa t
chedDo ri
ssip
pingherwine
wi
thav erysexysmile,asshet al
kedtoBruno;s hewasthewomanin
l
ovewithRy an,anditr ai
sedCl ai
re'
sdisl
ikesofherwayf urt
herthan
be
fore.

"Soho wi
sworkClair
e?Iheardyou
'rework
ingonmyc
ompan
y
p
roj
ect..."AskedStev
e n
sandthetwogoten
gross
edin
tot
hei
rown
c
onv
ersat
ion
,ob
li
vi
ousofthere
st.

Halfofanho
urlat
er,Marthaa
nnou
ncedt
hatdin
nerwasr
eadyan
d
i
nvi
tedthe
mtothedi
n i
ngr
oomfi
ll
edwit
hanall
uri
ngaro
maofbak
ed
sweetpot
atoe
s,cre
ameds p
inac
ha ndal
argemeat
loaf
.Itwasact
ual
lya
t
woc oursedi
nnerastheothe
rsideoft
hetabl
ewa spl
ant
edwit
hfish
sca
ll
o p
s,cucu
mbersaladsandste
amedbro
wnr i
ce;pe
rhap
sforMr .
Stevensheal
thydie
t.

Twob o
ttl
esofwine
;r e
da n
dwhi t
e,werepl
ace
dinthemiddle
,
t
oge
therwit
haf l
askoffrui
tjui
ceandplen
tyofgla
sses
,withou
t
f
orge
tti
ngajugofdri
nkingwater.
Thes e
tti
ngwasinvi
ti
ng,al
most
p
rof
essio
nal
;andeve
ryonepla
cedthemse
lve
sonthei
rseat,i
nahu get
abl
e
-
for
-tenorso
,dres
sedwithwhitepl
ate
sa ndshi
nysil
ver
ware.

"Mm...t hislo
oksdeli
ci
ousMa r
tha,y
o u
'ret
hebes
t!"Do ri
s
ut
teredwithextr
aenthusi
asm.Itse
emedli
keshehadhadahalfofa
wi
neb ot
tleea
rli
er,an
ds hewasn'
tgoi
ngtoqui
tdrink
ings
oone
re v
en
dur
ingdinner.

"ThankyouDori
s,e
njo
yyourdi
nnereve
r yo
ne."Thekin
dwoman
s
aidbef
oredi
sap
pea
rin
g,andRyanwalk
edb ackrig
htonti
me,an
d
s
eate
dhimsel
fac
ros
sfromClai
reamo
nga l
lotherempt
ysea
tsaro
und.

"Carefo
rsomesc
a l
lo
psb
eaut
ifu
l?"Br
unog
rin
nedwhi
les
howi
ng
he
rthep
lateaf
terDo
rishadso
me.

"No,I'mha vi
ngtheg i
antmeat
!"Sheb e
amed,whil
etryingto
i
gnorethedisc
omfortRy ankeptbr
ingi
ngherbybein
gs ocl
ose,yetsofar
.
Hewa sb u
s yserv
inghimsel
fsomespi
nachandpot
atoes;s
amec hoic
eas
Cla
ire's
,andc ompl
etedif
fer
entfro
mo the
rs.Dori
swa seye
ingthes ho
w
wi
thl e
ssindif
fere
nce.

Br
unogi
ggl
ed."Okay
,whatha
ppe
nedtoHarr
y?It ho
ughthe
wa
ssup
pos
edtobeher
e?"hes
hothi
sbrot
heraq
uest
ion
.
 "Hehadot
herpl
ansfo
rtoni
ght
."Ry
ana
nswe
reddr
yly
,whi
le
p
our
ings
omewi
nein
tohisg
lass
.

"Somethi
nglikeada
te?"Dorisas
ked,ir
oni
cal
ly
,a n
da l
ley
es
t
urnedt
owardher."W hat?Is
n'thedati
ngthatAsia
ng i
rl
?Yo ur
f
rie
ndClai
re,r
ight?"Shelook
edatClaire
.

"Ma y
be.I'mnotsu
reift
hey'
reda
tin
gy e
tthoug
h;dati
ngi
sa
l
it
tlecomp
li
cat
edn o
wada ys
."Clair
ere
pli
ed.Mr .Stev
ensl
aug
heda
s
i
fshe'dsai
dwa ssome
thi
ngamusi
ng.

"Holdon
,y o
ume anGe
na?GenaandHa rr
y?"Brun
osnap
ped
whil
eche
wingtheri
ce."Ohthi
sisu
nfa
ir,W hywasIt
heonl
yonel
eft
ou
t?"

Dori
sroll
edhe
rey
es."Tha
t'sb
eca
usey
ou'
ret
oode
nset
ono
tic
e."
s
heb
lur
ted.

"I
nste
ado ft
alki
ngaboutothers
,tellme,whenwil
lyo
utwos t
art
dati
ngforre
al?In e
edag r
a n
dda u
ghtera l
ready."Mr.Steven
sbarke
d
al
lofasuddenandcause
das il
ence
."Do n '
ttellmey
oucan
'tfi
ndgood
womenwhil
ethey'
rejus
trightinfron
to fyou."Hes ai
dplai
nl
y.

Clai
real
mostcho
ckedhe
rjuic
e;notbec
aus
eofhi
so bt
useremark
,
b
utrat
herthetho
ughtthats
hehadsle
p tar
oundwi
thhisgran
ds o
na nd
t
hepoo
roldmanimagi
nednot
hin
go ft
hes o
rt.Ryanre
achedfora
n
apk
inandhandedherri
ghtaway.

"Thankyo
u."Shesai
d,andhejus
tre
turn
edtohi
sfood.Itwas
ha
rdtoco
pe,b
utshet
rie
dtota
keitea
syinre
gardt
ohisin
diff
eren
ce.

Dor
isemp
tie
dherwi
negl
assandputi
tdown
,the
nsaid,"Idon'
t
ha
vean
yp r
obl
emwit
hthatg
randf
athe
r,buti
tse
emsyou
rg ra
ndso
ns
havep
eculi
a rt
a s
tesinwomen."Shes aidpoi
ntedl
y,abitdrunkbutsti
ll
co
nsci
ous;theya l
lkeptqui
te,l
ist
eni
ngtohe r
."W ha taboutyouClai
re?
Youdoha veab oyf
riendri
ght?"Shea skeda n
dCl a
iregaped."That
dul
l...n o...ha ndsomea n
ddu l
llo
okingguyIsawy ouwithatthe
re
stau
rantt hatday,remember?"sheaddeda n
ditirri
tate
dhe rs
ubje
ct.
"Actual
ly,IthinkIk nowhim.He 'sa--
"

"Don
'ty
outhi
nky
ou'
veha
dto
omu
cht
odr
inka
lre
ady
?"Ry
an
s
nap
ped,a
ngr
il
y.

"Oo
ps!Myb
ad!"Do
riss
mil
ed.

Cla
iresta
redather
,puzz
le
d,a
ndDori
swasv
ivi
dlyb
egi
nni
ngtoge
t
o
nhe
rnerv
esli
ttl
ebyli
ttl
e.Sheon
lyde
ci
dedt
oig
norehe
rrema
rksou
t
o
fhe
rre
spectf
orMr .Steve
ns.

Ma rtharetu
rnedwithat e
lephoneast herewasac allfo
rMr .
Stevens
;Hee xcuse
dhimselfasitappearedtob eanimp o
r t
antcal
l.And
that'
swhe napinea
pplepi
ewa sprese
nted,an dBr un
oju mpedfori
tr i
ght
away;hewa sag re
ateater
.Thep i
elookedde l
ici
ousasMa rthase
rved
them,butClai
reha dalre
adylosthera pp
etite;shekeptpicki
ngatthe
meatl
oafa n
don l
yfini
shedherglassoft a
styj uic
e,butsheha dtoacce
pt
thepieo
u tofc
o u
rtesy.

Thefourofthemremaine
dsile
nt,wit
hCl ai
retryi
ngherbes
tnotto
st
umbleatRy a
n '
sfeetfr
omt i
metotime;herbl
ist
eredankl
eskep
t
to
rmenti
ngher.Ats omepoin
tsheevenbrushe
da ga
instRyan'
slegs
,
wit
houtanydel
iberat
eattemptto
,andwo ul
dimmediat
elywi
thdrawbac
k.
He '
dlookatherb l
ankl
y,andonlyonceClai
resawalitt
les
mirkatthe
co
rnerofhi
smo uth.

"Sob
eau
tif
ul,a
rey
our
eal
lyda
tin
gthedu
lla
ndha
nds
omeg
uy?"
Bruno,l
ik
eab i
g-fat
-tr
aito
r,r
aise
dtheiss
ueo
nceaga
in.Ifl
ook
scoul
d
ki
ll
,thenhe'
dha v
eb e
endeadandgon
efromCla
ire
'sgl
are
.Her et
urne
d
re
morsef
ull
y,butshedec
idedt
oa n
swer.

"He 'snotdul
l,havesomerespec
tBru no
!"Cl a
irebar
kedwitha
f
orc
eds mi
le;wel
lJo rg
ewa sab itdul
l,b
u tshehadn'
tappr
eci
ateanyo
ne
c
all
in
ghi mnames.Hewa sherbrothe
r,ands he
'dst
artedtoli
kehi
m
r
ece
ntly
."Thet hingis
,Do ri
ss a
wmewi th--"shestar
tedbutDori
s
i
nte
rrupte
dherb e
foreshefi
nishedherse
nt e
nce.

"Ohn o
wIr e
member!He 'stheCEOo fDemot
tArchi
tec
ts;you
a
rerea
ll
ysomet
hin
gCl a
ire,
"Do ri
ss na
pped,ac
cusi
ngl
y."se
emslik
e
y
ou'
reonl
ysurr
ounde
dwi t
hr i
chgu y
shu h?"Shea dde
d,whil
epouri
ng
a
not
herdri
nk.

NowCl ai
rehadha dhe
rfi
ll
."W hatareyoutr
yingt
osay
Dori
s?"Shes na
pped.Brun
ostar
eda
p o
log
etic
all
y,andRyanhad
un
reada
blee
xpress
ion.

"Me?Not
hin
g ,Ionl
ysa
idwhatIsaw;I
'ms
orr
yifmyho
nes
ty
o
ffe
ndsy
ou"Sheshrug
gedhers
hou
lder
s.

"NoDo ris,i
t'snoty ourho ne
styt hatoffen
dsme .It'syourrott
en
att
itudea ndimma tu
rewa y sofdeali
n gwithf ac
ts."Sa idCl ai
recal
mly,
wit
hame ssageo n
lyDo risu n
de r
stood."Tha tguyyous aw,ismy
brot
he r,andy ou'
reright,I t
'sfuntob ewi thric
hg uys.Do n'
tyouk n
ow
thatwa yb e
tterthanIdo ?"s hedecidedtor en
derap ayback."Excuse
me,It hin
kI 'ma l
readyf ull
."Sheg otu pandleftthediningroom.It
see
medl ikeDoris'
sp l
ant oma keherl oo
kr idi
culo
usha dfail
edmi se
rabl
y
andshewa sextremel
ye mb ar
ra s
sed.

"It
hin
kyo
usho
uldj
ustg
oho
me.
"Ry
ans
aidc
ris
ply
.
 "NoIwon'
t.I
'ms
til
lea
tin
gthep
ie.
"Do
risa
nswe
redme
nac
ing
ly,
a
ndt
heyg
lar
edato
nea
nothe
r.

CLAIREwa sseat
edb ythepoo
lwhenBr un
oa p
pea
redasi
fhe'
dbeen
se
arc
hin
gf o
rhe ra
llovertheho
use.Shewa sin
spe
cti
nghe
rbaref
eet
andf
ewb r
uise
swithhershoesdownthefl
oor.Shewasst
il
lmad,
j
udgi
ngfromthefurr
owo fhereye
bro
ws .

"Ohthe
reyouare
!"Annou
nce
dBr u
noa
ndsheli
ftedhe
rgaze
.
"OhGeez
,whathap
pene
dtoy
ourfe
et?"Hedro
ppe
ddo wnre
fle
xiv
ely
an
dpee
kedacl
osel
ook.

"It
'sn
othi
ng,Ij
ustha
dfe
wbl
is
ter
sye
ste
rda
y."Cl
ai
rer
epl
ie
d
c
alml
y.

"Nothin
g?Yo ugo
ttab
eki
ddi
ngme!"Hesnap
pedandsai
daf
ter
,
"W ai
thereI'
llg
ogets
omeBan
d-Ai
ds.
"a n
dshewatc
hedhi
m
di
sap
pear
ing.

Thesti
ngsonhe rfeetwastheleas
tofClair
e'sworri
es.She
simpl
yc ou
ldn'
ts t
andt hesitu
atio
na nymore
;withDor i
sbreat
hingunde
r
hern ec
kandRy a
nb ehavi
n gasthoug
hs hewasatotalstr
angerwho
ha p
penedtohavehisho u
sep as
swords.Ho wstup
idwa sthat
?She
thought,al
mostaloud.Br unoret
urnedandtoo
khe rfee
ttohislap,o
nce
seatedatthenextpoolsi
deb e
d.

"No
withu
rts
!"Sheg
rima
cedwhe
nhea
ppl
ie
dso
meo
int
men
t.

"Easy,i
t'
llbeq
uic
k."Brunosa
idwithhi
sb o
yis
hs mi
leandshe
r
etu
rne
da smuch."I'
ms o
rrya
boutear
li
er,If
eelpar
tlyre
spo
nsib
le.
"
Hestar
ted.
 "Noyouwe
ren
't.Ithi
nkDor
isa
ndIa
ren
atu
rale
nemi
es.
"She
f
orc
edala
ughandhesec
onde
d.

"Ju s
tforg
etab
outher,shei
sdrunkandwil
lprob
ablyre
gre
twhen
t
hemorni
ngcome
s."Brunotri
edtoche
erherupbutClai
rekne
wthat
s
hewasmerel
ycommu
nic
atin
ghe rf
eel
in
gsinthemosthone
styway
p
oss
ibl
e.

"Youk n
owwha t?Ijustdon
'tun
ders
tandhe
r.Sheissohosti
le
t
owardsme,asi
fI'vewro
ngedherdre
adfu
ll
y?It'
snotthef
irstt
ime
s
heprovo
kesme.It'
snotl
ikeI'mther
eas
onwhyshec
a n
'thaveyo
ur
b
rot
he rf
orhers
elf
."Clair
es a
id.

"Ar
en'
tyo
u?"Br
unot
agg
ed,t
eas
ing
ly.

"I'mnot
."Sheret
urne
d."Soshesho
uldmay
bef
inds
ome
onee
lse
t
ove
n thermi
sfo
rtu
neb
ecau
seI'
mnotwit
hRy an
."

"Caret
oexp
lai
n?Is
awy
oul
eav
inghi
spl
acea
ndy
oua
dmi
tte
d
s
ome
thin
gwasup."

"Therewasn
othi
ng.W eju
stg
otcar
rie
daway.
"Sherep
li
e d,
a
lmos
tfuri
ousl
yandBrunol
aug
hedatt
hesig
ht."W ha
t?Yo
ut hin
k
i
t'
sfunn
y?"

"No.Imean,youlo
okcutewhenyouaremad.
"Het eas
edhera
n d
shea
rche
dhereye
browsbef
orebrea
kin
gi n
toalaught
erhe
rse
lf."Huh?
Youarel
aug
hin
gn ow."Hes cre
amedvi
ctori
ous
ly.

"Justf
ini
shp
lay
ingdoc
torsotha
tIc
anl
eav
eal
rea
dy.
"She
s
nap
peda
thimandhequi
ckl
yscowl
ed.

"W ha
tdoy
oume
anl
eav
ing
?Yo
uai
n'tg
oin
gno
whe
rep
ret
tyl
ady
.
Grandfa
therwon'tl
ety
ou,espe
cia
llyno
twit
houtfin
ishin
gt hepi
e."He
warne
da ndshelo
okeda
rchlyathim."Okaynotonl
yg randfa
ther
,but
al
some,Ican'tl
etyoul
eavewhil
eyousai
dyour
s e
lfthatyoucan'
tsle
ep
al
oneinthathou
se."

"AndI'mnotg
oin
gba
ckt
her
e,I
'mg
oin
gtog
etar
oomi
naho
tel
,
t
hat
'sthep
lan.
"

"Aho t
el
?You '
rec
raz
y.W ehavepl
ent
yo fr
oomshere
,andther
e's
al
rea
dyon efo
ryou
.Sodo n'
tyoue
vermenti
onaboutho
tel
sandst
u f
fs,
wel
lunl
essyouwantmetoa
cco
mpan
yy ouofco
urse
."Heg rinn
edand
ea
rnedhi
ms el
fahardnu
dge.

"Youwish!I'drathersl
eeponar u
gorshar
eMa r
tha'sbed.
You'resoun
trust
worthy."Sheb eamedandst
art
edar
guingli
kekids
,
un
tilsheca
ughtag l
imps
eo fRy anhol
dingDo
rist
osu
pporther
mov
e men
ttowardsherre
dMa zda.

"Youl
ikehimal
otdo
n'ty
ou?"Br
unob
rok
ethea
wkwa
rds
il
enc
ein
as
eri
ousma
nn e
r.

"Hu
h?"Sheg
asp
ed.

"Ry
an.Doy
oul
ovehi
m?"Hema
deav
erydi
rec
tin
qui
ry.

"Arey
oucr
azyBru
no.Ofc
our
sen
ot!"Cl
ai
rea
nswe
redt
oo
q
uic
klya
ndhel
aughe
d.

"It
sa l
ri
ght,y
oudon'
thav
etofe
elbus
ted,Iju
stsawthewayy
ou
l
ooke
da thim.I'mnotj
udg
ingy
outho
ugh,Ionlydon
'twan
ty o
utoge
t
hur
ti nany
wa y
."

"W hywo
uldIg
ethu
rt?"Cu
rio
sit
ywa
sal
lov
erhe
rfa
ce.
 "W e l
l-
-"Br un ostut
tered."W ellRyanismyb ro
ther,buthe'
s
to
oco mple
x.Hei s,justnotthetypeI'dbecomfor
tabl
eknowingsomeo
ne
Icareab o
utisinvolvedwit
h.An dIdoc ar
eab o
utyou,andIdo n'
twant
youtofa l
lforhim,a tle
astnotwi t
houtknowi
ngwha tyou'
regetti
ng
your
selfinto
."hewa sextremes e
rio
usthanshe'deve
rseenhimb e
for
e.
Butno neofwhatheha dsaidc o
uldcl
earupthetensi
onbec
au s
ehe
se
emedt obes k
ippi
n gthema j
orp oi
nt.

"Ifee
lli
key
oudo
n'twa
ntt
ote
llmet
her
eali
ssu
e,r
ight
?"She
q
uer
ied.

"Ther
e'snothi
ngmo
retotel
l,a
ndifthe
rei
s,t
heno
nlyRy
an
hi
mse
lfc
antelly
ou .
"Brunos
aidcasua
ll
y.

"No.It'
sn o
timpor
tant
."Shes nor
ted,anditwasali
e;shewas
dy
ingtok
nowwhoRy a
nSt ev
ensre
all
ywa s,andwhatmadehi
ms o
di
ff
ere
ntandcompl
ex,buta
skingf
ormorewo u
ldonlypr
ovede
sper
ati
on.

MEANW HI L
E,Ry ana
ndDo r
iswer
estil
largu
ingastheyhe
adtot
he
c
ar.Hes a
wCl ai
rea
ndBrunobythepoo
l,ashewasope
n e
dthedo
or
f
orDor
is;thel
att
erwasj
ustey
einghi
mwi t
hangst.

Shelaughe
dc raz
il
yandtol
dhim,"Doyouseet
hat?Ou rde
are
st
Cla
ireisnowfli
rti
ngwithourl
itt
leBrun
o."Ry a
nigno
redherco
mment
,
"Nowt el
lmeRy an,doyouhav
efeel
in
gsforhe
r?"Shea sk
ed
de
spera
tely.

"Youaredrun
kDori
s."Hes a
idshort
lya
ndmoti
onedf
orherto
e
nte
rinsi
dethec
ar.Do
rissl
amme
dt hedo
orang
ril
y,i
nst
eadofdo
ingas
i
nst
ruc
ted.
 "I'mn otdrunk!Iknowwha tI'
ms ayi
ng,whyareyoupret
endi
ng
thatyoudo n
'tunderst
andmyf ee
li
ngshuh?AmIn otattr
acti
vetoyou
?
I'mtir
edo fwa i
ti
nginvain,I
'msoda mnti
redofplay
ingag o
od
unders
tandingfrie
nd."Shel ament
ed,hedeci
dedtole
aveherbe,by
movin
gt othedr i
versi
de.Butshekeptherspe
ech,"Ilo
veyouRy an
."
shesaidbetweenhersobs.

Ry anwass
tuc
kb yt
hedoo
r;that
'se
xac
tlywhathe
'db
eent
ryi
ng
t
oa v
oid.Heonl
yloo
kedathe
rsta
n di
ngb
ythepass
enge
rdo
or,a
nd
c
oldl
ys a
id;

"Ge
tin
sidet
hec
ar.Ri
ghtn
ow!"

"Orwhat
?Yo u
' l
lfi
remef
orno
tb e
ingpro
fes
sion
al?Ohpl
eas
eMr
.
Pres
ident
,mi
ndyouthatwe'
ren
olo
ngerintheof
fic
erightn
owa
ndI
ca
ns pe
akwhat
eve
rIs e
efit
."Shebark
ed.

Heb re
athedo utexa
sperat
edly
,andrunahandthro
ughhishai
r.
"Fine
!Ho wabou twediscus
sthattomo
rrow,whe
ny o
u'r
esobb
er.
Ple
ase?"Het r
iedtob enic
eandforonc
eDo ri
sse
emedcal
m."Nowg et
i
nthec a
r,andI'lltakeyouhome."Her e
peate
d,so
ftl
yandshecomp
li
ed
re
luc
tantl
y.
CHAPTER 2
2

Mr .Ste
venshe
arda b
outClai
re'
sanno
unce
menttol
eav
e;hest
ric
tly
s
aid,"There
'snowayI'mle
tti
ngyoule
aveatt
hisho
ur,whi
lewehave
e
noughroo
msinthishous
eforev
eryo
ne."

AndBr
unowass
mil
in
gtr
iump
han
tly
."Se
e?It
oldy
ouhewo
n't
a
gre
e."Hepro
udl
ysai
d.

"No wIu n
ders
tandwhereyourgran
dsonshavegott
hisob
sti
nacy
f
rom;Ihonest
lythi
nkit'
sst
rict
lygenet
ic.
"Cl a
iresa
idandthetwo
ge
ntl
emenlau
gheddel
ight
ful
ly
."Ok a
y,Ig ue
ssIdon'
thaveachoic
e."
Sheadded,andMa rt
hains
truct
edo n
eofthemaidstopre
par
ea
be
droomforher
.

Ther es
to fthee ven
ingwe ntunev
entf
u l
ly,andbyt hetimeClair
e
hadr eti
r e
dt oherr esp
ectiv
er oo
m,Ry anwa sn'thomey e
t.Sheg o
tu p
abruptly,fee
lin
gu pset,ands too
du pbythewi ndow;itwa saperfe
ctvie
w
ofan yonewhowe nti nando utofthema ns
ion.Sheha dnoc l
uewhat
upsethermo re;thef actthathewa sn'
thomey et,orthatheha dlef
t
withDo ris,orma ybebo t
h.Shek eptpac
inghe nc
eandf orthins
idethat
hugeVi cto
rianstylebedroomt hatacco
rdingtoBr uno
,itu sedtobethei
r
mother '
s.He '
de vengrabbe doneofhismother'sol
dc l
othesintheclo
set
forhe rtowea r
,b utshek indlyref
usedandg otoneofBr uno'
spyjamas
i
ns t
ead.

Foramo mentCl ai
redeci
dedtofo
rgetaboutRy a
n,an
dt r
iedto
makehers
elffallasle
epatthever
yleas
t.Bu titwasmoreo
faf o
ol's
er
rand,henceshema deachoic
etocal
lGe nain
s t
ead.Thetwotal
kedfor
awhile
,withal it
tlepla
ybackofwhatRy a
nt o
ldhe rt
heot
hernight,
to
gethe
rwitht hesilen
cetre
atmentdur
ingdinner
.
 "Ohsweet
ie,a
ndyou'
reg
oin
gtol
ethi
mme
sswi
thy
ou?It
hou
ght
y
ouwereb
olde
rthantha
t."Cri
edGen
a.

"An dwhata
mIs u
ppos
edtodo
?Goo na
ndb e
ghi
mtoc
ont
inu
e
ha
rass
ingme?"Clai
resn
appe
dwhil
epa
cin
garo
und.

Ge
nalaughe
d."Yo umeant
hesweetha
ras
sment
?ComeonCla
ire
,
ju
stadmiti
tthatyo
ulovehismy
ste
rio
uswaysofg
etti
ngi
ntoy
ou.He
dri
vesy
oucraz
ymyf ri
end.
"

Cl
ai
reexhal
edheav
il
y."OhIdo
n'tk
nowGe
na.Ido
n'te
venk
now
wha
tIwantany
more.
"

"W e l
lIthi
nkIdo.
"Ge n
as a
id."Yo
uju
stne
edali
ttl
epus
h,a
nd
Ihea
rb y,pus
hyoutog
oa n
dtalktohi
m.Noyo
udon'
tev
ennee
dtota
lk,
j
ustatt
ackhim."

NowitwasCl
ai
re'
stu
rnt
ola
ugh."At
tac
khi
m?W ha
tki
ndo
f
a
dvi
cei
sthat?"

The yta l
k edali
ttlemo re
,wi t
ho utanyde fin
itesoluti
ontohe r
probl
em,b uta tlea
stshewa sab l
etolaugh,f ee
llessco nf
li
cteda nd
rel
axed.Shes tay
eda wa keforalmostanho u r,andf el
lasle
epf orone
moreun ti
lsheg otupallo fasu dden,fee
lin
gt heu rget oreal
lys e
eRy an.
Shedr o p
pedo ffthebed,a ndwa ndereddo wnt heha l
ll i
keathi e
f,
withoutanyi deawhethe rhewa sb ackorno t
.I twa sp roba
blymi dni
ght
alr
eady,a ndt hehousewa sc r
eepysilent
.Shes t
illrememberedwhe re
Ry an'
sb edroomwa s,an dhe a
dt heres t
rai
g htawa y.Itwa sclosed,as
expec
ted,a nds hesto
odb ythedo or
,a sthoug hcon f
li
ctedwhe therto
knockorn ot.I twasstup i
d,ands heha dga theredtha tmuch,b utshe
wass t
illthere;itwass omethingshec oul
dn'tc ont
r ol
.
 "W ha
tar
eyo
udo
ing
?"Av
oic
est
art
ledhe
r,a
nds
hen
ear
ly
j
ump
ed.

Ryan
!Sheg ra
spe
d."Um-
-no
thi
ng.Ij
ustg
otl
ost
."She
a
nswe
redti
midl
y.

"Yo
u'r
elo
st?"Ry
anp
romp
tedwhi
leg
ett
ingc
los
er.Hi
svo
icewa
s
n
othi
ngb
utmoc
kery
.

"Ye
s,tha
t'swhatIjus
tsaid!Ar
eyo
uco
min
gba
ckj
ustn
ow?"
Cl
ai
reas
ked,al
mostr
epro
achfu
ll
y .

Hesmi
rked,andwasal
readybyt
hedo
or,onl
yas t
epfro
mher."I
am,why
?W e r
ey o
uwa i
ti
ngforme?"Hequer
iedwit
hb ri
mminge
yes
,
maki
ngherf
lus
hingcri
mson
.

"Ofcour
senot
!W hywo u
ldIwaitforyo
u?An dyou'
redrunk!"
Shere
pli
edac
cus
ingl
y,bu
thereal
lys
eemedtohaveha
dal i
quo
r."Is
t
hatwhatyo
uweredoi
ngwit
hDo r
isal
lthi
stime?Drin
kin
ga l
coho
l?"

Hel e
toutanaudi
blesi
gh,whil
ele
ani
ngagai
nstt
hewal
ljus
tnea
r
t
hedoor
.Hel ooke
dtire
d,drunkandmayb
estre
sse
d;andwhenhi
seye
s
l
ande
donCl a
ire
,afain
ts mi
lee
sca
pedhisl
ips
.

"Ic
an'
tbe
li
evey
ous
til
llo
vewhi
ni
ng!"Heu
tte
redwi
thag
rin
.

"I
'mn
otwhi
ni
ng,I
'mo
nlya
ski
ng.
"Sheq
uip
ped.

"W hyshou
ldIanswe
ry o
urq u
est
ionMs .Chall
enge
?Yo u
'renot
mywif
e."SaidRyan."Ile
ftyoualon
eb u
ty o
u'r
estil
llu
rki
ngaroun
d.
W ha
tdoyouwantf
rommeCl ai
re?"Hea s
kedsoft
ly,an
dhisvoi
cehad
so
mehuski
nes
s.

Shes
wal
lo
wed."Ido
n'twa
nta
nyt
hin
gRy
an,Ij
ustg
otl
ostwhi
le
t
ryi
ngt
oge
tmy
sel
fso
mewa
ter
."Shea
nswe
red,a
ndhel
aug
hed.

"Doy ouwanttoslee
pwi t
hme ?"Ry ana skedblat
an t
lyands he
nea
r l
ydroppedherheartout.Heu nglue
dhi msel
ff r
omt hewalland
movedcl
osertoher."I'ma s
k i
ngifyouwantt osle
epwithmet oni
g ht
Clair
e,bec
au s
eitsee
msl i
key o
udo .
"Her elease
dhi sal
cohol
icbreath,
thatnone
thele
ss,nev
erseemedtob o
therClaire;hisges
tu r
eandt heloo
k
ofhiseye
swa swhatb o
theredher.Hes tartedtos t
rokeherha i
r
smoothl
ywhi l
esear
chin
gi nt
entl
yforherg l
imme r
ingeyes.

Shei mmedi
ate
lywin
cedbac
k."NoIdon'
twanttosl
eepwit
hyou.
You'
resoshamel
essRyan.God!"Shesna
ppedandl
ookedaway.He
gi
ggl
edlaz
ily
."Ju stgotoyo
urroo
m,an
dg e
tsomesl
eep
,becau
seyo
u'r
e
de
fin
ite
lydrunk.
"

"I
'mn
otdr
unk
."

"Tha
t'swha
tal
ldr
unk
ardss
ay.
"

"Bu
tI'
mno
ton
eoft
hem!"

"Urgh!"Sheg ro
wle
d."Su r
e,whate
ver!"Shesai
da ndtur
ned
tomoveb
ac ktohe
rroom,f
eel
in
gstupi
dallo
veragai
n,f
orwhatev
ershe
wasabou
tt odo.That'
swhenshefe
ltRyan'
sa r
msenv
elo
pin
gherfrom
behi
nd.Sheg ots
tif
fandhotri
ghtaway
.

"Ple
ases
lee
pwi
thmeCl
ai
re.
"Hewhi
spe
red."Ju
stf
or
t
oni
ght
."

Shesi
ghe
dsof
tly."Andthe
nwhat?You'
llwakeu
pto
mor
rowan
d
a
skmetoge
tlo
st?Isthati
t?Orhavey
oufo
rgotte
nwhaty
outo
ldme
y
est
erda
y?"Sheutte
red,l
ame
nta
bly
.
 "Ido
n'tk
now.Can
'twejus
tf o
rgeti
tforon
eni
ght
?Iwon'teve
n
f
uckyo
uIswear
,Iju
stwantt
ofeelyou
rwa r
mth."Rya
nin
sis
ted.

Shealmostla
u g
hed."You'rer
eall
ywe i
rdRy an."Shes a
idbe
fore
br
eak
ingfr
omhi sembra
cetotak
eag oodloo
ka thim."W hatdoIdo
wi
thyoure
all
y?"Shea ske
d,butmoretohersel
fthathim.Shewante
d
hi
m,andhewasap urete
mptat
ionhi
ms e
lf.Shek newshecou
ldn'
tav
oid
hi
m,andi
twa seve
nu se
les
stryi
ngto.

"Ju s
tst
aywit
hme."Here
pea
tedwi
thhi
ssl
eep
yey
esf
romt
he
a
lco
holi
nhisb
loo
d."Pl
ease
?"

"Ok a
y.I '
llsl
eepwit
hy ou."Shea nswe
redcasual
ly
,a n
di nfe
w
minut
esshewa shelp
inghimg e
ttingsett
ledin
;hewa sveryti
psynow
thatshe'
ds e
enhimwa lki
ngtot hebedroo
ma ndstumbl
edb ythecou
ch.
"Ar e
n'tyoutakin
gy ourcl
othesoff?"Shea s
ked,gra
spingthathewas
l
y i
ngdowno nl
ya f
terundres
s i
nghiss hoe
s.

"IfIdo,I
'lle
ndupi
nyo
urpants
.An dIhatetha
tyou'r
eweari
ng
so
meo
neels
e'sp
yjamas
."Hekep
thisdru
nktalk
,a n
dCl a
iregi
ggl
ed.
"OhsoI'macl
ownn o
w?"Hecoll
aps
edonbed.

"OhcomeonRya
n!Don'
tbesu
chababy
.Takeo
ffthej
eansa
t
l
eas
t,andy
oulo
okda
shin
gonthe
mbythewa
y."Shesai
danditwas
t
hetru
th.

"OhIdo
?"

"Ye
syo
udo
."

"Bu
tyo
uon
lyha
dey
esf
orBr
unoe
arl
ie
r."Hec
omp
lai
nedl
ik
ea
c
hil
d.
 Clai
reco
uldn'
tre
pre
ssherl
augh."I
sthats
o?Ma ybei
t'
sbeca
use
y
ou'
resuchajerk
,whole
ftadef
ens
ele
sswoma
nalon
eint
hemiddl
eof
t
heroa
d."

Hef
rown
edremo
rse
ful
ly
."NoCl
ai
re...Idi
dn'
t...me
ant
o..
.
"an
dof
fhewen
tdead.

"Hah!Ma y
beIsho
uldmakeyoudrunkwhe
nev
erInee
dsome
p
eac
e."Shemu
tte
redt
oherse
lfwhi
lepul
li
nghisj
ean
soffhi
sfe
et.

Hes uddenl
ygotup,a
sifhe'dbe
enfi
ghti
ngt
hes
lee
pingb
att
le.
"W ha
tarey o
udo i
ng?Comele
t'ssl
eepp
lea
se.
"Heurged;hi
svoi
ce
dr
owsy,a
ndCl ai
resmil
ed.

"Ok
aySi
r."Shep
lac
edt
hef
olde
dje
anso
nthec
ouc
h.

"Don'
tcal
lmeSI R!"Heb a
rkedan
dt heli
ght
sfl
ic
kedo
ff,bef
ore
s
hej oi
nedhi
mo nbed.Heq u
ickl
yp ul
le
dhertohisar
msandki
ssedher
f
oreheadastho
ughma kin
gsureshewasact
uall
yther
e."Nowoffto
s
lee
pMs .Chal
len
ge .
"

"OkayRy an
.Goodn i
ght."Shewhisp
ere
db et
wee
nhe rc
huck
les
,
whil
ema ki
ngef
for
tst
opullthecov
ersb
eca
useRy a
n'shandswer
e
re
frain
ingherf
rommovi
ngfreel
y.

Byt heti
meCl airehadmanage
dt ocoverthemb othwitht hesheet
,
Ry anwasf as
ta s
leep,wit
hhisarmsholdingherp o
s s
essiv
ely.As mi
le
wasa l
loverherface;itwasafee
li
ngshe 'dmisse
dt hee nt
irewe e
k,and
tothin
ko nl
yy es
terdayshewasthink
ingi twasallover,nothi
ngwa s
pre
dictab
leasf a
ra sRy anwasconc
erned,sher e
ckoned.Ats omep oi
ntin
themiddleofthenight;Clai
remadeana tte
mptt ogetu pandr et
urnto
herroom,infearofso me
onefi
ndi
ngoutt hatsheha dn'tsl
eptinhe rown
roo
m,b utRyanha dk epthertoocl
oseandtoot i
ghttoall
owhe rle
avi
ng.
Itwasimposs
ibletoun der
standhowhedidi tinthemiddleofhisfai
nt
snor
ing.Shede ci
dedt ostic
ka r
ound,unti
lfivei
nthemo rni
ng,whenshe
fi
nall
yma n
agedt opulloutofhisarms,whenher ol
le
do ve
r.Shes mile
d
warmlywhil
efixingthec o
versuptohisneck,andsli
ppedawaya s
dis
cree
tlyaspossi
ble.Shewa sabl
etoma keittoherroomwithout
caus
inganyattenti
ont owhomeverwasawak e.

Thefol
lo
wingmorn
ingdur
ingb
rea
kfas
t,Cl
air
enoti
cedt
hatRya
n
was
n'tpre
senta
nddeci
dedtos
ubtl
ymakea
ninqu
iryabo
uthi
sabs
enc
e.

"Ithi
nkhewe
ntoutabou
tq u
arte
rofanho
urago
."Mr .St
eve
ns
r
epl
ie
d,wit
hhisgl
ass
ed-e
yesin
dulge
dint
oahugen
ewspa
per
.

"Mayb
ehewe
nttos
eeDo
ris
;a f
tera
llshel
efti
nsu
chas
tat
ela
st
n
ight
."Br
unos
nap
pedwi
thari
dic
ulo
ussmil
e.

"Oh,i
stha
tso
?"Cl
ai
rep
romp
ted,a
ndi
twa
sli
keap
ier
cin
gtot
he
he
art
.

Aft
erbreakf
ast,shesto
odu pbythefro
ntwindow,wit
ha rms
f
oldedac
rossherchest
.W ha tb
u si
nes
swa sRy anhavi
ngwithDori
sto
l
eavesoe
arlyinthemornin
g?Shek e
ptsig
hinginturnswhi
lele
ani
ng
a
ga i
nstt
hewindowfr a
me,thatshecoul
dn'tev
enn o
tic
eaprese
nceof
s
ome o
nebes
ideher.

"Ar
eyo
uen
joy
ingt
hef
lowe
rs?"As
kedMr
.St
eve
nswi
thas
mil
e.

Start
led,Cl
ai
res
mil
eda
thi
man
dan
swe
red."Ye
s.I
t'sb
eau
tif
ul
o
utt
her
e."

"I
tis
,bu
twhydoy
oul
ooks
osa
d?"Hea
ske
dag
ain
,wi
tho
ut
wi
pi
nghi
ssmi
le
.

"Sa
d?I
'mn
ots
ad.
"Sher
epl
ie
dwe
akl
y.

"OhCl a
ire
,"Hes i
ghe
d."Imayb ea
no l
dman,b
utthat
's
p
rec
ise
lywhyI'v
eli
vedl
onge
nou
ghtou n
derst
andt
hemean
ingbehi
nd
p
eop
le'
swords
,look
s,an
deve
nsmil
es.
"

"Gra n
dfathe
r,whata r
eyoutry
ingtosaynow?Shelaug
hedout
thewords,andheb e
ckon
edhertofol
lo
whi mouts
ide
,wher
etheyt
ooka
walkbytheg a
rden;thesunwasju
ststar
tingtoshi
ne.

"Iknowmyt wograndson
sverywel
l,
"Mr .Stevenssai
dwitha
paus
e."andfromt ha
t,I'mverymuchawarethatBrunocannotb
ethe
onetomakeyo
us ad;he'
st o
olovi
ngtocaus
ea ny
oneahe ar
tac
he,
es
peci
all
ythos
ehec are
sa bo
ut"Hes tare
da thersi
deways,i
naseri
ous
manner
."Soi sitRy an
?"Hef ina
ll
yshot.

Clai
reg
asp
edinshoc
k."W hat?W ha
tar
eyo
usa
yin
gMr
.
St
even
s?"Shes n
ort
ed,ner
vou
sly
.

Hel a
ughed."W henwetal
kedonthephonet
helastti
me,I
wondere
dwha tyouandRyanweredo
ingtog
e t
heratthatti
meofaday,
bu
ti twasn'
timport
ant
."Heha l
tedandshedidthesame."W hat
's
i
mportanti
sho wheloo
ksatyo
u,andthewayy oul
ookathimClai
re.
"
Hes mil
ed.

"I...don'
tknowhowtodealwi
thhi
mg r
andfat
her.
"Cl ai
re
de
cidedtoc
omec
leanev
ent
ual
ly
."I'mn o
tev
ensurewhatIfee
lforhi
m,
an
dwi thho
wcompl
ica
tedhei
s,I'
ma fr
aidi
t'
susel
esst
oeventry
."

"Iunder
sta
nd."Hes a
id."Ryani
slik
eac a
ctus
;hedo
esn
'ta
ll
ow
a
nyo
n et
ouchi
nghim,b
uti
tdoesn
'tme
ani
t'simp
ossi
bl
etodoi
t.Heisa
g
oodb
oy,y
ouj
ustn
eedt
obeal
it
tlep
ati
entwi
thhi
m."

"Bu
twha
tifhedo
esn
'tl
etme
?"

"Youwo
n'tk
nowu
nles
syout
ryCl
ai
re.Do
n'tg
iveu
ponhi
mye
t,I
a
mbe
ggi
ngyo
u."Hepl
eaded.

Cl
air
esqui
nte
dal i
ttl
e."Ic
an'tpro
miseany
thin
gg r
andfa
the
r.
So
meti
mesthi
ngsdon
'thappe
njus
tb e
causewewantthe
mt o
."Shesai
d.

Theirt alkcont
inuedforawhi le,butins
tea
do fhelpi
n g
,itlefther
e
venmo redi s
traught.FirstBr unotoldhertobec ar
eful
,a ndno wMr .
Stevensask edhertob emorep a
tientwithhim;who mwa sshes uppo
sed
t
ofo l
lo
w?An dwha twa sallthemy ster
ys ur
roundedRy ana nyway?
Ha dsome thinghappenedinhislifetoma k
ehims odiff
icul
ttode alwit
h?
Intheends heha dn oanswera ndo n
lyg o
therse
lfreadyt ogoba ckint
he
c
ity.Sheha dn ointen
tiontowa itforRy anwhatsoev
er,a n
do nly
f
ocusedhe rmi ndontheg randpresentat
iontomor
r o
wa two rk,which
aga
in,ha dt oinvo
lvehimint hepictu
r e
.

****

RYANwa sa tthehous
eofDr.Marco
s,andhiswi
fewa r
mlyt
oldhi
m
tha
tDo ri
swass ti
lli
nherbe
droo
m.Shewasasb e
auti
fulashe
r
daught
er,exc
eptshewasve
rykinda
ndcor
dial
.

"Ca
nIp
lea
set
alkt
otohe
rAn
ne?"Ry
ana
ske
d.

"Ofcou
rseRyan
.Ju stgotoherr
oombeca
useshe
'sa
lrea
dy
awa
ke;a
ndthanky
ouforb
ring
ingherhomel
astnig
ht.Ido
n'tkno
w
whe
nshest
arte
ddri
nki
ngl
ikeafish.
"
 Wi thaf a
ints
mile
,Ryanwentstr
aighttoherb
edr
oomand
k
nocked;thedoo
ropen
edfewse
condsaf
ter,andDori
sapp
ear
ediname
ss,
s
til
linthesamedre
ssshewaswea
r i
ngla
stn i
ght.

"Comein,
"s heutt
ere
d."I
'msor
ry,I'
ms t
il
linsuc
hawrec
k,
di
dn'tthi
nky o
u'dcomeher
e."Hervo
iceha
dahi n
to fs
arc
asmbuti
t
di
dn'tsee
mt obot
herRy an
.Hes a
tdownonthecouc
hwhil
eshe
re
achedforherbed.

"Ho
wdoy
ouf
eelr
ightn
ow?"Ry
ana
ske
d,s
eri
ous
ly.

"I'
mgood,a
sy o
ucans
ee,It
oldy
ouIwa
sn'
tdr
unk
,di
dn'
tI?"
Shean
swer
edharshl
y.

"Igues
sso.W ell
,Ithi
nkwene
edtot
alk
,aboutl
astni
ght.
"
Ryansai
d,andshegott
ense
."Aft
eral
lwearef
rie
ndsandcol
le
agu
es,
sowen
eedtoputthi
ngsri
ght"

Do
riss
mir
ked."An
dso
?W ha
tdoy
ouha
vet
osa
y?"

"Doris,Ili
keyoualot
,a ndyouknowthat!W e'vebeenfr
iends
si
ncekidsandy o
u'r
elikeasis
terthatIneve
rwa n
tt olose
."Hes ai
d
ca
lmly."I '
velo
ngknowna b
outy o
urfeel
in
gs,andthat'swhyIt ri
edmy
be
stn o
tt omisl
eadyou;be
causeIdon'twanttosp
oilthisrel
ati
onshi
pwe
haveandmu chle
sshurtyou."

Dori
sfor
cedal
aug
h."Af
rie
nd.Al
it
tles
ist
er.
"Sheu
tte
red
wi
thsa
rcasm.

"Idon'
thav
et hel
ei
sureno
rthec
onf
ide
ncetol
oveyo
uora n
yone
.
I'
mquit
efa
rfro
mt heper
sontogiv
eyo
uwhate
veryo
u'rel
ook
ingfori
na
man.
"Hea dde
d.
 "W hyRya
n?W hyca
n'tt
hatper
sonbeyo
u?I
sitb
eca
meo
ftha
t
wo
managai
n?Thats
tup
idop
por
tun
istwho-
-"

"Pl
eas
edon'
tbrin
gheru pi
ntot
his.Don'
tev
enda
r eme
nti
onher
n
ame
."Ryans
nappe
da ng
ril
y;he'
deventur
nedre
datthere
mark.

Sheswal
lowed."Okaysorr
y ,i
fnotabo
uther,t
henwhoelse
?
Clai
re?"Shesn a
p p
ed,an
dheo n
lystare
d."Ohs oClai
r ec
anbewit
h
yo
ua ndIcan
't?Ar eyousay
ingthatIshoul
dbehappythatyo
u'r
e
be
ingver
yconsi
deratewi
thmeandq ui
tetheo
ppo
sit
ewithher?"

"Idon
'tun
der
sta
ndwhyy
ou'
reb
rin
gin
gCl
ai
rei
ntot
hise
ithe
r."
Hes
too
dup.

"I'
ms ta
rtin
gt ofeelsorr
yf o
rhe r,"Dori
sstoo
du paswell
."I'm
fe
eli
ngsorryforClair
e;s hehasnoi deawhatafroz
enhearti
sbeati
ng
agai
nstyourches
t.Be causeyou'
rer i
ght,youc
an'tl
oveanyon
ewiththat
st
oneheartofyours
;b utIdo n'
tu nderst
andwhatyouwa n
tfromher
ei
therway.Doy ouwan ttosle
epwithhe rli
keev
eryothergi
rl
sy o
uslee
p
wit
h?I sthatwhaty ouwa ntfro
mhe r
?"

"StopDo
ris
!"Ry
anb
ark
ed;f
eel
in
gli
kes
he'
dst
art
edc
ros
sin
g
t
hel
in
e.

"Nodo n'
ttel
lmet ostop
!"Shes creamedtohisfa
ce,the
ns i
ghed.
"Buty o
uk no
wwha t,goa he
ada nddoit
;it'snotl
ikeIcar
ea b
outthat
spo
il
edb ra
tanywa y.Dowha te
veryouwantwithher,an
dI '
llbehapp
y
togiv
eheraha ndkerc
hiefwhenthin
gsgowe st
."Shel aug
hed
dia
boli
cal
ly"Ithin
ky ou'
refee
li
ngb e
tte
rnow,I '
llg
etgoi
ng."Ry ansaid.

"Ofco
urseI'
mf e
eli
ngbet
ter
!Doyouthi
nkI'
dcryove
ryouli
kea
t
imi
dhea
rtbr
okenco
ll
egegir
l?Forge
twhatIsa
idyes
ter
day,a
n dju
st
l
eav
emyho
usey
ous
cou
ndr
el.
"Shey
ell
ed.

Hes
ighe
d."Yo
uca
nta
kef
ewda
yso
ffi
fyo
uwa
ntt
ore
st.
"

"W hy
?DoIma k
ey o
uu n
comf
ort
abl
enow?"Sheyel
le
dagai
n;she
ha
tedt
hefactt
hathedidn'
tsee
maffe
cte
datallwi
tha
llt
heha
rshne
ss.

"Noyoudon
't.Ijus
twa
ntyoutob
einyou
rri
ghtmi
ndwhe
nyo
u
c
omebac
kintheo
ffi
ce.
"Her e
tur
neddry
ly.

Dor
isrol
le
dherey
es."OkayMr.Pre
sident
.I'l
ldoasyo
uwish.
"
Shemut
tere
dangr
il
y,andheo
nlyn
odde
d,befo
redis
appe
ari
ngouto
f
he
rsi
ght.
CHAPTER 2
3

I
twa sMo nda
yatlast
;Cl a
irewa
sup,andreadyforworksoearl
yin
t
hemo rn
ing.Shehadn'
theardawordfro
mRy ansi
ncehersle
epove
r
i
ntohisroo
m,anditdi
dn'tsee
mtomatt
eranymore.Again,onherway
o
ut,shebumpe
dintoJorgewhorega
rde
dhe rwithanastoni
shedst
are.

"W o w!I
ssomet
hin
ggoingonintheoff
iceto
day?Bec
auseyo
ulook
awe
some."Hes n
app
ed,ali
ttl
eexag
g e
rate
dlyforCla
ire
'so
pin
ionoft
he
mat
ter.

"Ohplea
se!Don'tmakemyhea
dbu
rsts
oea
rlyi
nthemo
rni
ng.
"
Shere
tur
ned,di
ffi
den
t l
yinmann
ers
.

"ButI'
mp r
ett
ys e
rio
us.Yo ul
ooka
maz
ing
,wel
lyo
ual
waysdo,b
ut.
..you'
vepu
shedbeyon
do rdi
naryt
oday
."SaidJorg
eca
sua
llya
s
t
heywal
kedoutbythemai
ndo or
.

Ma t
ter-
of-f
actl
y,Cl a
irewa sactuall
ylo o
kinghe rbest
.Shewa s
weari
ngt hecrea
mdr essthatshe'db oughtfewda y sago,atGe na'
s
co
nvicti
on,cla
imingthatitwasto osexyt oli
veint her ac
k.Itwa sa
st
raightdr e
ss;ti
ght,nottootight,juste n
ought oe mphasi
zeherterr
ifi
c
fi
gurea ndap a
irofbeauti
fullo
n glegs.Fo rshoes,s hehadb ur
gundy
sc
arpin-hee
lsthatma t
chedthes hadeonhe rlips.She '
dtie
du pherha i
r
i
ntoap rofes
sion
albun,andhe rn e
ckwa se nci
rcl
edwi t
has i
mp l
egold
nec
klacethatcameinha n
dywi thitsma tchingwa t
cha ndlit
tleearr
ings.
Inshort,shelook
edn otmorenorl e
ss,bu tel
egantins impl
ic
ity.

"Alr
ightJorg
e ,t
han
ks.Iha
vea
nimp
ort
antp
res
ent
ati
ont
oda
y."
Shehumb
lyrema
rked.

"Oht
hate
xpl
ai
ns,o
kayho
pin
,I'
llg
ivey
our
ide
."Jo
rges
aid.
 "Tha n
kyou.
"Clai
rere
pli
eda
nddr i
fte
di n
tohisdar
kgreyFor
d
SUVt ha
these
emedt
ohavemuchl
oyal
tywith;he'
db e
endri
vi
ngitf
or
asl
ongasshec
oul
dre
member
,andtak
engreatcareofi
t.

Arri
vedintheoffi
ce,Cl
ai
rer e
cei
vedsamepr
aise
sasJo rge'
s,when
he
rco
lle
aguesl
andedeyesonher
.Shemo de
stl
yanswere
dwi t
hat hank
-
yo
u,an
dt r
iedtoset
tledowni
nhe rcube
,whenLydiautt
ere
da udi
bly
;

"Ma y
b esheshoul
db eali
ttl
esubt
le
;p e
opl
emightthi
nks he
's
tr
yingtouseherlookstoatt
rac
tourcli
ent
s."An dwiththateve
ryon
e
l
ookedather."W ha t?I'monl
yb e
inghone
sthere,
"shesaid."weall
kno
who weas i
lydis
tract
edmencanbe,andIdon'twantourrepu
tat
ion
drai
nedinthemu d.
"

Asalways,Clair
eo n
lysmil
ed."Do n'
tworryLydi
a,Iwon'teve
r
ta
rnishyourre
pu t
ati
onifthat'
swha tyou'
reworri
edabout
."Shes aid
fl
atl
y."Bu they,it
'snotsuc
hab adi deai
fmylooksca
na c
tua
ll
y
di
stractt
hemwhi l
eNa thangi
vesthep r
ese
nta
tio
nr i
ght?"Shea dded
andtherestl
aughedinu n
iso
n.

"That'
sright.W eshoul
d'v
eempl
oye
dthist
act
icl
onga
goand
they
'dacce
pte
do urde
sign
sr i
ghtaway.
"Chrisjo
kedan
daf u
nny
dis
cuss
ionaro
se.Lydi
ar o
lle
dhereyesast
hou
ghever
yon
ewasnot
hin
g
butsi
mple
tons
.

Nathanfi
nal
lyappe
are
d."Ok a
ytha
t'se
nou
ghAmbr
ose
,"het o
ld
Chri
samids
thisspe
ech."Le
vy,i
ntwoho
urs.
"Hesai
dtoClai
re,
po
int
edl
y.

"Ye
sNa t
han."Sheans
wer
ed,an
ds t
arte
dtogat
herhert
hin
gs
r
eady
,be
for
eindu
lgi
ngi
ntohe
rusua
lwork
loadtos
tar
tada y
.
 Intwoa ndahalfhourslat
er,thetwohada l
rea
dyarri
veda tSK.
Theywentstrai
ghta
he adtothesameconfe
renc
eroomasbefore
,a n
di n
ju
stawhilelate
r,Ryana ndt
het hreeot
hergen
tle
menarri
ved.Ha r
ry
wasn
'tpres
ent,andn
e i
therwasDo ri
s,butin
ste
ad,anot
herelde
rly
womanjoi
nedthemands e
emedtob ereg
ardedrat
herres
pec
tfull
ywith
ev
eryo
ne,inc
ludi
ngRy anhimsel
f.

Nathantookthereig
n ,a
ndp ro
ceededwithal
lthechanges
.Clai
re
wasseate
df arfro
mRy an,whotreat
edhe rli
keastrang
eryetaga
in;
shedec
idedl
ydide xac
tlythesame,andwi t
hp l
eas
ure,whil
e
con
cent
ratin
ghe reye
sont hescr
een,ando nl
yturne
df r
omt i
metoti
meto
watcheve
ryone'
sreact
ioninregar
dst othechange
s.

"An dinr ega

rdstoe ver
ythingpr
esent
ed,we'
vebe e
nthin
k i
ng,with
yourinc
li
n at
ionofcourse,"Na thansai
d."t ha
titwou l
dbebestifwe
fur
n i
shpa r
to fthi
sb ui
ldingwithwoodinste
adofac o
n c
ret
esot hatit
gi
vesadif f
erenttouc
hf romther e
st... "heconti
nued,an
dt hat'
s
whenthedo orswungo p
e nandDo ri
swalkedinandshowedapolo
g e
tic
smi
leass hegrabbedas eatnexttoRy an
.

"It
oldy
out
ota
keada
yof
f."Ry
ans
aidi
nawhi
spe
r.

"Nomixin
gu pworkandpers
onall
if
eMr .Pres
iden
t.I'monl
y
b
eingprof
ess
ional
."Dorisans
wered,an
dhesmil
edopenl
y;shedi
dthe
s
ame,a ni
ndi
cati
onthatshewasbacktohers
ens
es,andnot
hingso
t
rif
li
n gassu
ch,coul
d'v
eb r
okenher.

"Ok ayPanthe
r,"Ry ansai
da br
u p
tly
."Ithin
kIl i
keever
ythin
g
t
oday,es
peci
al
lytheparta
boutusingthewood,I
'msurepe
oplewit
h
t
ast
ef o
rtheenvi
ronmen
tandwi l
derne
sswo ul
dlo
vethat
."Hee ye
dt he
e
lde
rlywoman,whosmil
edba s
hful
lyandn o
ddedathiminsomeknowing
wa
y.

ClaireandNa t
hane xchangedar e
li
evedlook,assheproudly
fl
atter
edhe r
s e
lffo
rtheideao fu s
ingwooda sshehumblys ugg
e s
ted
durin
gt hei
rlastdis
cussi
on.Shet hengotup,ignor
ingallthemu rmur
s
i
nt heroom,andmo st
lytheu ndesc
ribab
lestarecomi
ngf r
o mDo ri
s.
Nathans hookhandswithRy an,whil
eexchangi
n gfe
wwo r
dst hatshe
co
ulds c
a r
cel
yhe a
r,ands hetrie
dt osuppre
sswha te
verdiscomfortshe
wasfeel
ingfromRy an'scruelin
diffe
renceto
wa rdsher.

"Nic
ejobClai
re,s
eemsyo
u '
vere
all
ydonei
tthi
sti
me.
"Do
ris
's
v
oic
est
artl
edher
,andsheimmedi
ate
lyfor
cedasmi
le
.

"Than
ksDori
s,i
twa
sat
eam'
sef
for
t!"Shea
nswe
red,wi
tha
di
spl
aye
dhumi
li
ty.

"Ik
now."Do
risr
ema
rke
ddi
sda
inf
ull
y,a
ndl
efta
squ
ick
lya
sshe
'd
dr
opp
edby.

Stari
ngbac
k,Cla
ire'
seyesbumpedintoRy an
'sforav e
ryqui
ck
moment
;shesawnot
hingbutindi
ffe
ren
cey e
ta ga
in,andsheslowl
y
ret
ract
edbygrab
bin
ghe rpur
seandwa l
kedo u
to ftheroo
ma sifge
tti
ng
awayfromhero
wnshadow.Shewa sst
a n
dinginfrontoftheel
eva
tor
,
whenNa t
hanapp
ear
edwi t
hat ri
umphantsmil
ethatdu ghi
sdimple
s
dee
ply
.

"Canyoube
li
evewedi
dit?"Heyap
pedands
herega
rdedhi
mwi
th
af
aints
mil
e."Oh,Igues
sI'l
lhav
eag
oodnig
htsl
eept
oday.
"

"Sowi
lle
ver
yon
eel
se.
"Cl
ai
rer
epl
ie
d,s
eemi
ngl
yha
lf-
int
ere
ste
d.

Nathanmo
vedhi
sfa
cec
los
er."W ha
t'swr
ong
?Yo
ulo
okk
indo
f
an
gry?"
 "W ha
t?"Shef o
rce
dasmil
e,andthegr
eydo
orss
pli
top
en."I'
m
n
otang
ry,I'
mjustt
oogla
dtha
twe '
reov
erthi
sone
."Shesai
da st
hey
s
li
dins
idet
heca
bin.

"You'
rer
ight
.I '
llj
ustca
llt
heoffi
ceandsha
rethemtheg
ood
n
ews
. "s
aidhe
,whiletak
inghi
scel
l,a
nds heon
lysmi
led.

Cla i
re'sheadwa st o
oo c
cupi
edt oevenli
stenwhe nNathans tart
ed
ta
lkingwi thab igsmil
ef r
oms i
det oside
.Shek ep
tthin
kingoft he
weekends he'
ds pentatSt ev
en's
,a ndhiswo rdsa bou
tnotg i
vi
ngu po n
hi
sg rands o
nt oosoon.Ac tu
all
yt herewasn on ee
df o
rsuchar eminder
be
c aus
es hewa sa l
rea
dyo nv e
rgeo fnotgivi
ngu ponhime i
therwa y;he
ke
p ttormentin
ghe rsincewayb e
fore,buty e
ts hefoundherse
lfinhis
armss o
me how.Sowha twasthep oi
ntofr unningawayfromhe rown
fe
elin
gs?Shewa n
tedtoc on
fronthimf o
ro nce,andforc
ehimt ol i
ste
nto
her,andma yb
ehec ouldtel
lherwha twa sreallythematte
rwi t
hhi m.

Thedoo
rsfinal
lyo
pen
edbythel
obbyfl
oor
;st
il
lstu
cktothecab
in,
Clai
retol
dNa t
hantogoonahe
ad."I'
llbei
ntheo
ffi
cebef
oretwe
lve
,I
pr
omise
."Shei ns
ist
ed.

"Ok
ay,don
'tt
akel
onge
rtha
ntha
t.W e
'reha
vin
game
eti
nga
fte
r
l
unc
h."Heremi
nde
dher.

"YesNatha
n.Tha
nks.
"Sheutte
redandimme
dia
tel
ypr
ess
edt
he
l
astf
loo
rbut
tonont
hel
is
t;Rya
n'so
ffi
cefl
oor
.

Athi
sse
cre
tary
'soff
ice
,thesamepol
it
elook
ingwomanto
ldher
t
hatMr.Ste
venswasn
'ttobedis
turbe
d,acco
rdingt
othein
stru
cti
on.

"Bu
t,doyo
uwa
ntmetop
ers
ona
ll
yas
khi
mtha
tyo
uwa
ntt
ose
e
hi
m?"Sheask
edCl
air
e.
 "I
shewi
tha
nyo
ne?"Cl
ai
req
uer
ied.

"Nohe
'sn
otb
ut-
-"

"Theny
oudo n'
thavet
o."Cla
ireut
ter
eddryly
,andoffsherun
f
orRyan'
soff
icedoor
,le
avi
ngthep
oorse
cret
arymoani
nginte
rror;due
t
oClai
re'
sdi
sregar
dingoft
hewarn
ing,a
ndma yb
eoflos
inghe
ro wnjob
.

Rya
nsto
odu phi
sfee
t,amomen
tClair
ewalke
dinli
keamadwoma
n;
s
hewasp
ant
ing,v
ivi
dlyu
pseto
fsomet
hin
ga ndt
hesec
ret
arywa
srig
ht
b
ehi
ndhe
r.

"It'
sokay
,youc
anle
aveusal
one.Anddon
'tl
etan
yo n
eelsei
n,
u
nle
ssIsayso."Ryant
oldthet
err
ifi
edl
ady,a
ndshenodded
a
ppro
vin
gly.

Thedoo
rf i
nal
lyc
los
ed,andt
hetwos
tar
edo
nea
not
her
,ast
hou
gh
o
neo
fthe
mwa sgoi
ngt
ok i
llt
heot
her
.

"DidIa skyoutomarryme?"Cl ai
resnapp
ed.He rques
tio
nforc
ed
asta
rtl
edlaughoutofRyan,desp
itehisunc
ooldisp
osi
ti
on.Hep ac
ed
fr
omhisseat
,an dst
oodhimse
lfne
xtt oher
."Ia skedi
fIe v
eraske
d
yout
oma r
ryme !"Sher e
peat
ed,andn owhelaughe
dforreal
.

"W hati
sthisa
lla
bou
tCl
ai
re?"Hef
ina
ll
yut
ter
ed,whi
lel
ean
ing
a
gai
nsthi
sdesk.

"NothingmajorMr .Ry a nSt e

vens,
"Shea ns
wered."Is imply
don'
tu n
derstandwhyy oukeeps e
ndingmemi xe
dsignal
s;firstyouask
me,no,begmetosleepwithyou,a n
dt henextdayyoutreatliketra
sh.
W hatisitthatyouwa n
tf r
omme ?Ify o
u'reshut
tingmeou tofyourli
fe,
the
ndoi tli
keama n,ands t
opt hi
sr i
dic
ulousandstupi
dg ameo f
your
s!"Shey el
le
dt ohisface,thathenarrowedhiseyesrefl
exive
ly.
 "W ha
tab
outy
ou?"Ry
ana
ske
d,i
gno
rin
ghe
rye
ll
in
g.

Cl
ai
ref
rown
ed,u
nab
let
ofo
ll
owhi
sre
mar
k."W ha
tab
outme
?"

"W hatdoyouwan
tf r
omme?"Ry anr e
turne
d,so
mb e
rly
,witho
ut
rev
eali
nghowhefel
tatthemomen
t.Her epea
ted,"You'
retheonewho
wantedmetole
aveyo
ualone
,andit'
sexact
lywhatI'mtr
yingtodo,so
the
nwha tdoyouwantf
rommeCl ai
re?"

Shep
res
sedhe
rlip
stoge
the
r,t
hink
ingcare
ful
lyofwha
tt os
ay;
wha
tdi
dshewantf
romhim?Sheknewexac
tlywhatwhatshewant
ed.

"Iwa ntyou!"Shea nswere

d,a ndwa lke
dc l
ose
rtoRy an,whose
e
yesgli
ste
nedina nins
tant."Iwa nttos pe
n dmostofmyt i
mewithyou;
t
alki
ngtoyou,ha v
ingdin
n e
rt o
gether,ande ve
ns l
eep
ingtog
ether.
"She
e
nci
rcl
edherha ndsaroundhisneck,boldly
,s e
ndingashive
rdownhi s
s
pine
."Iwa nttoc o
nti
nuewhi n
inga r
oun dyou,argui
ngwithyou,
r
ece
ivi
ngab unchofbothers
omet e
xtsdu ringoffi
cehours
,Iwa ntto
l
aughwithyou!"

ThatmadeRy a
nb r
okein
toanamu s
edsmi
le
,andwit
houthi
spur
e
co
nsent
,hishandswande
redabou
tCl a
ire'
swai
standp
ull
edherne
ar.
"I'
mn otagoodguyClai
re.
"Hec o
nfess
edpl
ai
nly.

"Doyout
hin
kIha v
en'
tlear
nedthatye
t?"Sheaske
d,see
mingl
y
unb
other
ed."Iknowp
erfe
ctl
ywellwhatki
ndofana
ssho
leyo
ua re
,and
whatabitc
hIamtoputupwithyouei
the
rway."

Ryanb
urs
tedou
tla
ughi
ng."Mu
sty
oub
esob
rut
all
yho
nes
t
Cl
ai
re?"Heaske
d.

Clai
res
hrug
ged."Youwant
edmyho
nes
topi
ni
on,r
ight
?"She
u
tte
red,a
ndthe
ywe n
tdea
dsil
entfo
rami
nut
e.
 "W ha
tki
ndo fs
pel
lhav
eyouca
stonme
?"Heu
tte
redho
ars
ely
,
whi
lesta
rin
gdee
plyin
tohershi
ni
ngeye
s.

"I'
mnots
ure
,"Cl
ai
rer
epl
ie
d."a
ndl
ik
eIs
aid,I
'mn
ota
ski
ngy
ou
t
oma
rryme
."

Her a
ise
da ni
nqu
iri
ngeyeb
rowthi
sti
me."W hydoy
ouk
eep
me
nti
oni
ngthat
."Hes ounde
dbrui
sed.

"BecauseIfee
lli
keyou
'rete
rri
fi
edo
fcommi
tme
nt;andtru
stme
Ryan,y
ou'requi
tefarfr
omthemanI'dc
ons
ide
rmarry
ingso
meday,s
o
do
n'tworr
ya bou
tanyofthat.
"

"Okay,whydoIf e
elsu
dden
lyof
fende
d?"Ry ansno
rte
d,an
dshe
c
huc
kle
d.Het henbrea
thedouts
oun
dly,fe
eli
ngsucharel
ief
."Youl
ook
e
xce
pti
ona
ll
yb e
auti
fult
oday."Headded,misc
hie
vousl
y.

"Sodoy o
u;Na vyb
luet
rea
tsyoub
ett
ert
hanbl
ack.
"She
a
nswere
dsmil
in
gly,a
nditwasapur
efac
t;hel
ook
edbre
atht
aki
ngl
y
g
oodthatmo
rning
.

"Ohi
tdo
es?"

"I
tsu
rel
ydo
es.
"

Thei
rlip
sme t
,andalo
ngin
gkiss
,that'
sbeenrep
res
sedfo
ra n
e
nti
rewee
k,fi
nall
ytooki
tspl
ace
.No t
hin
ge l
sematt
eredany
more;al
lthe
t
hin
kin
ga n
dp on
deri
ngwaswateru
nderthebri
dge.

"Youdoknowifwegoondoi
ngthi
sIma ye
ndupf
uck
ingyo
uo nmy
des
k,do n
'tyo
u?"Ry anut
tere
dbrea
thl
ess
ly;hi
sha
ndshadal
ready
tr
avell
edunde
rne
athherdre
ss.

Sheq
uic
klys
lap
pedt
hemo
ff,g
igg
li
ng."Do
n'ty
ouda
reRy
an!I
'm
g
oin
gba
ckt
owo
rkr
ightn
ow.
"Shewa
rne
dhi
man
dtr
iedt
opu
lla
way
.

Hela
ughed."Ohc
omeo
n!L
et'
sju
stp
layho
oky
."Hea
nno
unc
ed
l
ik
eate
enboy
.

"Shameonyo
uRy anSt
eve
ns!W ha
tag
oode
xamp
lef
ory
our
hu
mblee
mpl
oye
e,huh?"

"Myb
itc
hemp
loy
ee?"

"Do
n'tc
allmeb
itc
hyo
uas
sho
leb
oss
."

The
ysta
rte
dl a
ughin
ga ga
in."Doy
ouha
vet
ogob
ackr
ightn
ow?"
Ry
anaske
d,ali
ttl
edis
appoi
nte
dly.

"Io
ughtto,
"shean
swer
edwhi
lef
ixi
nghe
rsel
fwi
thali
ttl
epo
wder
k
itf
oramirr
or."Ine
edtowor
konmyli
cen
set
oo,Iwo
nde
rifIcando
i
tal
lbyt
heendofto
day.
"

"L
eav
etha
ttome
."Heq
uip
ped.

"W ha
t?Myl
ic
ens
e?"

"Ye
ah.Yo
u'l
lha
vei
tso
on,u
nle
ssy
oudo
n'tk
nowho
wtodr
ivea
t
a
ll
."

"Ofc
our
seIdo
!Ij
ustha
vet
ore
newi
t."

"W e
ll
,tha
t'ss
ett
ledt
hen
."

"Ok a
y,I'
llb
emo rethanhappytoge
tmylic
ens
ewit
houtli
fti
nga
f
inge
r."Clai
resa
id,andt hetwosha
redasmil
e."Ine
edtogonow,
b
ye!"Shet r
iedt
os l
ipawa y,bu
tshewasbac
ktohisar
msa n
da not
her
l
ongkis
swasshare
d.

"Ca
nIp
icky
ouu
pla
tert
oni
ght
?"Ry
ana
ske
dwhe
nthe
yfi
nal
ly
s
pli
t.

"I
fyo
uwa
ntt
o."Sher
epl
ie
d,s
mil
in
gly
.

"Ca
nweha
vedi
nne
rto
get
her
?"Hea
ske
dag
ain
.

"Ofc
our
se,wec
anha
vedi
nne
rto
get
her
."

"Ca
nwes
lee
pto
get
hert
oni
ght
?"Hea
dde
d.

"YesRyan
,wec
ansle
epto
--"shes
hothi
mag l
anc
e,a
ndhe
l
aug
hed."No
!W ecan'
tsl
eept
oget
hero
nMo nda
y.Areyouc
raz
y?"

"Comeon!W hyn o
t?W e'l
lgot
oy o
urhous
e,andyo
u'l
lgetfe
w
c
lot
hesfo
rworknextday,o
rwecanjus
tbuyev
erythi
ngy
ouneed."He
i
nsi
ste
d,wit
houtl
ett
inggoofhe
rwais
t.

"No
!I'
llg
etdi
str
act
ed,a
ndIha
vet
hin
gst
odo
."

"Noy
ouwo
n't
,I'
lle
venhe
lpy
ou!"

"Ohs
ono
wyo
u'r
eade
sig
nert
oo?"

"Ic
anl
ear
n."Hes
aid."Ho
wha
rdc
ani
tbe
?"

"Ashar
da sputt
ingabuil
din
go u
tofaba
relan
d."Sheut
ter
ed
a
ndrunfo
rthedoor,l
eavi
nghimlaug
hing
."Catc
hmeifyo
uca
n."She
s
nap
pedbe
for
eleav
ingforgoo
d.

THEwe ekwassta
rti
ngv e
rybli
ssf
u ll
y,andtheg l
owonCl ai
re'
sface
hadret
urnedtre
mendou
slythatnoneofLydia'ssarc
asti
ccomments
bot
here
dhe rwhi
leatwork.Shek e
p thers
elfbusy,wit
hfewa ss
ignme
nts
thatNathangav
eeachoneofthemdu ri
ngthea f
ter-
lunc
hme e
ting
.The
ti
mesee
me dtofl
ybyfast,es
peci
al
lywi t
hRy a
n '
smessage
severynow
andthen,t
oremi
ndhe ro
fthei
rdin
nerdate
,andapos
sib
il
ityofher
sl
eepove
rathispl
aceandev
enhisnau
ghtyreg
rett
hatheco
u l
dn'tha
ve
he
ro nhisof
fi
cedes
k .W i
thabigsmi
le,Cl
air
eret
urn
edhislast
messa
ge.

FROM:Cl
ai
re

TO:RYANTHEJERK

Mo
n***4
:17PM

(Subject)DearMr .St e
vens
,Ic l
earlyto
ldyouthatIcan'tsl
eep
ove
rtoni
ght;butsinc
eyou'
resoinsi
sten
t,letmejustsaythatI'
llgi
ve
youmyfi
na lan
sweroverdi
nner.Anda boutyouroff
icef
antasi
es,maybe
wecansaveitfo
ra no
thert
ime;unti
lthen,jus
tk e
epfant
asiz
ingabou
tit,
ju
stli
keIdomi ne.

s
ent
.

Sheb itherli
psatthetho
u g
hto fRy an'
sc raz
yi deaofhavi
ngs ex
i
nhi soffi
ce.W hatama ni
achewa s
,s hethou
g htwhileb l
ushi
ngto
herse
lf.Lucki
ly,herworkwasn
'taffecte
da tal
lwi t
ha l
ltheweir
dt hi
ngs
thatkeptgoin
go nins
ideherhe
ad.Shewa sa
ct u
all
yb a
ckinsearchi
ng
forthetrendybathro
omideasonthewe b,whenherp honechir
peda ga
in.
 FROM:RYANTHEJERK

TO:Cl
ai
re

Mo
n***4
:20PM

(Su b
jec
t)Ok aydearMs.Cha l
le
nge.I'l
lbehopef
ull
ywa i
ti
ngfor
y
ourrep
lyla
terton
ight.OhyesIdofantas
izeabo
utit,Ijus
tcan'ts
eem
t
olov
ethewait
ingidea.An
dy ouhav
en'tto
ldmea bo
utyourfanta
syup
u
nti
lnow,what'
sgo i
ngoni
nthatsmartheadClai
re?

r
ece
ive
d.

Agai
n,Cla
iresta
rtedl
aughi
ngli
keanidio
t,a
ndthank
edhea
ven
sfo
r
who
meve
rinven
tedtheof
fic
epar
tit
ion
sf o
rali
ttl
epr
ivac
y.She
i
mmedi
ate
lytype
dherrepl
y.

FROM:Cl
ai
re

TO:RYANTHEJERK

Mo
n***4
:21PM

(Su b
jec
t)Ar en
'tyouabi
ttoono
syforaCEO?W e l
lI'
llle
tyou
kn
owo fmyfant
asie
sindueti
meSir.Oh,don
'tsay"don
'tc
a l
lme
SIR"b eca
useI'
llnev
erst
opify
oudo.No wp
lea
segetb
acktowork
Ryan,anddon'
tforge
ttopi
ckmeuplat
erats
even
.

s
ent
.
 Shejus
tplac
edherphon
ea s
ide,andeve
nwhenan e
wme s
sage
a
rri
ved,s
hetri
edtoi
gnor
euntilshewasdonewi
ththenote
sshewas
j
ott
ingdo
wn.As wee
tsmil
eescap
e dhe
rlip
sa ss
hereadit
.

FROM:RYANTHEJERK

TO:Cl
ai
re

Mo
n***4
:55PM

(Su bje
ct)Myb ein
gn o
sywhenco
mestoyo
u,do
esn'
tev
encou
ntasa
defe
ct.You'rer
ight
,I'l
lgetb
acktowor
know.Ihaveame
eti
ngout
side
theoff
ice
,butI'l
ldef
ini
tel
ypi
ckyouupats
eve
n.

P.S:Youj
ustkee
pcal
li
ngmes
ir,a
ndy
ou'
lls
eewha
tIc
andot
otha
t
fo
ulmo
utho
fy o
urs.

r
ece
ive
d.

Withas mil
e,Clair
eshookhe rheadtothesi
des,andsli
ppedher
pho n
eb a
ckint
ohe rhandbag,befor
eprocee
dingswi
thwo rk.Evi
den t
ly
shewa santi
ci
pa t
ingthenig
hts obadly
,a n
de ve
nente
rtain
edtheideao f
sl
e ep
ingove
ratRy an
's.Kn owingthatDoriswasoutoftheequati
on,
ma dehergri
nin c
redul
ousl
yf r
ome artoear.Event
hou g
hRy a
nwa sn't
hers,thefac
tt hathe'
swa sn'
ta n
yone'
se i
ther
,madeherfeelco
nfident
alloveraga
in.
Andyes
,shefi
nal
lyf
ellb
acktotheGr
eatRy
anSt
eve
ns!Ha
ve
so
met
hingtos
ay?Ju stsayi
t.

Didyoue
njo
yt hest
ory?Ihopey o
udid.Thisi
sitfort
hef
irs
tpar
t;
i
t'sanon
goi
ngs t
orythat
'ssti
llpub
li
shedo
nW ATTPAD.Iwa nt
edto
shar
ethi
spartsothatIcanhearsec
ondop
ini
onfro
my o
u;YES YOU.

Tha
nky
ous
omu
chf
orr
eadi
ng.

Youhaveaque
s t
ion
?Pu ti
tontheco
mments
ect
ion
,oryouc
analsowr
ite
tomevi
ag r
ace
gervy1
@g ma
il
.co
m.Ia l
way
sresp
ond,pr
ompt
ly.I
'd
app
rec
iat
eifyouratean
dshar
ethis
.Thanksagai
n!!!

Fo
rmorest
ori
esan
dcha
pte
rso
fCL
AIRE,f
oll
owmeo
nW ATTPAD.
Us
ern
ame:ge
ege
rvy
.

Ab
igTHANK YOU!
3 AUDIOBOOK COLLECTIONS

6 BOOK COLLECTIONS