Love wasn't part of the plan

ut laced with panic as she leaned across the tiny cafe table. "Kia

c, chatter, clinking glasses - but she felt like she was balancing on a wire above it al

he most powerful men in the country, and *now* you're going to pretend to be an interior designer so you

y, Lara. I'm tired of writing under other people's names. T

... or sued for espi

er stomach twisted. "Y

ing rea

weight of the plan hanging between them. Ary

widened. "Ar

e didn't even exchange names." Arya swallowed hard. "When I saw him

retending not to know. W

cool, distracted,and not all that happy- not like a man playing a game. "Either way, this is my chanc

exactly? You're going to flirt your way into his offi

les, get into the system if I can. Maybe find emails,

if you fin

still write *something.* But if I do find something... somethi

aning back. "Yo

question sit. "I'm terrif

er a while, Lara muttered, "You're not the same A

ed smile. "Desperat

n and consequence between them. As they stood to leave,

dded. "

unison, the city's noise rising like a pulse around them. Ar

hair, staring out the glass wall that framed the skyline like a painting.

the man said, sipping from a travel mug. "What

ook back. "It

red. "Your mother would've filled

filled the

huckled. "Still

aising an eyebrow. "Wh

it's time for a little change. Brighten this place up. Maybe a

l pa

ense. "You might impress that new int

d. "Interio

nt mention her. Arya... something." He wa

ame flickered something in

added, already halfway to the door. "Maybe she'll war

n't ask fo

int smile on his lips

father's expression changed. He

the

apsed. Panic surged as he grabbed hi

t's your

apsed! I think

. Help is

father, holding his ha

aramedics worked efficiently, lo

ures, rare moments of warmth. Though he didn't spend much time with his father, living in th

able but unconscious,I don't know ho

l?"Kian asked, confused as to why a

,but we are run

go see

e doctor said the ran out

bed, watching the steady

e whispered. "We'l