v

as

pted files. Done with haunted eyes and knoc

g to chase gh

ping me from slipping back into old habits. Last night kept looping in my head like a fever dream. That kiss. That furious, hungry

thing wa

hatever secrets he was hiding I w

anym

ouse I'd never worn before. Bright. Optimistic. A visual reminder that I was moving forw

ould work.

'd br

y wasn

it was ki

ecided to seep into Grey Holdings for once. There were sm

y," Lilah teased as she dropped into

ur way of saying I don't look like a

But I will say, the lemo

ying something

y hit rock bottom,

l this time. "Som

lence for a few moment

, you comin

d. "Comi

arty? For the third quarter closeout?

n't been checking

"Girl, this is why you need the party. Free drinks. Loose tie

d softly

I'd been so caught up in secrets, warnings, and

t. Maybe I needed

in the off

not to

ache in my chest when his glass

nsion when he passed behind me like he might gra

't have bo

it

ne. If he was gone, then maybe I could final

y computer, stood up, and told Li

xpect to e

s and laughter. The music pulsed in my chest. I sipped on something

better

hed at a few terrible jokes. It

e walk

eo-one of the new analysts. He offered me a drink and asked how lo

en I f

a storm cloud had rolled in

.. and th

a

r the bar with a glass of whiskey

aze b

t. Not

ses

itor

omeone touch something

buzzed under Zane's stare, every hair on my neck risi

e started wal

t something he said I don't even rememb

wee

ng. No g

the light, his body just inches from mi

terested," Za

ked. "Ex

peat himself.

but the threat in

Leo said, raising his hands.

ckly, voice sharper th

ell the faint scent of whiskey and cold air clinging to his skin.

whispered, "What

d low. "Protecti

y hand and led me away from the rooftop lights, around the side of the building

– H

anned to co

e her-God, that was the problem

vision, without her voice making my name sound like a confession

staye

with silence and guilt and t

d broken som

it scared the hell out of me how badly I wan

Let me clear my head. Regain focus.

n Elija

party. Laughing with

g my keys before he f

it wasn't ab

t for her. That maybe someo

at was

was ugli

she'd finally exhaled-I felt it. This burning need to drag her away

still taste

he touche

uched

nap

walked over and made it clear-she's no

with questions I couldn't answer yet.

st needed to be

he harder it became to convince mys