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“Unless you said something that insulted her?” Brynn said. “When you rescued her?”

Lila’s mouth fell open as she turned to Brynn. “I can’t believe you’d bring that up.”

Thank you, Brynn.

Once, we’d almost lost a client when Lila had expressed her frustration at a lunchtime debrief over how the CEO wasn’t following any of her advice. As it turned out, he’d been at the table next to us.

“Listen, I have to go,” I said. “We can talk later.”

“Alright, see you at home,” Lila said, loud enough for the others to hear.

But I was already out the door.

5

BLAKE

I was halfwaydown the hall when I realized I had no idea where Cassandra’s office was. Or if she was even going there. It was lunchtime now. Maybe she’d left, and I’d have to find her phone number to call her. But I didn’t want to do that. This had to be dealt with in person.

Then I heard voices.

I found Cassandra around the corner, standing with another woman dressed all in black. The other woman looked up when I appeared, and Cassandra turned around, following her gaze.

The way she stiffened when she saw me made my guts twinge, but I gave a smile as if nothing was the matter.

“Sorry to interrupt,” I said.

“Can it wait?” she asked. She still wanted to murder me.

Maybe if she gave me a chance to explain, she wouldn’t have to keep being so goddamned angry.

“Not really,” I said.

Cassandra’s eyebrows went up.

“It’s fine!” said the other woman. Clearly, she sensed the tension.

“Reese,” Cassandra said, putting on what might be construed as a smile. But it was nothing like her real smile. I knew what that looked like.

For a flash, I was back on that island, her lip under my thumb.

“This is Blake Harrington,” she said. “He and hiswifeLila”—once more she punched the word out—“are the consultants I mentioned at the manager meeting last week.”

If I heardwifecome out of her mouth one more time…

“They’re going to be doing an operational review on the resort. Blake, this is Reese Franco, L’Aubergine’s manager.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Reese,” I said, forcing myself to look at the other woman and extend my hand. She was pretty, with sandy blonde hair tied up in a bun.

“We need to talk,” I said to Cassandra, trying to contain my impatience.

“I’ll see you later, Cass,” Reese said after politely shaking my hand. “We’re short-staffed this weekend, so I’m heading to the floor. I’ll be at dinner tomorrow too,” she said to Cassandra. “I’ll take your table until Coco takes over at nine.” At this, Cassandra looked relieved, though she only smiled briefly. “Thanks Reese. I appreciate it.”

The other woman was just walking away when she froze, her eyes widening.

I turned to see Eli, similarly frozen, behind me. I could sense the awkwardness as they exchanged stiff hellos, then both carried on, Reese down the hall and Eli out the door, but not before glaring at his sister.

When I turned back to Cassandra, all I saw was her back as she rounded the corner up ahead.