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Sloane stopped on a picture of Nikki and a tall blonde she didn’t recognize. The image of Nikki draped all over her made her aching stomach churn.

Despite nearly two years of dating and talks of eloping and running away to a secret Bora Bora honeymoon, Nikki dumped her and moved on to someone else. With the unfeeling practicality of a viper, she’d simply said a long-distance relationship would never work and they shouldn’t bother prolonging their misery by trying. It hadn’t mattered that Sloane was left to deal with her mother’s sudden medical situation alone or that she loved her. Those facts were irrelevant.

When the oven dinged, Sloane wiped her face and grabbed an oven mitt. The savory scent was delicious, but Sloane had no desire to eat. Popping her portion into a glass container, Sloane served her mother and arranged her tray.

As she climbed up the stairs with dinner in hand, Sloane considered talking to her mom about getting a chair lift again. She’d been reticent to defile her house with the hideous thing but getting her out of her room could be good for her.

Once at the top of the steps, Sloane closed the first door on her right. She hadn’t noticed it was ajar on her way up the first time, but she had no interest in looking into the spare room full of luggage she hadn’t unpacked. Even the sight of them was crippling.

CHAPTER 5

BY THE END of the second training week, Ari had her groove back. Or at least that’s what she was telling herself. Fake it

‘till you make it was her mantra as she dropped o Robinson’s breakfast while he was working the metal detector and then strode across the lobby. The rhythm of routine was her favorite song.

Ari picked up her pace as she approached the bank of elevators. “Hold it!” she called as parted doors began sliding closed.

The manicured fingers that slipped out to hold the doors sent a shiver up her spine and curdled her good mood. She’d recognize those hands anywhere.

For a moment, Ari considered ducking into the stairwell but abandoned the thought as quickly as it came. She wasn’t going to hoof it up the stairs just to avoid Sloane. She wasn’t going to give anything up. Not here.

Sloane’s stoic expression remained unchanged when she saw it was Ari she’d stopped the elevator for.

“Morning,” Ari said as she stepped into the otherwise empty car. It was more reflex than pleasantry and she

regretted it almost immediately.

“Excellent observational skills,” Sloane replied without so much as glancing at her.

Ari rolled her eyes. She should have expected the lack of basic decency, but it opened a raging pit in her stomach anyway.

As they rode, Ari’s irritation grew. Who wears sunglass indoors? Does she think she’s Audrey Hepburn?

With her tailored navy suit and silky white blouse, Sloane obviously thought she was better than everyone else. Better than Ari, for sure. Ari clenched her jaw, refusing to look at her or the wavy hair she’d tamed into a bun any longer.

When the elevator opened, Sloane pulled the sunglasses o her face, exposing unusual pu ness beneath her eyes.

Did work get in the way of your party night? Is that why you’re in such a heinous mood? Your hangover?

They both took a step for the door at the same time.

Without even considering backing down, Ari continued full speed ahead even as her shoulder slammed into Sloane’s arm.

“You’re so childish,” Sloane snapped but didn’t yield.

Instead, she shifted her weight to the side, trying to elbow Ari and push her back.

Oh, it’s on now.

Grateful she’d worn sturdy wedges today, Ari stuck her foot out in front of Sloane, unconcerned with the prospect of tripping her. It elicited just enough hesitation for Ari to break out in front.

Ha! Ari strutted out of the elevator the victor, even if her suit jacket was ru ed and covered in Sloane’s perfume.

Sloane’s much longer legs erased the one second advantage Ari gained by stepping o the elevator first. “You really have to take every pathetic little win where you can get it.” She glared at Ari over her shoulder.

Ari grinned. “Says the person racing to beat me to the training room.”

“Whatever,” she muttered under her breath but didn’t slow her stride.