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“He’s not going to be happy if you end up working with him”

I stuffed“You think I don’t know that?”

Blake’s associations colored ic business decisions than I cared to admit

Alli leaned againstso impressive if you haven’t completely shot him down yet”

“Perry Media Group represents a dozenI trust him, but I can at least hear him out”

She shrugged “Whatever you think is best for the co with him directly either, if you’re more comfortable with that”

“Thanks, Alli I’d rather get to the bottoh We can talk about itfor me”

“Oh, are you going out?” She brightened i, replaced by the energetic best friend who hter

“U not to sound cryptic before slipping out of the office and waving oodbyes

A ust heat Rush hour traffic pushed by, andbefore I could take roaned and fished it out of ly persistent When I retrieved it, a Chicago phone number appeared instead

“Hello?” I answered tentatively

“Erica?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“It’s me, Elliot”

I broughtmy stepfather’s voice “Elliot?”

“Do you have a minute? Is this a bad time?”

“No, this is fine” I pushed through the doors of Mocha, the café downstairs, for a reprieve from the heat “How are you? I haven’t talked to you in forever”

He laughed “I’ve been busy”

I s

“Of course How are the kids?”

“They’re doing really well Growing up too fast”

“I bet How’s Beth?”

“She’s fine She’s back to work now that the kids are in school, so that keeps her busy We’ve both got our hands full” He cleared his throat and took an audible breath “Listen, Erica, I know I haven’t been very good about keeping in touch Honestly, I feel terrible about it I really wanted to cos were just really hectic here—”