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Just like that, the water stuck in her throat She choked and coughed and tried not to whi pains in her ribs She said hoarsely, "No"

Vance frowned "Does he…?" He shook his head "First things first Galen, boot up your computer I have a couple of problems that came up"

Galen picked up his cane "Excuse us, ladies"

As the two men moved away, Gabi turned to Jessica "Did you and Z… Uhed "We definitely ummed And Gabi? What you said helped--not only the explanation of the kidnapping stuff, but how Z feels about ed her, ignoring the complaints from her ribs "That is the best news I’ve had all week"

"I’m so happy" Jessica bounced in her chair Then her brows drew together "Although he’s still pretty stea about puttingshackles"

Gabi snickered "You poor baby" After waiting for her voice to steady, she asked, "So how is Marcus? Have you seen hiroceries and stuff He see up to help out, but he’s ht, but he’s not supposed to use his ar"

Relief felt like a cool breath of air "Good That’s good"

"Well, well" Jessica raised her eyebrows "Did you get hooked on him like all the trainees do?"

Just another one of the trainees, huh? Gabi assuirlfriend yet?"

"Oh yeah The lovely Celineherself" He deserves so oes out of her way to ed "Daht him--I still don’t know him that well--but men are really stupid sometimes Still, she’s the kind of oh-so-sweet sub he likes Everybody knows he doesn’t like bratty subs"

"Sally mentioned that" And he told me himself

Jessica’s mouth curved "You’re a lot like Sally, you know I bet if the agents had asked you to be a sweet, passive sub the part"

"Oh thanks," Gabi snapped, then tried to iht You bitch"

Jessica giggled "So why don’t you ask Marcus to introduce you to a dom who likes brats?"

Oh sure, and how pitiful would that be? Please, Marcus, if you won’t haveback to Miami on Monday"

"Already?"

"I need to work I really do Sitting around is…" Too filled with memories and wishes and disappoint a man who didn’t like her personality, she not only needed a distraction but to surround herself with her friends too--before I throw a pity party to end all parties

"Got it" Jessica so back yesterday, but Z told me I had to wait until Monday For soets bossy sometimes"

"And you love it"

"Well, yeah Still, it’s probably better that he doesn’t know that"

Gabi raised her eyebrows "If you think he can’t tell, you are so delusional"

Jessica snickered "Point to you" She glanced at her watch and grio" Her hand curled around Gabi’s "I wish you could stay When you coet together?"

"I…don’t visit my parents I’m only there because Galen wanted me close to Taed a smile "They’re pretty conservative, and…they don’t approve of me At all" God, Gabi Pathetic much?

"Oh" Jessica frowned "Well, maybe come back to the Shadowlands for a visit?"

"Jessica, I don’t think that would be a good idea"

The blonde’s eyes turned unhappy "You really did fall for Marcus, didn’t you? Oh, Gabrielle…"

"I know Wouldn’t work…and I agree" Gabi esture "Go Don’t draw this out or we’ll both end up bawling Galen would be horrified"

Jessica nodded, gave a quick hug, and hurried out of the room