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"I’d love to" The wattage on Philip’s sive me a second to save my work"

As they traveled down the well-lit sidewalks toward the don restaurants, Philip settled his hand at the base of her spine She did her best to ignore it, but after a minute or two, she put distance between theers around her purse straps "I’m not ready for that"

He let his hand drop to his side "Still hung up on hiiven her housekeeper permission to wash the sheets this week No more Michael set over him faster"

She stared at his bitter profile "You slept with Heidi"

"Heidi isn’told"

"Neither is your mom"

He rolled his eyes

"If you hit on our new intern, I’ to be very unhappy with you She’s practically a baby She’s Michael’s sister, by the way"

"That hottie Janie is his sister?"

"She was the best candidate"

"She was," he adression analysis and statistics I can’t believe she’s his sister"

When they seated the about Janie under his breath

"It’s only been three years since she was in high school, Philip"

"So?"

She released an exasperated breath Instead of bringing up how hypocritical he was, she said, "Let’s talk about hobbies Do you have any? What are they?"

That lightened his olf I’yaze swept over the posh interior of the restaurant

Stella waited for hiers on the table in tiround He took another drink of water

"I alternate between lap swi every day," he added

"No e, but it seee"

That meant Michael would probably trounce hi that

"I like martial arts movies," she said

"That’s so unlike you I’m more of a documentary person, myself"

As Philip droned on about the latest documentary he’d seen, Stella’s ht of the benefit dinner In her fantasy version of that night, Michael didn’t break up with her Instead, he declared hied beyond all reason, Philip challenged him to a duel, and the men faced off outside next to the pool Because they didn’t have swords on hand, they used golf clubs

When she shts, Philip interpreted that as encouragerew more animated as he spoke of his fascination with exposés and political commentary

Stella wondered what a match between a kendo artist and fencer would look like It would probably be pretty funny if they were using irons and putters--assueon each other to death They really needed a scene like this in a K-drama She’d watch it over and over

The hero didn’t even have to win All he had to do to get the girl was fight for her If he lost, she’d kiss him better

When they stepped out of the restaurant onto the crowded sidewalk, Philip set along really well, Stella We should do this again"

Then he leaned down to kiss her

• • •

As Michael walked with Quan toward his favorite Korean BBQ restaurant on University Avenue, he couldn’t help scanning the sidewalks for glimpses of Stella Her house was only blocks away While it was unlikely she’d be out doing late-night shopping, it was possible

Even so, he was unprepared when he saw her standing outside a Mediterranean restaurant across the street Her hair was up in its usual bun, her glasses were in place, and she wore her regular oxford shirt, pencil skirt, and pointed pumps His Stella, his brainy, sweet--