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He was nowhere to be found

The keys to the Mercedes were on the kitchen counter, where he’d left theht before, next to an empty bottle of Coca-Cola He hadn’t left a note

A wave of hurt washed over her The night before had been passionate, perhaps ainst the wall, on the bathroom counter, on the floor, and finally on the bed The sun was al over the horizon when he’d finally relented and let them sleep

Julia had wanted to wake up with hiuorously ood fortune Gabriel’s absence and the absence of a note lass of water or juice at her bedside, as was his custom

I wonder if this is how his other woht with hiht

Her anxiety morphed into unhappiness as she reluctantly clied into her bikini, grabbing her sunglasses and hat before walking to the pool A sould keep her occupied

She swaotten her conversation with her father the day before, and Gabriel’s evident distress the previous evening Then she set her feet down in the shallow end, her eyes straying to a pair of running shoes that were situated at the edge of the pool

“I thought I told you I didn’t want you swi out a towel He was dressed in his jogging clothes and he eaty, his T-shirt soaked

“Good e and plucked the towel fro”

“I wouldn’t have to swi out of the pool

“You know I like to run in the s”

“It’s almost noon” She wrapped herself in the towel and faced hilanced at her but wouldn’t make eye contact, and his posture was decidedly uncoht of fantastic sex could leave her relaxed and weightless and leave hihtly as a bow

“You could have left a note”

“I could have,” he said slowly “I didn’t think of it”

“If you want to run, that’s fine Just let me knohen you’ll be back”

Gabriel opened histo have a shower I made the hotel reservation for your father yesterday and arranged to have the concierge deliver a fruit basket I’ll be inBut I’ll take you to dinner in Todi tonight”

“No”

He blinked at her “No?”

“No, Gabriel You can’t run off to your study after treating me so coldly No”

His expression shifted

“I don’t mean to be cold, Julianne” His voice was low

She stared at him