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He closed his eyes in suppressed a his head at iant bite, "if I didn’t occasionally catch you sht assu on the planet, a Replicant, or Botoxed"

"It’s Botox" He took an enor

"I knew it," I said "You can barely hide your vanity"

He choked-laughed, and reached to steal the napkin I had in ht"

We returned to the office, but with the phone lines not working yet and the heat (Iwas really getting done Meetings started the next day, we’d unpacked a few boxes of files, but we both seemed distracted--for different reasons, I’ his things up to go

Niall had plans he needed to look at and phone calls to make, all of which he could take care of in the hotel

We walked back in silence, on the opposite side of the street from Radio City, but I could have sworn I saw his lips twitch the tiniest bit as we passed

The next , I woke before my alarm clock, anxious to start the day and--you know, because I’m pathetic--walk to ith a certain someone But there on my phone, next to a text from my brother and three froo on without s to do and will be there later

The hope inside my chest crumbled like a dry cracker I replied that I’d see hi a car, choosing a different route and taking a few photos forthe way When I reached the office it was still sweltering, and I sent a silent prayer of thanks for the short sleeves I’d worn and that I’d been sh to ditch my Spanx It wasn’t like there was anyone there I’d need to lookthere byand I was finally able to get so should be up and going soon, andthe offices with us Niall showed up around noon, his ar on his desk and chair, and I watched hi his coat on a hook near the door "Or, afternoon, rather Still hot as Hades in here, I see"

"I’ve called someone and they’ll be here to fix it tomorrow, but you’re lucky I kept ht he did

"Pardon?"

He ignored this, putting a large shopping bag on his desk, and getting distracted by whatever he had inside He wore his glasses, today Good God On anyone else, those particular fra down the arner individuality But I knew Niall Stella dressed iht the best and probably had a really picky, perfectionist tailor--not because he paid much attention to trends

"A wo to his face