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If a heart could burst from happiness, mine ell on its way

I finally fell asleep to the sound of the rain, with a smile on my face and my phone tucked under my pillow The voice inhow quickly the huh ere back in London, even though she’d never shared this bed withup without Ruby was odd

I pulledand texted her Did you sleep?

Her reply: Barely I may need someone to stand behind me and move my arms and mouth for me at work

I’ll see you at the office, my beautiful puppet I finished breakfast, read the paper, dressed, and left It could be any other dayexcept it wasn’t My life felt about seven thousand tier

Ruby was in her sht but doubted I had ever once beat her to the office This h I wanted even just one uarded before reality descended Unfortunately it was not to be The offices already buzzed with Monday e a slimpse at her wet, pink lips

"Hey," shenothing ive her a si to my office down the hall

Anthony’s familiar sharp, two-knock combination rapped atfor an answer

"All right?" he asked in greeting, walking over to take a seat acrosshim what I hoped was a relaxed srinned at me "I trust you had a nice trip?"

Never before had I felt so a eyes, fingers steepled beneath his chin I blinked over tomy email I hadn’t decided what I would tell ue On the one hand, I didn’t want to hide as happening between me and Ruby, and if I knew her at all--which I sincerely felt I did--I knew she wouldn’t do a very good job playing aloof On the other hand, I wanted as private to re his new favorite joke

"Soer at rin in your eyes just here" He motioned to his own brow "A twinkle A little spot of sunshine over your head, I think"

"Do I?"

"You get knobbed in a New York City titty bar?"

His crudeness fell like a weight dropped in the rooing hell"