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"No I’d like to wait elsewhere until the restaurant is empty"

"Very well, I was told to invite you to the back offices You’re welcoet you another if you’d like…"

He followed the woh a doorway and down a hall After a few minutes, Tony h the se Tih the frosted glass he saw her

His ex-wife, his Claire, sat alone near the e The back of her dress dipped low, revealing her tanned skin Although he couldn’t hear, she appeared radiant as she spoke confidently to a waiter Until her call, earlier in the day, Tony had wondered if she’d truly co her, with her hair piled high and ringlets grazing her long, proud neck, he swelled with pride She was so strong, so proud, and still so obedient

Tony was so enthralled in the vision that it took so the dress he’d sent His buyer had sent hi away his irritation, he softly chuckled Dae he needed in his life

Just before 7:00 PM, Tony took a back hall to the front of the restaurant Squaring his shoulders, he entered the lounge The blue lighting that accentuated the chic ambience and the pianocustomer If there had been others, he wouldn’t have noticed It was only Claire As Tony approached, he watched her expression Though she wore a mask of calm, in her emerald eyes he saw the fire he’d so desperately craved With each step, he relished the war upon lifesaving fla hihtened With a nod he said, "Good evening, Claire"

"Good evening, Tony Won’t you please have a seat?"

Refusing to lose sight of her eyes, he aze and replied, "Thank you"

As he sat opposite her, he tried to read her thoughts Before he could evaluate, she said, "It was nice of you to acco toward a bottle of wine, she continued, "I took the liberty of ordering us a bottle of wine"

Lifting the bottle, he assessed the label "Excellent choice"

Before their conversation could continue, a waiter appeared at their side "Monsieur and Mademoiselle, your table is not yet ready May I open your wine?"

Tony knew that there was one re room As he was about to reply, Claire spoke, "Oui, merci" Her French was Americanized, but French nonetheless

Once the waiter departed, Tony said, "My, Claire, you continue to a to show me the new, independent Claire Nichols" When she didn’t speak, he continued, "You don’t need to work so hard I’ve been observing you frooal isn’t to ioal is to show that I don’t need your observation I’ quite well on my own"

"I believe you have surpassed ain"