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Footsteps sounded in the hallway He glanced up hoping to find Annabelle returning so that they could ss over—so they could resume the easy friendship that they’d developed But it wasn’t her It was Mr Drago, one of the king’s men

“Can I help you, sir?” The man was always so formal

“Uh, no” Grayson returned the paper to the table “I was just going to look for Annabelle”

“I believe I saw her go out to the patio”

“Thank you” Grayson walked away

Part of his alone It was best that they didn’t reconnect After all, it wasn’t like he was ready for anything serious He didn’t know if he ever would be He’d already failed so miserably

And since that deadly car accident, he’d cut hi outside his board of directors, and his assistant He’d forgotten howa casual conversation

Annabelle had given that back to hiive her up Not yet

What was he supposed to do now? He just couldn’t leave things like this And then he thought of the cryptic note He hadn’t had a chance to tell her his suspicion about it Maybe that could get them ba

ck on friendly terms

He picked up his pace

Insulting

Insufferable

Annoying

Annabelle muttered under her breath as she strode down the hallith no actual destination in mind She just needed some space—make that a lot of space—between her and Grayson before she said soret How dare he accuse her?