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Juliette’s pen scribbling across the lined paper added to the music of her library

Juliette jabbed the notebook into her pocket “What do you think of this guy, really?” Her eyes narrowed and Savannah shrugged

“I don’t like him I don’t want hiood man”

“You’ve thought that before,” Juliette whispered and Savannah flinched at the reminder The reminder she didn’t need

“And I learned ed to smile “The O’Neills don’t do love”

It was nearly iht eyelid flinched

“Juliette, I’m so sorr—”

“You guys have that island thing down pat No one gets on and no one gets off,” Juliette said “At least not permanently”

Savannah shrugged It was easier being alone Safer She wasn’t going to apologize for it; it was a matter of survival

“Margot ed to survive and some would say she’s had more than her share of love,” Juliette said

“Business,” Savannah clarified People got confused about Margot all the ti she was a romantic She wasn’t She was a lusty capitalist with a penchant for the finer things in life And ot And it’s business with Matt Howe You can trust me on that”

Juliette sniffed “Okay, but I’uy out”

“You’re welcorace of the man The sharp predatory focus in his eyes The way he pulled his khaki pants up over a lean waist, watching her as if he could taste her on his tongue

Male So thrillinglythe roses and moss

She’d spent so long pretending she wasn’t a wo dark eyes and darker hair and asmile didn’t send her to some place hot and internal Someplace reckless and totally, entirely, O’Neill