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She risked a look up He atching her steadily and she knew there was so she refused to acknowledge further than she already had She wasn’t equipped forthere was a s more would be pointless

“I assure you, it has nothing to do with you” And the bottom line was, it didn’t It had to do with her and with Robert and that was all

“Then I won’t take it personally I ht”

“I a”

When she smiled this time it ithout the frosty veneer He had accepted what she’d said with politeness and grace She was touched that soh to be concerned about her No one worried about her, because she’d reinvented her life that way But without even knowing her, Luca seeh she suspected he’d hate the thought, it eet

He stepped forward and laid the key on her desk “I thought you ht want this back”

She left it where he’d placed it and he stepped away

He was nearly to the door when he turned back “Oh, and Mari, I’d like for you to sit in on the iven him the tour and et and tentative schedule, get the ball rolling so to speak, and that’s your forte I also would like us to send out a jointto say that over the next es and adjustments, but that no one will lose their position That every effort will be uests I keep my promises, Mari I hope you remember that”

He was keeping his word It pleased her that he remembered When she least expected it, he showed consideration to those around him Perhaps he was more than she’d initially suspected Perhaps the playboy froazines had a little iven him credit for

“I’ll draft one up today and e-mail it to you”

“Thank you, Mari”

She got up fro, even if she didn’t knohat She picked up the key and held it out When he reached with his hand, she pressed the key into his palm

“Keep it I have another somewhere”

His fingers closed over hers slightly as he cupped the key in his hand She tried very hard to ignore the tingles shivering up her arers

“You’re sure?”

Mari remembered his face as he’d walked into the attic She’d put up walls because she’d resented the easy joy he’d had, seeing the dusty antiques She didn’t let herself feel things like that anymore It would be petty to deprive hi his end of the bargain