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Her voice was soft “And I lost y”

“Accepted”

They couldn’t go on being at each other’s throats all the tiood for the hotel, or the staff, or for either of them And the first step was for him to offer her an olive branch “It’s a beautiful day outside and from what I hear, one of the last Let me treat you to lunch Now that we’ve cleared the air”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea”

He began to hold out his hand, but pulled it back He norers in his, but he re

“I’ a truce, Mari I would like us to be friends I’d like for you to be coh with me that you can feel free to offer an opinion You know this area You know the staff far better than I You are a great asset to the Cascade, Mari, and it won’t be good for either of us if we cannot find a way to work together We can’t have uments like we did today It’s counterproductive”

“Luca, I appreciate the gesture, but I have a list of phone calls toof the hotel We’re shuffling soto adjust everywhere…”

“You need to take a break and coher productivity later Besides, I’ry You have to eat I insist”

For someone who didn’t like orders, she seeh He saw her capitulate as her shoulders sluhtly

“Oh, all right”

He sht—they both were This wasn’t finished The best plan was to get away froround He wanted her to look at hiuard she put up all the time

He wanted her to trust him

“Meeta sweater”

“The courtyard?”

He went to her, reaching around and opening the door “Fifteen minutes, si?”