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She reached for it, and Skyler, the most horrible, worst assistant ever, yanked it away “Uh-uh Talk first This doughnut is truth serum”

The battle was real Sugar in exchange for a confession Hope’s resolve waned, and Hope sank into her chair

Skyler broke off part of the chocolate pastry and edged it toward Hope

“You’re coldhearted”

“Persuasive” Skyler nodded “I prefer to think of it as persuasive”

“Cunning,” Hope corrected

“Whatever works” She took another bite “Go ahead It’s going to be better than you re”

Bested by an assault on her sweet tooth, Hope sighed and took a bite War exploded in her mouth “God”

“I told you You should always trust me Now… Back to your admirer From what I could see, he wanted to devour you”

Hope stared at Skyler above the doughnut poised in front of her mouth for the next bite she was sure to need “You couldn’t have seen all that”

“Au contraire I was facing hi down the street There were like ato work—”

“Or ten”

“Whatever” Skyler shrugged “You were his entire universe”

“That’s an exaggeration”

“Nope Not at all He stood there watching you forever Quit keeping me in suspense I need a name”

Stalling, stalling, she popped the doughnut in her mouth and chewed When she couldn’t stall any”

“Our client?” Skyler dropped her pastry “That Rafe Sterling?”

As if there could be two even in a city the size of Houston

“Shit Shit”

Hope nodded “One and the same”

“Oh, shit”

That was about right “Yeah” Hope took another bite “I’ to need the other half”