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“Greyson,” she began, as she took a sip of her wine “It’s just so for you to concern yourself over”

I nodded as I finished a bite ofit, I glanced at Maddie for a lass Deep red, near crilass as I swirled before I took a sip I rolled the heady ue and allowed the oak notes to permeate my senses as I contemplated a response

My study of her didn’t go unnoticed

“What?” she said “Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t you believe me?”

After placing lass back on the table, I leaned back in my chair a bit and looked at her without a response Maddie held aze for a few seconds and then shifted in her seat before atte back in her chair as well

“Greyson What is going on? Do you think I’ to you?”

I winced a little at the question

“Lying?” I said, as I folded o so far as to say you’re lying, Maddie, no”

“Thank you,” she said with a sincere tone to her voice “Well, I’lad to hear that at least”

“Hang on,” I interrupted “I said I didn’t think you were lying totruthful, however”

“You’re talking in circles, Greyson Either I’ you the truth or I’m not Which is it?”

Sensing a change in her negotiating tactics, I decided to ht ainst one another

“Okay,” I began, as I studied her “I think you’re covering up the real issue by clai I’ll drop it because of that”

Maddie’s eyes widened a fraction and a hint of bright red flashed across her chest

“I… that is not true, Greyson If you ht with my ex-boyfriend, okay?”

As I listened to her, I realized this was the first time I’d considered her relationship status Based on the way she’d flirted, I naturally assu that was indeed the case, it pleased me On the other hand, and I couldn't explain it, but the idea of her with so to her ex on the phone, I didn’t like it--not one goddamn bit

As I ruminated, the incessant sounds of the busy restaurant — knives and forks hitting plates, bottles being uncorked and the occasional blowhard recounting the success of his big business deal--all faded away into nothing as I looked at her

I felt an to speak “What did he say, Maddie? Did he threaten you in some way?”

“What? Threaten me?” she replied alet the wrong idea, Greyson It’s nothing like that at all”

Her tone conveyed sincerity, at least on this issue I relaxed a bit but I still didn’t like the notion of her in har to do about it noever, so I accepted her statement as fact

“Very well,” I replied After I spoke, I looked past her for the waiter and motioned for him to come over

“What’s going on?” she asked “You haven't finished your meal”

“We’re done I’”

MADDIE

The limo ride back to the hotel couldn’t have been more aard

What the hell was going on with Greyson all of a sudden? There was no way I could tell hi out of est idiot he’d ever met and certainly the worst business woman

And, uh, he would tell Katy and then that would be a whole thing

Reaze focused beyond the tinted glassin the back of the li, and the rest of his trip, unscathed and out of bankruptcy court

After only another fivelot of his hotel and as it did, Greyson reached over and grabbed rip, I snapped my head in his direction

“When we stop, get out and follow me,” he said, without a trace of emotion “Understood?”

I sed and nodded “Okay”