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ELEVEN

The town car ride back to allery was certainly more comfortable than a taxi, but still I refused to speak to Rafiq the entire way So between us that I didn’t fully understand, and I wasn’t sure I wanted it Feelings rushed through my heart like a tidal wave that I couldn’t stop All I could do was hold my breath and hope I came up for air soon

Rafiq took the hint quickly that I wasn’t in the mood for conversation, and sat apart from me with a neat whiskey in his hands fro out of thefrolasses I watched hi to decide if I wanted to kiss him or slap him I didn’t understand what he wanted froht about it, I didn’t understand what I wanted from him, either

Was it just the money? Because it didn’t feel that way Rafiq’s words had power over my emotions that went beyond a simple business transaction I wanted him to value me, as well as li to sches froive me

Coallery felt much better than I expected; no matter how nice Rafiq’s apartment was, it wasn’t ho little gallery I gathered up the newspapers and other junk mail left at the front door, and after I unlocked it, Rafiq held it open for me

“Since you’re determined to help,” I said to hi the floors?”

Rafiq blanched as he followed allery But his hesitation only lasted for a minute “Sure, fine I can do that Shohere the supplies are”

His acquiescence surprised nation at being asked to do such a menial task

I dropped the hts in the room Rafiq’s collection was still on the walls

I let out a big sigh and put my hands on my hips “We have a lot of work to do We have to replace all of these before we open”

Rafiq looked around and sahat I et ht away” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and made the call as he slipped by me into the back room

With Rafiq occupied, I s were okay After wateringthe unreal number now attached to ht there on an to swipe up all the infor paid off today

Rafiq had the floor shining by the time I returned, and he actually looked pretty proud of his work His men arrived with the transport truck about fifteenthem

“Do they knohat they’re doing?” I asked, watching the burly ray coveralls, putting on thin but worn gloves The truck was a siine was the paintings jostling around so badly that they would end up getting punctured on the ride