Page 1 (2/2)

"No" I gave her a pointed stare,it clear without words that I didn’t want him to either The last time I’d seen Isaac Perry, Blake had hi to de-liain I didn’t want to ht, and I didn’t want to forgive him anyto be happy if you end up working with hi "You think I don’t know that?"

Blake’s associations colored ic business decisions than I cared to ad to do? Perryimpressive if you haven’t completely shot him down yet"

"Perry Media Group represents a dozenI trust hied "Whatever you think is best for the co with him directly either, if you’re et to the bottoh We can talk about itfor htened i, replaced by the energetic best friend who hter

"U not to sound cryptic before slipping out of the office and waving oodbyes

A ust heat Rush hour traffic pushed by, andbefore I could take roaned and fished it out of ly persistent When I retrieved it, a Chicago phone number appeared instead

"Hello?" I answered tentatively

"Erica?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"It’sthe sound ofmy stepfather’s voice "Elliot?"

"Do you have a minute? Is this a bad tih the doors of Mocha, the café downstairs, for a reprieve from the heat "How are you? I haven’t talked to you in forever"

He laughed "I’ve been busy"

I s

"Of course How are the kids?"

"They’re doing really well Growing up too fast"

"I bet How’s Beth?"

"She’s fine She’s back to work now that the kids are in school, so that keeps her busy We’ve both got our hands full" He cleared his throat and took an audible breath "Listen, Erica, I know I haven’t been very good about keeping in touch Honestly, I feel terrible about it I really wanted to cos were just really hectic here--"