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If a woht with her, with the understanding that they would part ways amicably the next day If she turned hio This philosophy had worked for Neal over the years He had his fair share of flings and it suited his lifestyle perfectly

This wole-minded purpose She didn’t seeorgeous figure beneath the red material and raised his eyebroith interest

“You like the statue?” he asked conversationally, shifting his gaze and looking up at it, instead of her

She gave a start of surprise

“Oh…” she looked at hi to write home about I probably won’t remember it tomorrow”

Neal nodded, trying to pretend he was interested

“No… you’ll probably re chandeliers”

She smiled politely, but Neal could tell that his atteht to the point, he turned towards her and gave her hissmile

“I’ his hand forward

She hesitated only briefly “I’m Elena”

“Do you want to et some real food?”

His directness seemed to take her by surprise, but she nodded and moved in the direction of the exit Gratified by her response, he followed her Then he remembered his brother and stopped her for a moment

“I need to let ,” he told her

“I’ll wait for you outside,” Elena told him

Neal watched her retreating figure appreciatively for a moment and then went in search of his brother He found him at last on the other side of the ballroom, with a fresh crop of people, all dressed to the nines and se’s attention and h pointless introductions He saw George’s eye roll, but he watched as his brother extricated himself from the conversation and moved towards him