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“Nothing ar club?”

“Profitable” Rhys’ relationship with his parents was that of responsibility, business, and privilege He didn’t fault the school But he respected his parents They were both good people, who gave back often to charities, and not only for the tax break But the truth was, and always had been, his friends were his family

“And a wife?” Alice inquired “Any news on that front?”

“Nothing to report,” Rhys said in a dry voice

She laughed softly “I’ll take that as a no Don’t take too long, Rhys You do not want to be an old bachelor You knohat your father will say about that”

Rhys didn’t comment He never did Some people, he owed explanations to, but his parents were not a the table, he said, “I need to run, but before I do, tell ?”

“Europe is beautiful, very ical,” Alice explained with an unusual sense of wonder to her voice “We’ve been enjoying ourselves”

“Glad to hear it We’ll talk soon Goodbye”

“Goodbye, Rhys”

He ended the call right as Archer took a seat to his right and asked, “How’s your ?”

A soft laugh escaped Rhys, and he shook his head His expression must have been stiff Phone calls with his parents always brought Rhys back to that life on a very tight rope When his parents retired and began traveling, the rope had stopped strangling him “She’s well”

Hunt took a seat next to Archer and gave a slohistle “Curiouser and curiouser”

Rhys didn’t even have to look to know Zoey strode through the restaurant’s doors He could see it written all o

ver his friends’ faces But Rhys had already decided to break rules for Zoey There was no going back, and even if Rhys was questioning his decisions, he wasn’t about to stop where life was taking him