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Archer set a fir”

The repri personal and Phoenix business “She’sfrom his seat “The risk is minimal”

Kieran snorted a laugh “Keep trying to convince yourself of that, buddy”

Rhys ignored the reproach Right now, his intent was to show Zoey that there was so much more to life than what had been handed to her She’d told hi a panic attack He hoped that this dinner was a step in the right direction His friends rose to greet Zoey when she sidled up to the table “Hello, Zoey,” Rhys said, leaning in to kiss her cheek

She smiled at his friends then set those beautiful eyes on him “Hi,” she said, just to him

At that sweetness aierous line He liked the war as he stayed behind that emotional line, the risk was minimal for them both When he backed away, he said, “Zoey, this is Hunt and Kieran, very good friends of mine, and you already know Archer”

“Hi, yeah, I do Nice to meet the rest of you,” she said with the innocent s fond of Until her eyes narrowed a little and awareness cahter Obviously, she’d recognized Kieran from Lottie’s show and Hunt and Archer froht She quickly looked away, pink-cheeked, then turned to Rhys, clearly needing direction

He took her hand, bringing her in next to hiave a quick nod Kieran ihtning strike today” His friend had always been able to deliver a fantastic icebreaker Which was exactly why he’d asked his friends here tonight He hoped Zoey would be at ease, see that this wasn’t a date, and that she was si him and his friends for dinner

When Zoey visibly relaxed next to hihter”

“Really?” Zoey said “Thatwork”

“So The darkness behind his eyes said not all aspects of the job were good

Rhys caught the eye of the waiter and gave a flick of his chin The waiter came over and opened a bottle of white wine, as Rhys had instructed, pouring Zoey a glass from the just-opened bottled He’d already noticed how she wouldn’t drink at the club, always requesting a can of so unopened

He asked Kieran, “Was anyone hurt?”

“Thank you,” Zoey said to the waiter when he finished pouring

Kieran shook his head in clear auess The lightning hit a tree and traveled through the roots, striking aout in a chair on his lawn That sa room Luckily, the wife had just left the room”