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Jade sipped her wine, though what Michael had poured was all she’d drink this evening She knew to keep her wits about her, certain a confrontation beyond the tavern doors was imminent

“Not bad, eh?” Michael asked as he gave her a casual grin He was strapping and level-headed, and Jade tried to latch onto the comfort he naturally provided

“Not bad at all,” she concurred “The Delfinos will be pleased” One of their best custoe on a premium merlot

The evening progressed in its norot a bit tipsier than others, which no one was overly concerned about, since everyone would agree it took the sting out of the oppressionunder the thuas stations, for thatan accident

Jade, however, worried anew as the village’s bell tolled at ht and the bar closed She, Michael and Dane—the other server Michael e and locked the door behind them

They bid Dane goodnight Then, as Michael did six nights a week—because the tavern wasn’t open on the holy day out of htered ancestors—he turned to Jade and asked, “Want e?”

Jade experienced a twinge of guilt that he was so chivalrous They’d been lovers once, years ago Both eighteen, without a clue in the world as to what they were doing That was the year Michael’s parents had died in an avalanche

In the edy, Michael had pulled away So had Jade, asloss haunted her They’d remained close friends despite the breakup And of late, she’d caught the lingering glances he gave her The hint of what if? in his gentle gaze

But eight years had passed since they’d severed roh he still had the ability to rin or a chuckle, a true reunion didn’t seem to be in the cards Mainly because neither one of the they both kneas necessary to do in order to reconcile their inner turthen the emotional bond they’d once shared

Though instead of delving into painful recollections, they chose to ignore theated to the far recesses of their minds

So, as alhen his query came, Jade told him, “It’d hardly make sense—we’re on opposite sides of town You’d have to walk all the way back here And then some”

“Yeah, I know” He hedged, as though he had soaze held hers, the rich, chocolatey irises full of unexpressed feelings Jade couldn’t quite wade through “I keep thinking someday you’ll say yes”

To what? she wondered

Yes to an escort? Or yes to so much more?

He brushed away a lock of dark hair that had blown across her face and stuck to her eyelashes Tucking the plump curl behind her ear, he said, “I hate to think of you all alone in the cottage You don’t have any neighbors, Jade It concerns me”