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The lights frohts in the still office space

I walked in and set down his coffee

He s the hazelnut scent “What are you doing here? I thought you had plans to keep to your apartment for the next feeeks?”

“That was the plan, but I wanted to swing by”

Sah his drawers for extra sugar

“What would you think abouton at Simply Stark?”

He looked up atthem fall around his neck “I’d think you’re crazy I’ve had to let everyone go except Phyllis—she won’t leave, but she also hasn’t cashed a check in the past twelve years, so there’s not much I can do at this point Why would you want to do that? I thought you had the job up in New York”

“I know, but I want to try so new Stick closer to my friends and see if football is all there is to lass ball from hand to hand across the top of the desk

“Leo, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone Of course there’s more to you than football”

“It’s —not nothing” My eyes widened and the ball slipped out of my hand and fell to the floor

“I knohat you mean” Sam snatched the ball up and placed it in my palm He looked out of his office door at the empty space that had once been the hub of the business “Truth be told, I was going to close up shop The little jobs here and there are only enough to keep me afloat The house isn’t the same without Felix there and this business…” He waved his hand in front of the doorway “Without hiic it once had If you want to take it over you can, but I have one condition”

“Anything”

“You can’t do things the way he did thee the name Break the mold, and never feel like you have to do this for him or me or anyone else Do this because you want to do it Do you accept?” He held out his hand

“That’s doable I’ll keep you on as partner if you like”

He scoffed “A silent, silent partner It’s tiot a new life to figure out now, too”