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“Reton” The

“Stephen, meet Ruby, my assistant”

I’m his assistant now? “How do you do?” I s me up and down

“Not bad” His voice is strong, snobbish, and coant Remi punches him on the ar bad You see quite well yourself”

“What’s that supposed toup with rown jerks

“Remi has never had an assistant I wouldn’t expect him to have one like you”

“Like me?” I smile “Is that a compliment?”

Reh for us all to hear “Stephen likes to think he can figure everyone out in the first five minutes”

“I’” He waves to the bartender “Whiskey up, vodka, and…” He gives lance “Tequila?”

“Sunrise” I liftdrinks What am I like? Or do you need a few more minutes?”

Stephen turns his back to the bar and squints “Stubborn… sraze from my head to erous of all Ambitious”

Our drinks are set in front of us, and Remi puts his

arh flattery”

“You’re not really his assistant” Stephen grins, taking a sip of vodka I don’t have time to answer before he turns to Reure out why you stayed all those years Why not move back to Seattle?”

Re his whiskey “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve considered it Last summer I had one foot out the door… But I found a reason to stay”