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“Mrabbed et up early, so I would have tio hophone Where are you I swear to God Dallas if you don’t answer es, all froh they were rude and not exactly what I was hoping to hear, I couldn’t help but feel excited that he tried to contact e My breath quickened when I saas from him I’m sorry about today The world I live in is very different froive me I have returned your car to your hoe man has access to your private inforain someday Keep

What the hell? He hoped to seeof rejection took over He didn’t want ain The realization of it all consuht hard to stifle a sob I set my alarm and laid my phone beside the bed, then turned to stare at the stars above me I closed my eyes and let the sound of the rain and the memories of Luke lull me to sleep

Chapter 8

The folloeek passed by in a blur Lindsey was off on Monday, courtesy of Luke, and Tuesday, courtesy of me Back in the office on Wednesday, there was plenty for her to catch up on and an abundance of deals for s around the office were much more relaxed, now that she and I had bonded It see done and my appreciation for her had beco I did both our jobs the first part of the week

Friday finally rolled around and she sank in the plush leather chair in h “Thank God this week is over I believe we deserve a drink”

“I have to agree How about you any and ill let the co at her

“Done,” she said standing andher way out of the office I walked to the , looking out at the busy streets of don Hattiesburg The sleek, modern interior of my office was much different from the outside historical area Bricks lined the one way street andsound when the cars passed over the seconds I soon realized that the sound I was hearing was not the bricks at all, but afrom the distance

My heart leaped inI had in hts turned to Luke It was hi to see me I had not talked to him in a week, but he was not far from my me smell, and his lips on mine My lips turned up in sht byin the least It was not Luke I was suddenly aware that so beside me I turned to see the sad expression on Lindsey’s face Her apologies were apparent even without words

“Let’s go get that drink,” she said with a reassuring s my purse, I walked out of the office with the loud pipes of ain my ears

The restaurant was packed and loud The atmosphere immediately lifted my spirits The elderly couple in front of us at the reservation podiu to leave, disappointed because of the wait “Sir, you are more than welcome to havehis wife

“We can sit at the bar”

The oldlady It’s our anniversary,” he said sratification spread through me like warm honey as I watched the couple scurry off to my table

I noticed Lindsey giving me an odd look out of the corner of my eye and I shot her a don’t-start-with-me look as we made our way to the bar We sat at the bar and ordered a round of cosame and the men around us were in joyful conversation over ould win It was hard not to get sucked into the topic, considering ere the only two fehts and worries of Luke were fading by the uys schooled us on baseball stats and kept the drinks cohter filled the roo stance Whento look serious when I heard a whistle fro at me