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"Yes," Mark says, answering my unanswered question "It’s Chris’s work"

My attention slides to his face and I try to read him I don’t knohat happened between these two men, but I have no doubt it burns deeper for them both because they were once friends "I assu in the carefully schooled expression he wears on his too-handso more "And it surprises me You two don’t seem too close these days"

"Money talks," he says

My brows dip before I can stifle the reaction, the defensive rise for Chris impossible to contain "Chris doesn’t seeives ht hold a hint of irritation "What can I do for you, Ms McMillan?" Mark asks, clearly diverting the conversation I get the iood reh, that I’m trapped in a battle of wills between hiet the answers I came here for

I do not wait for him to ask me to sit I walk forward, thankful ain, and sit in one of the two ar into the expensive leather "I want to talk about Riptide"

He leans back, rests his elbows on the arether "What about it?"

"You told me I wasn’t ready for Riptide Why aed If he feels put on the spot, he shows nothing "There is no suddenly about this"

"You said I had to learn about wine, opera, and classicalyour dedication And I’d still like you to learn those things I thought you’d be pleased Unlessyou don’t plan to stay here after the su in for Rebecca" A thought slaency in ned?" And would he tell me if she has? Or would he think I’d be less motivated to create a new spot for myself out of assumed stability?

"I haven’t heard from Rebecca in weeks," he informs me "If she decides to come back, I’ll make room for her, but I cannot operate a business with an absentee e my moves"

I study him and look for so I do not believe he has heard from Rebecca "Did you expect her return, or at least some communication, by now?"

"Yes," he replies without hesitation