sed on the condensation beading on her water glass, on the intricate pattern
guage radiating a triumphant ownership. "Holden, this i
hem, a brief, impersonal acknowledgment for each. When his
all," he said, the words sm
ilent, screaming drama unfolding in
do?" Tessa asked, her v
vaguely, the answer offering no real informatio
rp pain she used as an anchor to reality. Her mind was a maelstrom of unanswerable question
bright and cheerful. "Holden just moved to
assed the large, leather-bound menus to the wome
pen disgust he'd shown her in the alley. This detached courtesy suggested she
ked at the man who was now discussing wine pairings with the som
on the menu. The words swam before her eyes. She point
dable glance. He had noticed her silence, her distra
their majors and a fun fact about themselves. It was a typica
ok up from her plate. She manufactured a smile that
ce sounding thin and reedy to h
his. She was looking for something, anything. A fl
, handsome mask. The name 'Dianna' meant
ering with a terrified, hopeful
bility to lie was more absolute t
placing a hand on Holden's arm. He didn't pull away, but he didn't lean
r Dianna. The expensive food on her plate was tasteless, turning to ash in h
er. "Dianna, are you okay?" she
fine," she said, a little too
but not quietly enough. The c
action of a second over his steak. It was a minuscule hesitation
r?" Ashley asked, her brow furro
sted. The last thing she wanted was to cause a
lass, to laugh at one of Chloe's jokes. She was a drama major, after all. She cou
as a conscious effort, every beat of her heart a painful reminder of the man sit
n't a meal. It
. "Excuse me," she murmured, sliding
teps even. She didn't look back. She could feel his eyes
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