Just Ask Directly?


    Honestly, talking things over with Ste is about as useful as talking to a brick wall. Her approach is always the same-straightforward, zero sugar-coating, and not a hint of subtlety.


    With that kind of attitude, it''s no wonder Urs always ends up outsmarted by her. If Ste could pick up on even a little bit of nuance, Urs would have her running in circles in no time.


    Because Urs? She''s a pro at setting traps. If you step into one of her carefullyid ns, you''re basically toast.


    But Ste? If she feels even the slightest bit of injustice or thinks she''s been wronged-forget talking. She''ll just throw down. Not exactly the person you go to for clever advice.


    Yeah, not happening.


    But then again, it''s not like Susanna could figure this mess out herself either. Her head was pounding just thinking about it.


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, snapping Susanna out of her thoughts. Barnaby''s voice floated in from the hallway, "Hey, Susie! The boss is heading out, so you''re on your own for dinner tonight."


    Susanna grimaced. Did he really have to keep calling her Susie?


    "Got it," she replied, a little sharper than she meant. As if she''d ever actually had dinner with Hull, anyway.


    She was already walking on eggshells trying to avoid causing trouble.


    "Oh, right-could you help me out with something?" Barnaby added.


    Susanna tensed. What kind of ''help'' did he mean? Was it something to do with Hull? Because if it was, there was no way she was getting involved.


    Barnaby hesitated, "It''s about the boss''s injury-"


    "Nope, not happening," Susanna cut him off before he could even finish.


    There was a stunned silence from the other side of the door.


    "You''re really just gonna say no like that?" Barnaby sounded almost offended.


    "Find someone else. Seriously, I''m already under enough suspicion as it is. Don''t ask me for help-I''m not getting involved in anything."


    She could hear him sigh.


    "Are you sure this is a good idea?"


    "Good or not, I''m out. Deal with it."


    She''d already gotten in enough troublest time she tried to help Hull. Everyone had been giving her the cold shoulder ever since. No way was she making that mistake again.


    "Alright then. Just don''t forget to eat," Barnaby said, finally giving up.


    She listened as his footsteps faded away, letting out a long, shaky breath.


    Jeez. That was close.


    Star had warned her to keep her distance from Hull. Get too close and something always went wrong-like identally seeing him half-dressed or, worse, messing up his bandages and nearly sending him to the ER.


    Nope. She was done. This time, she was actually going to listen.


    ...


    Meanwhile, at the party...


    Ste arrived to find Yvonne already there, rocking a sleek ck cocktail dress.


    Honestly, it was the only color she could pull off these days-anything else just made her look washed out.


    Spotting Ste, Yvonne called out, "Star!"


    "You got here early! I thought we wereing together," Ste said, ncing around for the drinks table.


    "Don''t get me started. It was Xander''s fault," Yvonne grumbled, rolling her eyes.


    Just mentioning Xander was enough to get her worked up.


    Weren''t you nning to punch him?" Ste teased.


    "I did! But the idiot just won''t get the hint."


    She was clearly fed up with him, but it didn''t stop her from grabbing Ste''s arm and dragging her toward the buffet table.


    They didn''t get far before Ronald stepped in, catching Ste by the elbow.


    "Hey, what''s up?" she asked, a little surprised.


    Yvonne nced at Ronald, confused.


    "Heading for the food?" Ronald raised an eyebrow.


    "Yeah, we''re gonna eat and vent. You know how it is," Ste replied, grinning.


    But Ronald wasn''t letting go. Instead, his big, warm hand slipped around her waist, pulling her closer as he murmured, "You already had plenty earlier, didn''t you?"