Rachel couldn''t be bothered to keep up appearances with someone so ordinary and powerless.


    During those few days at the clinic, she''d even toyed with the idea of slipping something into Mr. Burton''s tea just to get back at him.


    Serves him right for siding with Ste and making things difficult for her.


    But as Mr. Burton tried to threaten Jasper, Jasper didn''t get angry—instead, heughed so hard he nearly cried.


    A warning from someone on your level might make you mad.


    But when the gap is this wide, it just bes a joke.


    "Run me out of town? You? Please give me a break! Old man, you''re seriously getting way too into this role."


    Mr. Burton was never one to put up with provocation-especially not from Jasper. His temper red instantly.


    "You little punk! Next time youe crawling to me for help, don''t expect me to be so nice. You''d better pray you never end up needing me!"


    Ste watched quietly, making no move to intervene.


    Neville''s eyes narrowed as he looked at Mr. Burton, who was now trading barbs with Jasper. Suddenly, it hit him why the old man seemed so familiar.


    He leaned toward Ste and asked quietly, “Star, what''s your rtionship with this Mr. Burton?"


    Ste replied, "I''vee to him for medicine a couple of times...I guess you could say I''m a close junior of his."


    "How long have you known each other?"


    "A little under three years, I think."


    Neville''s eyes were as deep and unreadable as the sea. "You two seem pretty close."


    Ste didn''t think much of it. "I''ve learned a lot about wellness remedies from Mr. Burton. He might act a bit childish, but he''s a good person."


    Neville parted his lips as if to say something, but in the end he stayed silent.


    After a few more minutes of shouting, Mr. Burton, having gotten thest word, hung up with a childish flourish.


    Jasper called back over and over, but Mr. Burton just kept rejecting the calls, looking smug.


    "Hmph. He really thinks he can take me on? He should know his ce," Mr. Burton crowed.


    Abby: "..."


    Ste: "..."


    Neville: "..."


    ***


    After helping to tidy up the clinic, Ste and her friends finally left.


    Neville drove Ste and Abby back to Ste''s apartment building, dropping them off before heading out. He''d always been respectful-never once suggesting hee upstairs, not even now that Ste was divorced.


    That alone made Abby think a little more highly of Neville.


    As they rode the elevator upstairs, Abby turned to Ste. "Star, I really think Neville''s a great guy. He''s respectful, he''s a gentleman, and he''s helped you so many times. Maybe you should give him a chance?"


    As for Neville''s "sweet talk," Abby never took it seriously. She''d noticed he only ever made those flirtyments when Haynes was around-clearly just to get under Haynes'' skin. The rest of the time, Neville rarely said anything inappropriate or crossed any lines.


    He never put Ste in an awkward position, nor did he give Haynes any real reason to use Ste of cheating. Otherwise, knowing Haynes, he''d probably twist the situation and me Ste for everything.


    Ste shook her head. "I just got divorced. I''m not ready to start thinking about rtionships-I want to focus on my career first. Besides, Neville and I are just friends. Don''t go spreading rumors like that, especially not where Marvin could hear."


    Abby lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Marvin''s actually told me more than once that he wants you to be his mom. He said that now you''re divorced, he''s hoping you and Neville might get together."


    Ste couldn''t help butugh. "He''s just a kid, Abby. Don''t take that seriously." The elevator chimed and stopped at Ste''s floor. The two women stepped out.


    But as soon as Ste turned the corner, she saw her apartment door-sealed shut with an official notice.