Dn shrugged it off. “No idea who she is–probably just someone trying to get my


    attention.”


    Bianca smirked. “Bet she thinks you’re an easy mark. I’ve seen plenty like her.”


    Dn didn’t respond, instead greeting the man standing behind her. “Hey, Seth. Long time no see.”


    Seth nodded, his tone cool. “Yeah, it’s been a while.”


    Jude, hearing that Seth and Bianca had arrived, hurried out <i>to </i>greet them. He caught the tail end of their conversation and couldn’t resist joking, “When did you two get so formal? Or is it just that rivals always get prickly around each other?”


    Bianca rolled her eyes. “Cut it out.”


    Despite her words, there was a flicker of pride and satisfaction on her face.


    After all, Seth and Dn were the two most exceptional men of their generation–one her ex, the other soon to be her current.


    Meanwhile, Noreen’s meeting with Mr. Quigley had gone smoothly. They’d had an enjoyable conversation, but since her contract with Aurelion Group hadn’t officially ended, she refrained from giving him a definitive answer.


    Mr. Quigley insisted on seeing her out to the entrance of the Hesper Lounge. Noreen assured him she’d already called a car and told him to head home first, especially since he’d had a bit too much to drink.


    As she waited for her ride, a familiar license te caught her eye.


    Seth’s car.


    She used to drive it all the time. Even now, hanging from the rearview mirror was the little good luck charm she’d gotten for him at church.


    The sleek ck Maybach pulled up smoothly in front of her. The window slid down, revealing Seth’s impossibly handsome face.


    Their eyes met across the small distance.


    Maybe it was just her imagination. Or perhaps it was the midnight hush and


    shadows ying tricks–but for a moment, Noreen could have sworn there was an unmistakable tenderness in the way Seth looked at her.


    <b>1/3 </b>


    10.01


    She felt her heart skip a beat.


    How many times, in those nights tangled up in each other, had she lost herself in those dark, fathomless eyes? When passion reached its peak, he’d whisper her name over and over at her ear–rough, tender, desperate.


    A kind of intimacy that lingered, deep in her bones.


    “Seth, have you been waiting long?” came Bianca’s voice from behind her.


    Noreen snapped back to reality in an instant.


    What was she thinking, imagining Seth was here for her?


    Fortunately, her own ride had arrived. Grateful for the escape, she climbed in and left in a hurry.


    On the drive home, she kept her window down, letting the cool air wash over her. The driver couldn’t help ncing at her through the rearview mirror every so often, curiosity written all over his face.


    “Rough night? Had a bit too much to drink?” he asked.


    Noreen forced a smile. “Just trying to clear my head.”


    Truth was, she hadn’t had much to drink at all.


    As they neared her ce, the driver hesitated, then ventured, “Just so you know–if you get sick in the car, it’s a $200 cleaning fee.”


    Noreen blinked, a little taken aback./


    She touched her face, half–wondering if she really looked that heartbroken.


    Since she’d had a little alcohol and was worried about her stomach acting up, Noreen stopped by ate–night diner near her apartment and ordered a steaming bowl offorting soup before wandering home in no rush.


    As soon as she walked in, she spotted someone sitting in her living room.


    Seth.


    For a moment, Noreen just stared, caughtpletely off guard.


    Shouldn’t he be spending the night with Bianca right about now? What on earth was he doing here, in her tiny, shabby apartment?


    She nced at the keypad on her front door and sighed inwardly.


    Out of everything she’d thought of, she’d forgotten one thing–changing the entry


    2:2


    <b>12.01 </b>


    code.


    Of course, she’d been the one to give Seth the code in the first ce, all trusting.


    eager


    and


    Impressive that he actually remembered it. Then again, numbers were his thing–maybe that’s just how finance guys‘ minds worked.


    Noreen slipped off her shoes, taking her time, mind already racing with possible reasons for Seth’s unexpected visit.


    This was the first time they’d been alone together since she’d realized he had someone else in his heart.


    Was he here to finally say goodbye?


    <b>12.01 </b>