He held her hand for the duration of the elevator ride and as they walked down the hallway to her cabin. As soon as the elevator door closed she tried to extricate her fingers from his when he subtly tilted his head at the tall man standing across from them. Reluctantly she relaxed her hand, opting instead to defiantly put some distance between them. A lost battle in such a small space. Sensing her discomfort, she was sure, he drew a little closer and leaned against the wall next to her.

Between wanting to swat his hand away and on a tiny (but honestly, negligible, she told herself) level guiltily enjoying the contact she was left a little confused but mostly agitated. The other man kept his eyes glued to his smartphone so keeping up appearances – and for who, a stranger? – appeared unnecessary. But Rio wasn't doing it just for that, she suspected. He knew he was getting a rise out of her and that she wouldn't pull her hand away.

Worst was that she couldn't even trust her own body, actually finding the contact between their fingers not only pleasing but soothing. It stung a little, she thought while they walked in search of her room, that as these contradicting responses dueled inside her mind he was taking it in stride.

"You know couples don't hold hands the entire time they're together," She said tersely as she stepped after him into her cabin, her suitcase right behind her.

He stopped at the end of the narrow hallway as the door clicked shut. "Was I still holding your hand? I'm sorry, baby." He said with raised eyebrows and lowered his eyes to their locked hands. In seconds he untangled his fingers from hers.

She brushed past him and set her suitcase by the bed. Obviously it wasn't that it was him touching her that had quickened her pulse. A terribly long time had passed since she experienced any kind of intimacy with a man. No one could blame her for enjoying a little relief from years of built up loneliness.

The more important matter, she thought as she sat on the bed, was whether she could get through this trip when he was already wearing her patience thin. She'd only just arrived and she was ready for it to be over. Her thoughts were flooded by all the tasks she had been postponing to do, some as recently as last night, and that she'd need to tackle as soon as she'd get back to Detroit. She'd need to update her to-do list when she got the chance so she wouldn't forget anything.

"Did you plan this?" She took off her shoes and flexed her toes.

Rio had set his bag on the carpet and taken up leafing through the yacht's binder. Unlike her, who needed to slow down her thoughts to control her irritation at him, he no longer looked as angry as he did at the reception desk. "No. I just go with what works." He looked up. "Makes your backstory easier."

She lifted her right foot on the bed to fix her sock. "How did we meet?"

His fingers turned a page in the binder. "My cousin did some work on your kitchen. I gave him a ride."

He said it so readily she was even less sure he hadn't planned this all along.

"Two months." That had been when they first met in her kitchen. "I'm sure it didn't happen right away," she said absentmindedly. At least, that's how she saw their fictional relationship.

He laughed and looked up from the page. "Why? I had to convince you to get with me?"

"No," she said, intuitively following the movement to her right. She set her eyes at the waves beckoning her from her window. A hazy memory floated of her and her family sailing years ago. Not Dean and her kids. Her parents. Annie. Her dad's voice lifted from the water's surface, sharpening the faded picture.

"We gotta agree on something."

She turned her head back to him. "Hm?"

"If I need to, I'm gonna stay here." He regarded her. "What with people thinking we're dating and whatnot."

"I-" She started to argue and stopped. She forced herself to hold his gaze before looking away, her cheeks warm. The idea he'd stay – she understood what he meant – irrationally made her feel safer. After all, she still didn't know what exactly she was walking into. If she didn't have to be alone at night... But at the insinuation of his statement, as if she was a teenager with a crush, she struggled to fight the blush creeping to her cheeks.

"I'll take the couch." His eyes danced on her face and it wasn't possible but the way he said it somehow made his initial statement more suggestive.

"You're not expecting me to sleep on that in my own room." She glanced at the love seat and got up, grabbing a glass beside the TV. It didn't matter that he was standing a few feet away, it felt like he was standing as close to her as when they stood at reception.

"If we stayed in my room would you sleep on the couch?" He asked.

She avoided his eyes as she considered his question. "Maybe. Sure."

"Nah, I wouldn't let you do that. Gotta be a gentleman and whatnot."

"After making sure you put your gun away? Yeah," She said and instantly regretted it as his face broke into a toothy smile.

"How're you going to explain that you have two rooms? If anyone sees you?" She asked as she headed towards the bathroom.

He turned his body to her as she passed him. "One room's for business." He drawled, letting the rest go unsaid.

She stepped through the tension, and continued to the bathroom where the windows somehow withstood fogging up from the heat radiating from her. She turned on the faucet and filled her glass.

Rio appeared at the doorway. "Listen, I get this got dumped on you. If it ain't cool with you, I'll figure something out."

"And tell him what?" She put a hand on the counter. "We broke up right after we talked to him?"

"It's no big thing." He said.

She looked down.

"We just gotta play it up a little," he changed gears, maybe sensing holes in her resistance.

He was right. It was still early enough to reverse what was shared, even with an offhand excuse. She'd joined the trip with the intention of keeping professional distance and it was undoubtedly easier to do without taking part in this kind of theater. More manageable to keep things under control, she thought as she looked away from him.

On the other hand, she was already acting the part of a different person. How much difference would this make? Not to mention, the air was much lighter now that his mood had improved. If that alone made a smoother path to her ultimate goal, how much could it hurt?

"All right." She put her hands behind her back. "Sure. I'm OK with it. If you think it'll help."

"Can't hurt," he said offhandedly. "Dinner's at six. Probably with Christopher, we'll see. I'll pick you up." He glanced at his phone and looked up. 'Can you take care of yourself until then?"

"Yes," she said, feeling relieved that she'd have some time for herself. "Is that when you tell me what I'm here for?"

"I told you," He disappeared out of view and returned to the doorway with his bag. "Make me look legit."

She sipped her water. "What? What does that mean?" She shook her head. "Spend time with you out there?"

"Simple, right?" He said.

"Seems so." She tried to find any other clue in his eyes but found none. If he was engaging in illicit activities what did he mean by her helping him look legit? "I didn't think so many people would be here."

"You don't gotta talk to all of them." He said and she sensed he was itching to leave.

"So is Christopher – are other people here going by an alias?" She asked.

"The people I know are here on a job. I know their business and calling card. Who they go by in their personal life is their own business."

Beth took a step forward. She was hesitant to bring it up but the cloud still hovered, pushing her to clear the remnants of their not too distant discord. "We didn't finish our conversation. This won't work if you can't trust me."

"You gotta earn it, baby." His said in a seemingly easy tone that was anything but. A reminder that despite his better mood at the end of the day she wasn't on much firmer ground. If not back at ground zero, she thought, as the irritation showing in his face took her back to that miserable night when he told her it was over.

"You need to know why we – why I let the police-" she stopped talking as his eyes hardened. "Why I did what I did." Her heart thumped.

"Yeah?" He asked.

Tread carefully, she told herself, as she pushed through familiar trepidation at his intimidating stance. "Not to win an argument." She stepped closer and set her glass on the counter. Rio didn't budge but his expression, if possible, hardened further. He shook his head and she spoke before he got the chance to argue.

"I don't want to ignore what happened. It's not worth it." She said.

He searched her face. "Fair enough. But not now." He glanced at the door.

After he left she returned to her window. She believed that he hadn't anticipated the couples angle. After all, if he'd known and gone through the trouble of planning to give her a fake ID, he would've brought up that idea too. She cast aside a few lingering doubts about going through with it, reminding herself that for the end goal, a bit of extra, most likely straightforward pretending, would be worthwhile.

It never failed. She always found it pacifying to let her eyes roam the surface of the lake or an ocean. It'd been too long since she'd been to the lake, though the winter months didn't give her many chances to seek it out. Every once in a while when the house got too chaotic, when she was being pulled in 10 different directions, and one too many demands threatened to put her over the edge, Dean would walk up to her and give her her car keys with a smile. She'd take a long drive, park by her regular spot by the lake, and take a walk, breathe in the air and listen the water, the only sound she needed to rejuvenate her spirits.

She wouldn't have minded sleeping for a bit but instead she chose to change her top to a more comfortable shirt and explore her temporary lodging. As she set down the hallway she hoped she wouldn't bump into Christopher again. She wanted to have a moment for herself.

On deck other passengers seemed to also be drawn out to soak in the sun's rays. Conversations were peppered with laughter and Beth found the joyful mood infectious. She observed the crowd as she strolled slowly, trying to guess as to who Rio's other contacts could be. She breathed in the familiar smell of Lake Michigan as Annie's calls mixed in with the waves. She could almost hear heir mom laughing, their dad joining her. Better that happier times flooded her thoughts. Before the days she was an unofficial go-between for her parents. Seagulls fluttered above her head as she reminisced. She ended up at the bow, catching glimpses of final passengers getting on and crew members making preparations to leave.

Raised voices came from a few feet away, slicing through the cheery mood that permeated the rest of the deck. Two men, who Beth hadn't noticed, caught up in her reverie, seemed to be in the middle of a heated argument. The younger man noticed her and said something quietly to the older man who lowered his voice and quickly left.

The man smiled at her apologetically and raised his shoulders as if to say "What can you do?"

"Sorry," Beth said. "I didn't hear anything."

The man shook his head and flashed a charming smile. He was handsome, lean with light red hair that was almost too long. "It's a conversation we shouldn't have had out here." He raised the glass he was holding and drank. "I don't think I've seen you here before."

"I just got here," She answered with a smile.

"It's just that I take this trip often. We usually get the same crowd."

Beth considered this. "I was lucky to get an invitation this time I guess." She realized he could take her warmth for flirting. It was harmless though and she was enjoying it. She'd missed it.

"I'm actually with the crew. This isn't rum and coke. Promise." He drew the drink closer to Beth as if for her inspection.

Beth waved her hand. "I believe you."

"No, really. Smell," The man insisted.

Beth took a whiff of the drink, smelling no alcohol.

"On a break?" She asked him.

The man broke into a laugh. "It's a break now. I'm Nathan Stenson." He put out his hand.

Beth shook his hand and took a breath when she heard herself say her real name in her head. "A-Alanna Becker." She recovered with a smile. "Please don't tell me that was the captain. You shouldn't drive angry probably works for steering yachts, right?" She asked with a smile, referring to the man who'd stormed away.

Nathan laughed. "No, first mate." He waved his hand. "It's nothing to worry about."

Beth wasn't sure about that but she smiled, putting her arm on the rail.

"Which party are you with?" Nathan asked.

"I could be here alone," She teased, smiling sweetly.

"Of course. It's just that this isn't a solo trip for most."

As if on cue, a trio of passengers passed them.

"I am here with someone. An old friend." She said before remembering the feeling of Rio's hand in hers. "Of sorts." She added. Her heart twinged as she thought how it wasn't too long ago that saying she was with someone, married that is, was an answer associated with far less hurt. Even if things weren't the same with Dean in the last few, maybe even several years, it had been consoling to say it. To be part of a team.

"Is it the kind who has a name?" He asked. She saw him react to something in her face. "Maybe I know him."

Rio had checked himself in with his own name, be it fake or real.

"Rio."

Nathan raised his eyebrows in recognition. "Rio? What a good friend to have." He said, obviously echoing her "of sorts" comment. He finished his drink. "It's time to face the music." He looked at the window behind Beth and then back at her. "Maybe I'll see you around." He began to walk away.

"What do you do here?" Beth returned his curiosity.

"Second mate. I should remember. You want to piss off someone under you. It's the other way round that gets you in trouble." He winked at her.

Nathan turned the corner. Beth gazed back at the water and listened to its rustle. He'd looked at her a little differently once she told him who she was with. A little surprised. Maybe thought of their age difference.

A distinct laughter rolled from across the deck. Something about it scratched the surface of her memory and she tried to place it when it rang in her ears again. Twisting her head, she searched through the crowd. Her eyes froze on the woman whose laugh made its path to her even while she was covering her mouth. It took her a second, but her stomach dropped at the realization. Karin. She couldn't remember her last name but she had a son who was a friend of Jane's – or was it Kenny's, yeah, Kenny's. Tom, that was his name. Beth quickly lowered her face to the water as she turned her back to the woman and her group. Karin seemed caught up in conversation and thankfully she'd turned before she'd made eye contact. Still, Beth decided to head back inside.

As many passengers as the yacht seemed to hold, how likely would it be for her to run into Karin again? What if she saw her and started asking about the kids or Dean? Beth walked over to the entry way opposite the one close to Karin's group. Karin did have a loose tongue, that she remembered. She was quick to reassure herself. There were enough people here for her to get lost in the crowd. Surely she wouldn't bump into her again.

The thought of her kids made her want to call them even though they were still at school. Annie was going to drop by the house later tonight, having offered to pick up Jane and Kenny from art class and baseball practice. She'd call them later, before she'd meet up with Rio.

Beth wasn't sure about the dinner's dress code. Rio hadn't said anything and fleetingly she wondered what he'd look like dressed up. It wasn't like she'd seen him in t-shirts exactly. He typically opted for buttoned shirts but it wasn't like she'd ever seen him in a suit. She eventually opted for something that leaned towards a formal side: A long dress in a rich blue hue. Jane loved touching its soft silk material, Beth remembered as she smoothed it down under her hips.

Rio's eyes lingered on her outfit so she took it as him appreciating her choice. He was dressed in his familiar wardrobe, though with an uncharacteristically lighter blue buttoned shirt and lighter colored pants. Christopher and Seth, whom Christopher introduced as his better half, were already waiting for them in the dining room when they arrived.

Christopher comfortably led the conversation and came alive whenever he told a story, which was often. Beth figured that this was one reason he and Rio got along. Seth filled in gaps easily and he and Christopher talked at length about their sailing hobby. Pulled into the conversation, Beth found herself speaking more than Rio. While this didn't surprise her she was a little disappointed. It was going to be more difficult to get Rio to trust her if she knew so little about him. With the chasm of mistrust there anything would help ensure he hired her back.

"Tell her about your Guatemala trip," Rio kept his eyes on Christopher as he took her hand. It wasn't the first time he had done it that evening. He tended to do it when there wasn't food in front of them making it that much harder for Beth to excuse her hand away.

Christopher laughed. "Oh, that's for another night. Let's just leave it at mixing business with pleasure didn't work. At all," Christopher and Seth broke up in laughter. Food arrived and Beth pulled her hand from Rio's hold.

Though she usually wasn't a big fan of lamb, the herbs gave the dish a tantalizing scent and its flavors didn't disappoint. Halfway through the dish she and Rio switched their lamb and fish dishes, having agreed to share earlier on. She was careful about what she shared about herself though when Seth started talked about water skiing and parasailing she shared her own family's experience sailing as a child.

"He's still seeing us tomorrow?" Rio asked once main dish plates were cleared.

"That's right. Called in my aunt. She'll have it ready." Christopher said.

Beth glanced at Seth to see if he understood the exchange, one of a few between Rio and Christopher that she wasn't able to fully follow. Seth didn't reveal anything in his face but she suspected it wasn't the first time he'd heard conversations like this. She expected that Rio and Christopher were talking in code, scattered in conversations of catching up. Or rather, catching up on particularly on Christopher's side.

"I gotta tell you," Christopher said to Beth. "I don't know how long you've been together but now that I know that's the situation, it makes sense… Rio's usually a bit more focused when he's not on his own, you see." He pointed at his head before raising his palms. "It does good for my peace of mind."

"Have I ever disappointed you? Single or not?" Rio leaned slightly forward.

"No." Christopher conceded. "Or I should say – after you straightened out the Chicago situation."

A little tension skimmed the air.

"Take it as a compliment." Christopher put his arms on the table. "This past month you've been on the ball. I still remember the two years you were with Louisa. Nothing but peace of mind... That's right," he said, tapping his chin. "You got held up for a minute," which Beth took as a reference to Rio's recent arrest. She fought the urge to shift in her seat.

"Were you dating then?" Christopher pointed between both of them as he looked at Beth.

"Yes. It was awful. He didn't deserve that." She was playing it up a little, it was true. But it was true also that she felt regret.

"Part of the game, right?" Rio asked no one in particular. "Right baby?" He turned to Beth. Her stomach dropped a little at the bite in his voice. It could've been avoided, she thought.

"Wish it wasn't." She said and it came out softer than she expected. Rio took a double take of her.

"You never get used to it," Seth said. "If that helps."

Christopher took Seth's hand. Beth sensed some of the shared pain there. Something about their shared connection reminded her of her and Dean. Or her and Dean from years ago.

"I can imagine. You two go back," Beth said with compassion. Rio took her hand.

"Just a few years," Christopher said with a wink. "Not like you two. You- you didn't meet on the job right?" He asked.

Beth exchanged a glance with Rio.

"No," she said.

"I like that. Usually we run a pretty tight circle. Sometimes it's good to step out a little. If Rio trusts you, as a girlfriend, to come here... You should be flattered."

"I am," Beth accepted the unexpected compliment, dying to rescue her hand out of Rio's grasp.

"I'm sure that you've straightened him out since then," Christopher said with a smile. "But it's true that some things are hard to avoid." He shook his head.

Beth avoided looking at Rio, not wanting to see the expression in his face.

The waiter stopped at their table and spoke with Christopher. A movement caught her eye and she spotted Karin sitting several tables away. She looked away, focusing back at Christopher, and fixed her napkin, cursing her bad luck.

"Then, look at me," Christopher said. "I don't work for the money. I work so I can see the world. So I can live a life of adventure with the man I love. I mean, what's the most important thing to you?" Christopher asked.

"Family," Rio and Beth answered together.

Christopher continued talking as Beth kept her face on him before turning slightly and sneaking a look at Rio. She was admittedly surprised. What had she thought he'd say? Money? Security? Based on what she knew of him, it wouldn't be a big stretch. Who did he consider to be family, she wondered. Did he have children? She hadn't really considered that but it wouldn't be unimaginable. He had to be in his thirties.

Beth looked behind Christopher, accidentally catching Karin walking by. Nearly making eye contact, she quickly looked away. She returned her eyes to Christopher and Seth, noticing they were staring at her and that the table had gone quiet. She quickly understood that she had just missed part of the conversation.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" Beth asked Christopher.

"Yes-"

The waiter stopped at their table and Christopher's attention went to him.

"What's up?" Rio asked her.

"Nothing," Beth shook her head. She wasn't sure he believed her.

"Alanna," Christopher said as the waiter walked away, "I was asking what you do for a living."

"Sales manager." Beth named a big box company in a Detroit suburb. "Electronics department." She had been ready for that question. After spending so much time in these departments she'd gotten familiar with deals and products, granted far more on the pricier end of the market.

"Alanna knows how to sell. She can sell anything, right, baby?"

"Sure I can, sweetheart." She said, rolling with his teasing, taking a little pleasure in how Rio's eyes glinted as she called him by a nickname. This kind of interaction was much more doable than say, their hand holding. Maybe because this way she felt she had more control, was able to keep more distance.

"How'd you end up there?" Christopher asked.

"Guess running one too many lemonade stands got me started." She sipped her drink. "I like showing people that they want something they don't have yet."

Seth leaned forward in his seat. "Christopher has a theory that he can only trust someone who's worked in sales or food service at least once in his lifetime."

Christopher looked from Seth to Beth. "I just respect people more if they've worked their way from the bottom. Where you need to have your wits about you, humble yourself."

"I was reading they were letting go of employees in that branch?" Seth looked up and to the side as if trying to remember. "It was a part of a long article about businesses in Detroit."

"Yes, there isn't final word on that yet." She said. She'd actually read a little about that but she'd only had so much time to research.

"Oh really?" Seth furrowed his eyebrows. "I was just reading a few days ago an interview with one of the workers, maybe you know her, um… V… Valerie. Valerie something, started with an H... Do you know her?"

"I don't think so. It's a big store." She said as way of explanation as she cut into her food.

"I'm trying to remember..." Seth glanced upwards. "I swear she said she was in the electronics department."

"Oh sorry, you mean Leery." She shook her face and smiled. "Of course. She goes by her nickname so I never think of her as Valerie."

"She seemed like she was going to put up a fight to stop the lay offs."

"I hope it doesn't happen. I'm definitely not ready to look for another job."

"What would you do if you had to leave?" Christopher asked.

"I've always been in sales so I think I'd try to stay there. But it's always good to keep options open. Who knows, maybe I'd even work for you honey," she directed her comment to Rio, trying to keep the teasing in her voice. Rio nodded quickly, keeping his face impassive.

Seth shook his head emphatically. "You don't want to do that," He shook his head. "I worked with Christopher on a couple of projects – best way for us to break up."

The table laughed.

"Not because of me," Christopher leaned back on his chair. "I loved having you as my partner."

"And I loved staying your partner. So I quit."

That had been close, Beth thought, hoping her changing the subject was going to keep attention off her for a bit longer.

"What do you say Rio?" Christopher said, clearly continuing an earlier conversation.

"I'm ready to take over the Paraguay project." Rio said. Christopher didn't reply and Beth got the feeling that the topic had been brought up before.

"You have no other takers." Rio pushed.

A thread of tension cut through the air again.

"It's not my decision." Christopher grabbed his glass.

"Call your booking agency. Shame to throw it away."

Christopher sipped his drink. "We'll see," he said. "Tell you what. Make sure it happens tomorrow, and I can make a much stronger case for you."

The conversation continued as Beth wondered what Rio's relationship was to Christopher. It didn't look like the latter was Rio's direct boss but he did seem like a gatekeeper of sorts.

"That was fun," Beth said after Christopher and Seth excused themselves. At Rio's quizzical face, she added, "I mean- they seemed friendly."

It had been an enjoyable evening overall, the conversation with Christopher and Seth – since they were her biggest conversation partners – flowing easily without returning to Beth's made up job.

"Expected something different?" Rio wiped his mouth with his napkin.

"I thought- yes. I don't know what I expected. I thought you'd talk about business the entire time. And it's the first time I didn't see you walk out of a restaurant mid-meal."

"I got nowhere else to go." He said and smiled."You did good. Thought quick back there." He regarded her smoothly and Beth readily accepted his compliment. They shared a look. It was maybe the first time since his arrest, in fact since that awful conversation at the warehouse, that they shared a moment that didn't have an underlying bitterness to it. The relief in that acknowledgment felt good. She broke the eye contact, letting the moment pass.

As they stood up her eyes met Karin's. She looked away, nearly stepping into Rio.

"What's going on with you?" Rio asked and tried to follow where she was looking.

"There's someone here." Beth admitted. "Don't look. I know her. One of her kids used to go to school with-" she paused. "This kid I know."

"So? Go say hi."

"I don't know her – I know her as me." She reminded him, resting her palm on her chest.

His eyes wandered to the area Beth was looking at. "The woman in the yellow dress?"

"Yes."

She saw recognition in his eyes. "You know her?" She asked.

He didn't answer and turned his attention back on Beth. "Is it gonna be a problem?" He asked sharply.

"No," she said but hint of hesitation slipped into her voice despite her efforts.

"Elizabeth."

"I'll handle it," she said with confidence.

Rio looked like he was making a calculation in his mind. "You sure?"

"Yes."

His expression grew resolute. "All right. Take care of it. I'm gonna be at 405 suite after nine. Some associates are throwing a small party. Meet me there, yeah?"

"OK."

"There's a problem you let me know." He said curtly.

Beth knew not to argue but wanted to leave him with words of confidence. "There won't be."

As Rio passed her she considered her options. She quickly shrugged the unhelpful thought that she wouldn't bump into Karin a third time. As tempting as it was to try to avoid her again what kind of solution was that? She couldn't deceive herself that Karin wouldn't recognize her either. She'd not only talked with her a few times, they'd volunteered together at a fundraiser and ran the same kids' game station.

All Karin had to do was drop Beth's name to someone who knew Rio and her cover'd be blown. That it happened with this crowd honestly worried her less than the news making the rounds back home, as she again remembered that Karin enjoyed passing along a good piece of gossip. And who knows, what if the rumor mill somehow made its way to officer Turner's ears... It was important to keep business with Rio separate from the rest of her life. Maybe she wouldn't have to say anything about Rio. Maybe Karin hadn't noticed him.

A hand caressed the length of her arm. She turned, surprised to find Rio, whom she was sure had already left. A haunting kind of pleasure made its way from her throat to her stomach as his eyes traveled slowly from her arm to her face. She met heat in them but there was something else too. Caution. Don't blow this. She tried to reassure him with her eyes: I got this.

Goose bumps formed on her arms and he nodded. She looked after him as he walked away. He hadn't even kissed her but in his brief touch there was more intimacy than in any kiss he could've given her. It was alarming, how little he had to do to get such a fierce reaction out of her. Not for the first time, she wondered if this game of make believe was the right choice. They'd crossed an invisible boundary some time ago and something about this was unsettling in a way that didn't she didn't feel only apprehension about. She could've surely anticipated this, in fact she had, and still…

For so long she'd known exactly what each next step involved. And on top of everything she was on her own here. She'd just have to make sure not to lose track of what she was here for. Her eyes stayed on Rio as he made his exit, as if by staring at him long enough she'd cure herself. He turned his head back before disappearing and she met his eyes before pulling hers away. This was just a brief interlude, her and him, she reminded herself. Keep your head on why you're doing this. She set her sights on the other side of the room. It was time to return to the task at hand.

A/N

Holidays treat.

Thank you to readers who followed and favorited and those who read for giving it a chance.