Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

It hit her out of nowhere, leaving her completely defenseless.

Her thoughts were scattered the whole drive back, but as soon as she dropped into her chair, she snapped right into work mode, steady and focused.

She powered through her tasks until noon, when the office door opened and someone called, "Richard's here."

She glanced up and saw him walk in, dressed sharp as always in a tailored suit.

Of all Dylan's friends, Richard was the only one who'd never been openly cold to her. From the very first time they met, there was this odd sense of familiarity between them-something she couldn't quite explain.

Richard's eyes lingered on her for a beat before he set a stack of documents beside her desk. "I thought you'd look worse today, honestly."

"Why's that?" she asked.

He sat down next to her, but didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Is Dylan okay?"

So, he'd heard about the fire at the temple.

"He's fine. I made him stay home and rest," she replied.

Richard reached for a cigarette, paused, then set it aside. "Stick with him these days. He'll need you."

studied his face for a moment, then nodded and

of water for Richard, but he

quiet-just the

she finished reviewing the documents, Clara smiled lightly. "Everything's in order. I'll

his eyes at her. “Don't bother reading any of the comments online

paperwork. She already knew what people must be

a smile. "I'm not going to waste energy on

"I've always wanted to ask: Do you actually

looked down, picked up Dylan's fountain pen, and signed her

corner.

"You always seem pretty invested in me and Dylan Are you genuinely worried

as he gathered up the papers. "Dylan and

sure how I feel about him yet," she admitted. "But

as he picked up the file. "Just remember you said that. I'm not like Jackson or Nicholas-if anyone's going to be by Dylan's side, it should be

so simply, then left the office without

leaned back in her chair, feeling a headache starting to throb behind her eyes. It was the

finished the last of her contracts,

a florist, thinking she'd pick up a bouquet to bring

out, flowers in hand,

been ages since she last