The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Joshua handed the bouquet of baby's breath to Stella.

"Congratulations on your victory, Ms. Cameron."

Stella looked at the flowers in his hands. Baby's breath-her favorite. Abby must have told him, she thought.

She accepted the bouquet with a warm smile. "Thank you."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. When Haynes stepped out, the first thing he saw was Stella, beaming as she took the flowers from Joshua. The joy on her face—so bright and genuine-was nothing like the cool indifference she always reserved for him.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Joshua glanced in Haynes's direction. His eyes fell on the roses in Haynes's hand.

Raising an eyebrow, Joshua said, "Mr. O'Brien, are you here to give Ms. Cameron flowers?"

Haynes's expression was distant and cold. "That's none of your business."

"Just a friendly tip, Mr. O'Brien-if you're going to give a lady flowers, you should at least pick the

fussing with the bouquet, her affection for the delicate blossoms obvious. There

eyes, and

looked up

violin case. "Of course. Ms. Murphy has

nodded and started to

moved to follow, but Joshua smoothly stepped in his

for Ms. Cameron. I'd

in Haynes's eyes. "So if I join them, I ruin the

now, but no one likes to be reminded of how little they mattered. If you insist on joining

met Haynes's steely gaze. "Wouldn't you

froze, his feet rooted to the

word, Joshua

into the distance. A

coming up beside him. "Ms. Cameron's already