The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

"Thinking what?" Sasha asked, clearly intrigued by his words.

"I bet Jenny will come up with some story about me hooking up with you behind

her back when we were still together. Of course, she'd stick to the tactic that works." Shane shrugged.

Sasha was at a loss for words. Shane added, "Like I dumped her once we started something, you know."

Sasha rubbed her chin. "I already know how to shut that down if that's all she's got."

Shane was surprised. "When did you get so sharp?"

Sasha lowered her head and slowed her speech. "Sharp? Nah. When she dumped you, one of my friends caught it on video. She sent it to me, and I kept it.

"You don't get to watch someone you hate get what's coming to them every day, right? So, yeah, I wasn't about to miss that. Makes sense, doesn't it?" She looked up and met Shane's gaze.

Shane forced a smile. "Lucky for me, you're so nosy. Otherwise, I'd be screwed if Jenny tried to drag my name through the mud."

"Exactly," Sasha replied, then sent him the video.

glancing at it.

when Sasha remembered why

way right now. So, we're going to be stuck once this rush of work winds

pile of proposals from her bag and

impressed. "Damn, you really hit the jackpot with friends who have your

every project and picked the ones that suited us best. They think these are a perfect fit for us. The other two are a little

always have our parents take a look and give us some advice. Who knows,

all in. "Why wait? Let's go

to make money and wasn't

feet, too.

...

behind a car outside, chatting with a reporter. "Did you see them walking out

this coming. I thought you

pleased with herself,

lying. They've probably

time.

to use me as their