The days ticked by, and it wasn't just Stewart and York waiting for Charlene's

divorce-Granger was counting down, too.

Granger, in fact, knew the exact date: Thursday. That was when Charlene and

Thorne were supposed to sign their divorce papers.

He'd been traveling for work a lot lately, hardly ever in town. But this week, he

made a point of catching the red-eye back, arriving home in the early hours of

Thursday morning. After a few hours' rest, sometime after ten, he tried to distract

himself with work. But eventually, impatience got the better of him, and he dialed

Moran Albright's number.

"It's been a while since I've caught up with you and Thorne," Granger said, aiming

for casual. "How about lunch today? Let's invite Thorne too."

Moran replied, "I'm free, but Thorne can't make it. He's overseas on business-

left a few days ago and still hasn't come back."

A knot formed in Granger's chest. "Thorne's... out of the country?"

So, they hadn't gone through with the divorce today after all?

Granger had kept his distance from Thorne and the rest lately. He'd called Moran

partly to fish for news about the divorce. If it was finalized, maybe today would be

his chance-

hadn't gone as he'd

Thorne's coming

no longer as invested in the whole divorce

shrugged it off. "No clue. You

how long he'll

stared down at

hanging up, he looked at Charlene's number in

could call her. But now, it seemed he'd have

wait a little longer.

always seemed to pass in a

work when Jasmine

break, and with Thorne out of town,

with her.

Charlene turned her down.

what Thorne had

few days

away on business

assumed he'd

but another week had

still, there was

him.

few

after school let out

restless. By

again:

for ages. I don't like

by myself. Can I

with you?"

voice made

pause, she replied, "I'll come home right

your grandma, okay?"

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