Page 155 of Perfect Satisfaction

“I will do anything. It’s unbearable to imagine life without her.”

“Then start dreaming of what your future could be. Or could not be and behave accordingly.” Liza plunges in the knife with unerring accuracy.

“Since the moment she left me, I’ve been alone. Now that I have her back, I never want to let her go.”

“Then there’s your answer. Play nice.” Then she disconnects the call.

Dropping the phone to the little side table next to me, I relay every single word Sula said to me earlier. “I should have come after you, Sula. I was wrong.”

For a long time, I struggle to find the right words to post an update to StellaNova before I catch my flight back to the States. And then, an idea strikes.

Uncaring of the time zone, I drag people out of bed.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-EIGHT

Did you know that some of your favorite retailers have programs to earn you points with airlines?

Well, now you do.

Travel wisely.

—Moore You Want

“I owe you,”JB says reverently.

I’m at Heathrow, ready to board, and I’m tempted to strangle my brother. I shout, “You’re telling me you flew me here so you could go to a bloody bachelor party? I swear on all that’s holy, I’m measuring your neck size so I can choke you the next time we’re in the same place.”

Fortunately, the overhead speakers droning on drown out the majority of what I’m saying. Unfortunately, they don’t drown out JB’s laughter. Nor do they disguise my disgust when I inform him, “You used me, JB.”

“Now, Sula,” he wheedles.

“All you had to do was ask. You know I would have done it anyway.”

“But I know you don’t like London, love.”

“We don’t lie to one another. That is absolute.”

Chastised, he admits, “You’re right.”

“Damn right I am. Now, your project is back on track. I’ve saved you a ridiculous amount of money. Give Kyle a raise since he was the only one on schedule.”

“Sula, will you please...”

“If you ask me to come back and work for you again right now, JB, this will be the last job I do for MSW.”

A body behind me bumps into me. Just as I’m about blast the human who happens to be in the wrong place at an inopportune time, Arek’s green eyes glitter down at me. “Oh, please let him ask.”

Without saying goodbye to my brother, I disconnect the call. “What are you doing here?”

“Heading home.”

“I thought you left already.” My statement isn’t unfounded. I haven’t seen Arek since he surprised me at the MSW office two days ago. Then again, I’ve been a chicken by crashing on the couch in my office instead of heading back to our hotel suite.

He shakes his head. “I merely gave you some space so you could focus on your job.”

“Oh.”So eloquent, Sula, I reprimand myself. “Did you do some sightseeing?”

“Want to save this kind of talk for when we’re on the plane?”