Chapter 115. California

“Don’t give her access to your heart.” Carlos reflected on Dahlia’s words and realized he’d been seen through completely. There was no point lying to himself because he couldn’t even successfully lie to others. He’d been affected.

He was going to California for the business meeting in place of the manager who was originally meant to go, and he was happy about it. Firstly, he would be present to handle whatever sly move the politician had in store for him, and additionally, he would be away from Fiona for a while, which was good because he needed to clear his head.

He got ready and went to see her the night before he left. She was reading in her workroom, but the computer was asleep, and the novel, Girls of the Rose, was open in her hands. She smiled when she saw him. It wasn’t the biggest smile, but it was a big improvement from the passive way she’d taken to looking at him since the incident, and that was in the moments when she actually looked at him.

Now