Chapter 49. Dahlia Returns

Carlos had plans to meet with Ashley much later in the evening. He was glad about the timing because, after exerting himself for much of the night, mentally and physically, he was ready to sleep. Being in a bed that wasn’t his did not aid his sleep, but with the pen clutched in his grasp, he was able to get some decent hours.

He woke up just before noon, had a cup of coffee made, and tried to get some meditation in — something his trainer was forcing him to do, but at least it was a part of his regimen that he could manage, even after his schedule was messed up by the altered bedtime.

Not long after a shower and a meal, someone stepped into his study to let him know that Dahlia had arrived. He invited her in. He almost didn’t recognize her when she stepped in. Her hair was longer, perhaps three inches, choppily cut and seemed to stick out every which way, but it was obviously a stylish decision and framed her face perfectly.

Her face seemed to have gotten rounder,