Chapter 38

Before Cassandra could form a response, the corner of her vision caught the rapid exchange between Zoe and Riley. The two women stood near her office door, leaning close, mouths moving in urgent whispers. Cassandra frowned, noting the tension in Riley’s furrowed brow and the quick, nervous glances Zoe cast over her shoulder. Then, without warning, Riley’s hand shot out, gripping Zoe’s wrist firmly. The next moment, she was yanking Zoe from the threshold of the office, pulling her down the corridor in a silent but heated tug-of-war. The door swung shut with a hollow click just as Cassandra realized what had happened.

She blinked at the closed door, utterly bewildered. “Huh?” Cassandra murmured aloud, her voice soft in the suddenly still room. “What just happened?”

Thomas strode into the office carrying a paper bag. He brushed a wisp of dark hair off his forehead, then sank onto the sofa beside Cassandra. He offered her a gentle smile as he set the bag down carefully on th