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his face, resting across his collar.
They spent the next forty minutes or so chatting with the other guests.
From time to time, they were drawn into separate conversations, mostly
because Leonardo was pulled away to talk business. He never strayed too far
or too long, and Alexa wondered if he was doing it on purpose purposely
returning to her side so she wouldn t feel uncomfortable or alone. She
wouldn t be surprised, not since he d shown her such gentleness in the car.
Part of her warmed to the thought that he was being so considerate, and her
resolve to remain cool and distant melted against the warmth of his
attentiveness.
Well, hello! That high-pitched Southern twang could belong to none
other than Joan Simpson.
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The Arrangement Delaney Diamond
Alexa turned just in time to be drawn into the older woman s warm
embrace. Do my eyes deceive me?
Alexa returned the hug. No, she said, smiling into Joan s stunned face.
Joan had been friendly from the first time they met, and this meeting
reminded Alexa of how welcoming she was and how much she had missed
the camaraderie when she left Leonardo.
What s going on here? Joan asked, eyeing one and then the other. She
propped her hand on her hip and tilted back her platinum blonde head to
give Leonardo a questioning look.
Leonardo s arm snaked around Alexa s waist and drew her close to his
side. The intimate gesture made her body tingle in hidden places. What does
it look like? he asked with a roguish grin.
It looks like you two are back together, Joan answered, looking as if
she d just learned a juicy bit of gossip and couldn t wait to get permission to
spread it around the neighborhood.
Then you would be right. Leonardo s fingers moved slightly up and
down Alexa s side and came to rest on her hip. She wondered if he had any
idea the havoc he was wreaking with such innocent physical contact.
Woooonderful! Joan gushed. She grasped Alexa s hand to draw her
away. Do you mind if I borrow her?
Only for a moment, Leonardo chided.
I haven t seen her in so long, I need to catch up. Joan then carted
Alexa off to a corner of the room. She grabbed two glasses of wine and
handed one to Alexa before they both sat down in two thick-cushioned
armchairs with a small table between them.
How ve you been, darlin ? she asked finally, taking a sip of the fine
wine. Her well-manicured fingers were covered in jewels.
Well, I ve been really busy the past few months. Although she and
Joan were friends, Alexa wasn t sure what she should and shouldn t say.
Considering she would be out of Leonardo s life in a couple of months, she
almost felt guilty at the pleasure their reconciliation gave to Joan.
Busy, huh? Joan looked at her out of the corner of her eye while
keeping her gaze trained on her guests circulating in the room. That s good
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The Arrangement Delaney Diamond
to hear, I suppose. If I were you, I would have been falling apart over
missing that fine specimen of a husband you have there.
Alexa shifted, unsure of the direction in which Joan was taking the
conversation. I did miss him, she admitted, which was the truth.
I know you did. Joan nodded her head and placed her glass on the
table. Resting her elbow on the arm of the chair, she leaned toward Alexa.
He missed you something awful, too. I tell you what, whatever happened to
make the two of you separate, I hope it never happens again. That poor man
looked like death warmed over right after you left.
This was news to Alexa. Joan was implying that Leonardo had missed her
and their separation had been difficult for him.
Death warmed over?
Mhmm. Joan waved a greeting at someone nearby. I wanted to call
you, but I didn t know if you d even take my call. Russell and I were friends
with Leonardo first, and since y all were no longer together, I assumed that
you had washed your hands of his friends, as well.
No, nothing could be further from truth! Alexa reached out and
touched her friend s arm. To be honest with you, Joan, I missed you. I
wanted to call, but like you, I wasn t sure if I would be welcome to contact
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