A Rare Chance Read Online Free PDF Page B

thirty-one-year-olds.
    And, of course, she’d promised him she was finished with Tony Scagliotti. The life he led would kill him, probably sooner rather than later. She wasn’t going to help, and she wasn’t going to be around for the end. She’d had enough.
    Only now he was back in Boston, and Titus Reading would want to know. He deserved to know. Scag was a Boston native, born and raised in the North End. His expertise in orchids was largely self-taught, his fame more the result of his exploits and passion for orchids than his occasional scholarly publication. The Boston media always took an interest in his goings-on. That he was in town, injured, and rescuing his estranged daughter’s rooftop orchids would drive at least a few reporters to her apartment. It wasn’t the sort of publicity Titus Reading would welcome for TJR Associates. But right now, Gabriella thought, Scag was keeping a low profile. Only she and Lizzie Fairfax knew he was in town. He could easily decide he was mended and sneak back out again in a week or two, with no one the wiser. Why worry Titus if there was no need?
    He got to his feet. He was conservatively dressed in a light gray suit, every inch the Boston executive. “I’ll come back after you’ve had lunch.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œYou haven’t been buying too many orchids lately, have you? That’s not what’s distracting you?”
    She smiled. “No, I’ve been very restrained.”
    â€œI wonder what Tony Scagliotti’s daughter considers ‘restrained’ when it comes to orchids.”
    His tone was teasing, not threatened, because he was talking about Scag in the abstract. He didn’t have to deal with the real risk of an eccentric orchid expert bursting upon the scene and wreaking havoc, as only Tony Scagliotti could, with TJR Associates’ carefully managed, restrained, upscale image.
    Just as well to spare him, Gabriella decided.
    Not long after he left, Lizzie Fairfax appeared in her doorway, dressed in clingy jeans, cowboy boots, and a white shirt, her honey hair pulled back. “There you are! I took a wrong turn at the top of the stairs. Nice office.” Her well-trained artistic eye surveyed her surroundings. “Even Scag would be impressed.”
    â€œDon’t count on it.”
    â€œWell, I was just at a loose end and thought I’d stop by and see if I could spirit you off to lunch. Sorry I didn’t call first. Am I catching you at a bad time?”
    â€œNo, not at all.”
    Gabriella rose, aware of a slight uneasiness. It was common knowledge that Lizzie Fairfax was Tony Scagliotti’s prime benefactor. Would her presence alert Titus or even Joshua that something was up regarding Gabriella’s father? Should she just go ahead and tell them he was in town?
    But she remembered yesterday at Fanueil Hall Marketplace. Until she knew why Pete Darrow was following her, perhaps she should keep her cards close to her chest and her mouth shut.
    â€œLunch sounds great,” she said.
    Lizzie frowned. “You’re sure? Gabriella, if I’m intruding—”
    â€œYou’re not. Really.” She smiled, knowing it was true. “I’m glad you came by. It’s been too long, Lizzie. Way too long. I’ve missed you.”
    â€œI’ve missed you too, Gabriella. I—I really do understand why you did what you did. Maybe I haven’t done Scag any favors, but I just couldn’t…” She shrugged, not completing her sentence. “I guess I just did what I had to do too.”
    Gabriella walked around her desk to her friend. Her best friend. They’d been friends since they were eight, she and Lizzie Fairfax. Maybe their year apart had done them both good. “They’ve turned the building where Scag grew up into a restaurant. They make their own pasta. We can go there for lunch and catch up. I have a two o’clock meeting. So long as