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Perhaps they think to compromise.”  Natalia sipped her wine. 
    “I want it all.  I think…there’s something .  It has to be both.”
    Her friends were quiet for a long moment.  “Did you make your position clear, darling?” 
    “I thought I did but…then I didn’t stick to it.” 
    Natalia’s eyes widened.  “What exactly did you agree to?” 
    Taking a deep breath, she explained, “That I would entertain a sexual relationship with them and guard my heart, as I did during my time with you.” 
    “Oh, shit,” Natalia breathed.
    “Yeah, I realized the error after the kiss and everything.  To be honest, if I’d gotten the kiss first , I probably wouldn’t have had enough functioning brain cells to make a different choice.” 
    Hudson leaned his arm on the table.  “You cannot be a sexual arrangement for them, Gabriella.  You lack the mercenary gene.  Your heart will end up shredded.” 
    “I thought I could remain distant, like I did before.”  She shrugged.  “Then he kissed me and I knew I’d messed up.” 
    Looking down at the table, she admitted, “I appear to have something of a weak spot for people who scare me a little bit.” 
    Hudson laughed.  “Gabriella.”  She looked up with a sigh.  “It will be alright.  I’ll make sure of it.” 
    “You can’t.  The two of you are combative on good days.  You have to let me stumble through this one on my own.  Just, you know, don’t be surprised at some of my questions or weird ramblings as I work some shit out.”
    “Do you have any questions right now?” 
    Something about the way Natalia asked made the hair stand up on the back of her neck. 
    “I can’t ask you specifics.  No matter how curious I am or how much I want to know, it wouldn’t be right.  All of you have history and I’m not going to fuck that up.” 
    The server set her plate in front of her and Brie met Hudson’s eyes.  “I’d like to keep my excellent record.” 
    “I suggest you see how it unfolds.  You’re stronger than you think, Gabriella.” 
    “I hope so.”  Picking up her fork, she stabbed a piece of lobster ravioli.  “Enough about me.  Fill me in on your day.” 
    “Hudson suspended me from the ceiling and whipped my ass.” 
    She laughed so hard she almost choked.  “Your day was way more interesting.”  Waving her hand, she said, “Continue.”
    “We bought dinnerware.” 
    Stunned to complete silence, Brie stared back and forth between them.  “Stop it.  Seriously?” 
    “True story.” 
    “Can I see it?” 
    Hudson stated, “You’ll be our first dinner guest.” 
    Taking a sip of her wine, Natalia winked.  “It’s so refreshing that talk of fine china gets more of a response than flogging.  I can’t explain how much I adore you for that.” 
    Grinning, Brie quipped, “You get spanked on the daily but dinnerware is a once in a lifetime kind of thing.” 
    For two hours, they talked and laughed together.  Any evening in their company was time well spent. 
    When they escorted her home, she hugged them hard.  “Thank you for dinner and always being honest with me.”  Hudson kissed her forehead and Natalia gave her a smacking kiss on the mouth.  “See you tomorrow.” 
    Only when the door closed behind them did she let her smile drop from her face. 
    Nights were always harder.

Chapter Three
     
    It was close to midnight when someone knocked softly on Brie’s door.  Using her walker, she opened it, stunned to see Elijah on the other side.  Harper was nowhere in sight. 
    “Are you okay?” 
    “What an interesting question.  You’re a kind person, Brie.”
    “Thank you.”  Her confusion grew.
    “I thought if you were asleep, knocking quietly wouldn’t wake you.  I’m always up late.  I don’t sleep much.  I thought I’d play for you.”  He held out the violin case he’d partially concealed behind his body. 
    A huge smile broke over her face.  “I’d love