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- "When you're ready to talk seriously, we'll talk," and with that, she walked out of the restaurant.

Banks remained motionless, sitting alone with his glass of wine in his hands. A part of his brain, perhaps the part attracted to Blair, ordered him to go after her. Ethan didn't like to see her walking away.

The man poured the rest of the liquid into his mouth and drank it all in one gulp. After a few seconds, he smiled to himself. What that redhead was doing to his mind was diabolical.

Ethan shook his head, knowing that six months ago he would have been incapable of pursuing a woman. But as always, it was different with Blair. He left a few notes on the table, including the tip the waiter didn’t deserve, and began to walk calmly out of the restaurant.

Because whether that attitude was typical of him or not didn't matter anymore.

*

"The building was broken down, abandoned for years, old and full of rodents. Rats ran across the dirty floor of the reception area. The only sounds were ma