"Ms. Nicholson, you're back," Natasha said, looking up with a bright smile. "We were just finishing up. The food here was great. Thank you for the recommendation."

The way she phrased it positioned herself and Dustin as a pair, with Dahlia as the outsider.

Dahlia managed a strained smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

She glanced at Dustin. Whatever faint hope she'd had of talking to him alone withered under Natasha's sharp look and his blank expression.

"I have a meeting this evening, so I should get going," Dahlia said, grabbing her handbag and rising to her feet. "The bill's taken care of."

"Oh, we couldn't possibly let you pay for everything," Natasha said apologetically, but her expression showed no such concern.

"It's just a meal. Don't worry about it," Dahlia responded, her eyes on Dustin.

Something unreadable flickered in her face before she simply said, "Take care, Dustin."

He nodded, his expression uncharged. "You too."

They exchanged no further pleasantries. The apolog