Dark Choices - I. T. Lucas Page 0,27

keep her butt in the chair and her eyes on the contract in front of her.

Hell, whatever she’d managed so far was probably garbage, and she would have to redo everything on Monday.

She shouldn’t have even tried.

Ever since she’d woken up that morning, her heart and her mind had been at war. First, she’d fought the urge to go greet Rufsur at the airstrip, and when that timeline had expired, a new struggle had started to stay away from the parking garage.

But if she’d acted on her impulses, it would have sent the wrong message, and Rufsur didn’t need any encouragement from her.

He was tenacious enough as it was.

And why was she smiling while thinking that?

Because she loved it about him, that and many other things. Like his cocky smile and the dimples in his cheeks, and the way he looked at her as if she was beautiful.

But what did it matter if they couldn’t be together?

How could she give Kian grief about spending money on preparing plots for homes that would remain unoccupied, and at the same time fantasize about building a life with Rufsur in one of them?

Pushing to her feet, Edna walked up to the window and glanced at the café below. It was after five in the afternoon, so the place was packed, but she had no trouble spotting Jacki and her friends in the center of the enclosure. They’d put several tables together, and although she couldn’t hear what they were talking about, they seemed to be having fun.

Two men whom she didn’t recognize were sitting with Theo and Jay. Kalugal’s men no doubt. One was a burly blond with a military buzz cut and a jaw so big and square that it looked almost cartoonish. The other one was slim and dark, with curly hair that looked black from where she was standing, and a short-trimmed beard. Both were handsome in their own way, but neither could hold a candle to Rufsur.

Perhaps she should go and join the gathering?

That would take her mind off him.

Right. As if anything could, or as if she really wanted to forget about him.

She was such a hypocrite. And what was worse, she was lying to herself. If she didn’t want to see Rufsur, then why had she ordered a bunch of new clothes? And why was she wearing a new outfit today, including new shoes?

She still didn’t have any makeup on, and her hair was in its usual tight bun, but that was because she’d been fantasizing about Rufsur taking the pins out one by one and fanning it over her shoulders as he had done before.

Talk about being conflicted.

With a sigh, Edna turned away from the window. The next five minutes were spent organizing her desk, and once everything was put away, she walked out the door and headed downstairs.

As soon as she exited the office building, Amanda turned to look at her and smiled. “Edna, come join us.” She waved her over.

Theo grabbed a chair and squeezed it between Syssi’s and Amanda’s. “Here you go, judge.”

“Thank you.” Edna sat down and smiled at Jacki. “Welcome back. How is married life treating you?”

“I’m living a fairytale. Let me introduce you to Kalugal’s men.” Jacki turned around and motioned for them to approach. “This is Atzil, who runs Kalugal’s kitchen and feeds everyone.”

The guy dipped his head. “A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

Up close, Atzil still looked like he was straight out of a comic strip, but he had a pleasant smile, and Edna had no trouble picking up on his positive vibe.

“Same here.” She smiled at him.

“And this is Ruvon,” Jacki continued the introduction. “He is Kalugal’s William.”

Ruvon shifted from foot to foot. “From what I’ve heard, I’m nowhere near the caliber of the legendary William. I can’t wait to meet him.”

The guy was shy and anxious, but he seemed just as harmless and as pleasant as Atzil.

Was she losing her touch and everyone she met was suddenly a wonderful person?

Edna wasn’t the type to look at the world through rose-colored glasses, but apparently her outlook was changing. Hopefully, she wasn’t making a mistake by letting her guard down.

“William would love to talk to you.” She smiled at the shy immortal. “In fact, he might not let you go. It’s rare for William to find someone who is interested in the same things he is.”

Ruvon grimaced. “I know exactly how he feels. Whenever I try to explain the most basic things to the guys, their eyes gloss