Byron was good at spotting people while keeping up a conversation with the guests immediately in front of him, and he saw Emily coming over even before she said anything.He would have recognized that face anywhere. He thought of her so many times ever since they met on the bridge, the night he came so close to ending his own life. It was almost as if she was there to save him.With her desperate plea for help, he had forgotten his own heartache.But he had believed this woman was too fragile and had too many problems of her own to become involved with him."Emily," he said, looking happy, but in a polite and composed way, "So good to see you here. Are you looking for a dog to adopt?"He offered his hand to shake, and Emily wondered if he was confused by her actions, first yelling at him, then coming here."No," she said, "though I love those puppies, I can't have any in my apartment. I came here to see you, actually. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for how I behaved.""You don't

"As you may have heard," Sylvia said, "Byron recently had a bad breakup. It really took him by surprise. I don't know for sure, but I have the feeling Nova was the woman he wanted to marry. Byron has always been a little bit depressive, but this was... really bad. He pretends like nothing is wrong, but I know..." There was a tearful note in the woman's voice, and Emily felt a rush of sympathy. "I know he's still not over it. He's so distressed.""I'm so sorry," Emily said. She thought back to Byron's sad looks. Was that because of Nova Summers? "It must be hard for you, not being able to help.""That's the thing," Sylvia said, "Maybe I can help. This might sound a little odd, but hear me out.""Okay..." "How would you like to date my son?""I would like to, but..." Emily sensed there was something more."I just need to be sure he's with someone who is not going to break his heart. You have to promise that you'll never break up with him. I can pay you. Ten thousand a month.""No

Just like the romantic part of the plan turned out to be more complicated than expected, so did the career part.Later that day, Emily tried to look for more jobs. She had searched through hundreds of listings and applied to several jobs in the last week, but she had still not received any requests for interviews. Maybe she had underestimated the competition. This was a big city with many bright young designers who either had to be exceptional or know the right people to get a job.Emily was writing yet another cover letter when her phone rang. She hoped it was a potential employer but didn't feel too disappointed when she saw it was Byron Pomeroy. Her lips curved into a playful smile as she answered the phone. Byron's voice was seductively low and smooth. "Did you have a good sleep?" he asked.It was not going to be easy to be friends with him when he talked like that. "How could I not with a cute Great Dane wishing me 'good night'?" she said."If you want to meet him in per

They walked back to the car, a tired Rupert following behind on the leash."I know it's not easy for us to just be friends," Emily said, seeing that Byron looked a bit disappointed, "but trust me, it's for the best.""I don't understand," Byron said, turning towards her as he stopped walking, "We have so much going for us. How can you deny it?""You're not ready for a relationship, Byron.""What makes you say that?" he asked, looking genuinely confused.Emily was not sure if she should be honest with him about her reasons, but she didn't want him to know how much she knew about his depression. If she revealed that, she would have to reaveal that she had spoken to his mother, and it was best to let that sleeping dog lie."Can you just trust me on this?" she asked, "I can't explain it right now, but I know we should be friends." "I see," Byron said, envelping her in a one-armed hug, "you're sad and lonely and need a friend."She laughed, pushing him away, "No, you're sad and lon

Doing well in her career used to mean having her own office and working for a big company, but Emily was embracing a new kind of idea. She put up ads online and in her neighborhood, and soon she was teaching painting to several students. It felt liberating to be in charge of her own schedule and be her own boss.She was still not making quite enough money to afford the whole apartment, but she had more faith now that she would figure something out.Emily knew she should not be walking home alone after dark, but one of her classes took longer than usual. Once she left the student's house, she considered calling a cab but then decided she couldn't afford it. Josh had not shown his face all this time. Maybe he was finally happy with Delsie. Emily could not help looking around suspiciously out of habit. The streets were busy with cars, cyclists, and pedestrians, so even if the stalker was around, she felt fairly safe. As she crossed a busy intersection, Emily had the feeling she was