“No, it would be great if you joined us,” Ashley said. “I’d love to talk to you some more.”“Okay, sounds good. Sean, why don’t you go ...ut and get it started to warm it up and we’ll be right out.”“Will do, mom,” Sean replied.“Mrs. Ellison,” Ashley said, “I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate how you’ve been to me. I also wanted to tell you that I had a great time with Sean. I haven’t been with a lot of guys, but Sean is really quite special. I really like him a lot.”“I’m glad. ___________________________________“Jeeeze, what a day!”Anastasia looked up to see Cassandra Cavanaugh drop into the chair across from her desk. It was already after six and she looked tired, and her nicely tailored blue suit was rumpled from travel.“Rough day, huh?”“That’s an understatement.” She pulled a thick file from her briefcase and set it in front of Anastasia.“First the plane was late leaving Orange County, which meant I was late for my meeting with Mr. Duncan and his coterie of. As he sat with her, holding a makeshift bandage over the hole in her side, Taylor was sure he’d lost her.By the time the paramedics reached her, Whitaker’s pulse was nearly non-existent. They’d gotten to work, putting IVs in her and getting her on a gurney, rushing her out of the still dark building.She’d been rushed into surgery the moment she’d hit the hospital, while Taylor paced in the hallway, occasionally joined by Whitaker’s colleagues. His shirt and pants were still stained with her. Carl had befriended him and convinced Harve to give him a chance."But you're gonna have to work your pretty ass off," Carl had told him when Harve hired him. "He's not gonna be totally convinced you ain't no closet kiddie-fucker until you get in some serious road time." But you don't have to bust your butt like that no more," Carl of the present said. "Hell, Mike, you had him convinced inside a month."Mike scraped his burger in some of the excess ketchup before he took another bite. "What.