Page 73 of Sapphire Spring

If that version of the story was any more surface level,it would be a rug.He wasn’t being dishonest, he told himself. Justminimalist.

“Didn’t you hate high school?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t repeat the experience if given the opportunity,no.”

Pari grunted.

That was close,Naser thought.

“And you’re sure this guy’s good for it?” She soundeddistracted, like she was reading.

“I’ve seen proof of funds.”

On the other end of the line, Pari flipped pages. “A two percentrate of return? Is he crazy?”

“Not quite, no.”

“This deal is…amazing. Did he write this up?”

“No, I did. But he agreed. As you can see from hissignature.”

“You did this forme?”

“I did.”

Naser prepared himself for an uncharacteristic show ofgratitude. His sister rarely thanked him for anything. How would he respond? Itseemed like a challenge—a welcome one.

“All so you wouldn’t have to hear Maman and I scream at eachother.”

A challenge for another day, apparently.

“That’s one way of putting it,” Naser said.

There was a long silence. Had she seen something in the dealshe didn’t like? How was that possible? It was beyond lopsided and entirely inher favor.

“Pari?”

“Merci,Naser-joon,”she whispered.

And then she hung up.

He’d heard a catch in her voice before the line went dead.

She’d hung up on him because she’d been about to cry.

Had she been embarrassed to accept a bailout by way of herlittle brother?

There was a loud and familiar knock on his office door.

“Shit,” he whispered.

The knob rattled against the lock.

Knowing he had no other choice, Naser opened the door. “Areyou avoiding me?” Connor wailed once he’d thrown his arms around him.

“Never,” Naser lied. He’d been avoiding Connor all morning.

To his hotel-branded blazer and white dress shirt, SapphireCove’s general manager had added a bright blue tie, a rare occurrence. Togetherwith the excessive amount of product that had darkened his hair from its usualsunny blond, it was a sign he had a meeting later that day with the manager of thetrust that owned Sapphire Cove, an event which always put him a little on edge.

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