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“I know.”
“He shouldn’t have said that,” he declared. The firm tone and lack of defense for Gunther caught her off guard. “You were right. It’s none of his business.”
Pearl could only gape at him before she schooled her expression. She tilted her head, wheels turning a mile a minute, as she tried to assess him.
“Wouldn’t it stain your family reputation, knowing someone like me, who sleeps with various men, works for someone like you?”
There was a thoughtful pause.
“At the same time?”
“What?”
“You sleep with them at the same time?”
Dumbfounded, she shook her head. “No. I’m not into group stuff.”
“Oh.” Another pause. “Every night?”
“Hell, no. That’s exhausting. And I haven’t even slept with anyone lately…” Exasperation sparked. “And again, that’s none of your business. If I slept with someone last night, it’s none of your business.”
“I know. And sleeping with people doesn’t staina reputation. It’s how the other party is left after.”
“Mine are left satisfied, and with the mutual understanding that it’s nothing serious.” At his raised brow, her cheeks flamed. In retaliation, she glowered. “Andagain—”
“I know. It’s none of my business. I got that.”
It felt…surreal, especially when Henry was the first man she expected to throw stones at her. Instead, he looked like he had moved on from the topic.
“Then, if we’re done here…”
“I have something else to say.”
Damn it. It was too good to be true.
“What?” she bit out.
“You did a good job.”
“Thanks.”
“But that’s not all.”
“That’s supposed to be all. This is a professional deal and nothing else.”
“But—”
“If it’s about the slap, you can take a cut from my payment if you want—”
“Pearl, would you let me apologize?”
He called me Pearlwas the first thing that sank into her mind. Sure, he called her that last night, but this time, she was sober and could hear his exasperation…and yes, determination.
“You’re apologizing?”
“Yes,” was his quick response. No hesitation and no reluctance. “I’m sorry. For a lot of things. For not understanding that you and your sisters suffered as much as our island folks. People deal with grief in different ways, and I suppose I saw your family’s lack of remorse as carelessness.”
“You of all people should know how crucial it is to not show emotion,” Pearl blurted out. “Or in my case, to show them that they can all go to hell.”
