Nine
Duke
“Did you have to be so hard on her?” John whispers as Careena holds her head high and sashays back to her studio. The door slams so hard the entire foundation of the building rattles. John arches an eyebrow.
“Why are you blaming me? She’s the one who knocked you down.”
“She was pretty strong. And fast.” He tips his chin up and stares at the ceiling. “One minute, I was running, the next I was lying flat on my back.” John hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “Who is she?”
“Her name is Careena Richards.” Alice grins. “Tanner Richard’s sister.”
Recognition glitters in his eyes. “Your favorite author?”
“Yup.” Alice gestures to the wall where Careena’s photographs are mounted. “She used to have her photography studio here, but she moved into that tiny room and is sharing the buildin
