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slowly stood. “You’re in very goodhands.” She picked up her mug and walked out. Alan followed.
    â€œThanks for doing this, sis.”
    â€œSure. Business is business. Claude seems like a good guy. I’m sure we’ll find someone for him.”
    Melanie caught the serious tone in his voice. She looked across at her brother. “What aren’t you telling me?”
    â€œNothing that you won’t find out.”
    Melanie stopped walking and folded her arms. “If there’s something I need to know, tell me, Alan.”
    Alan inhaled deeply. He dug his hands into his pants pockets. “About ten years ago, Claude was engaged. On his wedding day, his fiancé’s limo was in an accident on her way to the church.” He looked down.
    Melanie’s hand went to her chest. “Oh, I…I’m sorry.” Her eyes flew toward her office. She could see Claude in conversation with the team, fully engaged, laughing and nodding. Her spirit ached. She knew all too well about that kind of loss, the emptiness that was left behind. After Steven she had her grandmother and her mother to pull her through and then the business. Who had been there for Claude? Had he ever found closure? Was his job all he had? The questions nagged at her like an itch in the center of your back—difficult to get to.
    â€œHe’s not like me. He’s more than his job,” Alansaid as if reading her thoughts. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I’m going to run into town. Buzz me on my cell when your team has finished picking my man apart.” He winked and strode out, leaving Melanie with thoughts of Claude swirling in her head.
    Â 
    Melanie was in her sitting room, putting together the list of potential guests for her annual Summer Jam. Claude left several hours earlier with Alan and was given the assurance that TPS would be in touch with him shortly. Vincent logged in Claude’s $25,000 deposit and created a file for him. Jessica and Veronica were busy putting together a complete profile of Claude based on their extensive interview.
    As hard as she tried, she couldn’t keep her mind on the task at hand. Her thoughts and unsettled emotions kept getting in the way. Giving into her frustration, she closed the social calendar software program on her computer with the intention of getting a light snack. Just as she got up, her office phone rang. It was nearly five o’clock, the official end of the business day, she thought, mildly annoyed. She started to let it go to voicemail when she thought about the mantra of her business. “It’s never too late or too early to deal with a paying or potential client.”
    â€œThe Platinum Society, Melanie Harte speaking,” she answered in her cheerful professional voice.
    â€œI would think you would have someone elsedoing the mundane task of answering the phone,” the definitively male voice said, the slight Creole accent unmistakably that of Rafe Lawson. “However, I couldn’t be happier that it’s you.”
    â€œMr. Lawson.” She sat back down.
    He chuckled. “Ah, the lady remembers.”
    â€œI tend not to forget names, faces and voices.”
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind.”
    â€œWhat can I do for you?”
    â€œI’m picking up where we left off. My father is insistent that I find myself a suitable woman who can make an honest man out of me. You indicated that you were up for the challenge.”
    â€œMy company,” she clarified, not wanting to head off in the wrong direction.
    â€œOf course.” He breathed into the phone. “So…where do we begin?”
    â€œI’ll switch you over to Jessica, and she’ll set up an appointment.”
    â€œI’m leaving for the West Coast tomorrow afternoon. I hope you can slip me in before then.”
    His statement sounded innocent enough, but Melanie didn’t miss the sexual innuendo. She chose to