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because he took a few steps back. “Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to know you’ve met with Carlson?” His voice faltered and some of the fury had seeped from his tone.
    “Steve told me about the falling out you two had in medical school.”
    “ Steve , huh?” Jimmy’s eyes flashed again, though she saw more pain than anger reflected there. “Falling out?” He gave a derisive laugh. “Is that what he called it? Did he tell you what a sneaking, lying bastard he is?”
    She shrugged a shoulder. “He seemed embarrassed.”
    “Oh, so you’re defending him now?”
    Was she defending a man she’d only just met? A man she’d decided to trust? There was no time to consider the point. She had to make Jimmy understand she wasn’t trying to undermine him.
    “Steve Carlson cared about James and he cares about our family, not just about our money. Carlson has personal ties to your father’s estate. To Pinnacle, we’re just another business deal. Mitchell and Vega could care less about us as people. When they look at us, all they see are dollar signs.”
    Jimmy rubbed a hand over his brow and released a long breath. “Look, I’ve been a good sport. It was tough, but I think I was decent about losing my full inheritance when my dad remarried. It wasn’t easy to watch him replace my mother with a woman half his age, but I kept my mouth shut. It wasn’t my business, and I wanted him to be happy. I loved my father. I even grew to…like you, too.” His voice cracked.
    Victoria’s eyes brimmed with tears she blinked back. Jimmy had never admitted to having any kind of feelings for her. She found the edge of her chair with the heel of her foot and sat down.
    “Do you think you’re the only one who’s suffered with his loss?” Jimmy choked on the words and pounded a fist into an open palm. “He was my father. He’s gone and now I have no one . Have you ever once thought to ask me how I was doing without him?”
    Jimmy took another deep breath and blew it out. “Pinnacle is a solid company. I thought recommending them would avoid dealings with Carlson’s and would also help you, since you told me you were too fragile to arrange a deal after my dad’s death.”
    Confusion and doubt washed over her. “It didn’t occur to me.”
    “No, of course it didn’t,” he replied through his teeth. “You never asked. And now you’ve chosen the man who almost ruined my life to handle my father’s assets.”
    Jimmy’s features contorted with agony. “Steve Carlson ran off with the woman I intended to marry.”
    “He… what ?” Her pulse fluttered inside her throat. Could she have made a horrible mistake in judgment?
    “Are you satisfied, now that you know the dirty little details? Next, I’ll hear you’re sleeping with him. It would be just like him to fuck my dead father’s wife.”
    Victoria rose from the chair. “Enough.” She reached out as if to console him, but dropped her hand, knowing she was the last person on earth to bring him comfort. “I’m sorry that happened to you. Really. But…don’t you see this isn’t about you?”
    Jimmy’s expression filled with contempt. “It’s more about me than you realize.” He turned toward the doorway.
    “You’re wrong that you have no one,” she called after him.
    Jimmy’s shoulders stiffened. He didn’t turn around. “Don’t force me to contest the will. After a long and bloody court battle, I’ll see you back on the streets where you came from.”
    *****
    “Ahoy. Give me a kiss,” the cockatiel squawked and screeched.
    Victoria nudged a small birdcage through the rear door of Carlson’s Antiques Emporium behind the deliverymen. Beverly supervised the activity in a flurry of diaphanous fabric and jangling bracelets, directing the muscled youths to the prime sales space reserved for the renowned Van Orr Collection.
    “That’s the last piece,” the driver said, turning to Victoria, sweat clinging to his cheeks. He held out an