“George?" My sweat returned as I looked up at him. He was supposed to be at work or wherever it was he prepared to go, not here for goodness sake.

"Surprised to see me?” He settled into the empty seat next to me. "You have no job, nor little kids to nurse. Neither did I give you any burden to shoulder. Just that very one thing I asked for, yet you can't even deliver."

Nick brought the drink, and I collected it gratefully, about to take a sip when George stopped me.

“Don't you dare take that drink till I'm done.” he warned darkly. “The mayor's wife barely looked your...