Page 129 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“Nonsense,” Monica said. “I wasn’t going to eat without you.”

“Looks like she’s not tired of you yet,” Dino said.

“I don’t plan on there being ayet,” she said.

“None of them ever do.”

Stone walked over to Monica and kissed her. “Don’t listen to Dino. He doesn’t understand romance.”

“I understand it fine. Viv, tell them.”

Viv looked up. “Tell them what?”

“That I know all about romance.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Not sure you want me to answer that question.”

“On second thought, I believe someone said something about breakfast?” Dino said.

Viv closed her computer. “None for me, thank you. I need to get to the office. I was there until almost midnight working out logistics with our team in Jakarta, and there’s still more to do.”

“I thought you were taking a few days off,” Stone said.

“Thisisher taking a few days off,” Dino said. “Look, the sun’s already up and she’s only now talking about going to work.”

Viv stood and kissed Dino on the cheek. “Try to stay out of trouble today.”

“I take it Dino mentioned our travails yesterday,” Stone said.

“In detail.”

“I also told you I wasn’t the one found at the scene of a murder yesterday.”

“Today’s a new day, so you never know.”

“Again, don’t look at me,” Dino said, gesturing at Monica.

“In fairness, that was the first time that’s happened to me, too,” Monica said.

“You came close in New Mexico,” Stone said.

“Not the same thing.”

“If you say so.”

“See you all later.” Viv headed into the house.

“Before I forget,” Dino said. “Ben sent over some documents he said we should look through before the first board meeting tomorrow. I left your set on the dining table.”

Monica’s phone began vibrating. She checked the screen, then said, “It’s my friend Patricia. Excuse me for a minute.”

She got up and took the call out of earshot. When she returned, she said, “They messed up.”

“Who messed up?” Stone asked.

“My art thieves. They went after another painting last night, this time in Del Mar. And before you ask, yes, it was another one of your mother’s.”

“Were they caught?”

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