Chapter 25

"Have you ever met one of the guys from the Ranch outside?"

"Outside?"

Emma set down the glass of sweet tea she had been holding, reaching under the table to wipe her hand on her thigh. They were in a small diner near the campus of the University of North Texas. A group of college students walked by on the sidewalk outside, laughing at something Emma could only imagine. She waited till they had passed before she focused on Jen again.

"Outside of the spa."

Jen studied her face, concern etched into her familiar features. "Has Dante asked you"

"No," Emma said immediately, lying to her best friend for what she was pretty sure was the first time. "I was just wondering if-I mean, you've been going there for a while."

Jen nodded. "I had a guy ask me to have dinner with him once. I reported him to the management and he was fired a few days later."

Emma picked up her glass again, but didn't drink. The tea was too sweet for her taste. But she swirled the straw around a little, watching th