Annie was willing to trust-for now. During a previous encounter with Lay, she had already sensed that the relationship between him and Amber was far from just friendship.

Lay treated her kindly, yes, but that was likely due to his refined upbringing and the fact that Amber had introduced them. Politeness, nothing more. Besides, the way Lay and Amber spoke to each other was undeniably familiar, bordering on intimate.

Lay's concern for Amber was evident in the little things he did. It was just ...