Page 37 of Love in Times of Contempt

"I'm ranting to Ely about Alex." She gazed at him.

"Oh." His lips pressed together, but his eyes looked sad. It stung in Ana's heart.

Ana dropped her phone on the table and reached for Liam's hand. "Hey. We're going to figure it out. Your relationship with Alex included."

A small smile softened his lips. "Yeah. What did Ely say?"

"She said they talked it out." Ana arched an eyebrow. "Is it weird that I'm surprised?"

That got a chuckle out of him. "If it is, you're not alone. I thought she'd bite his head off."

"Mmmh. Maybe she's keeping her reaction on the down-low, so we don't send the police there."

Liam shook his head. "They weren't that bad."

"In any case." Ana lifted a shoulder and grabbed her phone again. "I'll ask her when we're back in LA."

Ana typed her response to Ely.

Ana: only a bit.

I am angry, but

Liam is hurt

It took a minute for Ely to respond.

Ely: Poor Liam. Tell

him we'll figure it

out. I'll reach out

to the old shortlist

tomorrow

Ana: I think we want

to reach out to

Michael, so give us

a couple of days

Ely: sure thing

"Okay." Ana sipped from her coffee. "Ely is in the loop. She'll reach out to the shortlist in a couple of days, if we decide not to ask Michael directly."

He nodded, but he didn't seem to pay close attention. "Sounds good. I'm texting with Mo now, prepping for the calls in a bit."

Ana nodded as well and went back to her phone. She had a follow up text from Ely.

Ely: So I know I don't

show you things people

say about the two of