And thank you so much for joining us again. It is the Knightley Pleasures podcast episode number 33. I am your host, The Grey Knight. And today, let's get right on into things with an excerpt. It's from the novel, Bang, by artist E.K. Blair. And I think you're going to enjoy it very, very much.

With my husband on his way to the airport, to spend the next two weeks on the other side of the world,

I get my game face on and head back to Declan, who's still in the dining room.

What was that about? He questions when I walked back in the dining room. What was that about?

He questions when I walked back in and sit down.

Just saying goodbye.

Are you sad?

Shifting in my seat, I say,

Can we not talk about this?

Declan doesn't push his questions anymore,

staying quiet for the most part,

aside from safe chit-chat as we finish our meal. We discussed the catering and visit with Marco for a while, and after I hire him to cater the party, we open a bottle of wine while we

spend a lengthy amount of time selecting the menu offerings.

Once business is handled and the foods are selected, Marco excuses himself, and I follow

Declan to the lobby to have my valet pull the car around.

Oh no, I breathe as I look out front.

How long were we talking with Marco?

It's a whiteout, with snow falling hard and already piling high,

making it impossible for me to leave.

A few hours, Declan responds,

You can't drive in this, Nina.

No, I know,' I say,

...