The man was a bully. A bully who'd elevated himself to a high-level position, but a bully just the same. No amount of flattery would change how I saw him.

Having friends was weird . . . but in a good way.

For the most part, I did trust my own judgement. But I was more than capable of screwing up. Just, sometimes, I forgot about that in my quest to move forward.

Lesson: Never underestimate a woman. Or a chef.

Fear didn't suit me.

I didn't mind walking into danger on my own. Not the concept of it, anyway.