“Sorry,” he said shortly. “I don’t have time—gotta finish that diagnostic on my ship.” He nodded at her, keeping his face hard and his words clipped. “Have a nice life, Elise Darden.” Then he turned on his heel and walked away.
“Merrick!” It was no more than an anguished whisper but he heard it anyway. Heard it and almost turned back. But what the hell good would that do? She has a life. She has a male. She doesn’t need me, he reminded himself. And somehow he kept walking.
Kept walking until he could no longer smell her scent in the air or hear her soft, hopeless sobs behind him.
Chapter Two
What’s wrong with you? Get hold of yourself! Elise told herself sternly. But no matter how hard she tried to hold her emotions in check, the misery inside her couldn’t quite be contained. Tears leaked from her eyes, despite all she could do to stop them, and her hands trembled as she wrapped her arms around herself and tried to hold on. Tried to keep from shaking herself apart.
“Hey…” Olivia’s voice was soft and kind. “Hey, hon, I’m so sorry.” She put an arm around Elise and hugged her gently. “Cry if you need to. It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” Sniffing, Elise lifted her chin and made another effort to regain control. “He’s right. I have to get on with my life and he has to get on with his. I just…I don’t know why it hurts so much. I’ve only known him a few days.”
“Kindred guys get under your skin fast,” Olivia murmured knowingly.
“I guess they must.” Elise shook her head. “I know I shouldn’t have forgotten James but all I could think about was…was Merrick.”
“Don’t worry about it. After what you’ve been through, nobody would blame you if you forgot your own name,” Olivia said comfortingly.
“I suppose.” Elise sighed. “Well, I guess I’d better get dressed and…and go home.” Her voice broke on the last word but somehow she managed to keep herself from crying again. Score one for the toughest prosecutor in Tampa, she thought sourly. I managed to keep from bawling like a baby. At this rate I’ll be emotionally stable and ready to go back to court in no time.
Olivia looked at her with obvious concern. “Do you really want to go? Or would you rather stay and talk to Merrick again? Because if you want to speak to him, I’ll go get him, and I can promise he’ll listen—I’ll see to that myself.” There was a steely glint in her gray eyes that made Elise believe she could carry through on her vow.
The prospect was tempting. Maybe if I could just see him one more time, I could make him listen, make him understand. Maybe if I…No. Reluctantly, she shook her head. “I’m afraid he’s right—there’s nothing more to say. I guess…guess I’d better be getting home.”
“All right, if you’re sure…” Olivia gave her an impulsive squeeze. “Listen, if you want to talk, I understand at least some of what you’re going through. I was captured by the AllFather too, you know. And I’ve had my share of Kindred man-troubles.”
“Thank you.” Elise hugged her back gratefully. “You’re very kind, but I think I just want to go home.”
“I understand.” Olivia pulled back and smiled. “But the offer still stands. Anytime you need someone to talk to about all this, just come to the HKR building and call me on the viewscreen.”
“I’ll remember that.” Elise sniffed and wiped her eyes. “Or I could just call you from James’ office—he has a viewscreen of his own.”
“Oh, I thought that background didn’t look like the HKR building.” Olivia nodded thoughtfully. “He must be really well-to-do to have one of his own. I understand they’re very expensive.”
Elise gave her a watery smile. “Nothing but the very best for James. He only wants the most exclusive equipment and he wants to be the first one to have it.”
Olivia frowned. “Did he get it used from one of the HKR buildings when they did an upgrade or something?”
“Oh, no,” Elise shook her head. “James never wants anything used. He had it built and installed to his specifications. He loves being the only businessman on the Eastern seaboard to have his own viewscreen. But if he found out someone else had it first…” She gave a choked laugh. “Let’s just say he wouldn’t be very pleased.”
“Sounds like he has good taste.” Olivia smiled at her. “He must, if he has you for a fiancée, don’t you think?”