Page 51 of Conail
He told her gruffly before wrenching the door open and leaving.
Leaning her head back against the headboard, she closed her eyes and told herself that she was not going to cry. She had fallen for a man who was as unattainable as the moon, but that was her problem, and she would deal with it.
As soon as he cleared the stairs, he remembered that he had left her mother inside the kitchen and prayed that she was someplace else. The scent of baking told him that she was where he had left her. He wanted to run for the front door and slip away without a word, but politeness dictated that he should at least tell her goodbye.
He had no doubt she would surmise what had taken place upstairs.
Taking a deep breath, he changed directions and went towards the arched doorway of the cozy kitchen. She was at the stove stirring something in a large pot and seemed to realize that he was standing there.
"You're leaving."
"Yes." He wanted to shove his hands in his pockets and had to stop himself from shifting from one foot to the other. "Er-- I -- Yasmine is -- she's alright."
"She's not with you then?" Maeve looked behind him as if expecting to see her daughter standing there.
"No." He shook his head. "I think she would be better off here. I was angry at her and I said some things -- I would like to apologize for my earlier behavior. I wasn't thinking."
"No apologies necessary."
He stood there for a minute, as if not knowing what to do next. "Well--" He cleared his throat. "I guess I'll be going."
"Will we be seeing you soon?"
"I--" He closed his eyes briefly and she watched him struggling to come up with an answer. "I will try and stop by. Please let me know if she has any other episodes."
"Of course. Be careful on the road. It's slippery."
"Thanks." Hesitating a few seconds more, he nodded and turned on his heels.
Maeve followed him to the door and handed him his jacket. "I guess I will need it. Thank you."
She stood just inside the doorway and watched as he strode towards the car, smiling as he tilted his head to look up at her daughter's window.
Bustling into the kitchen, she sent another more detailed text to her friend.
*****
"Good news?" Errol inquired mildly as she tucked her phone into the beaded purse.
"Wonderful news." Her smile was wide as she tucked her hand through his arm and lifted her face to him. She had seen Michelle skulking around for an hour before she quietly left.
"You seemed very pleased with yourself."
"Pleased enough to suggest that we go back to your place."
His brow lifted, and he felt his heart picking up speed.
"You mean--"
"I mean exactly what you think I do." Her luminous gray eyes sparkled as she took in the slight flush riding his cheeks.
"Are you sure?" He closed his fingers over hers tightly.
"I am."
"Darling--"
"Are we going to stand here in the middle of the ballroom having a debate?"
