had just heard the most absurd thing in the world. "Rachel, you rea

el shot back

o leave-if he said he wanted Tracy instead, that

t looking back, vanishing

And right now, she had no in

..

an abyss of silence be

ride and pain forming

her turmoil, Rachel fabricated an ex

esume work the following Mo

d her solitude. "Ms. Marsh, Titan Innovations has suddenly

l's professional instincts kicke

usually immaculate appearance s

ft chime, and Rachel stepped inside

r chest-Brian stood ther

lace; she had done nothing

er back to them as silence de

wrapped around her senses, a re

rian, I know you smoke for social occasions

l," Brian ag

twisted like a knife

be rebuffed with his cold response. "Men don't appre

ft a bitter tas

g numbers of the elevator display. A

ttered her concen

d her silence, f

"Brian, have you two quarreled? If I'm the cause, I s

s gentle tone felt like another

ntention of staying in that confined

flickered-then everything went black. A split second lat

gh her, and without thinking, she reached

grasped at

alled, her voi

bbing. "Brian, what's happening? Are we

nd her made her chest tighten, cold sweat breaking

h shallow, her heart hammering so loud

steady voice cut through. "Don'

tation, she reached out, waiting for

e was

grasped

ed into herself, pulling her knees close

othes as she bit her lip, anchor

until the elevator lights

ene that pierced her heart-Tracy nestled in Brian's protective em

distance himself from

ght any longer, Rache

ned during the elevator's plunge, searing pain shot t

n comparison to the emotional

achel had removed her shoes, revealing an angr

e rushed forward. "Oh, God! Your ankle looks t

ority," Rachel insisted, pushing aside her

ng disturbing. A small company has presented an almost identical design at a significan

embled as she exa

nspiration-it was

their compa

amira co

forced her foot back into her shoe

said. "Your injury needs rest

as t

ll-intentioned, only stre

ort upon her return, Rachel had built her

the luxury of rest-n

ice, Tracy's voice car

d speak with Rachel. She seemed upset, and I'd hate

impassive as he looked up. "

n attempted to reach Rachel,

amira's ph

king. How may I help you?"

s Brian

n Wh

opped. The president him

disbelief, "Mr. White,

nswering her phone. I need to spea

Rachel's side, lowering her voice respectfully. "