"I_"
"You're a coward, Bryn.The worst sort. You're afraid of me, and instead of facing the real reasons, you feel compelled to attack. Don't bother. And don't feel that you have to make a fool of yourself with another man because of me. We'll keep this strictlybusiness . You don't even have to develop the damn prints. Just get me the proof sheets and the negatives and I'll handle the rest. And don't worry about your paycheck . It won't Buffer any."
"I wasn't--"
"Worried about yourpaycheck ? Oh, yes, you were. But that's all right. I understand."
"No you don't, you insufferable bastard!"
Why, oh, why, did she let him goad her? Was it because she saw the fury flashing in his eyes even as he kept his voice discreetly soft? Or because she couldn't help watching his throat, handsomely bronze, where his pulse beat so strongly?
He stood up, ignoring the food that had been placed before him, his only reply a curt nod. "I think Bryn has decided to call it quits for the day, guys. She can always take some individual close-ups at the house.
I've got some things to do. Excuse me, will you? I'll see you all at the house tonight for practice."
He started to walk away. The others called out cheerfully, "See you later!" and waved him on.
Bryn swallowed nervously,then stood to follow him. "Lee!"
He paused, turning back to her.
"I'm sorry."
"So am I." It wasn't an apology; it was a statement of fact. And again he seemed impatient.
"Damn you! You don't know what it's like to...to be entirely responsible to others."
"That's where you're wrong, Bryn," he said tiredly. "I've had my share of-- Oh, never mind. That's why I really don't pressure you. I can't make you take a chance on living. That has to be entirely your decision--''
Bryn was startled when he suddenly broke off, staring pensively beyond her.
"Lee?" Shivers rippled along her spine as she watched him.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
He had gone rigidly tense...as if he were waiting, ready tospring .
Someone was watching them, Lee thought, curiously at first, and then tensely.Someone from the brush beyond the terrace. Imagination, he tried to tell himself. But it wasn't his imagination. He knew when he was being watched....
He placed his hands on Bryn's shoulders to brush past her and find out why he was being covertly stared at. But he never took a step.
Whomever it had been left with a hurried rustle of the brush.
He turned back to Bryn quickly. "Want to come home with me and have a glass of wine?"
"No...I..."
"Fine.You've got a day off tomorrow, but see if you can't get me the proofs bymidday. Just get them to Barbara; she can bring them to my house."
He turned and left her. Bryn bit her lip and walked miserably back to the table. She tried to find some enthusiasm for her crab cocktail, but she could only pick at it. Thirty minutes later she excused herself.
She would be able to pick up the boys a little early.
Lee hadn't left the club.
Slunk low in the seat of his beige Olds wagon, he waited patiently on a hunch.
He watched Bryn's van pull out of the club parking lot. His eyes narrowed, and his brow creased into a frown as a dark sedan pulled out after her.
He twisted his keys in the ignition and turned the wagon to follow the sedan.
Rush hour traffic had begun, and he was forced to swerve between lanes as he followed the two vehicles. He had fallen behind when Bryn reached the day-care center, but he arrived just in time to see her enter the flow of traffic again.
The dark sedan was still between them.
He knew the streets to Bryn's house, but traffic became worse and worse. A gas truck cut him off at the next corner, and he was swearing softly as he tried to catch up again.
When he reached Bryn's house she was apparently already inside with the boys.
And the dark sedan was burning rubber to make a hasty retreat down the street.
Chapter 5
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
For some mysterious reason the boys opted to behave like angels that night. Bryn decided that God was real and occasionally showed mercy to the weary.
She had them fed, bathed and in bed byeight o'clock, and as soon as the last little forehead had been kissed, she rushed back down the stairs and called Barbara. The answering machine came on, and Bryn started to swear softly, only to hear Barbara's chuckling after the recorded message had beeped away.
"Temper, temper, honey!What is the problem?" "I want to run this film out to be developed tonight, Barb. I hate to ask you this, but the kids are all asleep. Do you think you'd mind stopping by and watching them for just a few minutes?"
"Bryn, I wouldn't mind in the least, whether they were awake or asleep.But I've got a show tonight. No vacation till next week."
"Oh!" Bryn moaned with dismay.