Scent of Danger

A heartbeat of silence.

"No. Dylan's staying with me," Sabrina supplied, seizing the awkward moment by transforming it into an opportunity to deliver their big news. "Which brings me to the one happy development we were able to share with Carson today. Dylan and I are getting married."

"Oh, my." Susan blinked, then leaned across the desk to squeeze both their hands. Her own palms were icy. "That's wonderful. It's just the outcome Carson was hoping..." Her voice trailed off.

"You don't need to protect him," Dylan assured her dryly. "We're already onto the fact that he was doing a little not-so-subtle matchmaking. Fortunately, he didn't have much work to do."

"Obviously not." Susan's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "So when's the big day?"

"We're not sure yet. We're waiting until we know Carson's prognosis, and have a better idea when he'll be on his feet and ready to walk me down the aisle. Then, we'll set a date." Sabrina's voice was getting raspier again. And the tingling in her nose was intensifying.

But it was the reason for it that was freaking her out.

She began to cough.

"Can I get you some water?" Susan asked at once.

"Please," Sabrina grated out.

Susan hurried out to the bottled water dispenser in the outer office and began filling up a paper cup.

"Are you okay?" Dylan's lids were hooded, his expression pensive.

"No." Sabrina squeezed her eyes shut as tears filled them.

"Sabrina?" Dylan grabbed her arm. "What is it?"

"It's my nose...." She dissolved into another spasm of coughing. "After the water... let's get out of here."

"Yeah. Good idea."

When Susan walked in, Sabrina was taking slow, deep breaths through her mouth.

"Goodness." Susan looked alarmed. "Are you all right?"

"Smoke inhalation," Dylan explained, taking the cup and handing it to Sabrina. "After she drinks this, I think I'll take her outside for some air."

"Of course." Susan twisted at the tissue in her hands, watching nervously as Sabrina sipped at the water.

Slowly, the fit of coughing subsided, but Sabrina's eyes continued to water.

"Susan, I hope you understand... if we leave," she managed, her voice breaking and scratchy. "We just wanted to... make sure you were doing better... and to tell you our news."

"I'm very glad you did. I'm so happy for you both." Susan led them through her doorway, quickly showing them out. "As for understanding, of course I do. You've been through a terrible ordeal. Go home and rest."

Five minutes later, Sabrina sank back in the limo, leaning her head against the cushioned neck rest, as the car made its way uptown.

"Better?" Dylan asked, smoothing her hair off her cheek.

"Actually, no. I feel sick to my stomach."

Dylan tensed. "The aftermath of last night?"

"No, the meeting with Susan."

A harsh glitter came into Dylan's eyes. "So you heard it, too. Yeah, I'd say you have reason to feel sick. I just keep wracking my brain, trying to come up with a logical explanation."

"Oh, there's a logical explanation, all right," Sabrina bit out. "And it makes me ill."