“I just...my mind is made up, Troy. It’s personal, but thank you,” I say.

He presses his lips together as the car starts moving. “Sorry. So there’s no talking you out of it, huh?”

I shake my head vigorously.

“No. I just want to get home to my family and clear my head. Any chance you could drop me off at the airport? I have a flight to catch.”

“Definitely. That gives me a good half hour to try to change your mind.” His goofy smirk says he’s only halfway serious. “You know you’re the best person we’ve had in R & D in ages, hands down. Gina Walker’s nice and all, but she goes by the book. The lab geeks assemble recipes, but they don’t cook, if you know what I mean.”

“Troy, I know—” I hate that he’s right.

He laughs loudly again. “And you’re so modest too. What the hell? I bet if you asked to double your pay, you’d get it approved in a heartbeat.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh, even if I feel disembodied. “Come on, now you’re just kissing butt. The pay was great, so it’s not that. I’m just...not a good fit. Not for this company...or for him.”

Whoops.

I clamp my lips shut.

I didn’t mean to say that last part out loud. In the silence, it hangs in the air like an armed grenade, ready to explode.

“Damn shame, Eliza,” Troy says slowly, inching the car forward in the rainy traffic. “You’re mighty good with both Lancasters.”

“Both of them?”

“The big man and his princess, yeah. You broke up their old routine and believe me, they needed it,” he says, his eyes fixed on the road.

There’s that twang of guilt on my heartstrings.

I’m going to miss that girl so much.

About as much as I’m trying not to miss her ginormous prick of a father. He’s too good at giving me all the conflicted feelings in the universe.

“I hope they’ll be all right,” I whisper. “Destiny was so upset when those guys knocked her down and took the necklace. I felt awful for her, and I still hate that I could’ve prevented the whole thing. I shouldn’t have let her walk over to the park alone. Now, she’s lost another piece of her mom...”

“You’re still worrying about that?” His tone hardens, but then he looks over with that easygoing smile. “I mean, it was daytime. A lot of folks hang around a crowded café. She told me all about it. No reason to think she’d be shoved down and robbed in broad daylight, as shitty as this city gets sometimes. Me, I can’t wait to get back to Bali.”

I manage a thin smile. “I could’ve had her wait to meet me. I shouldn’t have let her go wandering on her own. Cole trusted me. I just wish I hadn’t ruined it.”

“She’s fifteen years old. Not five.”

True enough, I guess.

Actually, that reminds me...

I start pawing through my purse, double-checking that I have everything I need for my flight. When I see the small black box, I freeze.

“Oh. Oh, crap!” I moan.

“What’s up?”

I look at him. “My friend Wayne makes this amazing jewelry. I had him make a replica of Destiny’s necklace. It’s not perfect and it’s definitely made of cheaper materials, but it’s good enough to tide her over until she gets something better. I know it can’t replace Aster’s necklace, but...I hoped it would give her some comfort.” I slouch in the seat and sigh. “Except, it won’t now. I forgot to mail it. I know this weather sucks, but do you think you could swing by UPS on the way to the airport? I really want to get this to her.”

I open the box, retrieve the necklace, and hold it up, letting the black onyx turtle dangle from the chain.

We hit another touch-and-go traffic snarl.

Troy looks over as he stomps the brakes and stares, his jaw visibly tightening.

“...um, is something wrong?” I ask.

“Eliza, in my humble opinion, you ought to think twice about mailing that thing,” he says.

Whoa. I’ve never heard this hurt, oddly sad edge in his voice before.

“No? Why not?” It’s hard to get the words out.

“Not all memories are good ones, lady. Destiny’s been through enough shit with her mom and I never wished her any harm—”

“What? What do you mean by harm?” I ask, confused.

I don’t understand the weird change in his mood. It’s just a hamfisted replica of her mom’s turtle necklace. What’s the big deal?

He stares at me like he’s trying to decide if I’m stupid or cruel.

“Shit, never mind. That came out wrong.”

I cock my head, eyes still on him as he stares at the road. We’re finally moving again at a five mile per hour crawl.

“I don’t follow, Troy. Why would you say you never wished her any harm? It’s not like you had anything to do with the robbery...”

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