Heartless: Episode 2

“You don’t ever take calls from home?”

She shook her head. “Nah. It’s just easier to take them from the office. Plus, I like being there when no one else is. There’s a quiet that doesn’t exist at any other time. It’s so peaceful.”

I knew exactly what she meant. It was those hours early in the morning or late at night when the rest of the staff was long gone.

“I get some of my best work done during those times.”

“Me, too. Come on. I’m parked on the street.” Her ass swayed as she walked.

I knew being at her house meant there was no way in hell I’d be flying home tonight. I could try to convince myself that I would leave after having her, but I knew better.

“Elizabeth? Elizabeth Lyons!” A male voice that I recognized filtered through the night air.

I turned around, searching for its location.

“Holy shit! Daniel Alexander, too? What are the odds?”

I watched as Ben Anders jogged to catch up to us.

Elizabeth’s grip on my arm tightened, and her entire body tensed next to mine. “You two know each other?” she whispered toward me.

“How do you two know each other?” I asked her at the same exact time.

10.

ELIZABETH

My eyes immediately met Daniel’s as panic seared through me.

How had I avoided seeing Ben for the last eight years, but on one of the best nights of my life, he not only shows up, but he also knows my…he knows Daniel?

Ben’s eyes flashed between my body and Daniel’s, and his brows furrowed, his face holding tension I didn’t recognize. He extended his arm to shake Daniel’s hand, and Daniel reluctantly grabbed it.

“How do you guys know each other?” Daniel’s question hung in the air like a guillotine waiting to drop.

“Elizabeth and I used to—” Ben started to say.

I stopped him, “We knew each other once, but that was a long time ago. We don’t know one another at all anymore, not that we ever really did.”

“Don’t be like that, Elizabeth,” Ben said, his tongue drawing out my name, slow and meaningful, as he shifted his weight between his feet.

His brown hair had started to thin, and part of me loved the fact that he was already going bald.

Karma, I thought to myself, it’s nice to see you.

“Uh…” I stuttered, hating that I was forced to see him right now. I couldn’t stand the way my name sounded coming from his lips. “Don’t say my name like that, and don’t tell me what to do.”

Daniel’s grip on my elbow alerted me to the fact that I was making a scene.

I turned to him, apologetic and embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Are you okay?” Daniel asked.

I shook my head, my feelings splayed out across the cement like someone had driven over them like roadkill.

Ben stepped between Daniel and me, forcing unwanted space between us. “Daniel, may I please speak to Elizabeth alone for a moment?”

My mouth fell slightly ajar with his words. “We don’t need to speak alone,” I spit, infuriated at his choice of wording. “I don’t need to speak to you at all.”