“I know what should be done. The police should be called in.”
He took her hand. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course I trust you. I just think that—”
“Do youtrustme?”
She knew he was testing her. There was nothing of the little boy about him now. He was all man: Eyes locked with his, she nodded.
“Then let me sleep on it. Give me until morning to figure out what the next step should be.”
At that moment, Lauren came out of herself enough to see the lines of fatigue that shadowed Matt’s face. He was tired. And worried. “But it’s not your responsibility—”
“Till morning?”
She clamped her lower lip between her teeth, then let it slide out. Her nod was slower in coming this time, but when it did, it conveyed the trust he sought.
Morning arrived, and Lauren awoke to find that Matt was no longer in bed. Tossing her robe on, she hurried off in search of him. He was just replacing the telephone receiver when she entered the kitchen.
“Matt?” She halted abruptly and stood suspended on the threshold. There was something about the tired slump of his shoulders that filled her with dread.
He covered the distance between them and took her in his arms. His words came out in a rush. “I have to go back to California for a couple of days, Lauren. I’ve just spoken with the airline and made a reservation.”
For a minute she couldn’t say anything. She’d known that sooner or later he’d be leaving, but … “Now?” she whispered through a tight throat. “Whynow?”
“It’s important. You know I wouldn’t leave if it weren’t.”
“But … what should I do?” The instant she said the words, she hated them, hated herself, hated the situation.
“I think you should consider visiting your parents.”
“No.”
“What about Beth? You could sleep over at her place.”
“No.”
“Then take a room at a hotel. Maybe the Bostonian, or the Marriott. Something close to work.”
“No!” She freed herself from his grasp and wrapped her arms around her waist. “I’m not running away. I won’t be forced out of my own home!”
Matt ran a hand through his hair, which looked as if he’d done that more than once. For that matter, between the creases on his brow and the weary look in his eyes, she wondered if he’d slept at all. He seemed to be exerting a taut control over himself, but then, so was she. She refused to fall apart, to be reduced to a simpering weakling. No strings, she’d told Matt, and no strings there would be.
“It’s very important that I go, Lauren.”
Her chin was firm. “It’s all right. You can go.”
“I don’t want to.”
“But it’s all right. I’ll be fine.” Hadn’t she always been before?
“It’s just for two or three days.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don’t. You think I’m running out on you.”
“I think just what you told me, that it’s important for you to fly back.” She was feeling distinctly numb. “When does your plane leave?”
