“Excuse me? I am not one of your grad students, Dr. Percy.”
She held his eyes and refused to back down. Ab’s jaw tightened and his nostrils flared. When he spoke, it was with a refined and formal tone. “Fine. Dr. Collins, would you be so kind as to tell me where you were when the shooting started?”
“Since you asked so nicely, I’d be happy to.” She went with the truth, but not the whole truth. “I was on my way out when the shooting began. Our group hopped in a cab and vacated the area.”
Relief washed over Ab, and he sank into the nearest chair. “I heard what happened, and I knew it was close. All I could think of was you lying facedown on the floor while someone made threats and fired a weapon.”
“They caught the guy.” She used the same tone she would use to speak to a lost child. “And no one was injured.”
“Doesn’t mean the people who lived through it weren’t traumatized.”
He had a point. The argument could be made that she’d been traumatized. She’d barely had time to process what was happening before she was safely away from the chaos. She didn’t think Ab would appreciate her telling him that Gil had her covered, so she kept it simple. “I’m good, Ab.”
Ab ran a hand through his hair and shifted in his seat. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it. Although I have to tell you, theheavy police presence in your lobby and parking lot doesn’t give me a great deal of confidence in your honesty.”
“It’s a precaution.” She didn’t suspect Ab of any wrongdoing, but based on his reaction to the shooter at the hotel, there was no way she was going to mention the body in her bedroom. He’d lose his mind.
Ab stood and pulled his keys from his pocket. “I have to get on the road. I’d love to stay and make you give away all your secrets, but I’m trying to get home before the weather completely locks everything down. I just couldn’t leave town without seeing for myself that you were all right. And, of course, I wanted to say goodbye.”
He was such a good guy. She stood and walked around her desk. When she reached him, she gave him a quick side hug. “Thanks. It’s been great to see you this week.”
He gave her a look that sent a ripple of pain through her chest. “Not quite like old times.” He pulled her in for another hug. This one longer and probably not quite appropriate.
Okay. Not appropriate at all, given that if Gil walked in, she would jump about ten feet away from Ab. She disengaged and stepped back, trying to be gentle physically and emotionally. One look at his face told her she hadn’t succeeded in either.
“If things don’t work out with your Secret Service agent, give me a call. I’ll always be here for you. Always.”
“Ab.”
“Sorry.” He didn’t look sorry at all. Resigned, maybe. Sorry? No. “But I couldn’t leave without saying that either.”
What was she supposed to say? She couldn’t give him any sort of hope. Gil or no Gil, Ab wasn’t the one for her. She’d moved on from him long ago.
He let the silence hang for a few seconds past awkward, but then he turned to the door. “Stay out of trouble and stay in touch.”
This she could respond to honestly. “I’ll do my best. On both counts.”
He gave her a small salute, and then was gone.
She sat at her desk and pressed the heels of her hands into her temples, then took several slow, even breaths. When she opened her eyes, she picked up her phone and sent another text to Gil.
Ab’s gone. I haven’t been abducted or threatened. Thought you should know.
Three dots blinked back at her.
Good. You okay?
Yes.
Did he make a pass at you?
How did he know?
Yes. But I didn’t even try to catch it.
Can’t say I’m sorry he’s gone, but I am sorry if he made you uncomfortable.
I’m okay. What time is the game tonight?
