Page 111 of Eternal Surrender

She looked forlorn for a beat.

“Unless you don’t want it to be.” I studied her carefully.

Ingrid came around the desk and stood close, seemingly trying to gauge the reason for my disquietude.

My gaze rested on her lips. “Looks like you’ll need an umbrella.”

“William.”

The moon reappeared from behind grayish clouds and sopping leaves tumbled off down the street.

She came closer. “Thank you for offering to help me on this.”

“Did I?”

Ingrid gave a long sigh and took in the office. “You have some lovely paintings here.”

“Thank you.”

“I want you to trust me.”

“You can have mine.”

“Huh?” she asked.

“Umbrella.”

“Oh, yes of course. Thank you.”

I checked the window latch though it didn’t need it. “If you want to wait in the gallery until the weather breaks, that would be fine.”

Clouds glided longingly, caressing the night sky with soft puffs of white, though further away darker clouds threatened to close in.

She broke the silence with a sigh. “James is a good man.”

I went to reply but the words didn’t come.

“He’s always been a good friend to me,” she added.

I faced her, trying to read the truth in her eyes.

“He gets ticks in most of the boxes,” she said wistfully.

“Ask Sebastian to make a photocopy.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Your evidence,” I said. “We’ll make sure it gets into expert hands.”

“I appreciate your help on this.” Ingrid headed toward the door and turned slightly. “No one will ever know about you, I promise.”

“I appreciate that.”

She hesitated, waiting for me to say something else.

I wanted to offer reassurance that she was making the right decision with James but instead turned away, not wanting her to read doubt in my eyes that she’d find happiness with him.

Though Ingrid had left, it felt as though some part of her still lingered.