The Edge of Eternity

“Got it,” he finally said, and Elizabeth stepped quickly away from him, letting her hair fall back into place.

“Now I’m ready,” she said briskly as she picked up her wrap and evening bag from the bed, then walked over and grabbed her key from the nightstand. “Just in case I want to come back before you do,” she explained, slipping the key into her purse.

They walked out together. Paul made sure the door was locked and then they headed down the walkway toward the hotel. It wasn’t far. He could see the lights blazing from the arched windows just ahead, but the paved walkway was slippery and not all that smooth.

He glanced down at Elizabeth’s heels. “Can you make it okay in those?”

“I’ve been wearing heels for years,” she said airily. “I’ll be fine—”

At that exact moment her heel caught on something and she stumbled. Paul grabbed her arm to steady her and suddenly they were standing face-to-face in the moonlight, cocooned in soft mist and silky darkness.

Her eyes were like cool, liquid crystals. They were the most beautiful eyes Paul had ever stared into, and for a moment he could have sworn he saw something—an invitation—in those glimmering depths.

He moved his head ever so slightly toward hers, and she stiffened, as if reading his intention in his eyes. “We should probably go. You don’t want to be late.”

The moment lost, Paul dropped his hand from her arm. “Yes, you’re probably right.” They walked along in silence the rest of the way. As they neared the terrace, he said, “So is Frankie coming up this weekend?”

“Yes, I think she planned to drive up late this afternoon. I don’t know if she’s here yet, though. I haven’t talked to her.”

“I’m surprised you both could get away from the shop this weekend,” Paul said.

Elizabeth slanted him a glance. “Worried about your investment?”

“No, not at all.”

They were nearing the pool area now. Paul could tell that the water was heated by the steam rising from the surface. The bluish glow from the underwater lights shimmered eerily on the undulating vapor.

“Paul…”

“Yes?”

She paused. “Regardless of what happens between us…it won’t have any bearing on the agreement you have with the shop, will it?”

“Why would it?”

She drew her shawl more tightly around her, as if suddenly chilled. “Frankie is a little concerned that you might try to call in the loan.”

He cocked his head slightly. “And what do you think?”

“I think you’re an honorable man. You wouldn’t do something like that.”

“Did you tell her that?”

“Of course I did. But she doesn’t know you like I do.”

At least she still had some faith in him, Paul thought grimly. He wanted to take comfort in her defense of his honor, but the very fact that she’d brought up her partner’s concerns meant that she wasn’t quite as sure of his intentions as she tried to let on.

“I have no desire to call in the loan,” he said coolly. “Why would I? If I let the interest accrue, I stand to make a killing.”

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