I went around my desk and took her hand. She stood, I put my arms around her and kissed her. I held her close against me, marveling at the way she felt. When the kiss ended, she stayed very close and looked up into my eyes.
“What was that for?” she said in a voice so quiet, so soft that I could hardly believe it was her.
“I love you, Angelina,” I said. “Not like Liz, but I do.”
She put a hand on my chest. “Liz wouldn’t understand this.”
“She’d understand, but she probably wouldn’t approve. Hell, she’s jealous of Jane Argo.”
Angelina giggled, then said, “We’ll keep it between us, and never speak of it after this.” She was so close, I could feel her breath on my face. “Do you remember the first time we met? I kissed you then.”
“I remember.”
And she kissed me the way she had that night. When our lips parted, she said, “Anything?”
I knew that I wasn’t leaving Neceda. She knew it, too. “Still not. You?”
“Not a thing. Come on, sword jockey, I’ll make you breakfast. And I won’t add this one to your tab.” She threaded her fingers through mine and led me out of my office.
She released my hand at the bottom of the stairs and went into the kitchen, where Rudy was already working his culinary magic. A few early risers sat at the bar, nursing cups of hot tea. I still needed to tell her about Duncan’s offer, but that could wait. I couldn’t imagine her slipping into the role of belated mother and grandmother, but perhaps some of that bloodsoaked gold in her attic might find its way anonymously to him. Angelina, Jane Argo, Dylan Clift, Duncan Tew, and I all chose badly for love and suffered the consequences. So far, I was the only one Fate had granted a real do-over. This might be the start of one for Angelina; I’d do what I could to at least make her see the opportunity. But I knew the answer to her question, and I suspected she did as welclass="underline" The past never goes away.
“Hey, handsome,” Liz said, breaking my reverie. She sat down on the stool beside me at the bar, leaned over, and kissed my cheek. Quietly she asked, “How’d it go?”
“As well as it could have.”
She smiled, squeezed my hand, and lay her head on my shoulder. I hoped that someday Angelina, Jane, Clift, and Duncan all reached this same sort of peace. And wherever he sailed now, I sincerely wished it for the other Edward.