Ally entered the last few numbers into the computer file, waited for the screen to update, then hit Print. Payroll for other companies was AMI’s bread and butter, and she normally found the process boring. Today, though, the monotony of folding and stuffing checks was just what her mind needed. Between her own problems, her family, and the brain-numbness the baby caused, the simple, repetitive action felt soothing.
Two hours later she had all the checks for all four of their biggest clients ready. She took a few minutes to log on to her mother’s bank account and pay the bills before she logged on to her e-mail account. Four e-mails from her sister. Ugh. She did not want to deal with that right now.
She eyeballed the stack of checks. Molly normally took care of delivery, but the prospect of getting out of the office for a little while was tempting. Two businesses were within walking distance, and a walk in the August sunshine would be good for the baby. And she could stop for a smoothie on the way back.
The sunshine helped clear the cobwebs from her head and being out in the neighborhood improved her mood. She loved the entire City Market district with its variety of restaurants, interesting stores and true community feel. The rent on the office was high, but worth every penny. Ally dropped off both sets of checks, then dawdled in Franklin Square for a little while to enjoy the afternoon. Next year she could bring the baby here when they needed a break from the office.
She shouldn’t delay getting back any longer. After a quick stop at the vegan deli for a banana smoothie for herself and a mango one for Molly, she rounded the last corner.
A very sleek red sports car like the kind James Bond would probably drive was parked in front of their building. As she approached, the driver’s side door opened and a tall blond man got out. There was something vaguely familiar about the man…
Recognition hit a split second before he turned around. Her pulse jumped briefly in excitement before reality hit and her heart dropped like a stone into her stomach.
Casually, as though he had every reason in the world to be right outside her office, Chris leaned against the car and crossed his arms across his chest, eerily reminiscent of that first day on the dock weeks ago. Only last time he’d seemed relaxed, open and approachable. Today he looked like he’d been carved from stone, and his jaw was tight. In a tone that could easily cut glass he simply said, “How are you, Ally?”
HOLY HELL. Ally tightened her numb fingers around the cup she held as her heart jumped back into her chest and pounded erratically. She leaned against a mailbox for a moment as she tried to gather herself. Breathe. Be calm.
“This is certainly a surprise.” Pleased her voice didn’t shake too much, Ally punctuated it with a small smile.
Chris didn’t return it. “Seems we’re both having surprising days, then.”
She didn’t know what to make of that statement. In fact, she didn’t know what to make of anything—not why he was here, not what she should say in response. “I thought you were still on Tortola with the Circe. What brings you to Savannah?”
His voice was clipped, succinct, the lazy drawl disappearing. “I brought the Circe home to Charleston. I came to Savannah to find you.”
She’d dreamed once that Chris had come to her, and he’d said almost those exact same words. But the reality version wasn’t at all like the dream. No, in her dream, Chris had smiled as he said the words, causing those adorable crinkles around his blue, blue eyes. Those eyes were cold now, and one eyebrow arched up in a mocking challenge. What kind of challenge, she wasn’t sure.
She nearly blurted out, “Why?” but caught the question in time. From the look on his face, she didn’t think she’d like the answer. Instead she went to her next pressing question. “How’d you find me?”
“You mean since you didn’t leave a number on your brief goodbye note?” he mocked. “Seriously, Ally, in this day and age it’s not all that difficult to find someone when you want to.”
Something nasty lurked behind his words, sending a cold shiver through her insides. Her hand went protectively to her stomach, but she caught herself at the last second.
The instinctive movement didn’t pass unnoticed, though, and she winced as Chris’s eyes narrowed. “My question is, why didn’t you find me?”
There’s no way he could know. Bluff your way out of this and leave gracefully. “I enjoyed our time together—honestly, I did—but it was over and done with. I had no idea you’d leave Tortola. Or that you’d be so close to Savannah.” That was the truth. Why did he have to be from Charleston, for goodness’ sake? Why couldn’t he be from Florida or someplace far, far from here? “It seemed best just to let it go.”
Chris levered himself off the car and took a step toward her, his voice dropping dangerously. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you damn well know it. It would have taken you approximately five minutes to find me if you’d tried. And you should have tried as soon as you found out.”
He knew. Oh, God, he knew. How? Paniclike flutters in her chest made it hard to breathe. No, there was no way he could know. “When I found out what?”
“Don’t play dumb, Ally. It doesn’t suit you. You’re pregnant. About six weeks if I understand correctly. And six weeks ago you were with me.”
There was the nausea again. She swayed on her feet as it washed over her. Chris grabbed her elbow. “Are you all right?”
She took a deep breath—inhaling the scent of him and letting it coil through her—and blew it out slowly, trying to will the nausea away. Game over, time to just face it. “How did you find out?”
He tilted his head in the direction of the office. “Your business partner—Molly, right?—she told me today when I called.”
She needed to sit down, but there was nothing on the sidewalk to use as a seat. This was too much to process at once. The happy thought of Chris calling her before he knew about the baby was quickly stomped down by the need to wring Molly’s neck. She took deep breaths to calm herself. It didn’t work.
“I take it from your reaction that it is my baby.”
All she could do was nod. The swimming feeling in her head was too much for anything else.
“And you had no intention of telling me?” Each word was clipped and sharp. This wasn’t the Chris who’d taken her sailing and made her laugh. And made her cry out with his touch. This Chris was livid. Cold.
“I just—”
“There’s no ‘just,’ Ally. Yes or no.”
“No! I mean yes. I mean—” Over Chris’s shoulder, she could see that Sarah, the owner of the bookshop across the street, watching her carefully, a worried crease on her forehead. A quick glance around showed Sarah wasn’t the only one paying attention. No one was headed in this direction—yet—but they had an audience. At least her office didn’t have street-front windows, or else Molly would be out here wanting to know what was going on. This public display had to stop.
She lowered her voice. “Look, I can’t talk about this. Not now. And certainly not here.”
The muscle in his jaw twitched. Chris looked around, noted the interest they’d garnered and nodded sharply. “Agreed.”
Relief swept through her. She set the smoothies on the mailbox and rummaged though her bag for a pen and piece of paper. “I’ll call yo—”
“Where