Page 56 of Bride By Committee

“I mean go ahead. You’re dying to accuse me of something unethical.” He swept his hand through the air in a mocking bow. “Say it. Say it so you have an excuse to run away.”

“I’m not looking for an excuse to run away!” She winced. “Okay, maybe a little. But I don’t think for one minute that you’re unethical. You’re the most honorable man I’ve ever met. And trust me, I’ve seen enough of the other sort to know the difference.”

She hadn’t appeased him. He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck, his expression one of utter disgust. “As much as I appreciate your ringing endorsement, we wouldn’t be having this discussion if I’d followed my own principles.”

“Why not?” she asked before she could stop herself.

“Principle number seven will answer that question. Feel free to read up on it.”

“I don’t suppose you’d care to give me a hint?”

“It deals with honesty and integrity. Something I forgot these past couple of weeks. But I guarantee I won’t forget again.” He took a deep breath, his determination unmistakable. “All right, Madison. What do you say we deal with the real problem?”

“Which is?”

“You’re looking for any reason to get out of the commitment we made last night. You’re running scared. And by not telling you about the book, I’ve handed you the perfect excuse to back away from a relationship with me.”

He was right, which only served to make her angrier. “You want honesty? Fine. Iam running scared. It’s taking everything I have to keep standing here arguing with you. If I could get my clothes on without dropping this sheet, I’d be out of here like a shot. There. How’s that for honesty?”

His mouth twitched, amomentary amusement overriding his anger. “Pretty damned honest. Ithink I’ll make a point of hiding your clothes every time we have a fight.”

Every time. The words suggested they had a future and that was all it took to send her into a panic. She took a hasty step backward, tripping over the sheet and almost losing her balance. Her actions impacted with devastating force. For a brief instant his eyes burned a brilliant green before going blank, like one of heaven’s stars winking out of existence. Without a word, he disappeared from the bedroom, returning a minute later with her clothing inhand.

“Here.” He tossed her suit and underclothes onto the bed. “I think we’ve said all that’s necessary.”

Turning his back on her, he left the room, closing the door behind him. Madison didn’t waste any time. Dropping the sheet, she yanked on her clothes with quick, economical movements. As soon as she’d finished, she escaped into the living room. Harry waited for her, his emotions hidden behind his most intimidating businessmask.

She stood in the middle of the room and struggled to find the right words. “Could you at least tell me whether all this has been a setup?”

“You mean last night?”

“That’s part of it. But I really mean you and me.”

“Yes, we were a setup.”

She moistened her lips. “Was I also some sort of experiment?” she forced herself toask.

Harry hesitated for a minute before shaking his head. “I think that’s for you to decide.” He turned and walked to the window. Resting his forearm against the glass, he stared out at the city. “It’s time for you to go, Madison.”

“Harry—”

“Don’t feel bad, sweetheart.” He cut her off. “I took a chance and it didn’t work out. But at least I tried. Principle number ten, in case you’re interested.”

She hesitated. When he didn’t make any move to turn around, she gathered up her purse and briefcase and crossed to the suite door. He was right. She was using their argument as an excuse to run. And with each step that took her further from him, avoice in her head screamed for her to stop. To go to him and tell him how she felt. To reveal what had happened to her those years she’d spent with her father. To explain why she found it so difficult to trust or to commit to someone. But it was a story she hadn’t told another living soul, not even the Sunflowers, and she couldn’t bring herself to start telling itnow.

So instead of following her heart, she walked steadily toward purgatory.

Madison opened the door to her office, exhaustion dogging her every step of the way. For some reason the lights were out and she automatically flicked themon.

“Surprise!”

Sunflowers overflowed her office, every last one decked out in party hats and blowing toy horns. For a minute, Madison could only stand with her mouth gaping, staring in stunned disbelief. Her birthday! Good heavens. She’d forgotten all about it. She gazed at her family, took in the broad smiles and happy faces and promptly burst into tears. Pandemonium resulted, her relatives swarming aroundher.

“What’s wrong?”

“What happened?”

Rosy groaned. “Harry! What is it with men and following simple, basic instructions? They get to the part that says ‘Insert Flap A into Slot B’ and they totally lose it.”

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