Page 44 of The Making of Marnie Jones

Both nodded.

“Best we can do,” Wolf said. “My place is a bachelor apartment—”

“Not you.”

The news clearly surprised Wolf, and his dark-brown eyes widened in shock.

Jake’s hands were on his hips. “She’s agreed to speak to Marnie, but she was adamant you not be part of this. I tried to convince her, but she won't budge.”

“She’ll probably try to give you guys the slip as soon as she can.” Wolf’s tone was dry, but the hurt was clear.

Marnie took a small step forward, toward the man. “That may be true, but look at it from her perspective. You performed CPR on her. You were with her at her most vulnerable. She's raw right now, and you're not a salve to her. You’re like pouring battery acid into a wound. For now, as long as she's around you, she’s reminded of that low moment in her life. Wolf, logic doesn't play a part in this. She knows she owes you her life—and part of her resents you for saving it. A small part of her wishes she had died.”

“How do you know?”

“She's right,” Wolf said, cutting off Jake's question. “She was suicidal. That's why I had to find her.”

Marnie fought not to react to the pain in his voice. Clearly he understood the ramifications of that night.

“I'll walk away.” He turned to her, his dark eyes blazing. “Help her, please. You have my number.” He cut a glance at his friend, rife with meaning.

Without further ado, he walked away, heading for the door leading to the stairs. He was a dejected warrior, head held high, but world-weary.

“I should’ve fought harder for him.” Jake's voice was tight as if his throat were in a vise. “He's my best friend.”

“And she's your niece. She needs you. He's her guardian angel. That she needs him right now is precisely why he needs to go.”

“Marnie, you're not making any sense.”

She fought rising frustration. “It's tough to fathom, but Olivia needs to know she’s strong enough to stand on her own. He might easily become a crutch for her.”

“As opposed to you or me?”

She understood his frustration. “One day she’ll go to him. She’ll go because she can—not because she has to.”

“You sound like him.” He jerked his arm toward where his friend had been standing.

“He's your best friend.”

“Yeah.” The acknowledgement was made grudgingly. “I didn't say I understand him.”

She chuckled. The refreshing sound seemed to break the tension.

“When did the doctors say she could leave?”

“In a day or so, but I'm not willing to leave her here, since she said in no uncertain terms she’s leaving today.”

“You're right not to take the risk.” At least here she could reassure him. “It won't be easy, but you must go along with her wishes. Give on this, and maybe stand firm on something else.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, frustration vibrating from his entire being. At least he’d slept the night before—although his face showed the strain.

Still gorgeous, of course, because even under stress, the man was a treat to look at.Focus, Marnie. “What's next?”

He pulled out a set of keys, and when she held out her hand, he dropped them into her palm. “Can you drive my SUV here and wait for me? I parked it on lower level II at the hotel.”

She held up the keys. “You trust me with your SUV?”

“I'm trusting you with my niece. The SUV is just a hunk of metal.” He gave her one last attempt at assurance, then indicated Olivia's room. “We’ll be ready to go shortly. Will you be okay?”

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