Page 43 of Escape Clause

“Okay. You’ll find the galley portside, aft. There’s a lounge on deck two forward, right over the bridge, which is where you should go for the launch in…seventeen minutes. When the captain announces, ‘Prepare to launch,’ get yourself into a seat and buckle up.”

“I will, thank you.” After the open space and expansive views of the penthouse, the compact space of the stateroom made her feel claustrophobic.

The steward left. Hope watched her retreat for a few seconds then tossed her bag onto the nearest bunk without setting foot into the room. She noted the cabin number then let the door slide shut and went in search of the lounge.

It reminded her of a theater. Rows of seats faced a bug-eyed window, which would offer a view of outer space once they launched. Now it overlooked the flight zone. She buckled into a seat and watched one lone tiny ship fly in, land, and crawl to a terminal connector. Other vessels sat grounded on the tarmac. Not quite a ghost spaceport, but close. Such was the consequence of the pandemic.

She sympathized with the Caradonians’ plight. In a short time, she’d fallen in love with the planet and its people, and one particular person.

How could they have broken up just two days after consummating their marriage? He’d been a voracious, tender, affectionate lover, afterward holding her and whispering in her ear.Sweet Hope. Wife of Mine.Words coupled with kisses and caresses misled her into believing he had feelings for her.

The endearments had been like cotton candy—sweet but melting away to nothing.No wonder they refer to pillow talk as sweet nothings.

She leaned her head against the seat back and closed her eyes. She pictured his face, his features contorted by passion, lit up by humor, focused on her with undivided attention when she rambled on about her unexciting day. That didn’t seem like nothing. She recalled his rumbling laughter and how his deep voice and smile gave her goosebumps. His laughter and smiles, rare at first, had come more frequently.

I need you,he’d said more than once, and had acted like he did. Had acted like he valued her.

Right up until he didn’t. Until he said she’d become ahindrance. That he didn’t want her.

Yet, he’d seemed panicked, scared when she’d returned home from the cozi. He’d been frantic. He’d grabbed her and kissed her almost desperately. His expression, his hair, his manner had been wild. He’d been shaking, emotionally wrought. He hadn’t faked his fear.

He didn’t fake emotion. That wasn’t the kind of man he was. However, he did mask it.

Her heart raced.What if he does care, and this is his misguided way of showing it?She’d blamed himfor not fighting for her, but what if it was the other way around? Had she given up too easily?

What if I’m not fighting for him?

“Attention, passengers and crew. The doors have been sealed. Please take your seats and buckle up. We will launch shortly.”

Through the window, she watched the ship detach from the terminal connector.

Chapter Twenty

Had the penthouse always been this empty, this vacant? Where was the comfort, the serenity in the open space, the lightness, the expansive windows? None of those things soothed him now. How had he ended up here? After taking Hope to the spaceport, he’d intended to vap to the office to bury himself in work. He shook his head.

Don Juan strolled out. “Will you require breakfast?”

“No. I’m not staying.”

“Will Hope Bennett—”

“She isn’t here. She’s not coming back.” He’d lost control, and a temporary separation had spiraled into a divorce. Once the danger passed, he’d intended to bring her back. But when she’d refused to go, out of concern for her safety, he’d panicked. The situation had gone horribly awry, and he’d said things he couldn’t take back.

The light atop Don Juan’s head dimmed. “Hope Bennett must return. She promised to teach me how tobake sticky buns, which are sugary-sweet goodness, but also fattening. How will I make sticky buns if she is not here to augment my programming?”

“You’re going to have to figure it out on your own.”

The android pivoted and retreated to the kitchen while repeating Hope’s name.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Krogan moved to the window. Had she gone to the original spaceport, he might have seen her ship streak across the sky. However, launching from the alternate one, the ship would not follow the same trajectory.

I need to go to work.Only by immersing himself in his responsibilities would he get through this.

But his feet led him into the hall and into her room. The expansive, white bedroom looked untouched, as if she’d never been here at all. Hanging in the closet were all the garments she’d acquired on Caradonia. She hadn’t taken a single item with her.

He fingered the sleeve of the blue-green dress she’d worn to the wedding and the reception. She’d looked beautiful in that dress.She’s beautiful, no matter what she wears.His chest tightened.

Sending her away is for the best. Best for her. What else could I have done?

---