Page 99 of Going Deep
“She’s fine.” Anna’s voice had lost a little of its bite. “Physically.”
He didn’t bother to hide the wince. She’d scored a direct hit, and she deserved to know it. “Will you pass a message to her the next time you see her?”
Anna stiffened, her gaze shifting to focus on a spot over his shoulder. That was interesting. She hadn’t avoided eye contact at all since he’d walked in, but now she was showing classic signs of avoidance and evasion.
“Anna?” he prompted.
“Fine.” Her gaze shifted back to his. “What’s the message?”
He hesitated a moment; something more was going on, and he wanted to press for answers, but his instincts told him to go lightly. “Tell her I’m sorry, and I was wrong. I want to talk to her, if she’ll call me. Will you tell her that?”
Anna frowned slightly, her brown eyes searching his face. “Are you really sorry?”
“Yes.” Michael stared back at her, hoping she’d read his sincerity in his expression. “I am.”
Anna stared at him, and he could see the conflict in her eyes. She was still mad, still didn’t want to give him anything, but his obvious remorse was starting to appeal to her romantic heart. “You were an asshole. And a jerk. And unnecessarily cruel.”
He flinched, but he nodded. “I was.”
She nodded. “Okay. When I talk to her, I’ll pass it on.”
He started to thank her, then stopped. When I talk to her. Not when I see her. It could have been a simple slip of language, but from the way Anna had stiffened, he didn’t think so.
“When will you see her next?” he asked, his voice deliberately casual.
Anna shrugged, the motion jerky and stiff. “We don’t have any concrete plans.”
“Anna.” Grant waited until she turned to him. “Do you know where Ginger is tonight?”
Her eyes narrowed and her mouth pinched. When she spoke, her voice was tight with resentment. “Yes.”
“Where?”
“I hate you for this,” she hissed.
Grant didn’t budge. “Tell me, Anna.”
“Ohio,” she all but growled. “She’s in Ohio.”
Michael stared in shock. She’d left town? “Why?”
“Why do you think?” She glared at her husband. “I’m not saying anymore. No matter what.”
Michael shook his head in disbelief. She’d gone back to Ohio. Why? She was so happy in Chicago, so thrilled with the city and her friends, and with her new job, she didn’t have to go back. So why had she?
His heart sank. Because of him?
Anna’s face was livid with fury, her anger at having been forced to give up Ginger’s location overriding any sympathy he might have been building. But he had to try.
“Anna. Does she hate me?”
Anna blinked, as though the question surprised her. And to his surprise, her gaze softened slightly. “No. At least, I don’t think so. She should,” she added pointedly, “but no.”
The sense of relief was almost staggering.
“Thank you, Anna.” He took his life into his hands and leaned over to kiss her. “Thank you.”
With a nod at Grant, he turned and headed for the door. His mind was racing as fumbled out his phone to call for another rideshare. He needed to get home, get his car. How long would it take to drive to Ohio?
