“Of course.”
Aud gave her a long look. “Actually,
Henrietta intimated Derian was behind it.”
Emily’s face grew hot. So much for keeping
her relationship with Derian private. All she had to do was hear her name and
she telegraphed exactly how she felt about her. “Ah, that’s kind of her.”
Aud laughed. “Derian is many wonderful and
infuriating things, including kind, but I don’t think that’s what motivated her
this time. She knew I’d give this more than just the normal business-as-usual
attention.”
“Personal attention.”
“Yes.”
Emily studied the beautiful, sophisticated
woman. She seemed exactly the kind of woman Derian would choose for a friend,
or a lover. Had Derian discussed their relationship? And if she had, what did
it matter. “I appreciate that.”
“We’re friends, Derian and I,” Aud said
quietly, as if answering some unspoken question.
“But you’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
Emily asked, much preferring straightforward conversations to roundabout word
games. And being on a level field with Aud, if all that meant was being honest,
seemed important now that they were to have more than a passing acquaintance.
Derian was part of their lives—even if Derian was part of her past now. The
feelings remained, and she didn’t want to hide them.
Aud gave a short, hard laugh. “My whole
life.”
“Does she know that?”
“Oh, I’m sure she does. And she loves me, in
her way. In the only way she can.” Aud shrugged, her expression amused and a
little sad. “We can’t help who we love, or who we don’t. Derian isn’t in
love…with me.”
“I’m sorry, it’s none of my business.”
“Isn’t it?” Aud said lightly.
“No. Especially now, but really not ever.
Derian’s relationships are not my concern.”
“Really? If she was my lover, I’d put a big
sign around her neck—no trespassing.”
Emily laughed and shook her head. “She’s not
my lover.”
“Maybe, maybe not. But she wants to be sure
you’re here when she gets back.”
Emily ignored the quick fluttering of her
heart. Aud didn’t know that. Neither did she, and she couldn’t let herself get
drawn into false hope. She’d had years of wishing reality could be changed and
wouldn’t be crippled by futile longings again. “I’m glad you’re handling this.”
Aud leaned forward, pulling the laptop into
range. “All right then. Let’s see about getting your immigration situation
straightened out.”
Emily listened, provided what information she
could, and tried not to panic. Aud knew what she was doing—everything would
work out. It had to.
“That’s it for now,” Aud said after half an
hour. “I’ll be in touch as soon as we start filing the preliminary forms. I’ll
push it as fast as I can.”