“No,” Emily said casually as she let Derian
help her on with her coat, something she couldn’t ever remember anyone doing
before. The gesture was unexpected and unexpectedly delightful. “They’ll call
us, right? If there’s any…problem?”
Derian rested her hands for an instant on
Emily’s shoulders after the coat settled onto them. “They have my number. But
it’s going to be all right. It has to be, right?”
Emily leaned against her for the briefest of
seconds. They shared the same affection for Henrietta, and Derian had to be
even more worried. “Of course. Henrietta is probably even more stubborn than
you.”
“You’re absolutely right.” Derian slipped her
hand down to Emily’s elbow, leading her out into the hall. She liked the
contact, the intimacy of that passing touch. “I’m sure I inherited all my bad
traits from her.”
“I actually think it might be catching—the
stubbornness, at least. I’ve gotten a lot more persistent myself, since coming
to work with her.”
Derian reached out to press the button to the
elevator, but the doors opened and she halted abruptly. “Aud!”
A willowy blonde with a stylish Tumi bag
slung over one shoulder launched herself into Derian’s arms. “Dere. I can’t
believe you got here first.”
Emily hastily stepped back, but not before
she registered the unbridled excitement in the blonde’s eyes as she kissed
Derian soundly on the lips.
“Why didn’t you call me when you got in!” Aud
scolded, one precisely etched brow arched in exasperation.
Derian slid an arm around the blonde’s waist,
her expression lighter than Emily had seen since she’d arrived at the hospital.
“I tried. Did you check your voice mail?”
“Actually, no. I just got off a plane an hour
ago and headed straight over here. I wasn’t in the mood for business messages.
Sorry.”
“You never were very good at that anyhow. For
a lawyer, you’re really hard to get a hold of.”
“Self-protection.” The blonde glanced at
Emily and held out her hand. “Sorry for being so rude. I’m Audrey Ames.”
“Emily May, one of Henrietta’s agents.” She
drew back farther. “I should probably go—”
“Aud, Emily is a friend,” Derian said,
tightening her grip on Emily’s elbow so she didn’t bolt the next time the
elevator opened. “Henrietta is stable, and we were about to sneak out for some
dinner.”
“That’s great news,” Aud said. “Do they know
what happened?”
“Looks like her heart. She might need
surgery, but the verdict is open there,” Derian said.
“Oh. I tried to reach your father, but he
wasn’t returning my calls.”
“Not surprising. He’s been here, but I think
he just came by for a sit rep.” Derian’s expression darkened. “You know how
that is.”