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“Yes, everything’s fine. What is it, Rebecca?” she asked tersely.

“Miss Honeycutt’s car is waiting outside to take her to the airport, Ma’am.”

“Oh,” Elizabeth spoke softly, looking down at Palmer now, who still sat on the sofa.

“I can take a later flight,” Palmer said.

“Ma’am?” Rebecca asked.

“No, it’s fine. Palmer, you should go. You have to get home.”

“Elizabeth, we’re talking about something pretty important here.”

“You need to get home, Palmer. You’ve only stayed this long because of me.”

“There’s another flight that leaves in the afternoon. I can–”

“Rebecca, will you have someone help Palmer with her things?” she interrupted Palmer, looking at her secretary because she couldn’t look into Palmer’s disappointed eyes.

“Yes, Ma’am.” Rebecca left the room.

“Don’t do this, Lizzy.” Palmer stood up. “Let’s finish this conversation. There’s more to say here.”

“I told you the story because I thought you deserved to hear it. You’ve been a great friend to me, Palmer. Now you know. I would ask that you don’t tell anyone.”

“I would never,” Palmer said. “But there’s more, isn’t there? There is for me, at least.”

Elizabeth swallowed, allowed a few more tears to fall, and then looked toward the floor.

“I have to take a shower. I have meetings today.”

“I am asking you not to push me away,” Palmer replied. “You at least owe methat.”

Elizabeth nodded rapidly, knowing Palmer was right but not being able to do anything about it.

“I’ll message you about the Christmas address to tell you if I’ll be giving the speech we worked on together. Have a safe flight, Palmer.”

“Will I see you over Christmas, at least?” Palmer asked as Elizabeth breezed past her toward her bedroom.

“I’ll let you know.” Elizabeth closed the double doors behind her, rushed into her bathroom, and turned on the shower to drown out her tears.

CHAPTER 26

“You’re back?” Anna asked.

“Anna, what are–”

“I tried calling and texting after you emailed me back. You never responded.”

“That should’ve told you something,” Palmer replied.

“I’ve been coming by the apartment every day, knocking like an idiot. I made a mistake, Palmer. Can we please talk?”

“Anna, I told you, I don’t want to get back together. I just got home yesterday. I’m still jet-lagged, I have Christmas shopping and laundry to do, and then I have to drive to Pittsburgh.”

“Why are you driving?”

“Because I planned on driving long before I decided to stay in St. Rais, so I didn’t book a flight. Now, the prices are astronomical, so I’m just going to power through with some caffeine and then sleep through until the new year.”