“A follow-up story. The collision was covered widely here. People still ask how you’re doing.”
“Why?”
“You survived something most people can’t imagine.”
Noah’s expression hardened.
“My survival isn’t entertainment.”
“No,” Elliot said. “That’s why I’d rather speak with you than build an article entirely from police reports and hospital statements.”
The answer was better than I expected.
Noah tapped the end of the pole once against the concrete.
“No settlement numbers.”
“Agreed.”
“No photographs unless I approve them first.”
“Agreed.”
“No doctors explaining my life for me.”
“I wasn’t planning to contact any.”
“And you include the name of the yard.”
A slight smile touched Elliot’s mouth.
“Fair.”
Noah glanced at me.
“Can we use the office?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to stay?”
Every instinct in me shouted yes.
He needed me to choose differently.
“Only if you want me there.”
He considered it.
“I can do this.”
“I know.”
I touched the base of his neck briefly and left them inside.
The office walls were glass, which made privacy incomplete. I worked at the bench nearest the door anyway.
Caleb watched me test the same connector twice.
