Page 206 of Taken Away

She set the proposal on the table.

"I think we move forward."

Silence.

Walter stared down at the table.

Lockwood slowly folded his reading glasses.

Bennett's jaw ticked.

Vanessa gathered herself with the unhurried ease of someone already counting the win.

"There it is."

Aubrey turned to Lockwood.

He held her gaze for a long moment.

Then he nodded once.

"That's your call, Ms. Langford."

His eyes found Bennett's for the briefest moment.

Long enough to say something without saying anything at all.

Bennett never looked away from Aubrey.

Lockwood stood.

"Meeting adjourned, I suppose."

Walter pushed his chair back.

Vanessa stepped out in the hall.

Within minutes, the room began to empty.

One by one.

Until only Aubrey and Bennett remained.

The door clicked shut behind the last person.

Aubrey finally faced him.

"Say it."

Bennett leaned back in his chair.

"You already made the decision."

"That's not what I asked."

His jaw flexed.

"No. It isn't."