Page 207 of Taken Away

Silence stretched between them.

"You think I'm wrong."

Bennett looked at her for a long moment.

"I think Mabel would've asked more questions.”

He walked out.

Vanessa paused at the conference room door.

"For what it's worth," she said, "I think you made the right decision."

Aubrey looked up.

"You do?"

Vanessa smiled faintly.

"I wouldn't have spent three months putting that proposal together if I didn't."

Aubrey laughed softly.

"I suppose that's true."

Vanessa hesitated.

"I also know that wasn't an easy vote."

"It wasn't."

"Bennett disagreed."

Aubrey nodded.

"He usually has a reason."

Vanessa studied her for a moment.

"Yes."

She rested one hand on the door.

"One thing you should know..."

Aubrey waited.

"Bennett and I were never what people imagined."

Aubrey didn't say anything.

"When my marriage ended..." Vanessa said quietly, "...I wasn't looking for another relationship."

Her smile carried more sadness than humor.

"I was looking for someone who wouldn't let me fall apart."

"And Bennett?"