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There are a lot of people around, making their way into the club; more it seems than for the last party we came to here. Mack says hello to a lot of them and introduces me, and I soon get lost in a sea of names and faces. He holds my hand tightly, though, keeping me by his side, which I like.
When we get to the lobby, I go to walk down to the Chess Room, but he pulls me to the left, toward the corridor to the offices. “I just need to pick something up,” he says.
I glance up at him, conscious that his posture has changed; he’s tense, walking fast, looking through the glass part of each door as he goes. Sure enough, as we pass one, he stops, then walks backward to the door. Without waiting, he opens it and goes in, releasing my hand.
I stop in the doorway awkwardly, seeing Elizabeth there at the table in conversation with a couple of guys. I don’t think it’s a formal business meeting as none of them have laptops or paperwork—it looks as if they’re catching up before the party that evening. She’s wearing a pretty silver top with gray trousers, and she’s propped her feet in their black sandals up on the table.
“I need to talk to you,” Mack says.
She raises an eyebrow. “I’m in the middle of something.”
“Now,” he snaps.
She studies his face, then slowly takes her feet off the table, looks at the guys, and gives them an apologetic smile. “Can I get back to you?”
“Sure.” They get up and frown at him before they leave the room. I let them pass, then hover in the doorway, not sure whether to stay or not.
“Okay,” she says, amused, “you got my attention. You want to sit?”
He ignores the offer and stays standing. “Felicity called me. She said she hopes I get the award. What the fuck?”
Elizabeth’s mouth opens, but nothing comes out. Eventually she closes it and frowns.
“You told her?” Mack says.
“No.”
“Are you lying to me?” he demands.
She gets to her feet. “No. Jesus, calm down.”
“I told you to withdraw the nomination.”
“I’m not going to do that,” she says mildly. Wow, she’s brave. He’s glaring at her, his hands on his hips, radiating anger. Jeez, I hope I’m never the focus of that. Mind you, even though he’s furious, he’s still the most gorgeous guy I’ve ever seen.
“Why?” he queries. “You know how I feel about this.”
“It’s not about you, Mack. Don’t you think the work deserves some acclaim?”
“It’s… like…” He’s so annoyed he can’t get the words out. He waves a hand in the air. “Archeology. The answer is buried beneath the soil and all I have to do is dig it up. I’m not inventing anything that isn’t already there.”
“Bollocks.”
“Elizabeth—”
“I’m not fucking withdrawing it, Mack. Deal with it.”
“This is not what I want,” he yells.
“I don’t care,” she yells back.
I edge out of the door, desperate to be anywhere else, but half wanting to see what happens.
“Why did you tell Felicity?” he shouts at her. “Of all people.”
“I didn’t.”
“Well someone fucking told her. So I’m guessing you told David.”
