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As I come around, I keep my eyes closed for a moment. Music is still playing in the background, although the song has changed to The Beatles’Something. It must be Saxon’s office—it doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s playing music. As I listen, someone turns the volume down, and above it I hear a mixture of voices. Marion’s is distinct, but the two guys sound very alike, although after a while I can guess which is which.
“She’s all right. She just fainted.”
“Shock, I’m guessing.”
“You think? Can you get her a glass of water, please, Marion?”
“Yes, of course.” Footsteps fade into the distance.
“I haven’t seen you move that fast for years. I can’t believe you caught her.”
“Neither can I. I’ve never seen a woman faint in real life.”
“I’m guessing you do know her?”
“Yeah. I met her in Auckland.”
“What’s she doing here?”
“No idea. She said she was moving away, but I didn’t realize she meant here, I thought she meant Australia or something.”
“Oh shit! You’re kidding me! This is the one you’ve been moping about?”
My heart skips a beat. He’s been moping over me?
“I wouldn’t call it moping…”
“You’ve been like a bear with a sore head. What’s she doing here?”
“I know as much as you do, Kip, probably less as you met her first.”
“Oh yeah. She’s here to cover for Janine.”
“She’s the temp?”
“Yeah.”
“So she didn’t come here looking for me?”
“I don’t think so. Sorry.”
“What did she say her name was?”
“Catie O’Clery.”
“Huh.”
There’s a movement by my side, and one of them bends down next to me.
“She’s lost a lot of weight.” I can smell his aftershave—it’s Saxon. “She’s still beautiful though,” he says.
“Is the baby yours?” Kip asks.
“I guess we’ll have to ask her that.”
“Do you think she’ll be all right?”
I inhale as he leans closer. I’ve dreamed about that scent for four months.
