“Madeleine?”

“Yes?” She reluctantly looked up.

“It was remarkable.” Elena sighed and looked as though this was not something she ever wanted to discuss. “You are…quite remarkable. I’ve thought so ever since I read that blog of yours. To capture the loneliness of a soul in such a way? Well. I knew the moment you got the Duchamp interview that you would craft an exquisite story.”

Maddie was stunned. “You read my blog? Maddie as Hell? You read that?”

“Without fail. I found it intriguing. I always looked forward to it. Your replacement is useless, by the way. That single father? No. He doesn’t capture the beauty and sadness of the world the way you do. He is not an observer.”

“Oh… uh…Why didn’t you tell me?”

“And risk Maddie as Hell getting suddenly self-conscious? Or worse, quitting the blog altogether? I did not wish to risk that. Although you quit it anyway.”

Maddie stared at her. “How long have you known? Wait, did you know the day we met in the elevator?”

“Of course not. Be grateful I discovered your identity shortly afterwards, however, as it did prevent your being fired for insulting me that day.” Her eyes suddenly took on an amused spark.

“But I didn’t! I mean, I didn’t mean to insult you. You misunderstood. Come on, you know that, now!”

“You do have a habit of this, don’t you?” Elena ignored her protestations. “Accidentally insulting me? That stunted shrub offering of yours comes to mind.” Her smile was as wide and warm as it was unexpected.

“Oh. That was…awful.” Maddie gave her a sheepish grin. Elena was actually teasing her. How much more surreal could this day get?

“The point is, you do have talent. It’s all about directing it well.” Elena reached out and softly slid her fingers across Maddie’s cheek, leaving a scorching trail of heat where her fingers touched. She met Maddie’s eyes with a dark look. “Don’t waste your talent.” She studied her, hand stilled on her skin.

Maddie held her breath, shocked into silence by the touch.

Elena’s hand slowly fell back to her side. “I think that’s more than enough truth for one night.” She frowned, as though it was Maddie’s fault she’d shared so much. Then, in a swirl of silk and intoxicating perfume, she gave her a tight nod and disappeared out of the room.

Staring after her, Maddie was unable to think of a single thing to say. Her fingers lifted to her cheek. That look. Even seconds after it had happened, her memory of the moment seemed faulty.

The idea Elena might like women the way Maddie did was wishful thinking. Obviously. She was straight. She’d had two husbands. And even if she touched and looked at a woman with lingering, appreciative gazes, as if she wished Maddie were hers, it didn’t mean anything.

It didn’t, she warned her hopeful, quivering heart.

Perry had even said it. Elena’s first love was beauty. Right now that meant admiring the person who had gifted her a beautiful exclusive. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Maddie climbed the stairs to the guest room and tried not to think of all the ways that hurt.

* * *

The next morning, Maddie was by the front door, trying to figure out how to say goodbye to a woman who’d changed her life. She wasn’t ready. Not by a long shot. This was so unfair, saying goodbye when all she really wanted to do was stay right here and see if she’d touch Maddie again the way she had last night. Her night had been tortured by dreams of those fingers brushing her skin.

Elena was half turned on the bottom of the stairs, her elegant fingers frozen on the sleek satin scarf she’d just slid around her neck.

Maddie’s mouth was refusing to form words, not quite sure what to say.

Elena didn’t berate her for being a door bollard or order her to move aside. They simply regarded each other.

“Well,” Elena finally said, lowering her hands from her scarf. “Do you require a car?”

Maddie shook her head.

“Services of a mute translator, then?”

“Hilarious. But no. My tongue’s not entirely useless.”

“Glad to hear it.” Elena’s eyes twinkled, and she turned to pick up her house keys and shoulder her glossy, black handbag.

Maddie drank her in, knowing it would be her last look at Elena for some time. It was insane to be missing her so much already.

“The Weekend Mirror’s buyout paperwork was supposed to be ready yesterday,” Elena said, tone brusque. “It hasn’t arrived. I need you to…” She ground to a halt, glancing up at Maddie, surprise on her face that was quickly masked.

Had Elena actually forgotten she was no longer her PA? “I could make a few calls, if you’d like,” Maddie said, brightening. “Get that paperwork moving? I’d be happy to.” Not quite willing to let her go. Not yet.

Cool eyes appraised her. “No, Madeleine. It’s time you left,” Elena said with a softness that Maddie had never heard from her.

“I… Okay.” Maddie tugged at the sleeve on her shirt. Her own, rewashed clothes had magically appeared on the guest bed when she’d come out of the shower that morning, and she’d donned them. “Thanks,” she added. “For everything.”

“I don’t know why you’re thanking me. I just made you unemployed. Yet again.” Elena gave her an amused look.

“True,” Maddie countered with a grin, “but not unemployable. Big difference.”

“Indeed.”

They looked at each other one last time, and then Elena strode past her and opened the front door. She held it open for Maddie. The first time she’d ever done such a thing. “Well?” Elena asked archly.

Maddie stepped forward, and they both headed out into the chill air.

* * *

The lightness faded from Elena the moment her car pulled away, leaving Madeleine behind. She had thought this would be easier than it was. What were they now? Former associates? Almost friends?

Elena didn’t have many friends. Perry, yes. He was one. But trust didn’t come easily to her. And Madeleine had dared her to trust her. She could see the look in Madeleine’s eyes, even now. It was a look that said Maddie wanted more. She wanted to be let in. How much more, Elena couldn’t be sure.

At times, like the day before the truth bet, she thought she knew. She thought she’d seen longing. It had been too tempting to find out if she’d been right. Too tempting to find out what Madeleine was thinking, given the young woman no longer shared her thoughts with her.

But that had all gone to hell. Everything since then had robbed her clarity of thought. Thanks to the Richard mess, it would likely be gone for some time. She tightened her coat around her, surprised Sydney could get this frigid. The ache in her chest this morning had to be just the cold.

“Is your assistant not coming with us?” her regular Sydney driver asked, glancing at Madeleine as they drove past her.

Elena tried to come up with a cool, sarcastic reply, but her head still hurt from the stress and adrenaline of the previous day. This driver had seen her with Madeleine every day for months. It was a reasonable question at any other time. But not today.

“Madeleine is no longer in my employ,” she said testily. “She has moved on.”

Elena turned to stare out the window, his question vexing her far more than it should. Madeleine was, indeed, no longer in her world at all. A handful of events ahead of them, and that would be that. No more.

The ache intensified. Elena briefly wondered whether she should check in with her doctor. This couldn’t possibly be a normal reaction to losing one’s assistant.