After a rough landing, the plane had taxied into the terminal. A chaos of announcements ensued, warning passengers that hotels were booked, and car rentals were scarce. Carly had thanked Liam again, as if he were some stranger who’d opened her door instead of the man who’d held her hand while she fought off panic.
Couldn’t she see they had bonded? Liam felt as if he’d known her for years instead of a few hours. And Carly didn’t seem like the type who would lie to him or pretend to be attracted when she really wasn’t.
Am I really going to let her walk out of my life and do nothing about it?
Liam had faced far worse challenges in his life. How hard could it be to track down one grad student at a convention? He had her name. And though she’d refused his offer to share a meal, he couldn’t believe she would walk past him without speaking. Somehow, he would find her.
Almost fifteen minutes had passed by the time every passenger had exited the plane and Layla came back with a compact transfer wheelchair. He lowered himself into it, irritated at the necessity of allowing her to push him out and onto the passenger boarding bridge. His personal wheelchair was waiting on the jetway.
“Turns out I’m free, since all the flights are cancelled,” Layla said. “Thought you might want to go for a drink.”
“Thanks for offering, but I can’t. My friend is waiting for me.”
“Your friend?” Her tone was sarcastic. “Do you mean the Faye Fortune girl? I think you can do better.”
“I wasn’t referring to her.” He schooled himself to keep his temper. Why was this woman still pursuing him with such aggression when he hadn’t encouraged her? Even after observing him moving his legs around like dead weights? She appeared to be jealous of Carly. Perhaps she was simply the type who wanted any man, as long as another woman seemed to find him desirable. “I’m staying at my friend’s house. He’s a business acquaintance.”
“Oh...”
With that information, she would hopefully lose interest. He hoisted himself to his chair and fastened the straps below his knees. Then he attached the bracing belt across his upper thighs and pumped the chair to a standing position.
Layla handed him his briefcase. “Can I give you my number in case you change your mind?”
If it would make her happy, why not? He unlocked his phone and handed it to her, fully intending to erase her contact when he made it to Bran’s house.
Beaming, she punched her number in and handed it back. “I sent myself a text, so I have yours, too.”
Several expletives came to mind, but he pressed his lips together, keeping them in.
She retrieved her phone and looked at him expectantly. “What’s your name?”
“It’s Liam.” He rubbed his temples, sensing a headache coming on. “But I’m here for business, Layla. I’m afraid you’re wasting your time with me.”
“It can’t hurt to ask.”
He heard the hint of sadness in her bright tone and wondered what hurts were behind it. But he didn’t have the capacity in his life to give her the support she needed.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Layla. I’m sure you can find a guy with a lot less baggage.”
“I always pick the wrong guys.” She laughed like she was making a joke. “But you have kind eyes. I’d like to be with a nice guy, for once. It’s hard being alone.”
“Better to be alone than with a guy who doesn’t treat you well. There are plenty of nice guys out there. Hold out for one.”
“Sure.” Her voice sagged with defeat. “Call me if you get bored. I’ll probably be here the next forty-eight hours.”
Shoulders slumped, she walked down the airbridge, rolling her compact suitcase behind her. He had a feeling she would pick up the first guy who paid her any attention.
With his briefcase secured, he rolled off the jetway and into the airport. Though there was no activity at the departure gates, a number of passengers appeared to be setting up camp for the night. Outside, the airport lights glowed in a whiteout of blowing snow.
By the time Liam made it to the baggage claim area, his was almost the only suitcase left on the belt. He maneuvered to retrieve it and attached it to the luggage hook on his chair. Then he rolled toward the elevator, heading up to the level that exited to the parking garage.
He was almost out the airport door when he heard a female voice call his name. “Liam! Wait!”
His heart somersaulted inside his ribcage as he twisted to look over his shoulder. “Carly?”
She ran and caught up with him, breathless. Tears streaked her face, black smudges under her eyes.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
“They don’t have a car for me! I reserved it weeks ago, but they gave it away. And I can’t get another one. And there aren’t any hotel rooms open, because no one can fly out.” She wiped her face on her sleeve. “So I thought maybe you could ask your friend if—”
“Of course, you can stay at Bran’s place. His house is huge. It’s an estate.” Adrenaline flooded him. He had another chance.
“Oh, thank you!” Her arms flew out like she was going to hug him, then jerked back. “Sorry. I could’ve hurt you. I was so stressed I wasn’t thinking.”
“You can’t hurt me.” Liam reached out and caught her hand, tugging her back. “I think you need a hug right now, and my arms still work.”
“Thank you so much.” She relaxed against him, in all her softness. “I did need this.”
He moved his hands on her back in soothing strokes, eternally grateful that he’d chosen his most streamlined chair for this trip. Only the padded strap below his hips came between them. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
“I was so looking forward to this trip, and it’s all ruined.” She pulled away and wiped her face with both hands like she was disgusted with her tears. “I don’t usually cry like this. I mean, I hardly ever do. I’m always in control.”
“We all have a breaking point.” He patted her shoulder, thinking he preferred when she was weeping in his arms. “Yours is when your fall-colors tour turns into sleeping on the floor of the airport during a blizzard.”
Her lips made a shaky smile that tugged on something inside his chest. “What’s yours?”
He thought for a moment. Determined to let nothing get him down, he always pushed himself hard. He rarely allowed himself to break. But what frustrated him the most was when he was forced to admit his limitations.
