Chapter 4

I answered like someone grabbing a lifeline, but before I could speak, Derek's hurried voice filled my ear.

"Laurel, Sophie twisted her ankle on the way down. She can barely stand. We're heading straight back to the lodge. Get down the mountain as quickly as you can, and be careful."

He hung up.

I sat there staring at my phone, so stunned I almost stopped feeling the pain in my knee.

Gritting my teeth, I struggled to my feet. I limped down the mountain, stopping every few steps. I couldn't have said how long it took to reach the lodge.

When I opened the door, warmth and laughter washed over me.

My colleagues were gathered around the couches. Sophie had stretched her injured leg across Derek's lap, and he was gently massaging her ankle with his head bowed.

A colleague in the middle of a party game was bent over with one hand on his nose, spinning in circles. The instant he stopped, he happened to point straight at me.

Every eye turned my way.

Silence. Then the room erupted in laughter.

"We're playing a game," Sophie said with a giggle. "Whoever gets pointed at has to bark like a dog! We were just wondering who'd be unlucky enough to get picked, and then you walked in. Fate really does have a sense of humor, doesn't it, Laurel?"

Derek looked up. His gaze caught the blood caked on my pant leg, and his eyes widened.

"What happened to you?"

I didn't answer. I merely looked at him, feeling nothing.

Sophie noticed his concern, and resentment flashed across her face.

"Come on, Laurel. Don't just stand there. You have to be a good sport. You kept everyone waiting, after all. A little penalty isn't too much to ask."

"Knock it off," Derek said, frowning at her.

Sophie pouted. "It's only a game. If she can't loosen up enough to bark once, how is she supposed to survive in the business world?"

A wave of fury swept through me.

I walked straight up to Sophie. Before anyone could react, I slapped her hard across the face.

Her head snapped to the side, and her cheek turned red.

The room went dead silent.

"If you enjoy barking so much," I said distinctly, "save it for yourself."

"Laurel!" Derek's expression darkened.

I didn't look at him. I turned and walked out.

He started after me, but Sophie burst into tears. In the end, he stopped to comfort her instead.

I went home, wrote my resignation letter, and took a cab to the airport.

I was almost ready to board when Derek called.

"Laurel, where are you?" For once, he sounded genuinely nervous. "Something's happened. Headquarters sent an audit team without warning. They found a major data error in a project Sophie handled. They're planning to fire her."

"What does that have to do with me?" I asked calmly. "I've resigned."

"Laurie, please listen." His voice dropped into an almost pleading tone. "I know this isn't fair to you, but Sophie can't afford to lose this job.

"Since you're leaving anyway, why don't you take responsibility for the mistake? It won't affect you. You wouldn't even have to work anymore. I'll support you. How about that?"

I gave a disbelieving laugh. "Derek, have you lost your mind?"

"Please, Laurie. I'm begging you." He hesitated, then rushed on. "If you agree to cover for her, we'll get married. Right away."

My heart jolted.

Marriage. The word I'd waited eight years to hear.

I'd imagined a thousand romantic proposals. Never once had I imagined he'd offer to marry me as payment for taking the fall for Sophie.

I laughed bitterly. "No, thanks. We're breaking up."

Derek went still.

A boarding announcement sounded through the terminal. He heard it through the phone, and his breath caught.

"Where are you?" he asked, his voice shaking.

"I'm leaving," I said.