M changed out of her evening gown, took a quick shower, and slipped into somethingfortable for home.
She tucked her child in for the night before heading to the study. Only after gently knocking and hearing Forrest''s calm, steady voice from inside did she open the door and step in.
Forrest looked up, surprised to see her. "You''re still up?"
"There''s something I wanted to ask you."
M sat down on the sofa. Forrest stood from behind his desk and came around to join her, leaving a polite distance between them. His tone was gentle. "What''s on your mind?"
M hesitated, thinking back to the end of the party when she''d run into Rnd. He''d brought up Miranda, and though she''d brushed off his questions, something about it had left her uneasy.
Choosing her words, she asked, "Do you... know Rnd well?"
Forrest was caught off guard by the question. After a brief pause, he nodded. "We''ve been friends for years, so I''d say I know him pretty well. Why do you ask?"
M bit her lip. “Is he... the type who ys around? I mean, does he have a reputation for being a womanizer?"
She finally voiced her concern. Thest thing she wanted was for Miranda to get hurt by a man who couldn''t be trusted.
Forrest looked genuinely surprised by her seriousness. He thought for a moment before answering, "All I know is that he dated a few women when he was abroad. The breakups were all amicable. But I honestly don''t know much about his private life... Why are you asking about him all of a sudden?"
"Oh, it''s nothing. I was just curious," M replied quickly, steering the conversation away before it got too close to her best friend''s secrets.
"Actually, what I really wanted to ask was about the ns for going overseas. Miranda called earlier and said things with the Lockwood family are wrapping up, yourpany''s about to go public, and the partnership with the Lockwoods is locked in. So things are looking pretty stable now, right?"
At this, Forrest adjusted his sses and smiled. "More or less. There are still a few issues to work out, though."
"What kind of issues?" M''s anxiety spiked.
"Don''t worry," Forrest reassured her. "You know Montgomery Holdings is working closely with United Lines, and I''ve already asked some friends to check things out. Your name''s being monitored, so I figured it''s best to avoid drawing attention. I''m actually in the middle of negotiating a project with the Federal Security Bureau. If I can get approval to integrate the CN algorithm into their system, I''ll have the authority to request certain resources."
He paused, then continued, "That means I can arrange for you to leave the country discreetly, using federal channels. We''d bypass United Lines entirely and set up a private jet to get you out."
M''s eyes lit up. "Are you serious?"
Forrest nodded, smiling. "Absolutely. Besides, you still need to wait a few days for your paperwork-new passport, visa, all that. By the time everything''s ready on your end, my project with the Bureau should be finalized too."
Hearing these concrete ns, M finally felt a weight lift off her shoulders. This route was far more secure than anything she''d considered.
Ovee with gratitude, she impulsively reached out and grabbed Forrest''s hand, her voice warm with emotion. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I''ll never forget what you''ve done."
For someone as self-sufficient as Forrest, she had no idea how she could ever repay him. But she would remember this kindness, and if the chance ever came, she''d find a way.
At her touch, Forrest''s hand trembled almost imperceptibly. Behind his sses, his eyes softened with an unreadable emotion, and he let out a quietugh.
"Mimi, if you keep thanking me like this, I''m going to start feeling hurt."
M froze, suddenly realizing her forwardness. She quickly let go of his hand and shifted away, her eyes darting awkwardly around the room, unsure where to look.
Forrest nced at his now-empty hand, then unexpectedly closed the space between them a little more. His gaze lingered on her, serious now.
"Mimi, after you leave... will youe back?"