“Ms. Harris, you were publicly humiliated by Mr. Stone today because of Liz Smith. Don’t you want to get back at her?”


    Victoria’s expression darkened. She lifted her chin, her gaze sharp with arrogance. “<b>If </b><b>I </b>want to deal with someone, I don’t need anyone else’s help. And who exactly do you think you are to talk to me about teaming up?”


    Xena didn’t show the slightest hint of irritation. Her smile remained in ce. “Ms. Harris, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. And I probably know Liz better than you do. I know exactly how to bring her down.”


    “Then why are you here talking to me? Why not go after her yourself?”


    “Because I don’t have your resources. There are things I can’t do on my own. That’s why I came to you.”


    Victoria let out a coldugh. “So you’re admitting you’re useless? Why would I partner with someone useless?”


    She walked past Xena without another word. She had only taken a few steps when Xena’s voice stopped her.


    “What if I told you I could help you end up with Mr. Stone?”


    Victoria turned back, one brow arched. “If you really have the ability to make that happen, then I’ll help you go after Liz.”


    Monday arrived quickly. Liz was up by seven.


    After getting ready, she stepped outside and spotted a familiar ck G–Wagon parked nearby.


    If she wasn’t mistaken, that was William’s car. But what’s he doing here so early?” she wondered.


    Surprised, she walked over. Just as she was about to knock on the window, the front passenger side lowered,


    “Get in. I’ll take you to work.”


    Liz instinctively shook her head. “That’s not necessary, Mr. Stone. I’d hate to trouble you.”


    “Just get in. I’m blocking other cars.”


    Biting her lip, she opened the door and slid into the seat.


    As soon as she sat down, he handed her a paper bag. “I passed a cafe on the way. Got you


    some croissants and coffee.”


    Caught off guard, Liz epted it with both hands. “Thank you. Mr. Stone, you really didn’t have to.”


    Before she could finish, he leaned toward her.


    The


    space


    between them disappeared, and the clean<b>, </b>cool scent of mint surrounded her.


    Her eyes widened. She forgot to breathe.


    William’s hand moved toward her left cheek. In a fluster, she turned her head, ready to speak–only to realize his hand had gone past her face and was reaching for the seatbelt behind her.


    Liz sat frozen.


    A momentter, the sharp click of the buckle broke the silence, and he leaned back, taking the scent of mint with him.


    She wanted to sink into the seat and disappear. For one ridiculous second, she had actually thought he was going to touch her face.


    Once sheposed herself, she nced at him as he started the engine. “Mr. Stone, next time you can just tell me. I can buckle it myself.“”


    “Sorry. I noticed you were holding the coffee in one hand and the croissants in the other, so I thought it would be easier. If it made you ufortable, I’ll keep that in mind.”


    His tone was sincere, even apologetic, which made her feel a twinge of guilt.


    “It didn’t make me ufortable. I just prefer to do that kind of thing myself.”


    “Understood.”


    After a pause, she added, “By the way, you really don’t have to drive me to work. My car should be repaired in about a week. I can take the subway until then.”


    They stopped at a red light, and William nced at her. “I’m headed to the hospital anyway. It’s right along this route. It’s really no trouble. And your car might take longer than a week to fix.”