Xavier''s smile froze in ce, then he sighed and asked, "Is it because your failed marriage withn made you lose faith in marriage altogether?"


    Eleanor thought for a moment and shook her head. "It''s not that. Sure, my divorce left me pretty scarred, but right now all my energy is tied up in Evelyn and my career."


    She simply didn''t have the time or space for romance. Her career was just taking off, her daughter was still young. If she jumped into a rtionship on a whim, it would be irresponsible-not just to herself, but to everyone involved.


    "It''s alright, I can-" Xavier''s eyes softened, earnest and hopeful.


    "Don''t," Eleanor cut him off gently but firmly. "We''re good friends, Xavier. I don''t want to see you put your life on hold for me."


    Xavier looked at her, falling silent just as the waiter arrived with their food. He let out a long breath. "Let''s eat. Try the house special-you''re going to love it."


    Eleanor nodded, ncing at him. No matter how she phrased it, conversations like this always left a sting, and hurting someone was thest thing she wanted.


    Xavier didn''t bring up the subject again, turning the conversation instead to the food and his stories from deep-sea fishing trips in years past.


    Eleanor listened and smiled, letting the tension ebb away as they finished their meal.


    When they left the restaurant, Eleanor offered to drive Xavier to his office. She parked in front of the building and hopped out to open his door. He hesitated, lost in thought, and as he got out, his injured hand bumped against the doorframe. He winced, drawing in a sharp breath.


    Eleanor immediately reached out, steadying him. "Did you hurt yourself?"


    Xavier shook his head, brows drawn tight, but when he saw her hand on his, he held on, just for a moment, a silent hope lingering between them.


    Eleanor realized it and gently pulled away, taking a step back without thinking.


    Xavier''s heart gave a painful jolt, the ache in his chest sharper than the one in his


    arm.


    She studied his face, not understanding the sudden look of pain in his eyes.


    "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" she asked, worried.


    Xavier pressed a hand over his heart. "Some things, hospitals can''t fix."


    Eleanor paused, piecing it together he was hurt because she''d shied away from his touch.


    "Xavier..." Instinctively, she took another step back.


    He noticed, forcing a wry, bittersweet smile. "Eleanor, you don''t have to keep stepping away. I''m not going to push any further."


    Standing in the sunlight, she met his gaze, her heart twisting with guilt. "I''m sorry, Xavier."


    "I should be the one apologizing. I scared you," he said quietly, straightening his suit jacket. He''d rushed things, thinking maybe she''d feel the same, but all he''d managed was to push her further away.


    He stood tall, brushing off the moment. "I''ve got a meeting this afternoon. I''d better get upstairs."


    Eleanor nodded. "Okay."


    She watched him walk away, his shoulders heavy as he disappeared behind the ss doors. With a sigh, she got back in her car and headed for Meridian Dynamics.


    Over the next three days,n was conspicuously absent from several meetings. Friday came, bringing a small press event at Meridian Dynamics for their robotics project. Ian should have been there but was nowhere to be seen.


    Eleanor hadn''t thought much of it until, in the restroom, she overheard a couple of female colleagues talking in the next stall. "Has anyone noticed Mr. Goodwin hasn''t been to a meeting in ages? Do you think his cold got worse?"