His tone took on a hard edge that made my pulse quicken. "Either way, you'll hear me out."
I closed my eyes, understanding that I wasn't lucky enough to get away with a quick good-bye phone chat. "Fine. I'll come up."
"Thank you." He exhaled audibly. "I can't wait to see you."
I returned the receiver to its cradle and stared at the photos on my desk, trying to formulate what I needed to say and steeling myself for the impact of seeing James again.
The ferocity of my physical response to him was impossible to control. Somehow I'd have to get past it and take care of business.
Later, I'd think about having to see him in the building over the days, weeks, and months ahead. For the moment, I just had to focus on making it through lunch.
Yielding to the inevitable, I got back to work comparing the visual impact of some blow-in card samples.
"Emmy."
