Unlike their argument from last week, this time Marco hadn't intended to hurt her. But the more he went over the words he'd exchanged with Brady, and then when he recalled the expressions on her face when he'd told Brady it wasn't what he thought and when she'd turned to Marco to explain what was going on, the more he knew he had. And probably worse than last week.

For God's sake, they'd made love. Twice. And he could see every bit of her emotions when he'd looked into her eyes.

She'd loved him.

He knew how he felt, now more than ever.

Question was, after everything-after repeatedly fucking up, and then failing to man up in front of Brady-could she forgive him? And did she love him still?

Chapter Sixteen

Alyssa waved to Eric as he drove away. He'd turned into a great friend, picking her up on Marco's street yesterday morning and dropping her at her hotel, and then picking her up again this morning and bringing her to work several hours before their shifts started. She was going to miss him.

She stood in the parking lot behind Whiskey's and stared across at her car, the scene from Saturday night replaying in her head even though it was broad daylight. She turned and went indoors, about to act on a decision that would change everything.

Last night, as she'd lain in her hotel room mourning what might have been with Marco, the Washington Convention Center had called and offered her the event coordinator job. Starting in one week.

There was only one thing to do.

She went looking for Pete and finally found him in his office. Nerves fluttering in her chest, she rapped her knuckles against the door.

"Alyssa. Come on in, kid." He rose from his seat and gestured to the facing chair. "Please sit down. How are you doing?"

Alyssa managed a smile and sat. "I'm okay. But I have something I need to talk to you about."

"Of course." He returned to his chair. "First just let me say how sorry I am about the other night."

She waved her hand. "It wasn't your fault. But thank you."

He nodded. "What can I do for you?"

She placed on his desk the letter she'd written at the hotel's business center. "I've received another job offer and unfortunately it starts next Monday. I'll be moving to DC on Thursday. I'm very sorry to inconvenience you, and I'll work up to the last moment..."

He frowned, concern edging lines into his forehead. "Is this because of what happened?"

"Oh, no."

"Because I would understand if you don't feel safe here."

Alyssa bit her tongue to chase away the threatening tears. Why did she have to like everyone here so much? Funny, after being away at school for four years, she'd only been back to Frederick for three weeks and it already felt like home again.

Too bad she couldn't stay.

"I had applied for this other job months ago and only recently learned I was in the running. I never would've taken the job at Whiskey's if I thought another was just around the corner."

"I take it this other position pays more?"

Alyssa nodded, unease sinking in her stomach-the pay truly wasn't the reason behind her decision, odd as that was for her. She simply couldn't stay here and face Marco day in and day out, knowing he didn't want her. Not the way she wanted him. Distance would make things easier, would remove the temptation. At least that's what she was counting on.

"I'll offer you more money if that'll get you to change your mind."

Oh. She hadn't expected that at all. Her heart squeezed at the thought Pete was willing to fight for her.

At least someone is, her brain added unhelpfully. In her mind's eye, she saw Marco's blank expression when she'd hoped he'd tell Brady they were together.

Her breath caught as her eyes welled up again.

Pete came around the desk with a box of tissues. "Come, now. Tell me what's really going on."

Alyssa accepted the Kleenex and blotted her eyes.

He pulled out the chair next to her and sat.

She forced her emotions under control and blinked away the tears, refusing to let them fall. "I just like everyone here very much. I hate to leave all these new friendships." Her breath shuddered. "And I hate disappointing you."

"Don't worry about me. I've been around the block a time or two. I know how things work." He stared at her for a long moment, as if he knew there was more to her story but had decided not to pry. "I'll have your check ready first thing Thursday morning. You come by whenever you want."

"Okay. Thank you, Pete. And I truly am sorry I can't give you more notice."

"Good luck, kid." He shook her hand.

Alyssa drove back to her hotel knowing she had a million things to arrange before Thursday. She had a phone appointment with one of the other convention center staff members who was looking for roommates to share a townhouse, and Alyssa was hoping that would work out. If not, she'd need to contact a roommate-locator service. She probably ought to do some shopping for new work clothes before she left. And now that Brady was home, she should make time to see him, too.

Her mom had died. Her father had gone crazy. Brady and Marco had joined the army. Alyssa had never been the one to do the leaving before. Honestly, she didn't think things were any easier on this side.

With several to-do items crossed off her list, including the high likelihood the townhouse in DC would work out, she came to work Monday afternoon expecting an endless round of conversations where she had to explain why she was leaving, but Pete hadn't told anyone. Alyssa breathed a sigh of relief and decided to sit on the news for at least another day. Her emotions were too raw, too near the surface, and she didn't relish the thought of having to fight back tears every time she talked to someone. Another stroke of luck came her way when she found Jameson tending bar. She'd forgotten Marco was off that night but appreciated the temporary reprieve from having to face him.

Hearing from him was another matter, though. He'd called her phone at least a dozen times since she'd walked out Sunday morning and left six messages she hadn't yet listened to.

Sitting cross-legged in the middle of her hotel bed after work on Monday night, Alyssa finally braved playing the messages.

The first one was from right after she'd left. "Alyssa, where did you go? You didn't have your car and I can't find you. Please call me. I'm worried about you."

Alyssa's shoulders drooped. She skipped to the next one. "Hey, it's me. Please call me back. I really want to talk to you." Marco sighed, a long, troubled sound. "Alyssa, I'm sorry."

Not stopping to analyze that message, she played the third, this one from late last night. "Aly, do you remember me saying I had things I wanted to say? I'd still really like the chance to say them. I know I fucked up today. Please call me."