FRAGILE: A Billionaire Romance (Part Two) by Kimberly Malone Page B

but then other times my headache keeps me up. Plus I really, really do feel bad about my outburst.”
                  There’s a knock on the door. “Come in,” Eli says, sounding unsurprised.
                  I glance over my shoulder to see a man step in, dressed in a black suit. He looks kind of like a surfer with dark blonde hair with sun streaks and tanned skin, though I add a few years to his age as I note some wrinkles in his face. He smiles at Eli and me.
                  “Mr. Lambton,” Eli says, “this is Miss Jennings. Miss Jennings, this is my lawyer, Mr. Lambton.”
                  “Miss Jennings?” Mr. Lambton’s smile fades a little before plastering into place, his posture stiffening. He glances at Eli. “I’m surprised.” His voice is higher than I had expected, but crisp at the edges.
                  “Miss Jennings came to apologize,” Eli says. He gestures to the letter and pin on his desk.
                  “Ah.” Mr. Lambton’s eyes take me in before he holds out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Jennings.” His voice has a slight hint of sarcasm to it.
                  “You too,” I say.
                  “Should I reschedule my appointment?” Mr. Lambton asks.
                  “No, I can leave,” I say. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”
                  Mr. Lambton gives a snort, but Eli ignores him.
    “Thank you for coming, Miss Jennings,” Eli says. He gives me a small but kind, sincere smile, and I return it.
                  I had messed up, for sure, but it looked like things were going to be okay between Eli and I. Maybe, once I was feeling better and recovered, things would even be great again. “Thanks for letting me apologize to everyone, and for your time, Mr. Richardson,” I say. “And thank you, again, for being understanding.”
                  “You’re welcome,” Eli says.
    I stand up, gathering my stuff, and stumble to the side. I feel off balance, and I blink a few times, as I right myself before reaching out for Eli’s hand.
                  Eli frowns a little. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
                  “I’m fine,” I say. When our hands clasp, I realize I’m shaking, and I feel weak. I had thought earlier it was because of nerves, and then later because of desire for Eli and relief that our relationship was going to continue, but now I’m not so sure. “Maybe I didn’t eat enough this morning or something.”
                  “Do you want something to eat?” Eli asks. He walks around his desk and stands beside me.
                  “I’ll just grab something from the café down the street,” I say. I turn to face Mr. Lambton, but the entire room spins.
                  “Careful!” Eli says. I can feel his strong arms around me, and I squint my eyes, trying to straighten out in my head what I’m looking at. “Miss Jennings? Mr. Lambton, please get Kim on the line for me.”
                  “It’s probably just a ruse, Mr. Richardson,” Mr. Lambton says quietly.
                  “Please, Mr. Lambton,” Eli says.
                  I finally see that I’m facing the door, leaning over. Eli is holding me up, and I manage to get my legs under me. “Eli, I don’t feel good,” I whisper. My headache is so bad now it feels like my head is screaming at me. I hold a hand to my forehead and find that my face is wet; tears are dripping down my cheeks involuntarily.
                  “Kim? It’s Mr. Lambton. Miss Jennings seems to be having a hunger spell,” Mr. Lambton drawls from somewhere nearby. “Could you send for some food?”
                  My legs give out, and Eli sets me on the floor. “Call an ambulance,” Eli says.