Resignation by Missy Jane Page A

someone on from the third floor. She
kept her eyes downcast as she fought to control her thoughts.
    “Darina? Sweetheart, are you all right?”
    Her breath caught in her throat as the familiar voice washed
over her. Months had passed since he’d spoken such an endearment, but she knew
Marc’s voice as well as her own. It wasn’t a deep, sexy timbre like Sol’s, but
it held a hint of concern that threw her off guard. She dropped her hands and
looked up to find Marc studying her. She cleared her throat and straightened
her shoulders.
    “I’m fine, Marc.”
    “You don’t look fine. What’s wrong, sweetheart? You know you
can still tell me anything.”
    You’ve got to be kidding me.
    She looked at him and hoped her face conveyed her
astonishment at that ridiculous statement. She’d successfully avoided him all
week. Were a few more minutes too much to ask?
    “I said I’m fine, Marc. And even if I’m not, my state of
being is no longer any of your concern.”
    He looked surprised by the venom in her voice and even took
a step back.
    “I’m sorry. I can’t help it if I haven’t forgotten our two years
together. I still care about you.”
    She snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. Right.
    “Funny how you show it. Humiliating me in front of all our
coworkers and parading around with the boss’s daughter. Tell me something, did
you already have her ring picked out while you were still whispering promises
in my ear?”
    He blushed a deep crimson and telltale signs of anger crept
over his normally calm façade. His fists balled at his sides and he moved as if
to take a step in her direction. Suddenly a hand slapped down on his shoulder,
pinning him in place.
    “Mr. Powell, Miss Wellington is looking for you. She’s been
waiting in the foyer for nearly fifteen minutes.”
    Marc froze and Darina watched his anger turn into annoyance.
She couldn’t believe Sol had actually put his hands on Marc. He had to know
what a chance he was taking with his job. Sol dropped his hand but didn’t back
away until Marc turned around. She couldn’t see their faces, but it took a
moment for both men to step off the elevator. She walked out briskly and headed
straight for the security desk to turn in her temporary badge, somehow making
it despite her trembling knees. Heather stood there watching the scene unfold
with a frown on her face. It was obvious Darina and Marc had vacated the same elevator.
Darina wondered how long the doors had stood open as she remained distracted by
Marc’s misplaced concern. She hadn’t even felt it move from the third floor.
    “Marc? Marc, darling, is everything all right?”
    Darina ignored Heather as best she could while signing out
on the security log. A warm presence at her back and Sol’s masculine scent
calmed her racing pulse.
    “Are you okay? Did he touch you?”
    The anger in his question sent chills down her spine.
Luckily his voice was low enough to reach no farther than her ears. She
suppressed the urge to shiver as she turned to face him.
    “No, he didn’t. I’m fine,” she whispered.
    From the corner of her eye she noticed Heather fussing at
Marc, her anger still coming across despite her hushed voice. Marc looked over
at Darina and Heather grabbed his arm. Sol took a step closer, blocking her
view of them.
    “Darina? Darina, is that guard bothering you?” Both Sol and
Darina turned to scowl at Marc. He was walking toward them, despite Heather
holding on to his arm in an attempt to pull him away. “You there, what’s your
name? You had no business on that elevator. I want to know your and your
supervisor’s name right now.”
    Darina’s eyes widened and she reflexively put her hand on
Sol’s arm. The look on Marc’s face instantly told her the move was a mistake.
Jealousy and anger flashed in his gaze and it completely threw her off guard.
    “Sol, perhaps you should go back behind the desk—”
    “No, Darina. It’s all right. I did nothing wrong.”
    “What the