Close Call Read Free Page B

beyond, some with flowering fruit trees, some with manicured grass, some with ivy-covered walls and bird feeders, all small. Honeysuckle sweetness drifted from a hidden corner; Sydney found it comforting.
    â€œI know. I heard you. I mean, did they say anything like, ‘It was the brilliance of Dr. Nygaard’s recent journal article and the enthusiastic endorsements of his colleagues that convinced us to award him this grant’?” Excitement for him sped up her words and she finished with a bounce.
    He turned to face her, a half smile on his lips. “Something like that. But did you hear me, Syd? I’m going to Indonesia.” He rolled the champagne flute between his palms.
    She knit her brows. “I heard, honey. I’m thrilled for you.” She reached out a hand, but he stayed where he was.
    â€œA little too thrilled, I’d say.”
    The words hung between them. Her hand dropped.
    She swung her feet down and padded barefoot to where he leaned back against the railing. “What is it, Jason?” She searched his face.
    â€œI guess I was hoping for something more along the lines of ‘Don’t go, Jason. I’ll miss you, Jason.’”
    â€œI didn’t want to be selfish. Don’t go, Jason. Stay.” Her stomach lurched in a way that had nothing to do with hunger. “I’d miss you dreadfully.”
    â€œEnough to go with me?” He put his hands on her shoulders, met her gaze squarely.
    His offer stole her breath. She opened her mouth but no words came out. She swallowed. “To Indonesia?”
    â€œYes, to Indonesia,” he said, his green eyes blazing with excitement. “There’re bound to be women there who need your kind of help. You could start up an Indonesian branch of Winning Ways, put them on the path to training, jobs, careers … ”
    â€œHow would I get funding? Wait.” She held up a hand, pulling back. Jason’s hands fell to his sides. Going to Indonesia would mean leaving Winning Ways, the nonprofit she’d worked so hard to build; leaving the women who depended on her. It would mean leaving Connie, leaving her house. She loved Jason, but Indonesia! Sydney’s breaths came fast and dizziness made her clutch at the railing. “I can’t go.”
    â€œYou mean you won’t.”
    â€œI can’t. I have responsibilities here.”
    â€œNow that your dad’s passed, you don’t need to stay in the area for him anymore. Your mom’s doing fine. You can—”
    â€œIt’s only for a year,” she said desperately. “We can write, call, every day. I’ll be here when you get back. Military families do it all the time.”
    â€œBut we’re not a family, are we, Syd?” His tone was bleak. “I can tell it’s all you can do to put up with me staying here for a couple of weeks.”
    â€œNo! Maybe at first. Jason—” Memories of her momentary irritation in the deli overwhelmed her with guilt. She almost missed his next words.
    â€œIf you won’t come with me, it’s over.”
    The ultimatum darkened the space between them as the sun set and shadows overtook the garden, swarming the balcony. Pinpricks of light flashed at grass-level. Sydney barely noticed the fireflies as confusion and hurt swamped her.
    â€œThat’s not fair.”
    â€œIt can’t always be about ‘fair.’” Jason reached out a hand and tucked an auburn strand of hair behind her ear. “You caught some raw breaks, Syd. Manley was a sexual predator—”
    â€œI was eighteen the first time we—”
    â€œDon’t defend him!”
    â€œHe’s—” She’d meant to tell him George had died, but Jason stopped her with a sharp headshake.
    â€œAnd Dirk was an asshole. But I’m not, damn it. Don’t tar me with the same brush as them.”
    â€œI’m not! I don’t want to break up with