She obliged him, though she was sorely tempted to tell him how foolish it was to indulge in a cab for the few blocks to her building. It was better if she didn’t talk, she realized. Not only did it hurt, but she was also afraid her voice would begin to shake as much as her body wanted to.

She’d be alone in a few minutes, she reminded herself. Then she’d be able to indulge in a nice bout of trembling and weeping if she wanted to. But not in front of Zack. Not in front of anybody.

With a drunk’s exaggerated care, she stepped out of the cab and onto the sidewalk. Mild shock, she deduced. It would pass. She’d make it pass.

“Thanks,” she began. “I’m sorry…”

“I’m taking you up.”

“Look, I’ve already ruined your morning. It isn’t necessary to—” But he was already half carrying her to the door.

“Didn’t I tell you to shut up?” He pulled open her briefcase to look for her keys himself. White-hot rage had his fingers fumbling. Didn’t she know how pale she was? Couldn’t she understand what it did to him inside to hear the way her voice rasped?

He pulled her through the door, into the elevator, and jabbed his finger on the button.

“I don’t know what you’re so mad about,” she muttered, wincing a little as she swallowed. “You lost a couple of hours, sure, but do you know what I paid for this suit? And I’ve only worn it twice.” Tears sprang to her eyes, and she blinked them back furiously as he dragged her down the hall to her apartment. “A PD’s salary isn’t exactly princely.” She rubbed ice-cold hands together as he unlocked her door. “I had to eat yogurt for a month to afford it, even on sale. And I don’t even like yogurt.”

The first tear spilled out. She dashed it away as she walked inside. “Even if I could get it cleaned, I wouldn’t be able to wear it after—” She broke off and made an enormous effort to pull herself back. She was babbling about a suit, for God’s sake. Maybe she was losing her mind.

“Okay.” She let out what she thought was a slow, careful breath. It hitched a sit came out. “You got me home. I appreciate it. Now go away.”

He merely tossed her briefcase aside, then tugged the coat from her shoulders. “Sit down, Rachel.”

“I don’t want to sit down.” Another tear. It was too late to stop it. “What I want is to be alone.” When her voice broke, she pressed her hands to her face. “Oh, God, leave me alone.”