And maybe, after enough of those years passed, he could look at it and think of her kindly.

“Your nephew’s going to be thrilled,” the clerk informed her, giddy as she rang up the purchases. “These are quality supplies.”

“He’s very talented.” Distracted, Sybill began to nibble on her thumbnail, a habit she’d broken years before. “You’ll pack everything carefully and box it?”

“Of course. Janice! Would you come over and give me a hand? Are you from the area?” she asked Sybill.

“No, no, I’m not. A friend recommended your store.”

“We very much appreciate it. Janice, we need to pack and box these supplies.”

“Do you gift-wrap?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, we don’t. But there’s a stationery store in this center. They have a lovely selection of gift wrap and ribbon and cards.”

Oh, God, was all Sybill could think. What kind of paper did one choose for an eleven-year-old boy? Ribbon? Did boys want ribbons and bows?

“That comes to five hundred eighty-three dollars and sixty-nine cents.” The clerk beamed at her. “How would you like to pay for that?”

“Five—” Sybill caught herself. Obviously, she decided, she’d lost her mind. Nearly six hundred dollars for a child’s birthday? Oh, yes, she’d absolutely gone insane. “Do you take Visa?” she asked weakly.

“Absolutely.” Still beaming, the clerk held out her hand for the gold card.

“I wonder if you could tell me . . .” She blew out a breath as she took out her Filofax and flipped to the Q’s in the address book. “How to get to this address.”

“Sure, it’s practically around the corner.”

It would be, Sybill thought. If Phillip had lived several blocks away, she might have resisted.

• • •

IT WAS A mistake, she warned herself as she struggled back into the rain, fighting with two enormous shopping bags and an uncooperative umbrella. She had no business just dropping in on him.

He might not even be home. It was seven o’clock. He was probably out to dinner. She would be better off going back to her car and driving back to the Shore. The traffic was lighter now, if the rain wasn’t.

At least she should call first. But damn it, her cell phone was in her purse, and she only had two hands. It was dark and it was raining and she probably wouldn’t find his building anyway. If she didn’t locate it within five minutes, she would turn around and go back to the parking garage.

She found the tall, sleekly elegant building within three and despite a case of nerves, stepped gratefully into the warm, dry lobby.

It was quiet and classy, with ornamental trees in copper pots, polished wood, a few deep-cushioned chairs in neutral tones. The familiar elegance would have relieved her if she hadn’t felt like a wet rat invading a luxury liner.

She had to be crazy coming here like this. Hadn’t she told herself when she’d set out for Baltimore that day that she wouldn’t do this? She hadn’t told him about the appointment because she hadn’t wanted him to know she would be in Baltimore. He’d only try to persuade her to spend time with him.