“I’m sorry, Dr. Abbott. See you tomorrow?”

“Bright and early.”

When Jessica rang off, Erin shrugged and examined the low-heeled brown pumps. Thank heavens for sensible shoe wear, she thought resignedly. She started walking in the direction of home. Perhaps, if she didn’t melt first, she’d luck upon a taxi. Erin crossed Conti and wound her way between drunken college students and wide-eyed tourists.

A long shadow fell into step beside her. She didn’t bother to look up.

“This could qualify as stalking, Mr. Moss,” she muttered wearily as she shifted to put the width of the sidewalk between them.

Gabriel simply followed. “Why are you always running from me, Erin?”

Erin lengthened her stride, knowing it was no match for the long legs of the man beside her. If he caught up with her, she’d never escape. “Because I don’t want to be near you.”

“Ouch.” Gabriel rubbed at his chest, not quite joking. “Direct hit.” He slowed his pace, hanging back to watch her walk. She moved quickly, almost at a run. Despite her diminutive height, her pace ate the ground in quick flashes of motion. Questions, which multiplied each time he was with her, demanded answers. Was she chasing something or running away from someone? The answer seemed essential, almost vital. Before he could ask, though, he’d have to make her stand still. “Erin.” He lengthened his stride to catch up. “Wait. Please.”

“Go away.”

“Can’t.”

“Won’t,” Erin contradicted.

“Okay, won’t.”

Abruptly, Erin stopped and spun toward him. “You don’t know me. I don’t know you. I don’t like you. Why won’t you leave it that way?”

“Because I want to get to know you. I get the feeling not many people ever do.”

“I obviously prefer it, Mr. Moss.”

“I wonder why that is.” He held up his hands in a gesture of nonaggression. “I love puzzles, Erin. Can’t get enough of them. For instance, you don’t strike me as the shy, retiring type, despite your disguise. And despite wanting to dislike me, you keep talking to me. I’m not imagining things.”

Damn him, he was right, she thought, staring at the pavement. She wasn’t shy or timid. She was methodical, conscientious, and deliberate. She weighed consequences, took careful actions. Having friends was dangerous; therefore, she didn’t have them. Sebastian was the only exception, because he’d known her before.

“Tell me what you’re thinking, Erin.”

Erin looked up and into eyes that glinted silver. In sharp contrast to his voice, Gabriel’s look was anything but friendly. It was stubborn. Relentless. It was a look she recognized. Firmly, she folded her arms in a posture of defiance.