Great. Not only had he failed by not being able to go in, but he had actually helped Sajan score points. Not that this was a game.

“Daniel, are you okay?” Annika narrowed her eyes at him.

He flicked his gaze away from where Sajan was observing him with obvious concern, and Annika’s father had his lips pursed in righteous disappointment. He focused on the woman he loved. Whom he had just let down.

“I missed it, didn’t I?”

She nodded and shrugged, her focus never leaving him. Her brow was furrowed and her mouth pursed as she darted her eyes over him, trying to see what was broken.

“So, no. I’m not okay.” He turned his full attention on her. Forget the observers. “I’m sorry—I had every intention of doing this for you. But I got here, and that damn lavender—”

She shook her head. “No, Daniel, I’m the one who should be sorry, pushing you to do this when you weren’t ready. Coming back here—” she waved her hand “—would challenge anyone in your position. I’m really sorry.”

He had been utterly convinced that he would be able to go into that building. That his love for Annika would give him what he needed to take those steps.

“Everything okay, Daniel?” Sajan was genuinely concerned. He stepped closer. “Need anything?”

“What is going on?” Annika’s father called out. He had remained a respectful distance away, presumably allowing Daniel some privacy.

Sajan turned to Mr. Mehta. “Uncle, this is where—”

“Nothing!” Daniel interrupted Sajan, staring the other man in the eye. “Nothing is going on.” He wouldn’t have his story blurted out in front of Annika’s father for the sake of an excuse, or—God forbid—sympathy.

For his part, Sajan stopped talking, but he appeared supremely confused. He nodded at Daniel; he wouldn’t tell his secret. But his face went blank when he saw Annika’s hand on Daniel’s arm. It was an intimate gesture, no doubt about it.

Sajan looked up at Daniel, a look on his face that Daniel had never seen in the good doctor. Anger? Jealousy? No need for him to worry. Daniel’s heart felt like lead as the realization hit him. He’d be gone soon enough. There was no way Annika would keep him now. He’d never measure up, and she would always wonder if she wouldn’t have been better off with Sajan.

Today was proof.

Annika’s father stepped closer to Daniel. “Are you ill?” He said it with such genuine concern that Daniel almost didn’t recognize the older man’s voice. “Is that why you didn’t come in?”

Mr. Mehta turned to Sajan. “Does he look pale to you?”