“I don’t think it’s healthy that you are letting your work control you,” Paul said. Finally he raised his coal-black eyes to hers. “Life’s too short for that.”

“Now that’s hardly a fair thing to say,” Laurie responded. “The real reason we went to Paris last weekend was for your work, not that we didn’t enjoy ourselves when you were free. I’m assuming the same situation holds for Budapest. I mean, the reason you’re going there is for business. In other words, you’re working on weekends, so why is it so different if I have to do the same?”

“It’s different,” Paul said.

“Really?” Laurie questioned. “I fail to see how it’s different.”

Paul stared back at Laurie. His face had reddened.

“As far as I can see the only way it’s different is that I can’t work in Budapest.”

“There are other differences than that,” Paul snapped.

“Give me some examples!” Laurie said.

Paul sighed and shook his head. “It’s not important.”

“But it must be, otherwise you wouldn’t be upset.”

“I’m upset because you’re not willing to go.”

“It’s not that I wouldn’t like to,” Laurie explained. “You do understand that point, don’t you?”

“I suppose,” Paul said unconvincingly.

“What kind of work do you do anyway?” Laurie asked. She could remember Jack asking the same question the night before. She truly had no idea, and until then it had never occurred to her to ask. She’d always thought he’d just tell her when it was relevant. Having dated so many men who could talk only about their business, she’d found Paul a relief. Yet she was beginning to feel that it was strange that she had no idea what field he was in.

“Does it matter?” Paul questioned contentiously.

“No, it doesn’t,” Laurie said. She could tell she’d hurt his feelings by suggesting it did. “And I don’t think this should be an argument.”

“You’re right,” Paul said. “I’m sorry for reacting the way I have. The problem is, I don’t have a choice about this trip. I have to go, and frankly it’s lonely. With you along it would actually be a pleasure.”

“Thank you for saying that,” Laurie said. “And I’m grateful for your asking me. It’s just that I can’t go away every weekend. And we have gone away three weekends in a row.”

“I understand,” Paul said. He smiled weakly.

Laurie looked into his eyes. She wondered if he was being sincere.