Page 130 of Blue Gold

“What is it?”

“T-there was this man who followed me here one time.”

“What?”

The elevator doors opened, but not about to move, we stayed put, and they closed again.

“It might be nothing, really. But this one time I went for a run, there was this man in the park… He looked odd, and later, I saw him on our street, too. But it could have been just a coincidence, right?”

Placing both hands on his shoulders, I squeezed him tight. “When did this happen?”

Looking aside, Elliot shook his head. “I-I don’t know, a week? No, two weeks ago?”

Swearing, I let go of him.

He reached forward to touch my arm. “Daniel⁠—”

“Why are you only telling me now?” I hissed.

Elliot looked anywhere but at me. “I don’t know. I thought it was nothing, and I didn’t want to make a problem.” His words were all jumbled together as if he didn’t speak French. “I was worried you’d get scared!”

My temper spiked at that last thing, and I glared at him. Suddenly, I had to get out of this elevator.

“Daniel, please, I’m sorry,” he begged as I pushed the button to reopen the doors.

“Come here.” I wrapped my hand around his waist to help him walk out. But he was slow, and I wanted to get inside our condo fast, so⁠—

“What are you—I don’t like to be picked up!” he protested, but I ignored him and moved toward our door. “Daniel, please, put me down.”

“Just hold on.”

“I don’t like to be treated like a girl.” He slapped my shoulder.

“Stop whining⁠—”

“Put me down! Put me down, now!” he shouted, and I realized I’d completely blanked out for a moment.

Scared I’d ignored him so bluntly, I let him down abruptly and moved to open our door while my back faced him. Only like a klutz, my fingers trembled, and I struggled with the keys.

“You’re mad at me,” Elliot said, not helping the situation.

“I’m not— Shit,” I hissed when I dropped the damn keys.

“Daniel.”

Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and pressed my fist to the door. “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at the situation.” Bending down, I picked up the keys and rustled them in my hand. “I’m mad about you not trusting me to tell me things.” Pushing the key into the keyhole, I turned it until a click was heard, then opened the door. But before stepping inside, I turned to look at Elliot. “We can’t go on like that, with you not trusting me. So before we do, is there anything else I need to know?”

Chewing on his bottom lip, his stare dipped to the floor, and it took him a few seconds before he shook his head.

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

He looked up, and our eyes met.

“Yes.”

“Good.”