Crystal repeated everything that had occurred that morning before, during, and after Mark’s parents’ visit. She was proud that she managed to get through it without choking on another wave of tears. “So, I guess, points to our mother for starting the downward spiral of my weekend and also planting the seeds in Mark’s head that I couldn’t handle any more drama in my life.”

“Crap.” Ella dropped her head back onto the sofa. They both had stared at the ceiling for a few moments before Ella said, “I don’t think he’s right in his decision, but I can understand him trying to protect you. I mean, what you described about the way his parents treated you sounds even worse than Mom. I can’t imagine how it would feel to have three people in my life who were always gunning for me. Look at how you and I text and call each other when Mom is on one of her rolls. Sometimes we spend hours a week trying to coordinate our efforts to avoid her until she calms down. How draining would it be to add two more people to that kind of toxic mix?”

“Trust me, Ells, I get that part,” she sighed. “Is it wrong that I wished he’d loved me enough to at least attempt to look for another answer other than walking away? I mean, we didn’t even try. He just made the decision and sent me on my way.”

“I wasn’t kidding when I said that Mark sounded bad when I talked to him. He might have thought he didn’t have any other choice, but he’s suffering as well.”

“Good.” Crystal smiled weakly before closing her eyes and resting against her sister’s shoulder. She was no happier about Mark’s misery than she was her own. She wasn’t sure what the answer was or even if there was one. The only thing she did know was that she was going to have to be stronger than she ever had before; otherwise, losing him would destroy her.

Chapter Twenty-one

“So, we’re back to running away again, huh?” Denny asked as he settled next to Mark on the company plane. “Plus, I know you’ve been dodging me for the last week.”

“How would that even be possible?” Mark asked out of curiosity, even though it was true. He had been avoiding being alone with the other man since his breakup with Crystal on Sunday.

Denny held up his hand and started ticking off his supporting evidence. “First, you’ve been driving yourself to the office every day. You never do that, so that’s a bit suspect. Second, you haven’t been answering your phone when I call—only replying to texts. Third, I’ve never known you to have so many meetings at other locations. People generally come to you, not the other way around. Fourth . . .”

“I get the picture,” Mark acknowledged dryly. “It’s nothing personal; I just haven’t been very good company this week. I did bring you on this trip, though, so it’s not a case of complete avoidance.”

Denny smirked. “I figure that’s mainly because you don’t want to make your own arrangements everywhere you go, but I’ll let it slide.”

Mark looked out the window of the plane as they taxied down the runway and started climbing. When they’d finally reached the correct altitude, he asked softly, “How is she?”

Denny didn’t bother to pretend he didn’t know to whom the question pertained. “She hasn’t called me for anything, but I’ve managed to catch sight of her a few times at the office. She’s been there every day, according to Lydia, but she looks about like you do.”

“Who’s Lydia?” Mark asked, thinking the name sounded familiar, but unable to place it.

Lifting a brow, Denny said, “Crystal’s boss—who, incidentally, I promised you’d put in a good word for her with Jacob in exchange for a little information.”

“Okay,” Mark said automatically, before frowning. “Why would I do that? Oh, never mind, I remember Angel mentioning that Jacob had helped a coworker out with a car problem, and she had been rather taken with him. I’m assuming that was Lydia.”

“I’ve already mentioned it to Jacob and asked that he take one for the team, so he’ll handle that when he’s back in town,” Denny said as if he played matchmaker every day of the week.

“Can we get back to Angel?” Mark said impatiently.

“There isn’t much more to tell.” Denny shrugged. “Lydia said that she hadn’t missed any work but was quiet. She told her that you two were no longer seeing each other, but she didn’t want to talk any further about it. I saw her from a distance in the cafeteria yesterday, and she looked kind of washed-out—like you, actually.” Mark knew that he had dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. Not holding Angel each night had been a difficult adjustment. Add in the fact that he worried about her almost every hour of the day, and it wasn’t conducive to any type of relaxation.

Mark pinched the bridge of his nose before opening his briefcase and attempting to distract himself with work. “Let’s go through some of these messages that you e-mailed over this morning.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way. Both of you are miserable without each other. Turn the plane around and go to her,” Denny advised earnestly.

Mark stared at his cousin, torn between the urge to hug him for caring and to choke him for meddling. Instead, he went the direct route that Denny couldn’t argue with. “Has my situation changed at all in the last week?”

Denny knew what—or whom—he was talking about immediately. “No,” he answered quietly, “not that I’m aware of.”