"Greg and I…" she hesitates and then forges on. "We are taking a break. And my father… Yes, I saw him. Let's just say that things didn't quite work out as I had expected."
     He reaches out to console her and surprisingly, she doesn't pull away. She lets him stroke the side of her face, welcoming his touch. She closes her eyes, allowing herself to be comforted by the feel of his skin against hers. "Let's go somewhere to talk. Work can wait," he says softly.



     She nods and opens her eyes. Greg is standing behind Wayne, an expression of intense hurt on his face. He looks at her and nods slowly, a look of understanding filling his eyes. And then he turns on his heel and walks quickly down the hallway. Melinda stares after him, dumbfounded. She turns to Wayne and suddenly bursts into tears.
     "I've ruined everything," she exclaims. "Everything!"
     "What are you talking about? You haven't ruined anything," Wayne says consolingly.
     She shakes her head vigorously. "Greg… I've ruined things with Greg. Oh god… I ruined it! And it's because of you!"
     He puts a hand on her shoulder as if to steady her. "Please tell me what's going on, Melinda. Please."
     She angrily wipes away her tears. "Greg left me because he thinks we are having an affair. Because I met you this weekend. He put two and two together-you were the man I was trying to get over and we were still meeting! I tried to explain. And just now… He saw us together again and I can't explain it away. I've ruined the best thing that ever happened to me. Don't you see that, Wayne?"
     "Melinda," he says softly. "You don't need Greg. You have me. I love you and I know you love me. You aren't alone. We have each other."
     "No, Wayne," she says, her voice sounding suddenly tired. "I never had you. And I don't think I ever will."
     She turns to leave, but he stops her.
     "You've had me from the moment I laid eyes on you. You must know that. We had an instant connection. I can't get over you and I can't forget you. No matter how much I love my son or… or Genevieve. It's you. You are the one who holds my heart. I know that now."
     They are familiar words. She feels a familiar pang somewhere near her heart. "I want to believe you, Wayne. God knows I do. But I can't," she says simply.
     He looks into her eyes, a serious expression on his face. "Melinda, there's something you need to know. I wasn't going to tell you, not right away… Hell, I had an eventful weekend myself…" He sighs and holds out his hand. "Come with me. We'll go talk about this in my office."