"How about after five this afternoon?"
He stared at her intently. She hated the raw way he looked at her; it made her squirm with discomfort. Her tone was sharp when she spoke. "I have to catch a flight this afternoon. Can't we do it in the morning?"
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he just pursed his lips in silence, sending a chill down her spine. 'Knowing him, this is the prelude to an outburst,' she thought.
Finally, he exploded. "I have meetings all day! Why do you have to go back this afternoon? Didn't the nurse just say you're in no condition to be traveling?! Am I that terrifying? Are you that desperate to get rid of me? Or do you just hate me that much? You can't even stand to wait a little while for me?"
He grew more agitated as he spoke, his words tumbling out faster and his voice rising with each question. The barrage of accusations left Lara staring at him, stunned.
"OK!"
