Absolutely, Positively

She gave Olivia a polite smile.

    Olivia nodded stiffly. “Hello.”

    “We were just on our way out to dinner, Olivia,” Harry said. “Will you excuse us?”

    Olivia's fine brows came together in a determined frown. “Harry, I've been waiting for you for hours. Your housekeeper left at five. She told me that she was sure you'd be home this evening.”

    “I am home, as you can see, but I've got plans.”

    Olivia spared another brief glance for Molly and then dismissed her presence. “I want to talk to you. Family business.”

    “Some other time, Olivia.” Harry made to go around her since Olivia showed no indication of moving out of his path.

    “Harry, this is very important.”

    Molly tugged on his arm. “Uh, Harry?”

    Olivia's mouth tightened. “I really must speak with you, Harry. The matter won't wait.”

    Molly gently disengaged her fingers. She smiled very brightly at Harry. “This looks serious. Don't worry about me. I'll take a cab home.”

    “Damn it, Molly, whatever it is, it can wait. You and I are going out to dinner.”

    “No.” Olivia's voice cracked. “Brandon's future is on the line, Harry. And it's all your fault. You're responsible for this mess. You've got to clean it up.”

    “Me?” Harry stared at her.

    “'Bye, Harry.” Molly backed quickly toward the glass doors. “Thanks for an interesting day.”

    He started to go after her. Olivia put a restraining hand on his arm.

    “I have got to talk to you about this situation,” Olivia said urgently. “It won't keep.”

    “It's okay,” Molly called from the glass doorway. “Really. No problem.”

    Harry looked from one woman to the other. He knew when he was defeated. “I'll have Chris get you a cab, Molly.”

    “Sure thing, Mr. Trevelyan.” Chris, the evening doorman, reached for the phone.

    “No need.” Molly was halfway out the door. “There's one right across the street. I can see it from here.”

    Harry took another step toward her and stopped. His hands tightened at his sides. he did not want her to go home alone. He wanted her here with him.

    “I'll call you later,” he said.

    “Don't worry, we'll be in touch,” she assured him. “All the kitchen gadgets I bought at the fair are still in your car trunk.”

    She waved. The heavy glass door swung shut. Harry watched as she scurried across the intersection to the waiting cab.

    Molly was gone. He could feel the darkness settle around him.

    “You're in one of your moods, aren't you?” Olivia sounded vaguely petulant as Harry ushered her through his front door. “It's depression, you know. You might as well stop pretending it isn't. Denial serves no therapeutic purpose.”

    “I am definitely in a mood, and it is not a good one.” He closed the door and went to stand at the window. The last fragment of the setting sun disappeared behind the Olympics. Night closed in on the city. The old-fashioned round globes of the Pike Place Market streetlights down below cast a golden glow.

    Harry tried to spot the cab that was carrying Molly toward the weird old mansion on Capitol Hill, but it was long gone.

    “Damn you, Harry, must you always be so self-absorbed? I came here to have a serious conversation with you. The least you can do is pay attention. This is all your fault in the first place.”

    Harry did not turn around. “I assume this is connected to the conversation I had with Brandon yesterday morning?”

    There was a brief, startled pause.

    “Brandon talked to you?” Olivia sounded tentative.

    “Yes.”

    “Well? Did you make an effort to convince him not to leave Stratton Properties?”

    “He's a full-grown adult. It's his future. His decision. Why should I get involved?”

    “Because he would never have come up with this little scheme if it hadn't been for you,” Olivia exploded softly. “Damn it, Harry, he's doing this to prove something, not because it's the best thing for our future. I've tried, but I can't get him to take a rational view of the situation.”

    Harry glanced at her over his shoulder. “What do you think he's trying to prove?”

    “That he's as strong and independent as you are.” Olivia tossed her purse down onto the sofa with an angry movement of her hand. “He's jealous of you, Harry.”

    “Jealous? Why the hell should he be jealous? You left me to marry him.”

    Olivia swung around furiously. “Must you bring that up?”

    “Look, I wasn't trying to rehash the past. I was merely