***
After showering with Keegan, Echo wrapped herself in his bathrobe and left him to shave. She climbed onto his side of the bed. The pillow smelled of him, a fresh scent that she inhaled deeply.
He loves me. He really, really loves me.
She took these moments to reflect on Keegan and the closeness they shared, and Smith and the bikers. They were an unlikely quintet, but one that worked well together.
She sighed and stretched her arms in front of her.
A man roughly cleared his throat. She turned toward the sound, surprised to see Smith in the doorway. She determined from the set of his jaw something gnawed at him.
“He’s in love with you,” he said, leaning against the doorjamb.
Overcome by shyness, she hauled the sheet to her chin. “I know.”
“Are you in love with him?”
“I would never do anything to hurt Keegan.”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
His stern voice matched his penetrating look, she noticed. “No.” She had to lie for him to believe she must leave.
He heaved a sigh and unfolded his arms from his chest, letting them dangle at his sides. “He’s in for the upset of his life.”
She could only manage a nod. Keegan would be devastated when she left, and leave she inevitably would. There was nothing she could do about that. She was immortal, and he wasn’t. "He's going to need you. I know you'll be there for him."
"I will."
Echo could not leave on an unhappy note with Smith. “Given the chance, I’d do things differently.”
“Would you?”
“Yes, of course. I don’t want to hurt Keegan.” How could he think she would?
“So, he was just a roll in the hay for you.”
She let the crass remark pass. Smith was looking out for his friend. She couldn’t fault him for that. “I think a lot of him.”
“But you don’t love him.” He sat at the foot of the bed and crossed his legs.
“No matter how many times you make me say it will not make me answer differently.”
He smiled.
“You have my word I won’t hurt Keegan.”
“But you will by leaving.”
“I have to leave, Smith. I don’t have any choice.”
“Would you stay if you could?”
She didn’t have an answer to that question.