he passed her a coffee , and she sipped it gratefully . `` let me put you on speaker . '' `` that is absurd , '' she said in crisp tones . a word she , too , had used to describe him . 1080 tried to ignore it , but he could not . im sure they look worse than they are . his intention had been to send her away , hurt her if he had to , so the break would be final . `` you will forgive me , '' he said , `` if i take my leave . 