C26 Chapter 26

CHRISTINE

CHRISTINE

“Lara,” I say as I answer the phone. “Has she arrived?”

“Well good day to you too,” Lara says feigning disappointment when I don’t ask how she is. “She has arrived. You won’t believe it.”

“What?” I ask sitting forward and hoping to hear another scrap of information I can use against Viola.

“I offered her our family apartment until she gets her salary and can pay the deposit on her place. The poor girl burst out sobbing in my office. It was heartbreaking to see how much she appreciated the help I gave her. This is truly one of the best things we have ever done, girl.”

I roll my eyes. I was hoping for something to use against Viola. You’ll have to be careful with Lara, I tell myself. She may be your best friend, but she’s gone all goody-two-shoes on you on this one.

“That’s great. I knew she would appreciate it.”

“You really should think of letting her know.”

I sit forward in my chair. “Lara,” my tone hardens.

“Yes?” she replies sounding as if she’s been slapped.

“Under no circumstances is she to know. You feel great because of the good we’ve done right?”

“Absolutely, I was…”

“Some people can be happy not letting it be known that they’ve helped someone else okay? If ever I feel that she will put the past behind us, then I might tell her. If you tell her I’m involved she will walk away, I promise you. And then all the good you feel so good about having done today will be gone.”

“Sure. Understood,” Lara says sounding a bit offended.

I soften my tone again. “Sorry, bestie. I don’t mean to be hard or horrible it’s just that I want this to succeed as much as you do but it won’t if she finds out. Maybe once the business is well established we can inform her. When she has something to lose if she gives it up, maybe then will be a time to tell her. But please leave it to me to decide. Okay?”

“Sure,” Lara says. “I understand.”

We talk a bit longer before we end the call. I’m satisfied that I’ve smoothed things over with Lara and that we’re all good.

I know Lara won’t be happy if she knows the truth about me and that little upstart but she’ll never have to find out. All I know is when it’s all over, Lara will hate her as much as I do. Maybe more.

I have an appointment with a client at the Ritz Carlton to discuss arrangements for their daughter’s wedding. I’m early as always. Get there first and control the meeting. That’s my motto. Or one of them at least.

As I walk into the lounge a voice behind me calls my name. I turn around and freeze. I can’t believe it…

Grady.

The only man I ever loved. The only man who ever broke my heart.

I freeze as I take him in from head to toe and up again. He looks as good as ever. No, better. He still has that self-assured, ‘nothing can stop me’ smile and he’s smiling it right now. He wears a light brown sports jacket over beige trousers. The jacket fits him perfectly and I can still see his fantastic build under it. His blue eyes seem to look right into me, to the depths of my soul and I’m pretty damn sure right then he can see all my memories of him as they flash through my mind. He doesn’t look a day older than when I saw him a little over five years ago.

His hair is short but not too short. I can still run my fingers through it, maybe grab it with passion. I feel myself blush with emotion and desire.

I should be angry but I can’t be. I could never not forgive him. He could do anything and I would live with it. He is my weakness, my drug, my addiction.

“You are the last person I ever thought I’d see here,” he says. His voice is soft but rough at the same time. God, I remember what that voice did to me. It still does judging by how soaked my panties have just become.

“Well, surprise,” I smile. It sounds so lame but it’s all I can come up with in my state of shock. His eyes take me in and I let them caress me. I note how he checks my left hand. I know he’s looking for a ring. I make it easier for him to see I’m not wearing a ring without making it obvious and his eyes skip to my right hand. No ring.

That’s right, I think. No ring. I’m still free. I don’t think of Rick at all. I have other plans for him and the long-term doesn’t figure in them even though marriage does.

Sounds confusing right? It’s not. Life’s a business. And I’ve got mine planned perfectly. I’ve got Rick where I want him and it looks like I’m about to get a second chance with Grady. What he doesn’t know is that this time he won’t be the one in charge. I will be.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

“I have a business meeting. What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for an interview.”

“Interview? What for?”

“I’m looking at investing in an energy startup as a co-founder.”

“I see. How long are you in town for?”

“A few days. I’m staying here. Room sixteen-ten,” he says. He doesn’t need to add his room number and the fact that he gives it to me says enough. He’s hoping that I’ll join him. He wants me. His eyes say it all. He thinks his eyes quick trips over my body are unnoticed. They’re everything but.

He’s given away all control before we’ve begun and believe me, I’m going to start where we left off.

“Here’s my card,” I say handing him a business card. “Why don’t you text me so I’ve got your number and we can arrange to get together?”

He looks disappointed. I’m sure he expected me to remark about coming to his room but I haven’t.

“Okay sure,” he smiles trying to hide his disappointment.

“I’ve got to run,” I say and with a quick peck on his cheek, I leave him behind as I head to my meeting.

I can’t stop thinking about Grady during my meeting and I just wish it would end. It seems to go on forever although in truth it lasts just under an hour. With all the points covered and agreed, I bid my client farewell and make my way to the elevator.

I press the button and step inside.

I feel flushed as I ride up to the sixteenth floor. My heart is beating in my throat with excitement and my panties are soaked with anticipation.

The elevator stops multiple times. People get in. I never understand why people feel they have to get into an elevator going up when they want to go down. I finally reach the sixteenth floor and step off the elevator. The doors close behind me and I hesitate, trying to get myself and my courage together for what I’m about to do.

The lift comes back down and stops on the sixteenth floor again. I see the silly mugs of the people who rode up with me. They’re on their way down now. Why they stopped on the sixteenth floor again I have no idea. I shake my head at them in disgust and watch as they disappear behind the closing doors of the elevator. Idiots.

I turn my mind back to the task at hand. I breathe deep and head down the passage checking the room numbers as I go. It seems to take forever but at last, I arrive.

Sixteen-ten.

I see the light through the tiny peephole. Grady’s in.

I press the doorbell and wait, breathing shallowly in anticipation.

I see the light of the peephole blocked and I know Grady’s at the door.

This is it…