Remorselanced her and popped her happy bubble. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to answer. Ididn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
“Don’tworry about it.”
Whathad happened to him? Way to bring it up, Paige. She longed to take hishurt away but had no idea how. She placed her hand on his arm, and Beckettcovered it with his. They sat quietly, and time simply stood still, as thoughit shuddered a breath on the brink of some shift in the universe.
Hesniffled and finally broke the silence. “I should let you get home. Will you beokay?”
Sheslipped her hand from his. “Yes.”
“Hey.”He reached up and wrapped a lock of her hair around his index finger. Shedidn’t think to stop him. “Thanks for coming today. Dinner the other night andtoday are the best times I’ve had in a while.”
As shedrove home, guilt saturated her. She wasn’t doing anything wrong, was she?Beckett was a client, and so were Marty and Claudia, but she hadn’t toldAdrian. If he’d called, I might have. Still, she was blurring animportant line, turning it grayer and fuzzier every moment she spent withBeckett, and she had to stop.
Shemissed Adrian, missed his body beside her at night. He’d been gone so much. Shehadn’t talked to him in three days. Was he all right?
Whenshe got home, she called his cell, but it went straight to voicemail again. Shelooked up the Westin Waterfront in Vancouver, BC. He should have checked inyesterday. They’re an hour behind. If he’s there, I might catch him beforehe goes to dinner.
Shedialed the number and asked for his room. The phone picked up after two rings,and Paige felt a rush of relief. Until she heard the feminine voice on theother line say hello. I must have the wrong room.
“Is—isAdrian Paulson there?” she stammered.
“Adrian’sin the shower. Is this Harbour Cruises? Were you able to find a spot for twofor tomorrow morning?” the woman asked with a lovely British lilt.
Paige’sheart beat so hard it would surely disintegrate at any moment. Her earspounded, blood whooshing in and out faster and faster, and a voice in her headscreamed. Wrong room!
Herbreath fled her lungs, just as coherent thought fled her mind.
“Hello?Are you there?” the melodic voice asked.
Paigestruggled to catch her breath. “Um, I beg your pardon. This is … this is thefront desk confirming check-out.”
“Oh,I’m glad you called. If we can’t get on the cruise, might we check out at oneinstead of noon?”
“Noproblem. Good luck with that cruise.” Where had those words come from? It was asthough someone was speaking through her.
“Thankyou! We’ve been celebrating the one-year anniversary of our first date, and itwould be a perfect way to wrap up the weekend.”
Paigehit the end button before the woman could say more and stared at her phone.
Herstomach curdled. She threw her phone on the sofa and ran to the bathroom justin time to heave burger, corn, peach pie, and beer. After brushing her teeth,she dropped the toilet seat and perched, hugging herself, letting the tearscome. From the other room, her phone chimed a text message, and she pressedtissues to her eyes as she weaved back to the couch. When she picked it up, Uget home ok? Beck glowed on the screen. He’d added a line of emojis: asmiley face, two beer mugs clinking, a grill, an ear of corn, musical notes,and another smiley face.
Freshtears sprang up. She lay on the couch curled around the phone. It buzzed, andshe balled herself tighter. It buzzed again and again. She looked at it througha watery film. Beckett calling, not Adrian. She wiped her nose and answered.
“Areyou all right?” Beckett rumbled.
“Why?”
“Usuallyyou text me right back. I worried you’d been in an accident or pod peoplekidnapped you. Andie? You there?”
Ahiccup, followed by a little whimper, escaped her. She couldn’t breathe.
“Andie!What’s going on?”
“Adrian,”she gasped. “There’s someone …” She covered her mouth to hold back the sobs.
“I’mthere in fifteen.”
“No,no, no,” she wailed. But he’d already hung up.
He musthave beaten some kind of land speed record, because he turned what was normallya twenty-minute drive into a twelve-minute trip. Nose pressed to the glass inher darkened office, she watched him bound from his truck and up the walkway.How had he known where she lived?
Openingthe door would break so many rules: one, don’t entertain a man alone when yourhusband’s away; two, never get personal with a client; three, don’t let astranger inside your house; four, don’t let a client inside your house; andfive, never, never crush on a bad boy.
Ruleone didn’t apply anymore, did it? She was already guilty of breaking rule two. Gobig or go home. She opened the door, breaking rules three and four. Five,she refused to consider.
Beckettclosed the door and reached for her. “C’mere.” He pulled her against his chestand folded strong arms around her like a heavy quilt.
As heheld her, he whispered, “Let it out.” And she did, breaking rule six: never cryon a client.
Later,she sat on the couch, her head on his sturdy shoulder. His hand cradled hers,his thumb brushing her knuckles.
“Youwant me to beat his sorry ass?” he murmured.
Sheshook her head.
Beckettpulled back and looked at her, pushing a lock of hair from her face. He musthave seen a soggy mess. “Why didn’t you call him out?”
“Idon’t know. I just … I froze.”
“Youwere in shock. It doesn’t matter. I’ll still beat his ass. I can do it, youknow.” One side of his mouth hitched.
“Iknow. I’ve seen video. You’re good at it.” She sighed and sat up. “You know theworst part? Besides him breaking his vows?”
“Nuh-uh.”
“They’vebeen together a year. A year! He’s been lying to me, and I’ve been a sucker theentire time!” Sorrow was quickly being replaced by fury.
“Hey.Don’t run yourself down. This is all him, not you. Some guys are good atmanipulating situations and people.”
“That’sright. I almost forgot you’re a total womanizer too.” She laughed bitterly andsat up. “What am I doing? I get my heart crushed by one player and cry onanother one’s shoulder. There’s your proof I’m a complete idiot.” And I’mpicking guys who love ’em and leave ’em, just like my father!
Herubbed his forehead.
