Tangled Hearts

by Tea DeLuca

  “Why now?” she insisted, “Unless…Have you seen her again? Is that it?”

  Mark’s face gave him away.

  “Are you kidding? If I knew who she was, I’d kick her ass. Are you going to lose another woman over her?”

  Melissa stepped off the elevator and headed their way. Every male head turned. Some nodding their appreciation while others just ogled her. Mark bit back a response and instead called Liddy to him. “I’ll see you both at the church. The ushers have to be there earlier.”

  “And there he goes,” Melissa sighed. “Even the dress didn’t get much of a reaction.”

  Stacy watched him thoughtfully. “He noticed the dress, honey. Give him some space at the reception. Make him come to you.”

  “What if he doesn’t?”

  “He will, and if a few men pay attention to you, he’ll want you all the more. Trust me.”

  Melissa settled on the groom’s side of the church. It didn’t really matter since she didn’t know either the bride or the groom. She wanted this—the church wedding, a honeymoon in a beautiful city, and Mark. She really thought he cared about her and only needed a nudge to claim her. Now, she wasn’t so sure. Did guys get in a wedding mood like women did? Maybe at the reception with the stress of this whole ordeal behind them, he would relax and enjoy the next two days with her.

  Perhaps that was it. Maybe he didn’t want a formal wedding. She could compromise if that was what troubled him. A small intimate service and a New York honeymoon would be nice. She’d have to talk to Stacy about taking Liddy back with her Sunday. She certainly wasn’t going to get the man’s attention with Liddy around, playing his princess. It was hard not to resent the child that demanded all of his time.

  The wedding march began, and the bride was lovely in yards of tulle and lace. The groom equally debonair in his dark tuxedo only had eyes for the woman beside him. Their love was inspiration for every single woman in the church. Mark closed his eyes against the wave of emotion that assaulted him. All the memories of that September morning when he thought Mags would walk down the aisle to him, but it wasn’t too late. They didn’t need an affair like this, but they could say the words that would bind them to one another forever. He wanted to call her, and he would from the reception.

  As the priest pronounced them husband and wife, everyone rose and followed them out of the church. He took several pictures on his phone of Liddy dancing around his parents. At one point he held Liddy while Stacy took a picture, one that he would later see included Melissa. The three of them designed to make him see a family.

  He decided he hated weddings hours later as he hung out at the bar after eating and dancing the obligatory dances. He thought of Mags and hoped she could share her wedding with her dad before the disease got worse. As far as he was concerned, he was ready to make it real with her. Melissa was out on the dance floor with a drink in her hand and her hips gyrating to the music. Every single guy attempted to dance with her as she laughed and circled around them. Mark took the opportunity to step out and called Mags.

  “Oh, Mark.”

  “It’s me, honey. I was thinking about you.”

  “Were you? Just give me a minute.” She covered the phone then returned to his call.

  “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “Uh, sort of. Isn’t today the wedding? How is it?”

  “I’m at the reception. I guess Kim and Rick are happy, but it’s such a pain in the neck. The whole time has been.”

  “Never was your thing.”

  “Or yours. If we were to do this, it wouldn’t be like this…gowns and tuxedos and bullshit.”

  “Magnolia, everything all right?” He recognized Craig’s voice.

  “Fine, it’s a long-distance call. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Mags, where are you?” His shoulders tensed, and stomach rolled.

  “I better go, Mark.”

  “No, don’t hang up,” he insisted. He was hanging on by a thread. He needed her right now. “Where are you?”

  “Picnic with Craig’s parents.”

  “Cowboy’s working fast while I’m out of town, right? Introducing you to his family. Has he tried to move you in yet?” There was a long pause, and he wished he had a drink. “I don’t mean to yell. I’m sorry. I just miss you. Talk to me, Maggie. I just need to hear your voice.”

  “I will,” she said slowly. “I promise. I’ve had some time to think. When you come back, we’ll talk.”

  It sounded so final, and it scared the hell out of him. “Maggie, I love you. Believe that. No one will ever love you like I do.”

  “I know that,” she said softly. “I love you.”

  “Mark, baby, can you give me our room key? I need to go upstairs for a minute.” Mark froze and quickly handed off the key.

  “Mags, that’s not what you think.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Mark. I have to get back.”

  “I’m calling you later. I will.”

  “Wait till you come back. Then we’ll talk.”

  She was gone, and he wouldn’t be surprised if she was sleeping with Craig. No, this couldn’t happen again.

  Liddy threw her hands around his neck. “I’m sleepy, Daddy.”

  “I’m tired too, princess. Let’s go upstairs.”

  But his mother and father intercepted him at the door. “We’ll take her, son. She’ll be asleep quickly, and we’re tired, too. You stay and enjoy the party.”

  “I can take her up with me,” Mark tried, but Liddy reached for Grandma.

  “Daddy, where’s my puppy?”

  “Did you leave it in Mommy’s room?”

  “We’ll get it from Stacy. Don’t worry, Mark.”

  A gentle hand rubbed across his back. “Mark, I want to take Liddy with me to the airport tomorrow. This isn’t a place for her.”

  “No, Stacy. I have her flight booked with me, and she’s staying till I leave.”

  Stacy shook her head. “She’s a little girl. How can you sightsee and enjoy yourself with her tagging along? I know you love her. We both do, but you need some adult entertainment, so it’s settled. She’s leaving with me tomorrow.”

  “Not negotiable. She’s staying, and we’re done discussing it.” Stacy stormed off toward her brother who stood with his bride near the cake.

  Mark sent a text to his dad. Picking Liddy up from you tomorrow. Know you have an early flight. I’ll take her. Don’t give her to Stacy under any conditions. He knew his ex-wife. She wasn’t familiar with the word no and would disappear with his kid. He had just ordered another beer when the groom joined him at the bar.

  “My sister’s steamed, but I’m not surprised. You never listened to her while you were married. I don’t know why you would now.”

  A man understands. “Difference of opinion.”

  “I’m just glad it’s over. In an hour we can leave for Capri for a few days—alone to relax and be together. I guess you’re hooking up with the woman in the red dress. Lucky you. Speaking of which, she’s headed this way.”

  She smiled a lopsided grin as she leaned into him. The doctor had partied, had consumed more than her share of the alcohol, and hadn’t sat still in hours. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I believe you’re the only man here I haven’t danced with. Is there some reason you can’t hold me and spin me around the dance floor?”

  “No, no reason.” He guided her back on the dance floor and seconds later as the lights lowered and the music slowed even further, she pressed tightly against him, her head resting against his shoulder.

  “What a wonderful wedding, Mark. I’ve had so much fun, and this is perfect. You’re perfect.” She kissed his chest through the crisp shirt that had wrinkled through the day. He had ditched his tie hours ago, and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone. “Oh, Mark,” she whispered, kissing along his collar bone to his shoulder. “I love you.” Her hands behind his neck held him and allowed her to continue her exploration over his neck and cheek.

>   He pulled her closer to steady her, though the thin fabric of the dress left nothing to his imagination or libido. “Hey, this is a little public.” He drew back as she rubbed against his hardening erection. “Melissa, you’ve had too much to drink.”

  “Take me upstairs, honey. We have unfinished business.”

  He considered it for a short minute then walked her to the elevator. She collapsed against him and when the doors opened, he carried her down the hall to Stacy’s room. He banged on the door several times till a shocked Stacy watched Mark carry Melissa in and lay her gently on the bed. He didn’t even respond to the five questions she asked as he headed for the door. He wanted his bed, to sleep off the headache forming in the back of his head, and he wanted to go home before Craig made Maggie an offer she couldn’t refuse. It was late in Italy, early morning in Charleston. Was she waking up in Craig’s bed? The pain in his heart was devastating. He didn’t want to know. Maybe he could change his flight. He had to go home.

  The knock on the door surprised him. If it was Melissa, he was spinning her around and sending her back to Stacy. Instead, his mother stood apologetically in the doorway with his daughter, clutching the dog and rubbing her eyes. “I’m sorry, Mark. She had a dream and woke up asking for you.”

  He lifted her and wrapped her tightly in his arms. “It’s all right, Mom. Thanks.”

  “Daddy, can I stay with you?”

  He wiped her tear stained cheeks and sat her on the bed. “Of course, you can stay with me. In the morning we’re going to see some pretty amazing things. Okay?”

  She cuddled into the pillows, the dog resting beneath her chin. “Okay, Daddy, I love you.”

  “I love you, too, pumpkin.” He watched her drift back to sleep as he covered her with the blanket. “You and Maggie. I love you both.”

  Chapter 52

  Melissa’s mood soured further once they were left in Rome on a romantic holiday with his three-year old child. She awoke the day after the wedding in Stacy’s room with a huge headache that worsened when she realized Liddy was not returning with her mother. She was done with the games. She intended on confronting Mark and laying her cards on the table. She knew what she wanted and either he wanted it too, or they were done. Her pride would be taking a huge beating if it weren’t for the attention of the Italian men she met. They had no problem blatantly admiring her curves, making suggestive eye contact, or brushing up against her. She was damn desirable. The problem was Mark.

  When she caught up to him in his room, he was getting Liddy dressed in her bathing suit. “Where are you going?” she snapped.

  “I was going to leave you a note. Catch up with us downstairs. We’ll have breakfast and make for the beach. It’s not far from here.”

  “We’re in Rome, and you want to go to the beach?” She grabbed some casual clothes from her bag and headed into the bathroom.

  “They have some evening tours for families late this afternoon. The guides are children friendly, engaging them in games and riddles. Then they take you to the best pizza and ice cream places. I think Liddy will like it, and we’ll see things like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, too.”

  He could hear her exasperation. “She’s going to tire, Mark. Why don’t we ask downstairs for a babysitter?”

  Liddy’s expression changed, and she crawled into Mark’s lap. “Don’t worry, baby,” he said softly. “You’re coming with me. Melissa, you can do what you want. I’m spending time with my kid.”

  She emerged from the bathroom angrily and slammed her suitcase on the floor. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  After breakfast, Liddy played happily with her father at the inland lake, but Melissa was surly and stretched on the beach several feet away. Mark didn’t mind the distance. She was sarcastic and a pain in the ass, and if she snapped at Liddy one more time, they were seriously going their separate ways. He ignored the way she flirted as a native walked past her or tried to engage her in conversation. She didn’t know the language, but their meaning was clear, and Melissa didn’t seem to mind.

  Liddy giggled and splashed him in the water. At least she was happier and easier to appease than the woman who should know better. When Liddy grew tired, he carried her on his shoulders back to the hotel and set her on the bed for a nap.

  “I want to talk to you,” Melissa said quietly as he brushed a lock of hair from Liddy’s cheek.

  Taking her arm, he directed her out on the terrace where he could still see Liddy. “Keep your voice down so you don’t wake her. What do you want to talk about?”

  She looked at him with disbelief. “Is this holiday for Liddy? What about us, Mark? I thought we were going to spend it together as two adults.”

  “It isn’t my fault that you don’t listen,” Mark answered. “I told you how this would go.”

  “You’re using Liddy to avoid me. So, I’m telling you right now. This is what I want. I want you, Mark. Not on a romantic holiday. I want forever. A ring, a wedding, a life. I thought you cared about me, and I’ve fallen in love with you. I thought we were headed for happily ever after, but something has changed. I don’t know what it is so, enlighten me. Tell me the truth.”

  Mark hadn’t expected her directness, her passion. He owed her the truth, but he also didn’t want to argue. Melissa was used to getting what she wanted, but it wasn’t a contest. It was a statement of fact. “I’m not in love with you, Melissa. When we first started dating, I thought maybe we could be good together, but…”

  “But what?” she demanded. “What changed?”

  “The truth is I love someone else, and I need a drink. You?”

  She nodded as he went back inside. Stacy had warned her without explanation to be ready for resistance, a flagrant fight for his affection. Was this it? He handed her a drink and settled on a patio chair. “You met someone else while we were dating?”

  “No, someone I’ve known for a long time.”

  Was he talking about the ghost as Stacy called her? The woman who held his heart hostage and refused to let him move on? “Who is this woman?”

  Mark stared out over the Italian piazza. The view was amazing, but he couldn’t ignore Melissa’s question. “I ran into a woman I use to know and have seen her a few times. At first it was just hello and how have you been, but the attraction hasn’t gone away.”

  “Apparently, neither has the love,” Melissa remarked. “This is the ghost?”

  Mark took a long burning drink. “She’s not a ghost. She’s alive and well in Charleston.”

  “I see, and you’re trying to rekindle what you had?”

  “Yes.”

  “So she can break your heart again?”

  He expected this. “Second time around might be different.”

  “Might be? You’re willing to take the risk?”

  “Yes.”

  “How do you know she’ll be good for Liddy? I know that’s important to you.”

  Mark half smiled. Melissa was so controlled, so clinical. She didn’t really love him. She just hated to lose. “She’s been around Liddy. She’s good with her.”

  She downed her drink and held out her glass. A second drink was definitely in order. “Do I know her, Mark?” The anger flashed in her eyes.

  Mark bit his lip. “Your patient, the one we ran into in the park with the dog. Maggie.”

  Melissa’s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. For several seconds she said nothing. “Shit, that explains it.”

  “Explains what?” Mark asked.

  “Why she demanded her records and changed doctors right after that exchange in the park. Obviously, she made the connection between you and I.”

  “And at the time she didn’t know about Liddy.”

  “You were the Mark she wanted after the surgery, weren’t you?” Melissa said with awe.

  “I guess I was.”

  “Fucking wonderful. So, you and Magnolia are on the express path to happiness.”

  “Not at all if that makes you feel any better.”

/>   Melissa laughed. “She can’t be happy I’m here with you.”

  Mark shrugged. Melissa knew all she needed to know.

  “You know it would be a shame to waste the rest of this vacation. We’re two consenting adults and what happens in Rome can stay right here. Why don’t we go out on the town after Liddy is asleep tonight and have a little fun?”

  “Did you hear anything I just said?”

  “Stacy warned me from the beginning, Mark. By the way, wait till she hears the store manager of the shop she loves is the ghost. She won’t believe it. Anyway, why not? Or tomorrow. I’m sure they have a service for child care in the hotel. Liddy might enjoy being with other children, and we could behave like adults do. No strings and no expectations. What do you think?”

  “That’s all you want, Melissa? A good meal and getting laid?”

  “What I want is to not waste this opportunity. If you don’t want to accommodate me, I’ll find some attention from someone else. This city is the capital of eligible, attractive, sexual men. I’m sure I can attract one or two.”

  “Or a dozen, Melissa. Are you coming with Liddy and me today?”

  “Today, yes. It sounds like fun.” Her spirits seemed to soar all of a sudden. “But tonight I’ll have to think more about.”

  “Suit yourself.” There were defining moments in a life. If he let her go tonight, they were over.

  Melissa was amazingly pleasant the rest of the day. She entertained Liddy, joked with their guide who spoke English with a heavy Italian accent, and slipped her hand through his arm occasionally. They indulged in the pizza, but the Italian gelato, the sweet creamy ice cream, became an immediate favorite. By evening Liddy had eaten her weight in gelato and seemed a contented child. He told her stories on the terrace till she fell asleep in his arms.

  Fully dressed and looking beautiful, Melissa headed for the door. “I’m going out,” she smiled. “Don’t wait up.”

  “I won’t,” he answered.

  She sighed impatiently and headed to the elevator. When Mark awoke the next morning, she still hadn’t returned. He wasn’t jealous, but he was concerned. An American woman looking for a good time could get herself in a pile of trouble. As he and Liddy prepared for breakfast, she came in a little disheveled but happy. “Breakfast?”