Second Chances

by Phelps, K. L.

  The soft knock on the door drew her attention from the notes. She didn't offer him a warm smile, that even now he hoped for, or even try to hide her mild look of disgust.

  "Not now Cameron, I'm much too busy."

  He felt his face flush with barely controlled anger. He clenched his fists tight, causing his knuckles to crack and cleared his throat.

  "Mr. Kassar. I am still your superior, Merrick."

  She silently cursed herself. If he hadn't already been in one of his moods then she'd just pushed one of his buttons by trying to dismiss him. She shook her head and sighed. She had no desire for his bullshit today.

  "Fine, Mr. Kassar. And if we are going to be formal then I would appreciate the same courtesy."

  "Forgive me, Doctor."

  She winced at the tone in his voice. What the hell was it now?

  She stood up, making sure to slip into her heels before rising. She now stood two inches taller than Cameron's six-foot height.

  "How is it that I can help you, Mr. Kassar?"

  She knew she was asking for it. She'd seen Cameron in this mood on more than one occasion. She knew that the man found her attractive and resented the fact that she had long ago made it clear the feelings were not mutual. Though even now he continued to try every now and then, as if he didn't comprehend how his actions only flamed her hatred. She also knew that her height, which without the heels equaled his, annoyed him for some reason.

  She did her best not to act totally repulsed as he ran his eyes up and down her, as he almost always did. She now regretted standing up. She wasn't really dressed for work. She was dressed in a white button down blouse and a blue skirt, cut to accentuate her features, which she knew were nice enough to draw more than a passing glance from most men. She at least had on her white lab coat. Unfortunately, it was her short coat and so Cameron was still afforded a decent view of her slender, shapely legs.

  She had to admit that Cameron himself was not a bad looking guy. He likely didn't have trouble finding female company. He was trim and athletic, but not buff in a body building sense. He had steel-blue eyes, which more than one of her assistants had described as intense, sexy bedroom eyes. His short trimmed black hair was rarely out of place and he was always dressed impeccably, but she had long ago decided that he likely looked just as good in blue jeans and a T-shirt. In fact, before she had come to know the man she would have said he was definitely her type. But then one day he had made a fatal mistake that had irrevocably changed her view of him. He had opened his mouth.

  He smiled at her, his too white, too perfect, laser polished teeth almost seemed to give off their own light. It was meant to be charming and disarming and was no doubt long practiced. It made her skin crawl.

  "Come on Julie, don't be that way."

  She had to fight to keep her mouth from dropping and throwing up her arms in frustration. What was with him?

  "Cameron, I am serious. I don't have time. You know I wasn't even supposed to be here today, but I needed to catch up on a few things before tomorrow, before..."

  "Yes, yes I know. How is he?"

  "Like you care."

  He did his best hurt expression, which she had to admit was getting better.

  "You know I do. I..."

  "I do not believe that my personal life is of any..."

  "Concern to me? Now you are well aware that my interest is not entirely personal."

  "He's fine, Cameron. Okay? He is the same as always. And thanks to you, he'll stay that way."

  Kassar held up his hands as if shocked by her outburst.

  "Easy. I was only inquiring. And it is not thanks to me. It is thanks to you."

  She winced at his comment. She hated that she did, but she couldn't help it. His words stung like hell. Mostly because they were the truth.

  "But I did not come here to discuss that"

  She wasn't entirely sure she believed him. She knew he liked to needle her. She believed that in his mind that he somehow viewed it as flirting.

  "Then why are you here?"

  "She didn't arrive."

  He waited in silence. She stood looking at him, a confused expression on her face. When he did nothing to elaborate she said, "Who didn't? Your mail order bride? Don't keep me in suspense here."

  She immediately regretted the words. Her father always said her mouth would get her into trouble and he'd been right about that on more than one occasion. She saw the storm building in Cameron's eyes and doubted highly that any of her assistants would call them sexy now.

  "Watch yourself."

  "Well I don't know what you are talking about, Cameron. If you have something to say, then say it and stop talking in riddles."

  "Paige! Paige did not arrive."

  "So? Did she miss the flight or something?"

  "No. She emailed Linda and told her she had some things to deal with."

  "Linda?"

  "Linda Danvers. Our operative. The woman that Paige was supposed to be meeting up with. Paige knows her as Linda Dunn, a college friend."

  He was clenching his fists again. He knew that she knew exactly who Linda was.

  "Some things to deal with? Like what?"

  "That is my question," Cameron replied.

  She started to sit on the edge of the desk, but remembered she was wearing a skirt and awkwardly redirected herself back down into her chair.

  "What? You think I know?"

  "Well?"

  "Well what? Jesus, Cameron. How in the hell would I know?"

  "How the hell would you not?"

  "Screw you. Cameron, I've been working here for ten years now, you've been here for six..."

  "Seven," he corrected her.

  "Seven. This isn't the first time that...things have deviated."

  "I am well aware of that," he said, remembering that he'd told Linda almost the exact same thing.

  "Hell things are supposed to deviate most of the time. Isn't that the point?"

  "I know that as well, but it's never happened this quickly after we..."

  "Guess there is a first time for everything, now isn't there?"

  "Julie." The anger was flaring in his eyes.

  "I don't know what the hell you expect from me, Cameron. What is it?"

  "I know things deviate. Did anything deviate early on? Anything that could have indicated this might happen? Anything you might have done?"

  "Why would I?"

  "Do I really need to list the reasons?"

  "I know my damn job, Kassar. You know why I do it, but that doesn't effect how I do it. Hell, you've had me removed from most of the hands-on stuff. You know I don't even have anything to do with..."

  "I better not find out otherwise."

  "Are you threatening me, Cameron?"

  "If I were, you'd damn well know it. But perhaps your mind has been somewhere else. Perhaps you are having trouble keeping focused on the project, hmm? Maybe if there were no distractions?"

  She couldn't suppress her shuddering and this time there was no doubt of the less than subtly implied threat.

  "I don't know Cameron. Have the data sent to me and I'll review it, but I am telling you everything on my end went textbook."

  "Thank you," he said, flashing that well-practiced smile once more before leaving her alone.

  She maintained control until his footsteps had faded then she began to tremble. She reached for the phone, but succeeded only in knocking it to the floor along with several of her folders and notebooks.

  "Bastard!"

  He knew her buttons, better than she knew his or perhaps it was that unlike Cameron, she actually cared about something more than just herself.

  Tears ran down her face despite her best efforts. She had no doubt that Cameron would have one of his smug grins on his face if he could see her now.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  He considered renting a car, but decided at least for the time being to wait. After all, he wasn't sure how long he would actually be in San Diego. He also didn't know the
city and neither did Paige, though apparently her friend had already arranged for an apartment for her.

  They picked up the rest of Paige's luggage from baggage claim. Nathan said nothing when he saw there were only two medium size suitcases, obviously brand new. They took a cab to one of the closer hotels. Nathan arranged for them to hold Paige's luggage, while he kept his computer case with him.

  They had to wait a few minutes to be seated in the hotel's main dining area, the Eagle's Nest. Nathan asked for a quiet corner, which wasn't a problem as they were just opening for the evening. They were seated by the windows that looked out over the marina. The water was calm, moored boats bobbed gently in the water. Sally, their waitress, practically skipped over to the table and introduced herself. Nathan imagined she had likely been kicked off the cheerleading squad for excessive peppiness.

  "Can I start you off with a cocktail?" she asked with a huge grin, as she handed them menus.

  "Yes," said Paige. "I definitely think I am going to need a drink."

  "One of those days, eh? I know exactly what you mean," Sally said, though Nathan doubted the woman had a clue.

  "Frozen strawberry margarita and I'll have a Diet Coke," he said, wanting Ms. Cheerful away as soon as possible.

  Sally looked over at Paige, who was staring at Nathan. She glanced up at the waitress and nodded.

  "Super! Be back in a jiffy."

  Nathan folded his hands together, resting his elbows on the table and leaned over pretending to study the menu. He waited for what was to come.

  "Please," Paige said. "Please do not do that. You have no idea how that makes me feel."

  "Sorry," he whispered.

  Sally returned quickly, though whether or not her speed had indeed qualified as a genuine jiffy, Nathan couldn't say, but he was thankful just the same as her arrival at least broke the silence temporarily.

  "Can I tell you the specials?"

  Neither of them had time to respond before she had launched into the list of specials for the evening. Nathan tuned her out and stared at Paige across the table. She was listening to Sally with feigned interest. He had seen her do it countless times before. It was just one of the special things about her.

  "I think we are going to need a few minutes," she told Sally, when the waitress finished her spiel.

  "Take your time," she said, looking very much like a poster child for the Have a Nice Day Foundation.

  "I am sorry. I really didn't...think, I guess. Old Habits."

  "For you maybe," Paige said. "But for me it is..."

  He nodded, understanding her unfinished statement.

  "I'll try my best."

  "Thank you."

  They lapsed back into silence again, both feigning interest in their menus.

  When Sally returned they both ended up ordering cheeseburgers and fries, Nathan allowing Paige to order first and for herself. The news seemed to excite Sally to no end and he wondered exactly what it would take to put the woman in a bad mood. When Sally was out of earshot, Nathan let out a short laugh and shook his head.

  "What? Her?"

  "No, but I do wonder if her personality is natural or chemically enhanced."

  Paige smiled. "She's too coordinated for it to be chemical. So what was so funny?"

  He scratched his chin, debating.

  "Go ahead," she insisted.

  "Okay," Nathan said. "You and me. An entire menu of things to choose from and we end up ordering more or less from the kids section. So typical."

  Paige smiled, but it was a little forced. "So, you and...she did that a lot?"

  Nathan didn't try and correct her statement, he simply nodded and said, "Often enough."

  "Hmm. Well I was not actually sure of what to get. I was actually leaning towards the scallops."

  He nodded. "Either that or the garden salad with ranch dressing on the side"

  She didn't try to hide her emotions. She licked her lips and made an effort to swallow. Paige began to reach for her drink, but saw her trembling hands and placed them back in her lap.

  "Is...is there a reason I did not go with either of those?"

  Nathan debated, he didn't like upsetting her, but she motioned for him to continue. He nodded.

  "Travel day."

  She remained quiet.

  "As much as you'd have enjoyed either of those dishes, they wouldn't have gone with the rest of the day. Those would have qualified as real food and you..."

  "Never eat real food when I travel," she finished for him.

  "Yeah," Nathan said quietly. "Exactly."

  "So," Paige said with a hint of nervous laughter. "She did that too?"

  Again Nathan didn't correct her, didn't insist that the 'she' that Paige was speaking of was in fact herself.

  Dinner arrived shortly. Nathan's stomach growled when the plate was placed before him and he was surprised to find he was famished. He popped a crisp french fry into his mouth immediately. He began to reach out, but stopped himself.

  "Umm...salt or pepper?"

  "Pepper," Paige said quietly, knowing full well that he had meant to simply hand her the pepper without asking.

  They lapsed into silence as they began to eat. At first an uncomfortable silence due to his comments and actions, but then it was just them being lost in the meal. Sally returned halfway through and asked if Paige wanted another margarita. Nathan could tell she wanted to say yes. Actually, he thought what she wanted was a shot of something a little stronger, even though she really didn't drink much hard liquor. In the end she declined and switched to water.

  The margarita had at least relaxed her a little. Nathan could tell by the way she was sitting, a little more laid-back, though still a bit on edge. He decided he wouldn't push, but he didn't have to. Paige was the one who started things up again.

  "The pictures are very good."

  "What?"

  "The pictures of you and...well for the sake of making things easier, me I guess. They are good. Good quality I mean. Clear and sharp."

  "For fakes, you mean?"

  Paige nodded.

  "But they aren't..."

  "They have to be. I wasn't there. Wherever it is those were taken."

  "I have more," Nathan said, tapping the computer case by his feet.

  "Just as good no doubt."

  "Well no, some are quite blurry. I always said you belonged in front of the camera, not behind it," he said, a sad smile on his face.

  Sally returned and removed their empty plates, they both declined dessert.

  "Okay, you say they are fake?"

  "They have to be," Paige insisted.

  "Then show me some that aren't."

  "What?"

  "Well you must have some. At least a snapshot or two in your purse or on your phone."

  "No...I don't. None, besides the one on my driver's license."

  "Well that doesn't count." Nathan said, a bit harsher than he'd intended.

  "I lost everything just a couple weeks ago. Everything," she repeated. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "There...there was..." She stopped and looked at Nathan. She felt a little dizzy as she realized that she didn't have to finish her sentence, he already knew. She could see he was almost mouthing the word 'fire'.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Nathan wasn't the least bit surprised when Paige rose from the table and walked off. He'd gone too far. He'd pushed when he knew he shouldn't. Sally brought him the bill and for once her cheerfulness was thankfully restrained.

  He knew he'd crossed a line. He just wasn't quite sure how far he'd crossed it. His heart was racing as he approached the front desk of the hotel.

  "How may I help you, Mr. King?"

  The man behind the counter instantly picked up on Nathan's reaction.

  "We spoke earlier. I arranged for your luggage to be held."

  "Oh yes," Nathan said, "not my luggage."

  "The young lady's. Do you require it now?"

  Nathan placed his hands on the counter and let out
a sigh.

  "Are you alright, sir?"

  "Yeah," Nathan replied. "Fine. Jet lag getting to me I guess."

  "Do you require the luggage?"

  "No, I don't think we'll need it just yet. The woman I was with, have you seen her?"

  "I'm sorry, but I haven't."

  "Your pool area?"

  The man gestured to the right.

  Nathan glanced at his watch.

  "Anything else, Mr. King?"

  "Yes, I think we'll be staying with you for the night."

  "Wonderful. Let me see what we have available."

  "Two rooms please."

  "Adjoined?"

  "Yes...no. Next to each other, but not connected," Nathan stammered. The man at the desk nodded his understanding.

  "Okay let me see what we have."

  "Marina view if you have it."

  The man clicked a few more keys and then nodded. "Two rooms, non-adjoined. Marina view."

  "Balconies?"

  "Yes, I think we can accommodate you. The rooms will be..."

  "Doesn't matter," Nathan said and handed the man a credit card.

  "Very good. One moment, please."

  When he came back, the man returned the credit card to Nathan along with two plastic room keys.

  "Rooms five twenty-one and five twenty-three. Would you like the luggage taken up?"

  "Yes. Place it in room twenty-one, please."

  Nathan left the desk and headed off to the pool. He saw her immediately. She was leaning against the railing on the far side of the pool, looking off into the marina and the rippling reflection of the fading light on the water.

  Paige glanced over at the sound of his approach, but didn't turn to face him. Her face looked red, but Nathan was certain it was simply a trick from the dying light. At least he hoped it was.

  "Sorry."

  She continued to watch the colors dance upon the water's surface.

  "I...I thought maybe we'd spend the night. Maybe start over in the morning."