“I thought the same thing once.”
Evidently a lot of people had. But this was about Gail and Pete. “You need to be tough, Gail.”
“I don’t think I can.”
“Why not?”
“What if it backfires? What if I lose him?”
“Then you don’t really have him.” Kelly said softly, and hated the wounded expression her words caused. She didn’t want to be cruel, but Gail deserved to know one way or the other. “Do you want to spend the rest of your life waiting? Years could go by while you’re hung up on a guy who doesn’t want the same thing as you.”
“At least you didn’t say he doesn’t want me.”
“Obviously he does or he wouldn’t be having sex with you. But is that it? Don’t you want a guy who will indulge you? Adore you, put you first, be everything to you?”
“Sounds kind of nice.”
“It is,” Kelly said and knew it was true. She adored Craig and he made her feel special in so many ways. “I don’t know how it happened so fast, but I fell for Craig the instant I saw him. After Robert, I never expected another relationship. At least not so soon.”
She stared at her water glass, remembering her dinner with Craig last night. How he’d held her wine glass to her lips, watching her sip, then turned the goblet and placed his lips just so, sipping from the same spot. The movement seemed intimate and arousing. Even now, she felt a flutter in her belly. Would he always create a longing within?
“He’s the one?” Gail’s question brought Kelly from her musing.
“He’s the one,” she replied with heartfelt sincerity.
“Gee, Kelly. I’m really happy for you.”
Chapter 18
Kelly thrived on caffeine, and had a weakness for Starbucks. She tried counting carbs and calories, but at the moment she was dying for a White Chocolate Frappuccino with a shot of espresso. Since the delicacy was loaded with ice, she considered it one of her water allowances for the day. The fragrance of flavored coffee hit her as soon as she opened the shop’s door.
A number of people sat at various tables with their laptops in front of them. Whether reading the news, catching up on work, or playing solitaire, their concentration glued to their computer screens. Luck shined on her today. Only two people stood in line. When it came to her turn, she gave her order, then waited at the other end of the counter for pickup. Just as she settled her purse strap on her shoulder, her phone buzzed. She dug in her purse, of course the darn thing was at the bottom.
Sandi. Since her boss, Mike, was being stubborn, Kelly had to make the trip back to Virginia. She’d texted Sandi to let her know the plane had arrived. Kelly caught a taxi to town and had the driver drop her off at the corner of Boulevard and Myers. Thank God Starbucks was within walking distance to her apartment. She texted a quick reply and had just hit send when she realized a broad chest blocked her way. Excuse me was on the tip of her tongue, but never left her mouth as she glanced up to the man standing before her.
Robert.
She hadn’t been in town ten minutes.
“The cell phone has become an obsession with a lot of people, but I never suspected you to fall victim, Kelly.”
She blinked. His blond hair was perfectly trimmed, as always, and a gray tailored suit fit him to perfection. However, the smile he wore had her on edge. Her name rolled off his tongue possessively. He had no right.
“What are you doing here?” she managed to blurt.
He glanced to the sign above her head and then brought his gaze back to hers. “I thought I might get a coffee.”
“They don’t serve coffee on Broad Street?”
“Now, Kelly. Is that any way to greet a long time . . . friend?” His deliberate hesitation insinuated lover.
“You’re not my friend. You’re not anything to me.”
His smile grew bigger, but did not conceal the irritated gleam in his eyes.
“I was once.”
She moved to step around him. His arm shot out.
“Okay. Don’t get all mad.” She glanced at the arm preventing her exit. “I’m here to see you. To apologize.”
“Done.” She gave a nod. “Goodbye.”
“Kelly, please.” The tone of his voice turned pleading, which surprised her. Very different from the condescending man she’d known. He seemed sincere.
She hesitated. Then mentally kicked herself for doing so.
“Are you also picking one up for your wife?” she asked sweetly.
A moment of annoyance flashed in his eyes, just before his shoulders dropped with a heavy sigh. “Kelly, look. Can we sit down?”
“No.”
He appeared stumped by her refusal. “I’ll explain everything.”
“Explain what? More lies?” The girl behind the counter called her name. Kelly slipped in a straw and clutched the container like a drowning person would cling to a life raft. She turned, ready to flee. Robert, once again, barred her way.
“Kelly. She’s out of the picture. Please. Will you just hear me out?” He noticed her indecision and knew she was wavering. “Come on. Share a coffee with me.”
She must have lost her mind. Reluctantly, she agreed.
While he ordered a coffee, she found an empty table in the corner. She knew she’d have to face him sooner or later. Might as well get it over with. In no time, he joined her.
“I messed up,” he said with feeling as he stared at the cup in his hand. When his gaze lifted to hers, his eyes were filled with sorrow and regret. “I let the one woman who meant everything to me get away.”
Having no answer, she took a sip of her drink. The taste immediately satisfied her craving. After a lengthy pause, Robert continued.
“I want to apologize. I made a mistake.”
“A huge one. You lied to me.”
“I didn’t tell you about her because I’d already planned to get a divorce.”
“She seemed to be unaware of that fact,” Kelly spat.
His face tightened. He was clenching his jaw, but trying not to show it. She’d been around him enough to know his quirks. He didn’t like Kelly confronting him about his wife.
“She knew,” he said. “She just didn’t know about you.” The shadows in his eyes expressed pain.
Well, she sure found out. Kelly remembered the moment she demanded Robert explain the woman he was with. Had he been hurt, too? During the heated encounter, Kelly had been so stunned and livid, she hadn’t seen anything beyond her own rage.
“Things had been spiraling for a long time,” he continued. “We didn’t get along, we didn’t share a bedroom.” Bracing his arms on the table, he stared down at the cup between his hands. “I hate having to tell you these things. It’s embarrassing.”
“You should have told me sooner.” As if judging the weight of her words, Robert just stared. She’d never seen that pleading look in his eyes, begging her to believe him. Some of her irritation faded away.
“My wife wanted the prestige, the money. I had planned to get a divorce as quickly and quietly as I could. I figured if she knew about you, she’d drag out the entire process. Even drag you into our dispute. I didn’t want that. I’d hoped to keep you out of it.”
“You kept me out of it all right,” she hissed. “I was the other woman.”
His hand covered hers. “You were never the other woman. You were the only woman.”
God, he was persuasive. He’d used her. She couldn’t bring herself to believe him.
“Funny. When I went to school, one plus one equaled two. In my book, it still does.”
“Kelly, I swear to you. You were the only one who meant anything to me. When I realized I was falling in love with you, I pressed her. That’s why we were together that night.”
Love
?
“Robert, I saw you. You seemed like the happy couple. The two of you looked too cozy to be discussing divorce.”
“I had to be charming to get her to agree to be civil. I played along, hoping to hurry the process, and I thought we were making some headway.”
Kelly knew only too well just how charming Robert could be. She slid her fingers from under his and placed her hand in her lap. “Till I showed up.”
“I love you.”
Now he was grasping. She wasn’t falling for it. She remembered the disturbing expression in his eyes, hate. “You were furious.”
“So were you.”
“Of course. I’d just caught you with another woman.” Kelly realized how loudly she’d spoken. Sure enough, other customers were looking at her. Dammit. This was a bad idea. She stood. “It’s over Robert. I’ve moved on. I suggest you do the same.”
She stormed out of Starbucks, afraid to look back.
~ ~ ~
Kelly rapped on the paneled wood and nearly jumped out of her skin when the door flew open.
“Kelly. Thank God. You had me worried. I expected you an hour ago.” Sandi yanked Kelly in for a hug. “Are you okay?”
“Sorry I’m late,” she managed as the breath was squeezed from her.
“Come in and tell me what happened. Your text said you were at Starbucks. I thought you meant the one on this corner.” Sandi stepped back and motioned for Kelly to enter.
“I’ll tell you in one word. Robert.”
“Are you kidding me? Does the guy have radar? You’re back in Virginia for five minutes and he’s on your trail?”
“He found me in Starbucks.”
“I hope you threw hot coffee on him.” Sandi spoke over her shoulder as she headed for the kitchen. “You probably need something stronger to drink. Wine?”
Kelly nodded. Realizing Sandi didn’t see her, she answered. “Yes.” She’d vamoosed out of the coffee shop so fast, she’d left her Frappuccino behind. She hung her purse on a chair back and noticed her shaking hand. Fear? Anger? She shoved the hair from her face and climbed onto the stool. Sandi lifted a bottle of wine from the rack and poured a generous amount in two goblets.
“Here.” She handed one to Kelly, then took a large gulp from the other one.
How Kelly had managed to make it through the stressful conversation, she didn’t know. Why had she listened to Robert go on forever? He had the ridiculous notion they would get back together.
When hell freezes over.
Sandi’s hand covered one of hers. “Kelly. You’re shaking. Are you all right?”
She took a large gulp of her wine, then stared into the glass. “I don’t know if it’s from anger at him or myself. How stupid can I be?”
“You’re not stupid.”
Kelly rolled her eyes and gave her friend an ‘oh really’ look.
“Going out with a married man is not stupid unless you know he’s married. Robert hoodwinked you. Said and done. You’re not stupid.”
She’d like to believe that. Robert’s betrayal had chipped away at her confidence. Hell, he’d done more than that. She had no trust in her decisions, her judgement, and had very nearly second guessed her self-worth.
“Stop it.”
Kelly jumped to awareness. “Stop what.”
“Stop beating yourself up. He’s a worm. Now tell me. Did you throw your coffee on him or not?”
“Not.” Kelly smiled. Good friends were hard to come by and Sandi was the best.
“I like a good ‘latte, too. But even risking a Starbucks is worth giving him a good scalding.” Sandi had a weird sense of humor.
“He probably deserved it.”
“No probably to it. Of course he did.”
“He just wanted to talk. To apologize.”
Sandi smacked her hand on the counter. “Don’t tell me you believed him. After that cheating bastard lied to you about being married.”
“Technically, he didn’t lie. He just never told me.” Kelly shrugged and took a sip of her wine. Why was she defending the guy?
“Technically, schmecknally. He lied. And if he did it once, he’ll do it again.” Sandi opened the refrigerator and took out a hunk of sausage and a bag of cheese cubes. “We need some cheese with our wine.” She chuckled and snatched a box of appetizer crackers from the shelf. She sorted them on a tray, then hopped up onto the chair beside Kelly.
“Tell me everything,” she said, as she refilled their wine glasses.
“He asked me to hear him out. Sandi, he seemed so sincere.”
“Uh-huh. Just like when you were dating?”
Her friend hit the nail right on the head. Exactly like that. “I had a weak moment.” She frowned in repulsion.
“That’s all right. As long as you don’t have any more,” Sandi mumbled, with cheese in her mouth.
Kelly picked a chunk of salami and added a cracker. “He said he messed up.”
“Big time,” Sandi said, tossing a cheese cube in her mouth.
“He said,” Kelly paused for affect and pretended to mock his voice, “I let the one woman who meant everything to me get away.” She loaded another cracker with meat and added cheese.
“Did you laugh in his face?”
“I wanted to.”
“You should have. Noting makes a man feel smaller than a woman laughing at him.”
Robert would not have liked that.
“He said he didn’t tell me about his wife because he was getting a divorce.”
“You believe that? They looked pretty chummy at the restaurant.”
“Of course not. But dammit, I almost did.”
Sandi braced her arms on the counter and leaned back, giving Kelly a hard glare.
Kelly waved a hand in a swishing motion. “I said almost.”
“You have got to be joking.”
“You know how charming Robert can be. But you haven’t heard the best part.” Kelly hesitated for affect. “He said he loved me.”
Sandi spewed her wine. She looked like a water fountain. “Oh, God. I can’t believe I wasted good wine.”
Kelly handed her a paper towel, then tore off another one for herself.
“You positively cannot see him again,” Sandi said, as she wiped up the mess. “You’re not, are you?”
“I’m not planning on it,” Kelly answered, as she helped to clean.
“We’ve got to make your normal schedule out of whack. Shake up your usual routine.”
“I haven’t even been back to my apartment yet.”
“He’s been by here plenty.” Sandi scrunched up the wet paper towel and tossed it in the trash. “Are you going to work tomorrow?”
“I have too. I’m turning in my notice and packing up my office.” She crunched on another cracker.
“Go late. Don’t take lunch. Tell the guard not to let Robert upstairs. Leave early, or better yet, leave with your boss.”
“Sandi. Calm down. I’ve got this.”
“I’m serious about your routine change. That’s how he found you at Starbucks.”
Kelly thought about that. Had Robert been waiting on her? He could be following her.
“You’re right. I’ll be careful.”
Chapter 19
Kelly pushed the elevator button for the executive floor. With her boss’s reaction on her mind, she mentally went over several scenarios of how their discussion might turn out. Either she left on a cordial note, or he would toss her out on her ear. Mike could be a bear at times, but he treated his employees honorably.
To be fair, she had previously called asking for a few weeks’ vacation. He’d sputtered and complained, but he’d given her the time off. Now she was jumping ship, and he had every right to be
upset. A bell dinged as the elevator doors opened to a bright room with lots of activity. Usually, she walked past the front welcoming station with only a nod or quick greeting. Today, she purposely stepped to the reception attendant.
“Oh my gosh. Kelly!” Tammy jumped from her chair in excitement. “Is it true? The grapevine says you’re quitting.”
“How’s Mike?” Kelly asked, avoiding the question.
“Grumpy as ever. Last week I thought he was going to have a heart attack.”
“Guess I better get in there. Anyone in his office?”
“No one’s gone by here. Check with Regina. That woman deserves a raise, having to manage a bad-tempered, cantankerous old coot for a boss.”
“She likes being his personal secretary. And he does pay well.”
“Not enough for me to put up with his raving. Why don’t I give her a quick call, see if he’s busy?”
“That would be great. If he is, I’ll just go on to my office.”
Taking her seat, Tammy pushed a button and spoke into the black wire sticking out from her ear. Kelly made a motion drawing her attention.
“Don’t tell her I’m here.”
Tammy gave a wink and quickly ended the conversation.
“He’s in a meeting. I bet he’d throw them out if he knew you were here.”
“Thanks, Tammy. I’ll call Regina from my office.”
“Angie will be glad to have you back. In case you’re wondering, she didn’t say a word. No one could get her to commit to a yes or a no. She’d be perfect for the CIA.”
With a smile, Kelly started down the hall, grateful she had such a valuable assistant. Angie deserved a raise as well. Especially for keeping quiet about Kelly’s resignation. She knew how cruel the vultures could be when they were on the scent of a job opportunity.
The incident with Robert flared to mind. She spun around.
“Tammy? Would you alert Security if Robert happens to show up? He is not allowed access on this floor.”
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