by B L Clark
“Okay, you two are having way too much fun in here to actually be working,” she said.
“No, Zach just told me how he met Amber,” Heather said.
“Does she have some special power that draws people to her?” Sidney joked.
“It’s her kindness and gentleness,” Zach said, smiling.
“Even after everything she’s been through,” Heather mumbled loud enough for only Zach to hear. “So, what’s up?”
“Um, well, Lori is here…” Sidney started.
“One of these days, you’re going to have to learn how to deal with her,” Heather said.
“I know, but can today not be that day?”
“Fine, I’ll be out in a minute.”
Sidney smiled and went to tell Lori that Heather would be right out.
“Who’s Lori?” Zach asked.
“Erik’s ex-fiancée and a total pain in the ass when she chooses.”
“So, can I come and watch a master handle someone so destructive?”
“Well, I could call Jill, but I was thinking of handling it myself,” Heather joked as she headed for the front desk. Zach was right behind her.
Chapter Seven
Holding on to the Past
“Hey, Erik! What brings you by?” Jill asked as he entered the police station.
“I just wanted to talk to you about something quick if you have a moment.”
“Okay, come into my office,” Jill said. Once they entered, she closed the door and sat behind the desk, putting her feet up on it.
“I’m worried about Nicole,” he blurted out.
“Worried? Why?” Jill sat up and intently listened to what Erik had to say.
“I’m afraid she’s going to get her hopes up that Amber is going to stay or that they can have a relationship.”
“Amber has only been back maybe twenty-four hours, and after hearing why she left, I don’t think Nicole is going to read more into it.”
“She can’t survive another heartbreak from Amber,” Erik said.
“I know that, but let’s see where they stand after their time out at the pond, then we can decide what to do,” Jill said.
“Were you not there this morning to see how close and cuddly they were being?”
“I was, but I don’t think they’re just going to jump back into things as if the past ten years have been erased.”
“I just don’t want Nicole being hurt anymore.”
“Nobody does. I’m certain that Amber feels the same way.”
“I hope you’re right,” Erik said. “I’m glad to have Amber back here and to get to know who she is now. I just need to look out for Nicole. She’s still really fragile.”
“I know, Erik. I know.”
“Do you want me to come to the hotel with you?” Nicole asked as she and Amber walked back from the pond holding hands.
“Of course I do.” Amber offered a soft smile.
“I just don’t want to crowd you.”
“If you start to crowd me, I’ll let you know.” Amber squeezed Nicole’s hand as they neared the edge of town.
“When do you go back to New York?”
“Day after tomorrow. I believe Zach goes back tomorrow. The gallery can’t be down two replicators for too long.”
“That must be such an amazing job,” Nicole said.
“Why do you think that?”
“Hello, you’re copying original masterpieces.”
“I am, but it’s work. Yeah, being close to a masterpiece is like nothing else. Yet when I’m replicating it, I just see the brushstrokes and what I need to get it done and accurately.”
“Still, from here, it sounds amazing.”
“It was very intimidating at first. Although by doing the replicating, it has really helped me improve my painting skills.”
“You always had more talent than you gave yourself credit for.” Nicole smiled.
“And you were always biased.” Amber offered a smile that melted Nicole’s heart.
“And honest,” Nicole said as they neared the hotel.
“Lori.” Heather came around the corner and walked up to the desk.
“Well, it’s about ti—” Lori stopped when she saw Zach come up behind Heather. “Hi, I’m Lori Jenkins. And you are?”
“He’s not here for you.” Heather blocked Lori’s hand that was extended toward Zach.
“Well, maybe not, but there’s no reason to be rude to such an amazing specimen of manly goodness.”
“I’m Zach,” he said, shaking Lori’s hand. “I’m just visiting. The…um…person I’m with just stepped out, so I’m shadowing Heather.”
“Well, that’s pretty rude to ditch you and leave you with Junior Woods here.” Lori scoffed.
“Hey,” Heather said, wishing that Lori would stop talking.
“Oh, it wasn’t meant as anything bad. Some people can be so sensitive.”
“And some people can be so rude.” Heather looked directly at Lori. “What brings you by the hotel today?”
“Well, we’re having several big-wigs visiting from the corporate office of the tire factory, and I was hoping to get a block of suites reserved,” Lori said, then turned to Zach. “I’m the director of finance for the tire factory. And what do you do?”
“Quit flirting with him.” Heather growled, pulling up the reservation calendar in the computer.
“Well, I don’t see a wedding ring on his finger, and we all know that I’m single, no thanks to Erik.”
“Heather is right, I’ll be leaving for New York tomorrow, so the flirting isn’t necessary,” Zach said.
“Pity! What does New York have that I can’t give you?” Lori moved closer to Zach.
“When do you need the block, how many, and for how long?” Heather asked, hearing a giggle from Sidney’s direction.
“Right. I’ll need ten suites for eight days starting the first of next month.”
“I can guarantee that we can do that. Thank you for giving us ample advanced notice this time,” Heather said as she blocked off the rooms.
“Yeah, it wasn’t my fault you wouldn’t move those people around last time.”
“I realize it wasn’t, but I’m still thanking you for the advanced notice. I blocked the suites for you, so we’re all set.”
“Thank you,” Lori said. “So, handsome, do you have plans tonight? Your last night in our little town.”
“He does,” Nicole said as she and Amber came in the front door.
Sidney, Heather, and Zach noticed they were holding hands but quickly dropped them when Nicole addressed Lori.
“So, you know our little friend here, Nicole?” Lori asked.
“Yes, I do.”
“Oh, don’t tell me the one you’re with is that hot little number standing next to Nicole.”
“I am,” Zach said, offering Nicole and Amber a pleading look.
“Hi, sweetie, sorry we were gone so long.” Amber walked over and hugged Zach.
“It’s okay. I know how time flies when you’re spending time with old friends.” Zach kept his arm around Amber and held her close.
“You really should get a ring on his finger before someone like me steals him away.” Lori turned to look directly at Amber.
“It has been a topic of discussion hasn’t it, sweetie?” Amber smiled lovingly up at Zach as he hugged her even closer. Nicole, Heather, and Sidney were trying to contain their laughter.
“Well, Heather, do you need anything else from me for that block reservation?”
“No, we’re good.” Heather hoped the woman would leave, she wasn’t sure how much more Lori she could take.
“Fine, it was nice meeting you, handsome. If you ever get bored with blondie here, give me a call.” Lori handed Zach her card before turning and leaving.
Zach just stood there in disbelief.
“Who the hell was that?” Amber asked after Lori had left as she extricated herself from Zach’s tight hold.
“That’s Lori…Erik’s ex
-fiancée.” Nicole giggled.
“She’s what?” Amber asked in surprise.
Nicole was about to explain the force known as Lori when Erik and Jill walked in.
“Ah, perfect timing, you two.” Nicole looked directly at Erik.
“That’s never a good greeting,” Jill said as she and Erik slowly backed away.
“Freeze, Woods. You too, Harrison,” Amber said, eager to find out more about Lori.
“What did we do?” Erik asked nervously.
“Oh, you just missed Lori.” Heather giggled. At the woman’s name, Erik and Jill gave a full-body shiver.
“That sounds like perfect timing if we missed her.” Erik sat on a chair in the lobby area near the others.
Amber moved from her seat between Nicole and Zach to sit on the arm of Erik’s chair in hopes of making it so he couldn’t run away. “Yeah, but now you get to explain her to me!”
“Crap!” Erik exclaimed.
“So, ex-fiancée, huh?” Amber teased as she leaned back and put her head on his shoulder.
“Yeah, she moved here about two years after you left. We dated for a couple of years, I proposed, she said yes…”
“He got cold feet and wussed out on the day of the rehearsal,” Jill added, picking up where Erik had trailed off.
“Seriously?” Amber asked.
“Yes, not one of my finer moments. It was still better than doing it the day of the wedding,” he said, looking down. “What was she doing here?”
“She came to reserve some rooms and hit on Zach.” Heather laughed as Zach glared at her and shook his head, turning a bright shade of red.
“How bad was she?” Erik asked, mortified.
“Oh, yeah, it was full-blown Lori on the prowl,” Heather said.
“Man, I am so very sorry.”
“We all are,” Nicole said. “Amber and I walked in to see some of it. Then Amber became the doting and loving girlfriend to tame her a bit, and she still gave him her card and told him to call her if he ever got bored with Amber.”
“Oh, god.” Erik blushed. He was really wishing Amber would move so he could bolt out of there. Lori Jenkins was not a subject he wanted to discuss.
“Yeah, Erik, it wasn’t cool of your ex to hit on my honey,” Amber teased.
“I’m going to guess that she didn’t take the breakup well,” Zach said.
“Not in the slightest,” Jill said. “I had to put Erik in protective custody for a few days. She was on a mission to make him pay. She wanted vengeance.”
“So, what stopped her?” Amber asked.
“She found a new guy,” Nicole deadpanned and held her hand out for Amber to return to sitting next to her.
Amber moved back over to sit by Nicole and Zach. Everyone noted how close Amber and Nicole were sitting.
“I have an idea.” Nicole changed the subject after seeing how uncomfortable Erik was.
“What’s that?” Amber asked.
“Why don’t we get Chinese and all go back to my place and hang out?”
“I’m in.” Amber smiled at the idea of seeing Nicole’s house and what her life had become.
“If Amber’s in, I’m in.” Zach wanted to get to know Nicole better. Someone who could bring out so much joy in Amber was someone he needed to know more about.
“I’m in,” Jill said. “Heather?”
“Yep, I just need to finish a couple of things here and then I can head over. Why don’t you place the order and I’ll pick it up on my way?”
“Sounds good. Um, Amber, can I talk to you for a minute?” Nicole asked nervously.
“Sure, sweetie, why don’t you come up to my room with me while I put the letter away?”
“Okay.” They headed to the elevator and up to Amber’s room.
“I wonder what that’s about,” Jill said.
“I don’t know, but does everyone remember that Amber’s mom lived at Nicole’s…the exact same house where we’re going tonight, the same house that Nicole was terrorized in?” Erik looked at the group.
“What?” Zach was shocked by this fact. “I didn’t realize this was the same house. Do you think that Amber can handle being there? I won’t let anything upset her like yesterday.”
“Down, boy.” Jill put a hand on Zach’s arm. “I know Amber can handle it. Part of it may be hard, but I think it’ll be good for her and Nic.”
“If you’re sure,” Zach said warily.
“If she starts to have problems, we’ll come back here or go to my place,” Jill reassured.
aaAA
Amber unlocked her room and entered with Nicole following nervously behind her.
“What’s going on?” Amber asked as they walked over and sat on the edge of the platform bed.
“I…um…wanted to remind you that your mom lived with me at my place for the last several years of her life. Are you okay with being there? It isn’t going to be too difficult, is it?”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about that. I think I’ll be okay. If not, you’ll be there to help me,” Amber said with a smile, hoping she was strong enough to handle this.
“Of course I’ll be wherever you want me. Do you want to bring some clothes to stay over? I mean, if it gets late or something. Not that I’m pushing you or expecting anything, I just, I don’t know. I had such a good time today, and I’m afraid that if the day ends, you’ll be gone. And I know we have separate lives now, but I don’t know…I’m babbling, and I can’t stop myself.”
“Nic, relax, please.” Amber took Nicole’s hand in her own. “I would like to bring some clothes and stay over. Not if it gets too late, but just plan that I’ll stay over. I had a great time today, too. Spending time with you is incredible and not something I thought would ever happen again.”
“You really want to stay?” Nicole asked.
“Yeah, I really want to stay. I want to spend as much time as I can with you. Zach goes back to New York tomorrow. I don’t go back until the following night.”
“Oh, can I sign that form for you now? I don’t want to forget later,” Nicole said.
“Sure.” Amber got up, grabbed the form off the desk and a pen, and handed them to Nicole. “The photo of you is the one Lucinda likes best.”
“Well, we all know that I’m incredibly photogenic.” Nicole laughed, and Amber joined in.
After signing the release form, Amber put it in her bag, then packed a few items to take to Nicole’s for the night. They then headed back downstairs to meet with the others.
“I hope they hurry up, I’m starving,” Jill said.
“Well, we could order now, and then as soon as they get down here, leave. I’m sure Zach knows what Amber likes,” Erik suggested.
“That’s a great idea. I know what Nicole will want. Zach?”
“Amber likes General Tso chicken, extra spicy. I like the steamed dumplings.”
“I want the same thing as Amber,” Erik said.
“I’ll take the beef and broccoli.” Heather left them and went to her office to finish her work for the day.
“All right then, I’ll call this in, and as soon as those two get down here, we can leave,” Jill said. Just as she finished her sentence, she heard the elevator ding, and they saw Nicole and Amber.
“Sorry that took so long,” Amber said.
“That’s fine. I’m going to call in the order. Amber, Zach said you would want General Tso. Is that what you want?”
“Yep! Extra spicy.”
“Nic, the usual?”
“Yeah, that would be great.”
“Great, I’ll call this in, and we can head out.” Jill pulled out her cellphone and called in their order. Once she hung up, she told Heather they were leaving, and the order would be ready for pickup in twenty minutes.
The group left for Nicole’s place. Amber walked between Nicole and Zach, unaware that Lori was watching them. Lori just wasn’t sure that the blonde was what was best for that dashing man, and she could sense that there was more to the story of th
e mysterious woman.
The group arrived at Nicole’s, and once she unlocked the door, everyone stood back to let Nicole and Amber enter first as this was going to affect them both emotionally on a deep level.
“You have a nice place,” Amber said as she entered.
“Thanks,” Nicole said, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by emotion and flooded with memories.
They moved farther inside, and the others entered, as well, and moved to the living room off to the left while Nicole and Amber stayed in the entry. Nicole closed the door and then locked the three locks on the door. Amber froze, and tears welled in her eyes and then streamed down her face.
“Oh, goddess,” she whispered as she realized that even after all these years, Nicole was still tormented by what her father had done. She backed up several steps until she bumped into a wall, and then slid down the wall, covering her face with her hands and crying softly.
“Amber.” Zach tried to make his way to her, but he was stopped by Jill and Erik.
“Let them process this,” Erik whispered as he watched Nicole turn and see Amber sitting on the ground.
“Amber? Baby?” Nicole said with a shaky voice. When Amber didn’t look up, Nicole knew she was going to need more than words. Nicole moved over and knelt in front of Amber, placing a kiss on top of her head.
“I am so sorry. I am so sorry for what he did. It was my fault, it is my fault that you have to live like this,” Amber cried into her knees. She couldn’t make herself look up into those amazing emerald eyes. She felt so ashamed.
Everyone in the living room felt their heart break when they heard Amber’s words. Zach crumpled into a chair hurting for his friend, wanting to help her but knowing that Erik was right. Nicole and Amber needed to help each other through this.
“Amber, no! It is not your fault. Look at me.” Nicole waited until she saw Amber look up at her. “There’s my beautiful girl. Baby, you did not cause this. You weren’t the one that made him do this. Your leaving set your mother free from that bastard. You saved her, and you saved yourself.”