Pretense

by Lori Wick

  "Where's the most interesting place you've flown?"

  "I was in the Air Force, so I've been all over the world, but I love Greece. Greece is wonderful."

  "I've never been out of the United States."

  "Um, you should get yourself a passport in case the opportunity arrives."

  "You make it sound tempting."

  "Once you've tried it, you'll be hooked."

  "Can you tell me some of the places you've been?" Delancey asked. While he answered, the young artist felt surprised at herself. She was normally rather shy around men she didn't know, and here she was asking questions of a stranger, and answering his, as though they had known each other far longer. It occurred to her that he could be a serial killer, but his uniform looked authentic, and she had watched one of the flight attendants smile at him with familiarity when the refreshments were served. She was still wondering how at ease she felt when she reminded herself that he was married, and knew that this was the reason for her calm.

  Since the episode with Tab, who, she learned, had cared far more for her than he'd let on, Delancey had been just plain gun- shy, or rather, guy-shy. She would have enjoyed getting to know someone, but she wasn't sure about anything permanent. Was it possible to spend time with someone and not get too serious? After her relationship with Kyle, she was afraid to find out.

  "Well, good luck on your books," Chet said as they landed and taxied toward the gate.

  "Thank you," Delancey said, and she meant it. Having someone to talk to had made the time fly.

  They didn't speak again as they disembarked. Delancey was already thinking about getting to her car and the drive to the apartment. She also wondered suddenly if she had homework

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  that she had overlooked in all her excitement. It had been like a weekend in paradise, but now it was time to go back to work.

  Alexandria

  "I'm certainly glad you're going to your sister's for Christmas," Tom told Mackenzie, no smile on his face.

  "Why?" Mackenzie asked, her face looking no happier than his.

  "Maybe you'll come back in a better mood."

  "I don't know what you're talking about." Mackenzie busied herself with the dish in her hand and wouldn't look at him.

  "You've been a bear lately, and you know it. I don't know why I put up with it."

  Mackenzie's eyes flashed when she turned to him.

  "No one's asking you to stay, Mr. Magy."

  "Then I won't," he said tightly and put the dish towel down. He said not another word as he picked up his coat and walked from Mackenzie's apartment. She was so angry she could have spit. That he had been right didn't matter; he didn't need to be rude about it or leave in a huff. She finished the dishes in record time and wondered if she had anything for heartburn.

  Mackenzie told herself she didn't care if he never came back, but she kept the phone free all evening. The next morning she told herself to forget about him and to write her book, but it didn't work. Not even going for a run helped, so she showered and headed out to shop for Delancey for Christmas. Her flight left in two weeks, and she hadn't bought a thing. She found a dressy watch, not able to remember if Delancey had been wearing one in September. There were some wonderful men's watches too, but she was mad at Tom right now.

  She would give him a week to call, and then she would write him off. It occurred to her that she was being childish and should call him, but trying to figure out what to say was miserable to her, so she did nothing.

  The misery only increased, easing just a little when Paxton came by to give her a Christmas gift, a pen with her name engraved on it, and to tell her to have a wonderful time with her sister. He was laughingly terrible at playacting as he tried to pretend he wasn't thinking aboutSeahorse.

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  "Been writing much?" he asked, his hand on the doorknob on his way out, his manner nonchalant.

  Mackenzie laughed. "Constantly."

  Paxton smiled. "Good. We're going to be right on time withAccess Denied.I was just talking to Hank Darwell this week. He took the galleys home to his wife, and she went ballistic."

  "Did she really?"

  "Yep. She wants to meet you and made Hank promise he would invite you to their big Christmas party. He agreed until he could think of a good excuse why you couldn't come."

  Mackenzie nodded, her heart suddenly feeling very good. She had done the right thing in keeping her identity quiet, but someone liked her book! Indeed, Mackenzie felt so good that as soon as Paxton left, she went right back to her computer. She wrote like a fiend almost up to the moment it was time to leave for Delancey's. She got a lot done, but the way she treated Tom hounded her almost constantly.

  Her heart was so heavy that she nearly called him the day she left, but time was running short. She felt a bad mood coming on that wasn't helped when someone knocked at the door. Mackenzie was speechless when she opened it and Tom stood there, his eyes intent on her face. He must have been relieved at what he saw because he said, "I thought you might need a ride to the airport."

  "Oh, Tom-" Mackenzie was immediately contrite. "I'm sorry about the way I acted."

  He took her in his arms and kissed her for a long time. They really couldn't spare the minutes, but Mackenzie didn't care. It was too wonderful to have him back in her world.

  "I think we need to talk when you get home," he told her once they started off in the car.

  "All right."

  "Do you know what I'm referring to?"

  "Our relationship?"

  "Yes."

  Mackenzie nodded but didn't say anything else. She was suddenly glad for more than one reason that she was going away for ten days. Tom was just as glad. He couldn't think when he was with Mackenzie Bishop. She was too distracting, both physically and mentally. She had a way of looking at him that

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  stripped away all pretense, and since he thought his feelings might be stronger than hers, it was a constant battle not to give himself away.

  "Have a good trip," he told her sincerely as he pulled into the kiss-and-fly area.

  "I will," Mackenzie said as she leaned toward him to obey the sign.

  "When you come back, we'll have our own Christmas."

  "All right. Shall I call you for a ride?"

  "You'd better not call anyone else," he said lightly, but Mackenzie had the impression that he feared she would do just that. She checked in and went to her gate with the thought that something was very wrong, and that by not calling him, she had let something very precious slip away from her. And the strangest part about it was that she couldn't shake the feeling that he thought she was seeing someone else.

  Only Monty Forrester on the pages ofSeahorse, Mackenzie could have told him, but she knew it would have to wait at least ten days. She thought about him all the way to Chicago, but once there, her sister and that world consumed her thoughts and time. It was only just before she fell asleep for the first few nights that Mackenzie asked herself what would be the outcome of their conversation when she returned.

  "D.J., I have to have eggnog."

  "You're kidding." Delancey stared at her.

  "No, I have to have some. Let's go to the store."

  "Mackenzie, it's the twenty-third. Do you have any idea what the streets are like right now?"

  "Isn't there a small market or something in the neighborhood?"

  "Not in this neighborhood."

  Mackenzie cocked her head to one side. "Why did you rent in this part of town, D.J.?"

  "It was cheap."

  "Are you really that strapped?"

  "As a matter of fact, I'm not, but I didn't realize that until after I moved in and really saw what I would have in monthly income. I should have done more figuring ahead."

  "So why don't you move?"

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  "It's a lot of work, Mic, and I'm busy with my studies most of the time. Not to mention, I haven't gotten close to anyone this year. I can afford more rent per month, but I doubt i
f I can afford a moving company to move me."

  "What have you got that won't fit into your car?" Mackenzie argued next.

  Delancey shook her head. "Mic, if you think it's that easy, you find me a place and move all my stuff."

  Mackenzie's eyes narrowed. "I'll just do that, Delancey Joy- just see if I don't."

  Delancey shook her head in exasperation and grabbed her car keys. "Come on, let's get your eggnog. But don't forget that I warned you. It's going to be a zoo."

  Not in Delancey's wildest dreams did she think she would be apartment shopping the day after Christmas, but she learned that Mackenzie had been quite serious on the twenty-third. They had seen three apartments by two o'clock, and Delancey was in a state of shock.

  "Mic, I'm still going to end up doing this on my own. Have you figured that out?"

  "No, you won't. If you can't get in right now, I'll come back when you can and help you."

  Delancey shook her head. Sometimes there was no stopping the woman.

  "I think this one has promise," Mackenzie was saying as they pulled up in front of what looked like a warehouse. Delancey, on the other hand, was rechecking the address. There had to be a mistake.

  "I'll just leave you two to look around," the woman in gypsy-type clothing said a few minutes later, and the sisters were thrilled to be left on their own. The apartment was one-half of the top floor of an old warehouse. Right inside the door a bathroom had been set up, and next to that was a bedroom, but the rest of the apartment, including the kitchen, was one huge room. The ceilings were at least ten feet up, and since there was no furniture, Delancey thought they could play basketball. The windows that covered most of the exterior walls and went to the ceiling allowed you to look out over the street. It wasn't the

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  greatest view, since all the buildings were other brick warehouses, but Delancey could see herself sitting in a patch of sunlight and drawing for hours. With that thought she came crashing back to earth.

  "I have no furniture, Mic. I've been a student, and now I live in a studio apartment. The only thing I own is my easel."

  "We'll get you a bed," Mackenzie responded, not to be put off. "The rest will come in time."

  "I wouldn't even have a kitchen table."

  "So we'll get some TV trays, Deej. You can't let this place go. Think of the work you could get done looking out these windows."

  "I'm farther from the school."

  "You told me you don't even know if you're going back next semester. With all the stuffRainy Dayswants, it doesn't sound like you have time."

  "I figured out that I can graduate in the spring if I'll just take on a little more, and I would like to finish, Mic."

  Mackenzie finally heard her sister's tone and backed off. "I'm sorry, D.J. I don't want to push you into this. It's just so cool, and I thought you could use some more space."

  "You're not pushing me, Mic-well, maybe you are a little. I'm just not up to your speed on this yet."

  Mackenzie stayed quiet. She had known she was railroading her but was too excited to care.

  "Your place is okay, D.J.," Mackenzie said honestly. "It's just not what I've ever pictured you in, with so little space and light."

  Delancey nodded. Her little place was rather dreary, and some of the things she had said to her sister were excuses. She would have loved to find something else but had been too afraid to branch out. She took another look around and scribbled out some questions for the landlady. This place was a little more than the others they had looked at, but the space looked to be well worth it.

  "Look at this, Deej," Mackenzie offered, noticing the blinds someone had installed. They came up from the windowsill, and while not covering the whole window, they went up far enough that unless someone was in a helicopter, complete privacy was possible. The ones in the bedroom did go all the way up, and with that, Delancey fell in love with the place.

  "Let's go talk to her, Mic."

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  They ended up doing more than talking: Delancey rented the place that afternoon. They went right back to Delancey's apartment, which she rented on a monthly basis, to speak with her landlord. He had a sweet spot for Delancey, so when she promised to leave it spotlessly clean, he agreed to return half of the month she'd paid ahead. And if he could rent it before the first of January, he would return the other half to her. Things had all moved very quickly, and both girls learned anew what the power of money could do.

  Delancey had no references in the area, so Mackenzie wrote out a large check to the new landlady covering first and last months' rent. The check also covered a security deposit that they both suspected was double the norm. The woman was pleased, and Delancey was moved in by the end of the week. She had a bed, one kitchen chair, a desk chair, and her easel, and was as happy as if the place were filled with furniture. Doing homework while lying across the bed or on the floor was sure to be interesting, but Delancey didn't care.

  The kitchen and the bedroom at her new place were still in a state of upheaval when Delancey found herself sitting next to her sister in the airport. The end of Mackenzie's visit had come all too soon. She had offered to stay longer, but Delancey had told her no. As they waited for Mackenzie's turn to board, they were strangely quiet.

  "It was fun, D.J.," Mackenzie told her.

  The younger girl laughed. "I don't know how often I can take this much fun, Mic. I'm just glad that classes don't start for almost a month. Maybe by then I can find my backpack."

  Mackenzie smiled unrepentantly. "It's a great place, Delancey. I'd be tempted to move myself if I could find its equal."

  "You know," Delancey turned to her, "why couldn't you come and live with me? You can do your writing anywhere, and we could fit another bed in the bedroom."

  Mackenzie's brows rose. "I don't know. I'll have to think about it."

  "Okay."

  Mackenzie suddenly looked at her. "I just realized I'm not going to see you for a while, since you'll be back in school."

  "Well, you can come back and see me."

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  "I know," Mackenzie said, having had a better idea, "let's gosomeplace for spring break. When is your break?"

  "I'm not sure."

  "Well, let me know."

  "Where would we go? Florida?"

  "No, someplace exotic. Europe or something."

  Delancey's eyes rounded. "You mean it?"

  "Sure. Get a passport so we have the option. I'll do the same. I mean, we could go to Florida, but it would be so much fun to fly to London or Paris for a week."

  Delancey laughed and dropped her voice. "You should tell Paxton you need to do book research and that he needs to send you to Istanbul or someplace just as exotic. Make sure there's a beach scene in the book so we can take our suits and get tan."

  Mackenzie laughed, but the idea had merit. ForSeahorseshe could use some time in Prague. She was figuring out how she might ask when the final boarding was called. The girls stood and walked slowly, not eager to part.

  "Thanks, Mic, for everything."

  "I love you, Deej."

  They held onto each other for as long as they dared, and then Mackenzie made herself walk to the plane and not look back. As soon as she was out of sight, Delancey went to the window. It was already growing dark out, but she stood and peered through the glass for one more sight of her. She couldn't make out anyone, but she stood there until the plane was pushed back and moved out into position.

  "Saying goodbye to someone?" a deep male voice asked from beside her. Delancey was only going to glance, nod, and otherwise ignore the person, but she turned and found a pilot standing six feet away from her.

  "Remember me?" he asked, smiling at her.

  "Yes, I do." Delancey still felt as though she could cry, so she swallowed hard and concentrated. "How are you?"

  "I think better than you are." His voice was very tender. "Did someone just leave?"

  "My sister."

  "Did you have Christmas together?"
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  Delancey nodded and glanced down at her wrist. "She gave me a watch."

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  Chet looked at it. "She has good taste."

  Delancey smiled, thinking it would have been nice for Mackenzie to hear that.

  "Would I be out of line to ask you to join me for a drink?" Chet asked suddenly.

  Delancey's head dipped to one side as she studied him, causing her hair to fall from her shoulder in a thick curtain.

  "Why did I think you were married?"

  "I don't know," Chet looked surprised. "Why did you?"

  Delancey thought a moment. "I think it was when you said that you didn't have children yet-I just assumed."

  Chet smiled at her. "Never assume."

  Delancey smiled back.

  "So how about it, Miss Bishop?"

  Delancey knew she was headed back to her new apartment to sob her eyes out and suddenly didn't want that. She heard herself agreeing and then fell into step beside the handsome pilot. He was only a few inches taller than she was, but she had the impression that with his dark blond curls and her very straight pale blond hair, they made a striking couple. They spoke easily as they walked down one concourse and into another.

  Delancey had not been to the place he took her. She didn't remember even seeing it before. It was not a large lounge, and with darkness coming on fast, the interior was dim and welcoming. He took her to a table in the corner, and Delancey ordered white wine, something that Lovisa had introduced her to. Chet had a dark beer.

  "I take it you're not working," Delancey asked after eyeing his drink.

  "I'm just off and headed home."

  "You must be tired."

  "Never too tired to rescue a damsel in distress."

  Delancey smiled. "There must be many of us."

  His face grew intent, his eyes on hers. "Since I haven't been able to get you from my mind, I don't know if I've noticed anyone else."

  Delancey was stunned.

  "I take it you didn't think of me."

  "I thought you were married," she reminded him softly.

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  "Oh, that's right. By the way," he said, seeing that he was moving too fast, "would you care for something to eat?"