The Art of Hiding

by Kathleen Grace

  “Believe me, I look at my spaghetti the same way,” Peter said.

  She shook her head. “Uh, huh.”

  He chuckled and sat across from her. They ate in companionable silence for a while, and then she glanced up at him. “So what did you do today?”

  He pressed his hand to his chest. “Excuse me? Do you think this food cooked itself?”

  She laughed. “Did you slave over the can opener?”

  “You think this is canned sauce?” He widened his eyes. “You’re lucky if I don’t put a Sicilian curse on you.”

  “Are you Sicilian?”

  “Well, no. But I’m sure I can find a Sicilian curse on the internet.”

  She chuckled. “I’m sure you can.” She cleared her throat. “But, I actually am curious about you. You know a lot about me, but I know almost nothing about you.”

  He hesitated, measuring her expression for a moment. “What would you like to know?”

  She was pleased he was willing to talk. “Well, any family?”

  “I told you I am the middle child. I have an older sister June, and a younger sister Mary.”

  “Are you close to them?” she asked, getting up to pour a glass of water from a jug in the refrigerator.

  “Actually yes. I am extremely close to both of them. Our parents died in a car crash when we were very young. We were raised by my mother’s brother and his wife. They were very loving and supportive. We were very fortunate.”

  “I’m sorry. My father passed away when I was about ten, so I understand what it is like to lose a loved one.” She sat back down at the table.

  “But at least you still had your mother and your two sisters,” he smiled.

  Kelly paused. “How do you know I have two sisters?”

  Peter’s glance flickered. “I think you mentioned them when you were talking about calling your mother the other day.”

  Kelly hesitated, maybe she had. She wasn’t sure. “I suppose…” Her voice trailed off.

  “Anyway, once I turned twenty, I left home and decided to be a world traveler. I enjoyed moving around so much, I’ve never wanted to settle down in one place.”

  “I suppose writing just seemed the natural profession to a vagabond like you?” she pressed.

  “I have my lap-top computer to keep me warm. I make sure to check in with my sisters, who by the way, are both happily married now. I have no regrets about my lifestyle.” He raised his eyebrows. “Which is more than I can say for most of the people in this world, who stay in one place all their lives.”

  “That’s probably true. But I think I prefer to have a stable home. I like security and stability. Is that boring?” She smiled. “Not quite the picture of the wild and free artist is it.”

  “I’ve told you before, I find you anything but boring.” His deep voice sent a ripple of awareness through her.

  Her pulse began to beat erratically at the look in his eyes. A pink tint crept into her soft cheeks. She stood up abruptly, and he followed suit, catching her wrist.

  “Kelly.” His voice was husky.

  “No… Peter… this is too complicated.”

  His gaze traveled over her face. “What’s so complicated? I find you incredibly attractive.”

  She struggled to keep herself from looking at his firm lips. Her pulse was pounding, and his nearness made her senses spin. Peter lowered his head, his mouth covered hers hungrily. His lips seared a path from her mouth to her neck, and then back again to her mouth, reclaiming it once more.

  Kelly’s knees were weak as she leaned against him, feeling her body mold to his. She couldn’t seem to help but respond to his searching kisses. Her breasts were pressed against his muscled chest, and his warm hands explored the hollow of her back. His tangled his fingers in her silken hair, his hot breath against her cheek.

  “You’re so beautiful.” His voice was thick with passion.

  She felt almost drugged by his kisses, and her desire was overpowering. But she forced herself to pull out of his embrace. “Stop. We should stop.” Her lips felt bruised from his kisses.

  “What’s the matter?” Peter’s green eyes burned into her. “I know you find me attractive too. We can do what we want. We’re both adults.”

  Her body ached for more, but she tensed at his words.

  We’re both adults.

  What did he mean? They could make love, and then just go on as if nothing had happened? She wasn’t really built like that. She didn’t think she could have sex with him, and then go back to just being friends. It wasn’t how she was wired.

  He tried to pull her close again, and she pushed away, her legs weak with desire. “I just got out of a relationship. I… I’m not really up for this sort of thing.”

  “Kelly…” He grimaced.

  “You’re obviously more sophisticated. But I’m not. I don’t just sleep around.” She felt foolish admitting that to him, and with her cheeks hot she turned and fled to her room.

  “Kelly,” he called after her.

  She slammed the door of her bedroom and threw herself down on her bed. How humiliating. He must think she was acting like some kind of a virginal idiot. She’d been with men. She wasn’t chaste. But she didn’t just sleep with men casually. She had to at least believe there was a chance of a future before she fell in bed with them. And she definitely didn’t sleep with men who were already in a relationship with another woman. Constance had made it pretty clear her and Peter had something sexual going on.

  She groaned, humiliated by how she’d responded to his kisses. She was sure that on his travels, there had probably been numerous more worldly women who’d have been only too happy to accept his offer. He belonged with women like that. Women like Constance.

  Did he think she was an easy mark because she’d just broken up with Stephen? Remembering how passionately she’d reciprocated, she blushed. Why hadn’t she been stronger? Now things would be so awkward between them.

  She jumped when he knocked on her door.

  “Kelly? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Go away.” She buried her head under her pillows.

  She heard the bedroom door open, and when she peeked out from her fluffy cave, Peter stood near her bed. He knelt down and tugged the pillow off her head.

  “I’m not sure why you’re upset.” His brow wrinkled.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Her voice wobbled.

  “Yeah it does. I mean, maybe not all women love me, but you’re the first one I kissed who ever ran away crying.”

  She didn’t think her cheeks could get any hotter, until he said that. “Oh, just go away.”

  “Not yet.” He sighed. “I know you were enjoying it. At first. What did I do wrong?”

  “I’m not like you.”

  “Meaning what?”

  She sat up and wiped her eyes. “Do you really think Constance would appreciate your behavior tonight?”

  “Constance?” He pulled his eyebrows together. “What does this have to do with her?”

  She chuffed. “How can you say that?”

  He looked confused. “It’s really easy actually.”

  She sniffed. “Look, I’m kind of fragile right now. And even if I wasn’t, I’m not like you. It’s probably best if we just avoid each other.”

  Peter clinched his jaw. “Seriously?”

  Kelly nodded. “I won’t breathe a word of this to anyone; especially Constance.”

  “Constance, again?” His eyes narrowed. “Why do you keep mentioning her?”

  “She made it pretty clear you two are a way more than just employer and employee.”

  “Constance said that?” He scowled.

  “Yes.”

  He frowned at her. “Is that what all this drama is about?”

  She flushed at the word ‘drama’. “You may think this is stupid, but I don’t. I don’t want to sleep with you.”

  He smirked. “Well, that’s not exactly true.” His gaze ran over her body. “You wanted to.”

  “We
ll, I don’t anymore.” She swallowed hard, hoping she sounded convincing.

  “Is that right?”

  She nodded. “Go find Constance. I’m sure she’ll welcome you with open arms.”

  “Yeah. She will,” he said softly. “But I don’t want her. I want you.”

  Lust rolled through her at his husky admission, and she gave a sharp intake of breath. She didn’t want to be just another one of his women, so she steeled herself, and said the first thing she could think of that might get him to leave. “I was just trying to get back at Stephen.”

  “What?” His face hardened.

  “You were handy.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

  “You can believe what you want. But I don’t want to sleep with you,” she lied.

  Red spears of color swept his cheeks, and he stood abruptly. “Obviously I misread you.” He moved to the door. “I’m sorry. You won’t have to worry about me bothering you anymore.” He closed the door quietly behind him.

  She stared after him, feeling confused by his reaction. He’d almost seemed more hurt than angry. She curled into a ball on her bed, and stared into space, trying to understand what the heck had just happened between them.

  ****

  When Kelly awoke to the pink dawn, Peter had already left for the day. She took her shower, dressed and sat outside drinking a cup of coffee. The thought of food made her ill.

  She hadn’t gotten a wink of sleep. What had happened with Peter had kept whirling around and around in her mind. He’d seemed so hurt when he’d left her room. She couldn’t help but feel perhaps she’d misjudge him somehow. All she knew was Constance had said her and Peter were intimate, and Peter hadn’t actually denied their relationship. Kelly groaned and stood. She couldn’t seem to read people anymore. It seemed impossible to tell who was lying and who was telling the truth.

  The sound of the phone ringing caught her attention. She went into the house and answered it.

  “Kelly?” Gayle’s bright voice came over the line. “How about joining me for a gala event this evening?”

  “What kind of gala?” Kelly asked suspiciously. Gayle was always trying to fix Kelly up.

  “We are invited to a beach bash. It will be great. Food, Frisbee’s, free drinks.” Gayle laughed happily. “Please say yes.”

  “Yes.” Kelly obliged. “What should I wear? What time? Why are you making me do this?”

  “You can’t sit around and mope about Stephen forever.”

  “Forever? Gayle it’s only been a couple of weeks.”

  “Two weeks is a lifetime in some cultures. You should have been married with twelve children by now.”

  “Where is this shindig?” Kelly interrupted.

  “Down at Pirates Plunder. Wear that little pink sundress thingie you just bought, nothing fancy. It starts around six o’clock. Be there or be square.” Gayle hung up.

  While Kelly really didn’t feel like going to a party, she was glad of any excuse not to hang around the cottage after what had happened with Peter last night.

  She went into her studio, pulled on her painting smock, and decided to get a jumpstart on the paintings for the Blue Lion Hotel. As she stroked the canvas with her brushes, she kept thinking about Peter’s hurt expression when she’d said he was just payback for Stephen. She was well aware it had been a mean thing to say. Her only excuse was that she’d felt foolish for responding to Peter’s kisses. But in the light of day, she wondered if she hadn’t over reacted. After avoiding him for weeks, a part of her had been so happy to spend time with him again.

  But she had done the right thing, hadn’t she? After all, Constance obviously had her sights set on Peter. How could Kelly ever hope to compete with someone like Constance? She couldn’t, they weren’t even close to being in the same league. Peter and Constance would make a perfect couple. Both of them seemed worldly, they were both beautiful. Why did the thought of them together eat at her so? She didn’t want anything to do with Peter right?

  She dug her brush deep into the blob of paint on her palette. This was her life, painting. Besides, enough people already would like to make up stories about her and Peter, just because they were living together. She wouldn’t have been able to face anyone in town if she’d gone through with making love to him last night. The thought of it sent pink creeping into her cheeks. She tried to ignore the nagging voice in her head that kept saying it would have been worth it.

  She painted diligently the majority of the day, never even pausing to eat. She couldn’t seem to get her appetite back. About four thirty she decided to quit. She put away her paints and went in to shower and change.

  The pink dress thingie Gayle had been referring too was a crepe ankle length dress. It was a floral pattern in a salmon color, with a scoop neck. It clung to her figure, emphasizing the gentle curve of her breasts and slender hips. She wore a matching cardigan over it, just in case the sea breeze was chilly after sundown.

  She arrived at Pirates Plunder as the sun was setting on the horizon. There was a lovely pink and silver sunset hanging wispily over the ocean. A large fire blazed down on the beach, and a group of people were laughing and snacking on s’mores. As Kelly approached, Gayle jumped up from the group, and ran happily over to Kelly.

  “You made it. I thought you were going to stand me up.” Gayle grinned. Gayle went through the introductions quickly, although Kelly was sure she didn’t even catch one name. Everyone was very welcoming and pressed food and wine on her freely. One of the partygoers had brought along his guitar, and he strummed happily on it, taking requests and trying to oblige.

  Kelly sat down on a log near the fire, sipping her drink. Gayle perched beside her. “Isn’t this nice tonight?” Gayle gave a huge sigh. “I’ll always need to live near the ocean. I think I’d die if I had to move away from it.”

  “What about that one guy you were dating for a while? I thought you were ready to chuck it all if he asked you to marry him and move to the Mojave Desert?” Kelly teased.

  “Oh, he was just a passing fancy. I knew it would never last.”

  Kelly laughed and looked up to see a couple strolling toward them. Her heart jumped to her throat when she recognized Peter and Constance.

  “What in the world?” She let out a gasp, wanting to hide under the log. What were they doing here? She’d have thought champagne brunches were more their style, not beach bonfires.

  Gayle gave her a quizzical look. “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a vampire.”

  “That’s Peter and the infamous Constance,” Kelly said in a muffled voice.

  “That’s her?” Gayle's voice was tinged with awe. “And that’s Peter your roomy? You never said he was so attractive.”

  One man from the group, by the name of Steve, walked out to greet the couple, leading them back to make the introductions.

  “Everyone, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, Peter Barris. We met while he was staying at the Waterford Hotel. Can you believe he likes wind surfing as much as me?” This announcement was met with muffled laughter because Steve was a notoriously terrible wind surfer. “And I’m afraid I don’t know your friend’s name, Peter.” Steve gave Constance an admiring look.

  “My name is Constance Hill,” she purred confidently, not waiting for Peter to introduce her. Her shining black hair moved gently in the breeze, and her creamy breasts almost spilled out of her top. Her blue pantsuit clung to every voluptuous curve, and it was obvious she knew she looked amazing.

  Kelly stayed seated, hoping the log would swallow her whole. She hoped that maybe if she sat very still, Peter wouldn’t notice her. But luck wasn’t on her side as Peter’s eyes came to rest on her silent figure. He gave an obvious start as he noticed her, but he didn’t say anything.

  She needn’t have worried about him coming over to her though, because when Constance caught sight of her, she steered Peter in the opposite direction.

  “Gee, that wasn’t obvious, was it?” G
ayle jeered.

  “What?”

  “She couldn’t drag him away from your vicinity fast enough.” laughed Gayle.

  “I doubt that had anything to do with Peter. She just can’t stand me.”

  “Oh, honey. It has everything to do with Peter.”

  Her cheeks warmed. “I don’t think so. She just doesn’t want to get stuck sitting by me. She’s as fond of me as I am of her.”

  “But you’re both fond of Peter?” Gayle insinuated.

  “I most certainly am not fond of that man. He’s my roommate, that’s all.” Her voice was defensive, even as memories of kissing Peter last night attacked her brain.

  Gayle waved her hand in front of Kelly’s stern face. “Remember me? Gayle? I’m your best friend and protector of all of your innermost secrets?”

  “I think he is a nice guy, that’s all.” Kelly wasn’t ready to admit her feelings for Peter to herself, yet alone anyone else. Whatever those feelings might be.

  “Yeah, right,” Gayle said sardonically.

  A pleasant looking man of about thirty, with long blond hair approached them smiling. “Shall we get this show on the road, Gayle? Did you bring the CD player?”

  Gayle jumped up and fetched the player, putting on Lady Gaga. Some of the group jumped up and started dancing. The same long-haired blond man hurried over to Kelly to drag her out onto the sandy dance floor. She had no desire to dance, but she faked it as best she could, swaying to the music while keeping her gaze fixed on her cheerful partner. He told her his name was Jerry, and he shouted questions over the music, trying to get to know her better. She laughed as she tried her best to answer. When that song ended, a slow song started. Kelly started to go sit down, but her eager partner quickly flung and an arm around her waist to keep her on the dance floor.

  “Oh no you don’t,” Jerry said. “I insist on a slow dance with all my victims.”

  “Just watch out for your toes.” Joked Kelly.

  After that dance, Jerry insisted she dance another fast one, and when that one ended, Kelly had to forcibly remove herself from the dance floor, or Jerry would have kept her dancing to every song.

  She sat down, out of breath and laughing, and her gaze settled on Peter and Constance, sitting a few feet from her. Her stomach clenched, but it would have been too awkward to simply ignore them, so she waved hello.