Cutting Through

by Joan Hohl

  His other brow went up. “Krissy has a new man?”

  “Yes. I haven’t met him yet.”

  “Okay.” He nodded…and yawned. “What’s the occasion? For the celebration, I mean.” His tone was a shade sarcastic. “Surely it’s not for Krissy having a new man…again?”

  She gave him a puzzled look, wondering what was the matter with him. Could he have had drinks on the plane, besides the one and a half beers on the table. Could he be drunk? It would be a first, so far as Julia knew. She thought about asking him outright, but changed her mind when he raised his dark eyebrows in question. What had he asked? Oh, yes, the celebration tomorrow night.

  “We’re celebrating Drew’s new job with a company here in Philly. Laura’s in seventh heaven because they’ll be moving home. At least,” she grinned, “home for her. Oh, and Krissy’s leaving California for good, too. She’s selling her home and moving back east.”

  His expression grew watchful. “Do you ever get homesick for Philadelphia?”

  Julia thought it an odd question, since he had never asked it before. “No,” she answered with complete honesty. “I used to miss seeing my folks more often when they still were living here. But since they moved to Florida, the only time I even think to come into Philadelphia is to shop here in town or the malls at King of Prussia.”

  “Good.” He stretched and yawned again. “Talking about shopping—how much did you spend?”

  Julia didn’t so much as hesitate, why would she? Without a qualm, she gave him the approximate, high—astronomical, really—combined cash and charge figure.

  Jon stared at her in disbelief. “What?” He shook his head. “You’ve got to be kidding. Aren’t you?”

  “No.” Julia frowned, confused by his expression, as well as his tone of voice. “I told you I needed some things,” she reminded him, mystified. “As a matter of fact, in your phone message, you even suggested I buy a special dress.”

  “Well, sure,” he admitted, his voice rough. “But I never dreamed…” He sighed. “Forget it.”

  “Jon, I don’t understand,” she said. “What’s wrong? Are we having money troubles you haven’t told me about?”

  “No…no. Look, I’m sorry I said anything. Okay? I’m really tired, that’s all,” he said in apologetic tones, again spearing his fingers through his hair. “Since we’re going to be celebrating tomorrow night, would you mind if we had dinner here in the room this evening, and afterward hit the sack?”

  Of course she minded. Hadn’t she bought a sexy Victoria’s Secret sleep set, the fabric so wispy it was nearly nonexistent, to wear for Jon tonight? Wasn’t this supposed to be a second honeymoon, a special time for them? What was she supposed to do now, sit and twiddle her thumbs? Watch TV in a hotel room by herself?

  How thrilling. How infuriating.

  How…hurtful.

  Yes, she damn well minded, Julia admitted to herself. But there was no way she would let him know that.

  “No, of course I don’t mind,” she blatantly lied. “As a matter of fact, I had a long couple of days, and I’m feeling tired as well. I’ll turn in early, too.”

  A few hours later, Julia lay stiff and wakeful beside Jon’s unconscious body. Though she truly had been tired, she couldn’t sleep for the hurt and anger simmering inside her, keeping her mind awake and questioning.

  Jon had not even bothered to make a token attempt to make love to her. After giving her one brief, impersonal kiss, he had muttered good-night, turned onto his side, and was dead to the world within forty-five seconds.

  A sigh of disappointment bordering on despair whispered through her lips, wafting away into the night. Had she waited too long, nursing anger and suspicion, to reconcile with Jon?

  Never before had Jon questioned the amount of money she spent, on anything. He had always been the one to urge her to spend more on herself.

  What had happened since he’d left for California a week ago? Had he changed his mind about a second honeymoon?

  She was very much afraid she knew not only what had happened, but with whom.

  A name dance through her mind. Julia dismissed it with a shake of her head.

  She couldn’t have him, dammit.

  Jon was not simply her husband. He was her life. And she wasn’t about to lose him.

  In a suite several floors above Julia and Jon’s room, Krissy lounged against a mound of pillows on her king-size bed. She nibbled on a snack cracker piled high with beluga caviar. Murmuring outlandishly sexy suggestions, Rand nibbled on Krissy’s earlobe.

  “And then we could…”

  She giggled, nearly choking on her bite of cracker. “You’re so…bad,” she scolded him, in between giggles and gasps for breath.

  “Yeah,” he murmured, gliding his lips from her ear, down the curve of her neck, to the valley of her breasts. “But that’s what makes me so good.”

  Always neat, Krissy carefully set the leftover bit of cracker on the serving plate. Moaning in response to the quaking sensations caused by his tongue laving her tightening nipple, she cradled his head to her body.

  “Say it again.” Rand’s voice was low, husky with mounting passion. Grasping her hips, he slid her down, beneath him on the bed. He settled between her thighs. “Say you’ll marry me. Promise me.”

  “I already have.” Krissy protested his tactics, enticingly moving her hips.

  “On your word of honor,” he said, tormenting her by inching forward, close to his goal, then backing without making physical contact.

  “Rand,” she cried, arching toward him.

  “Word of honor.”

  “Yes, yes, you have it. I promise.”

  “Good,” he purred, well aware she always stood by her word. Satisfied…at least partially, Rand moved to make his satisfaction complete.

  At the Parker home a family celebration was in full swing. All manner of hot and cold foods took up nearly every inch of space on the dining room table. Family members and close neighbors were scattered from the kitchen—where the wine flowed and tops popped on beer cans—through the dining room and into the living room, where Drew danced his smiling wife around the carpeted floor to the strains of a romantic Frank Sinatra ballad.

  Gazing into Laura’s smiling face, Drew felt both a resurgence of sexual arousal and anticipatory happiness. The afternoon spent with Megan had been exciting and physically satisfying. Now, he felt a deep sense of contentment.

  Despite her lack of interest in taking care of herself, Laura was still lovely when she smiled, and still ready and willing in bed.

  And she could still dance like a pro. Laura had always loved to dance.

  Congratulating himself on attaining the best of all possible worlds, Drew gathered Laura closer to him. Her form was full, rounded, a little too rounded, perhaps, but she was soft, warm, welcoming, angling her hips into alignment with his already hardening body.

  Yes, life was good.

  Drew smiled, and thought of Megan. Life was good and promised to get even better.

  CHAPTER 7

  As arranged, the three couples gathered for dinner Friday evening. The restaurant was elegantly trendy. The clientele, baby boomers and successful Generation Xers and younger wannabes itching to take over the others’ positions.

  Fortunately, Drew had secured one of the small, private dining rooms on the second floor. There they could celebrate without annoying anyone…just in case the party got a little boisterous at times.

  Julia and Jon arrived a few minutes early, as she had determined not to be late this time. Since the temperature hovered at about lukewarm—maybe even cooler—between her and Jon, she did not wear the dress that had cost more than a month’s mortgage payment. She’d settled for a still dressy long skirt with a matching blouse that hadn’t cost half as much as “the dress,” as she had come to think of it.

  Even though they were early, Laura and Drew were already at the restaurant. They were sitting at a beautifully laid round table. Delicate champagne flutes sa
t at each ornate place setting and a bucket on a stand held a bottle of champagne.

  Laura and Drew stood with welcoming smiles as Julia and Jon approached the table.

  “Hi,” Laura greeted them, coming to Julia with arms outstretched for a hug. “You look gorgeous. I love the dress. Is it one of your shopping purchases?”

  “Yes, I found it in a small shop in…” Julia went on to name the shop, and its location, while next to her and Laura, she heard their husbands getting reacquainted.

  “Good to see you again, Drew,” Jon said, extending his right hand. “Congratulations on the new job.”

  “Great to see you again, too,” Drew responded, grasping Jon’s hand. “And thanks, I’m really excited about it.”

  “Yes, my congratulations, too,” Julia said, turning to smile, while allowing him a quick hug; for some reason, she had never felt comfortable with Drew’s hugs. Now that she knew about his philandering, she understood her reaction.

  “Hi, Jon, how was your trip?” Laura asked, hugging him and giving an air kiss to his cheek.

  “Informative,” Jon said, smiling as he returned her hug and kiss. “But tiring.”

  “Well, then, if the hug fest is over, let’s sit down,” Drew said. “Have a drink while we wait for Krissy and…” He laughed. “And whoever this new guy is.”

  Laughing along with him, they moved to the table, but turned back at the sound of Krissy’s vivacious voice.

  “This new guy is…” she began.

  “Rand Cravington,” he interrupted, stepping around her, hand outstretched. “Krissy’s fiancé.”

  His announcement was met by a moment of stunned silence, immediately followed by a chorus of congratulations from Jon and Drew, and blank stares of confusion at Krissy from Julia and Laura.

  Krissy raised her shoulders in a gesture of helplessness. “I…” she began, only to be once more interrupted, this time by Drew.

  “When’s the big day?”

  “Well…” That’s as far as Rand got, for it appeared Krissy decided it was her turn to interrupt.

  “We haven’t actually set a date yet.” She sent Rand a quelling look when he seemed about to protest. “It’s not official or anything.” Looking at Julia and Laura, her expression one of appeal, she raised her left hand and wiggled her fingers. “See, no ring.”

  “Krissy.” There was an underlying note of censure in Rand’s tone. “You know—”

  “Rand, please,” Krissy cut in, a note of exasperation in her tone. “This is Drew and Laura’s party, their celebration.”

  Rand stared at Krissy, his exceptionally handsome face settled into hard determination.

  Krissy stared back at him, her fantastic green eyes blazing with defiance.

  “Hey you two, come on.” Jon’s easy smile and reasonable tone broke the strained atmosphere. “Let’s all sit down, have a drink, and get friendly.” He started to move to the table, and the rest followed his lead. “We can celebrate both occasions. Drew’s new job, and Krissy and Rand’s almost, but as yet unconfirmed, engagement.”

  Everybody laughed, which of course, was precisely what Jon had intended. “I’ll pick up the check.”

  “Hey wait a minute, Jon,” Drew said. “This party was my idea. I just wanted us to celebrate together. So I insist on paying the tab.”

  Jon was shaking his head. “No, Drew, Laura, I really want to do this for you two.”

  “But, Jon,” Drew persisted. “I…”

  “I’ll settle this,” Rand said, gesturing to the waiter hovering in the doorway to bring them menus. “I will take care of the bill.”

  Everyone began to protest to no avail, for Krissy raised her right hand, displaying a fortune in diamonds on two of her fingers and circling her wrist. Her sweet but strong voice cut them off.

  “Really, Rand and I discussed this before we left the hotel,” she said. “And we want to do this.”

  “But you can’t,” Laura vehemently objected.

  “Why not?” Rand retorted.

  “Because Krissy picked up the check for lunch the other day,” she explained. “Didn’t she, Julie?”

  “Huh?” Drew.

  “What?” Jon.

  “Excuse me?” Rand.

  Up until this point, Julia had observed the friendly argument in bemusement. She also had noticed that the server now stood next to the wine stand, more amused than entertained, trying to appear invisible.

  “This is all ridiculous, you know,” she said, her voice calm, with just a hint of laughter. She looked at Laura and Drew. “You have something to celebrate.” It was a statement, not a question.

  Nevertheless, the couple responded.

  “Yes, of course.” Laura.

  “You know we do.” Drew.

  Julia switched her gaze to Krissy and Rand. “And you two have something to celebrate.”

  They nodded.

  “Well, then, for heaven’s sake, stop bickering and allow Jon and me the pleasure of paying for the four of you,” she said with clear impatience. “Before you convince our waiter that all six of us are babbling idiots.”

  The argument ended on a burst of laughter, and agreement, if reluctant, to Julia’s request.

  Somehow managing to keep a straight face, the waiter gave out menus and poured the champagne, emptying the bottle. Before anybody could even begin to offer a toast, Jon immediately asked the server to bring another bottle.

  “And keep them coming until we cry ‘enough.’”

  The combined laughter set the party mood. Toasts were made, wine was drunk. Before and during what everyone agreed was an exceptionally delicious meal, many more toasts were given, and much champagne was poured down six throats.

  “So, Drew, about this new job,” Jon said, spearing a cocktail shrimp. “Will you still be in marketing?”

  “Hummm.” Drew nodded, swallowing a spoonful of his crab soup. “But in a slightly different way.” He grinned like a little boy who couldn’t help himself. “They’ve offered me the position of director of marketing.” His grin widened. “With a salary commensurate to the title.”

  “That’s wonderful, Drew!” Krissy exclaimed, flashing a bright smile between him and Laura. “I’m so happy for you both.”

  “I’ll second that,” Jon said, raising his glass. “And I’ll drink to it, too.”

  “And to the fact that we’ll be moving back, if not into town, into the general area,” Laura piped in with the happy reminder.

  “And to that,” Krissy agreed, lifting her glass.

  They also toasted Krissy and Rand’s “unofficial” engagement and drank to both of them for having acquired roles in a new movie.

  “Mine’s a very small role,” Krissy admitted, smiling without a trace of bitterness. “But Rand has the second male lead,” she went on, her smile bright with genuine admiration and pride. “He’s a superb actor.”

  “Krissy, please,” Rand murmured, frowning and shaking his head, as simultaneously his eyes caressed her face. “You’re embarrassing me.”

  “A modest actor!” Drew exclaimed, his voice friendly, free of so much as a hint of sarcasm. “I didn’t think there was any such animal.”

  “Drew, really,” Laura scolded him sharply.

  “I didn’t think so, either,” Jon concurred, laughter threading his solemn tone.

  “Jon!” Julia said, shocked.

  “Don’t take it seriously, sweetie,” Krissy crooned. “Drew has always loved to tease.”

  Rand shook his head. “I’m not taking it seriously. Matter of fact, I’m having a great time.” He flashed a sparkling white grin around to the four faces watching him with varying degrees of apprehension. His smile softened as his gaze settled on Krissy. “You have terrific friends, love.”

  The atmosphere, as well as the countenances, around the table lightened. With the serving of six different, scrumptious-looking desserts, they all switched from champagne to coffee.

  Krissy brought the party to an end with her customar
y forthrightness. “I have got to get up out of this chair,” she announced, betraying with a giggle the amount of champagne she had drunk. “My butt’s positively numb.”

  In total, they had been in the restaurant less than fifteen minutes shy of five hours.

  The server, carrying a tray on which the check had been tucked inside a leather folder, approached Rand. With a grin and a wave of his hand, Rand indicated Jon.

  After Jon had signed his credit card receipt, and was handing it to the server, Rand and Drew both slipped an extra twenty into the waiter’s hand.

  “How did you all get here?” Rand asked, as the ladies were shaking out their skirts and collecting their tiny, and basically useless, evening bags.

  “Figuring we’d be drinking to celebrate, we hopped into a cab,” Jon said.

  “We took a cab, too.” Drew laughed. “For the same reason. So, I guess we’ll be hailing one to go home.”

  Rand shook his head. “Not necessary,” he said, flashing that white grin. “Being the smart woman she is, and certain we’d all freely imbibe, Krissy hired a limo.” He glanced aside at Krissy, who was murmuring into a cell phone. “I do believe she’s calling the driver even as we speak.”

  They left the restaurant and jostled into the black stretch limo, bantering and laughing.

  “Too bad none of the neighbors are out to see this,” Laura said when the long car purred to a stop in front of her parents’ house.

  “We’ll tell your parents,” Drew commiserated. “And ask them to tell the neighbors.”

  “Won’t be the same,” Laura muttered, not unlike a disappointed child.

  Everyone laughed, including Laura.

  “Time for bed, little girl,” Drew said, making a move to exit the car.

  “Wait!” Laura cried. “I have to say good-night and thank you to my friends.”

  Fortunately, the limo was roomy enough for her to give hugs and cheek kisses to the others. Drew followed in her wake, offering his own thanks along with handshakes to Jon and Rand, and hugs to Julia and Krissy.

  After arriving back at their hotel the two remaining couples said their goodbyes in the hotel lobby and went their separate ways.