Providence (The Velvet Series Book 2)

by Diana Kane

  “Nice to meet you, Sam, this is Valerie.” We chat for a few minutes with the slurry Katrina and her companion before Sam drags her back downstairs to dance.

  “I think you dodged a bullet with that one,” Valerie says.

  “I don’t know, maybe. She’s been through a lot. I don’t want to judge her.” Valerie eyes me but doesn’t say anything. “What?” I finally ask.

  “You’re one of the nice ones, aren’t you?”

  I shrug in answer as I head towards the bar to buy another round. When I return, I see Alex looking over the balcony to the dance floor below.

  “What is she doing?” Everyone in our group leans against the rail and looks down. Katrina is staring up at the balcony. When her eyes lock on me, she stares for a moment before crushing her mouth against Sam’s. I simply shake my head and turn my back.

  “You alright?” Catherine asks.

  “Yeah, I’m good. I feel sorry for Sam though. Katrina couldn’t even remember her name earlier, and now it’s like she is putting on a show down there.”

  “Oh, she’s certainly putting on a show.” Catherine shakes her head as well.

  “Is this where you tell me that I’m obligated to do something?”

  “The only thing you are obligated to do is be happy. Katrina doesn’t know what she wants right now, she certainly isn’t ready for you. Besides, you seem quite taken with Isabella, I’m looking forward to meeting her.” Just like that the smile is back.

  “I’m looking forward to you meeting her too. I’m glad she isn’t here to see that,” I say hooking my thumb over my shoulder. “I think she worries about it, even though she has nothing to worry about.”

  “No, she doesn’t. I can tell.” Catherine squeezes my hand as she gazes at Alex. I’ve finished my second drink and am ready to go home. “Now, I think I’ll bow out of this evening and take my lady home.” I raise a skeptical eyebrow at her.

  “Alex, a lady? Who are you trying to fool?” Catherine chuckles.

  “Who among us is anyway?” We both laugh then. We all walk out of Velvet together, each of us exhausted from the week and ready for bed. We say our goodbyes in the quiet parking lot and head our separate ways.

  *****

  The next week breezes by, well not breezes, that makes it sound like it was easy. With Valerie’s assistance we manage to finish cases at a decent hour, and by the time I leave my office Thursday evening, I will be caught up at clinic. I buy my office staff lunch on Thursday to thank them for their hard work over the last two weeks. I’m finishing up my charting when Abby knocks on my office door. “Hey Abby, come on in.” She comes in but doesn’t sit. Instead, she seems anxious, a sign that her bonus has finally been deposited.

  “So I, uh…” Abby never stutters, nor does she use uh or um in a sentence. This is how I know she is about to broach a subject she’s uncomfortable talking about.

  “Sit down Abby.” I continue when she finally manages to seat herself. “Look, you earned it, every penny of it. Probably more honestly. I won’t negotiate this.” Abby and I do this every time I give her an unplanned bonus, she never wins.

  “That was a lot of money though. My bank thinks I’m a drug dealer or something.”

  “Like I said, you’ve earned it. Do something nice for yourself, put the money in a college fund for Stella, donate it. It doesn’t matter to me, you’re keeping it though.” I make sure my tone conveys that this isn’t something I’m willing to budge on. I can’t wait until my proposal to the partners is complete, the one where I suggest that we grant Abby a percentage of the cosmetic clinic profits, given she pretty much runs it single handedly. Abby shakes her head but stops arguing. She gets up to leave before I stop her. “If things go well next week with Isabella, I plan on taking the week of Thanksgiving off along with the Thursday and Friday before and Monday after. I want you to take the time off as well.” Abby opens her mouth to protest, but I stop her. “No arguments about money, you’re salaried, and you’ve earned it. Valerie has already agreed to cover any patient concerns while we’re off.”

  “You’re the boss,” she says before stopping in the doorway. “Thank you.”

  Our last patient on Friday presents an unexpected challenge, but with Valerie’s help, we are out of the OR before 8 pm. I make the trip home thoroughly exhausted from the marathon the last two weeks have been. I crawl into bed after taking a long hot shower and start to put together a list of things to buy and do before Isabella’s arrival Wednesday evening. I’m working on a list of places I might take her when the alert finally goes off.

  “Hey baby,” I say trying to smother another yawn. She flashes her knowing smile, the one that I could look at for hours.

  “Did I wake you?”

  “Not quite, but I’m pretty wiped.”

  “You want me to let you go? You should get some sleep.”

  “Not just yet. I want to hear about your day.” The smile Isabella gives me radiates exactly how I feel about her. We talk for a short while before it becomes clear to her that I can barely hold my eyes open anymore.

  “Go to sleep beautiful, we will talk in the morning.”

  “Five more sleeps,” I tell her, giving her a sleepy grin, my eyes half closed. Five more sleeps before I can wrap my arms around her and press my lips to hers.

  “I know baby, I can’t wait. Sweet dreams.”

  *****

  The doorbell followed by a loud banging wakes me up. I roll over and look at the clock. It’s nearly 3 am. I stumble out of bed and head toward the front door, thankful I’m dressed because I was too tired to have video sex with Isabella tonight. I flip on the porch light to see Katrina on the other side of the glass, a drunk, very unsteady Katrina. Headlights illuminate my driveway. I open the door ready to tear her a new one for drunk driving but a taxi backs into the road as I stand there with my mouth open.

  “I think I left my keys at Velvet. I need a place to stay.” Irritation boils my blood.

  “Naturally my B & B was the first place that came to mind.” I get bitchy when I’m irritated, add to the fact that she just woke me up at 3 a.m. and I’m bordering on being livid.

  “Please, Sara.” I’ve never been one to turn my back on someone who needs help. I know that in this instance I should, but I stand aside and let her in. She has to put both hands on the wall in order to not fall over while kicking off her shoes.

  “Just go to the guest room,” I order her as I head to the kitchen to get her a glass of water. I enter the guest room to see her struggling to get her jacket off. I deposit the water on the night stand and help her remove her jacket, hanging it on the closet door handle. I toss back the covers, and she sits on the bed, taking the glass of water and downing most of it. She lays down, and I flip the covers over her, then take the glass back to the kitchen to refill it. By the time I return, she has passed out. Grateful, I put the water on the nightstand and leave one of the lamps on low, closing the door as I leave.

  I’m deep in a dream about Isabella when I feel her hand caressing my breast and her lips against my neck. “Mmm, Isabella,” I murmur, slowly being pulled from sleep. The hand hesitates but resumes its work. That’s when I know, Isabella would never hesitate. My eyes snap open, but even in the dark I know that it isn’t Isabella touching me, the nauseating smell of stale booze hits me. “What the hell?” I scream, sliding to the other side of the bed and turning the light on. Katrina sits there, wearing nothing but a pair of boyshort underwear and a t-shirt, confusion on her face. “What are you doing?” I ask, pulling my shirt back down to cover myself.

  “You were moaning, I thought you were enjoying it.” I’m beyond pissed at this point.

  “I was sleeping. I thought you were Isabella!” She flinches, but I’m unsure if it’s because I’m screaming or because I thought she was someone else. I don’t really care either. I slide out of the bed and glare at her. “Go back to the guest room Katrina.” When she doesn’t move, I round the foot of the bed and grab her arm, ready to
escort her if necessary. She stands and tries to kiss me, but I’m expecting it, and she’s still intoxicated and slow, making it easy to dodge. “Get out of my fucking room or get out of my house,” I order her through clenched teeth. Everything about this is wrong, and I want her gone. She finally gives in and slumps back to the guest room. As soon as she’s out of my bedroom I shut the door and lock it, knowing I should have done so earlier. I feel angry and dirty, but mostly I feel scared, because I know that Isabella has already been worried about Katrina, and I know I have to tell her. I glance at the clock to see that it’s only 6:30 on a Saturday morning in Punta Cana. I know Isabella is asleep, but I also know that I can’t wait. I have to tell her now. With dread coursing through me, I open my laptop and request the connection, hoping she hears the alert from her phone. I’m about to give up on connecting with her when she finally answers.

  “Hey gorgeous, can’t sleep?” Her voice is a sleepy murmur. Fear has a hold on my tongue. I can’t speak. It must be clear on my face, as Isabella is quickly alert. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m so sorry,” I whisper, as the tears spill from my eyes.

  “Sorry?” I take a deep breath and tell Isabella the events of my night after I spoke with her. I can see the anger in her eyes, but I tell her everything. When I finish she doesn’t say anything, but I can see the muscles in her jaw clenching.

  “Baby, I’m so sorry. I swear I didn’t want it, I didn’t invite it or ask for it.” She remains quiet as I wipe the tears from my eyes with the heels of my hand.

  “Are you ok?” She finally breaks her silence.

  “Physically yes, but I know that I’ve just hurt you, even if I never wanted that to happen. I know you’ve been worried about her.”

  “Why did you tell me then?”

  “Because I promised you honesty. I won’t lie to you, even if it means I’m going to lose you, I won’t lie.” My heart aches, knowing that I’ve likely lost Isabella.

  “I hate that she was touching you, that she just assaulted you.” I can see her anger as she closes her eyes and tries to stay composed. I think to myself that assaulted might be a bit harsh of a word. When she finally opens her eyes something has shifted. “Do you still want me to come see you?” I feel my heartbeat speed a little just knowing she is willing to consider it still.

  “More than anything, but only if you want to.” Isabella’s eyes close again, and I sit there waiting for her to tell me she doesn’t want to. “Isabella, please come.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong,” she says opening her eyes. “I’m just very angry right now. Not at you, at her. I will still come if you really want me to.” I feel the smile blossom on my lips.

  “Yes baby, I want you here more than you can imagine.” She smiles as well, but it doesn’t totally eclipse the anger I see in her eyes.

  “Now tell me, are you really ok?”

  “Yeah. It was just the initial shock and then the fear of how you would react, that you would cancel your visit, stop speaking to me. I’m ok now.” I slide back into my bed and lay down with my head next to my laptop. “You should go back to sleep, I woke you up.”

  “Not until you do. I wish I was there to hold you right now.”

  “Me too, so much.” I reach out and touch my fingertips to the image of her face causing her to smile. We each lay in our beds, chatting with one another, both refusing to disconnect and go back to sleep. Eventually one of us must have fallen asleep, as I wake up next to my laptop, the clear light of day coming in around the edges of the blinds. I roll over to see it’s nearly 9 am. Remembering the events from a few hours ago, I feel dirty and a bit afraid of where things stand between Isabella and I. I quietly unlock my bedroom door and find the door to the guest room open, the bed empty. I check the house to find a note on the kitchen counter saying I’m sorry. I climb in the shower and stand under the steaming stream of water long after I’ve finished my cleansing routine. The sound of the chat alert pulls me out of my own head. I shut the water off and run for my phone pressing the connect key. Isabella’s face greets me, her mouth hanging open, desire replacing the anger that had been in her eyes before. I smile back at her, aware that I’m naked and dripping water all over my carpet.

  “See something you like?” I tease as I head back into the bathroom to grab a towel.

  “Yes. Am I interrupting?” My brow furrows.

  “No. Just finished taking a shower. Are we ok?”

  “Yes. Is she gone?” I can hear the anger in her voice when she asks about Katrina.

  “Yeah, she was gone when I woke up a bit ago. Left a note saying she’s sorry.” I can see Isabella’s jaw clench.

  “She should be.”

  “Isabella, does it bother you that she was here? That I tried to be her friend?” Isabella sighs as I wait for her to answer me.

  “No. I was worried when you left that you would see her and remember your feelings for her or forget about me. You’ve been honest with me about everything though, so I trust you. I’m just really pissed about what she did last night.”

  “I know, I should’ve seen it coming.”

  “Don’t blame yourself. You didn’t put her in your bed, she came there uninvited.”

  “You’re right.” I hesitate to ask my next question but I must. “You haven’t met anyone since I left, have you?” We never promised to be monogamous, but we did promise to be honest.

  “No, I haven’t even flirted. Matt keeps teasing me because we chat all the time.” I smile because of her answer and because I can see Matt teasing her.

  “When did you fall asleep this morning? I can’t remember much.”

  “You fell asleep and I sketched you before disconnecting and going back to bed.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be, you haven’t seen the sketch yet.” Isabella grins, and I know that we’re ok.

  “Why, was I drooling?” I can’t help but tease her.

  “You drool?” she asks with complete sincerity.

  “I’m sure I have, I’m sure we all have.”

  “Hmm, perhaps I should add that to the sketch later.”

  “Perhaps. What are your plans for the day?”

  “I’m going to work in a little bit, then packing. I think I’ll paint later if I get the chance. What are you doing?”

  “Running errands mostly. Do you have warmer clothes? It isn’t freezing here, but it’s cooler.”

  “I have some things, I’ll be fine.” She smiles at me as I sit on the bed, still wrapped in my towel. “I know you just showered but want to get dirty with me?”

  “Yes please,” I answer, knowing that my errands can wait.

  Chapter 21

  Wednesday finally rolls around, and I walk into the OR to find Alex setting up my room. “Thank god you’re my tech today.” I know that Alex will keep the room moving along like she always does, not just because she knows that Isabella arrives tonight.

  “Good morning to you too. I sorta lied to the bosses and told them I had a request case in here today. I know how important tonight is to you.” Her mask prevents me from seeing her smile, but I know it’s there, I can see it in her eyes.

  “Thank you. If they ask I’ll be sure to back your story.” We both chuckle as we get ready for the day.

  Thanks to the combined efforts of everyone in the room, I’m walking out of the OR at 4:30. I check Isabella’s flight information and see that it’s still on time for the 6:05 pm landing. I rush home and shower before heading to the airport, arriving at 5:45. Her flight is still listed as being on time, so I stand at the door of the small airport and wait. I try reading to distract myself, but nervous energy prevents me from concentrating. Instead, I find myself pacing up and down the small entryway that leads outside from baggage claim. I look up each time I complete a lap, waiting to see her. When I finally do, we both freeze momentarily before she passes beyond the security gate, drops her bag and wraps her arms around my neck. I wrap mine around her waist and we stare i
nto each others eyes before finally kissing each other, a long passionate kiss that I swear will result in my clothes turning to ash. When our lips finally part she pulls me tighter to her.

  “Hey beautiful,” she whispers in my ear as I inhale her scent of sunshine, saltwater and cucumber melon soap.

  “You’re here,” I respond, stating the obvious.

  “I am,” she says pressing a kiss to my temple. We finally break our embrace and I grab Isabella’s suitcase as she takes my hand. I lead her to the small open lot where I left my car. When we reach it, she presses me against the hood and kisses me deeply again. Her lips are swollen when we part, my heart thundering in my chest. “How long until we’re at your place?” I don’t have to ask why, it’s taking all of my willpower not to tear her clothes off where we stand.