by Larkin Rose
Marci looked away and focused on the waitress disappearing through the swinging door of the kitchen. “No one could have changed my mind.”
“She was a loser and everyone saw it but you.”
As much as Marci wanted to agree with her out of bitter anger, Wendy was wrong. There had been great times with Ashley. They’d planned a wedding, moved in together, went on a few great vacations, to name a few.
Fact was, when they were good, they were indestructible.
But when they were bad, they were hell-bent on Armageddon. Actually, that had been Ashley. Hell-bent to turn minor into major. A molehill into a mountain. And Marci had been determined to be the calm in her storm. Desperate to fuck her back into the calm, loving Ashley. And usually, it worked. Until it became a pattern. And even then, Marci still wrangled up the same outcome.
Eleven years’ worth of those ups and downs, but until the end, Marci wouldn’t have changed a single day. She’d been in love. Had built a life with Ashley. The life that was destroyed now.
“It’s over, Wendy. I’m here. She’s there.”
“You’re wrong, my friend. It’s not over. You’re not here. Not all of you, anyway. You left the best pieces of you back in Arizona, and I’d appreciate it if you’d go back and pick them up. And spit in her face. For me.”
Marci snapped her sights back on Wendy. Yes, it was over. She’d put her house up for sale, sold everything she owned, and blocked all paths for Ashley to get to her because she damn well would never have enough balls to show up at the resort. For sure, what they had was over.
Wendy stirred the ice cubes again. “You hate her. What she did broke you. Broke your soul. Until you put yourself back together, it won’t ever be over. And I fucking miss you, so sue me for being pushy and demanding and all in your business during your healing process.”
Marci was touched. Wendy was her best friend. They went so far back she couldn’t actually remember where the beginning had started, only that Wendy was one of the first people she spoke to after her parents moved her to Colorado. She loved her instantly. Wendy had been the constant in her life. The one who never held back when it came to her opinions. That opinion had been so loud about Ashley, it had created a deep wedge in their relationship. One that Marci had to continuously hold together, even when Ashley was trying to tear it down with her bitterness and immaturity.
Somehow, they’d managed to survive the distance with phone calls and yearly trips that Marci was forced to make alone. Ashley hated the cold. Hated Colorado. And hated Wendy even more.
“I love you.” Marci reached out and squeezed her hand.
“I love you, too. But I’m worried about you.”
Wendy’s cell phone chirped. She briefly poked out her bottom lip then dismissed herself from the table.
Marci scanned the room. Was Wendy right? Had Ashley broken her for good? Had she damaged Marci beyond repair? And was it so bad to ride out the waves with a stranger in her bed in the meantime? She didn’t think so. Nor did she care what Wendy thought. This was her personal self-medication. And right now, it was working.
“This can’t be happening!” Wendy dropped back in the chair, breathless. “Selena is being admitted into the hospital. She was having contractions and they had to stop them. Bed rest until the twins arrive. What the hell am I going to do now?”
“Cancel the contest?” Marci asked with glee.
The event planner contest was all she’d heard about since Wendy and her brother had concocted the whole idea as a way to staff the newest resort. The construction was just about complete, and instead of doing the boring interviews, they decided that a little adventure along the way, and a means to bring more people to the resort to see the newest housing, would be far more fun. They had ironed out all the details, and before Marci knew it, the wheels were in motion.
Not that any of it pertained to her. She had a cushy job, in an office, behind a closed door, where all she had to do was make reservations for people calling the resort. No sales pitch. No urging people to spend their vacation at the resort, old or new. Just answering phone calls for those already prepared to spend their time on a snowy mountain. Easy. And alone.
Sure, Wendy had stuck her there to keep her away from people. Marci was more than fine with that. She didn’t want to deal with real people anyway. She didn’t want to deal with people unless it was a female screaming under her tongue. And she dealt with those as often as she could.
“Don’t be a smartass. I’m serious!” Wendy wrung her hands, picked up the cell phone, laid it back down, and went back to wringing her hands. “What am I going to do? I can’t be a liaison for these group leaders and be their boss at the same time. I legally can’t be both.”
“You have tons of people working for the resort. Just ask one of them if it’s that easy.” Marci took a long sip of wine, hoping they could wrap up this dinner soon so she could swing by the club. With the crowd already thickening, surely she could find someone to help her forget this conversation ever took place. The one that seemed to take place far too often lately.
“It’s not like I have extras just lying around. I need someone who can handle multitasking every week. Reservations. Placing orders. Running errands. For eight different groups to start off. Oh my God!” Wendy picked the cell phone up again and sent several texts before she went back to wringing her hands. “I can’t believe this is happening. Monday. Every participant will be here on Monday.”
Marci could see Wendy was about to blow her top. Wendy was almost always calm. Rarely ever did Marci see her lose control. “Calm down. Everything will be fine. You’ll find someone.”
The phone chirped and Wendy yanked it up then she sank even deeper into her seat. “Mike is out of town. He can’t help.”
“What about Randy? You said he left on good terms. Maybe he would come fill in.”
Wendy grinned and started punching buttons on her phone. “Yes! Cross your fingers.”
Time seemed to stand still while Wendy sucked at her ice cubes and stared at the phone.
Finally, it chirped, and once again, Wendy deflated.
“He’s working for a wedding venue in New York now.” Wendy tossed the phone on the table. “I’m screwed. I’m totally screwed.”
“I’ll do it.” Marci spit the words out before she could change her mind.
Wendy cut her gaze around and then giggled. “Thanks, bestie, but I need a people person. Someone who can smile and talk nice and actually pretend to like the human race. Not a man-eater living off tourists.”
Marci shot her a “fuck you” glare. “I said I’ll do it. You better say thank you before I take it back.”
Wendy narrowed those dark blue eyes. “You’re being serious?”
“Yes. I’m being serious. How hard can it be to babysit a bunch of grown toddlers and make a few extra phone calls?” Marci wiggled her brow.
“These professionals are far from toddlers.” Wendy leaned toward the table. “But you could do it. I mean, all they need to do is bring you their itinerary and you can make arrangements and reservations per their needs.”
“See. I told you. Easy.”
“Don’t tease me, Marci. I’m freaking the hell out.” Wendy gave her that serious expression, the one that teetered on uncontrollable tears or hysterical laughter.
Marci downed her drink and checked the time. “I’m not teasing. They give me a list, I make phone calls. I don’t have to hang out with them. I’m not their boss. Easy. Stop panicking. I got this.”
“And you’ll be nice?”
Marci snorted. “I didn’t say that. I just said I’d handle it.” She blew a kiss toward Wendy. “And I will handle it.”
Right now, she just wanted to get to that bar.
Sex and a passage out of her thoughts was all she needed.
Chapter Two
Marci tipped up her Yeti and took a sip of coffee before she settled in the chair at her desk to go over the files that Wendy had hesitantly dropped
off less than an hour ago.
“This is your last chance to back out of your offer,” Wendy said, her lip slightly curled out in a “I will die if you back out now” warning.
Marci had plucked the folders from her grasp. “I’ll be a glorified secretary babysitting a gaggle of kindergarten brats. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Your mouth. That’s what could go wrong.”
“What? You don’t believe I know how to be nice?” Marci playfully rolled her eyes.
Fact was, Wendy was right. She was rarely nice anymore. She was still scorned. Still carrying the grudge. Still angry. And she could be all of those things for as long as she damn well wanted.
“I believe you know how to. But that’s different from actually doing it.”
Marci tipped the Yeti back up and eyed her over the rim.
Would she ever shed this battered and bruised skin that an ugly separation had poured over her? Would she ever trust again? Would she ever look at another female without knowing they had the potential to bring her to her knees?
Deep down, she hoped one day she could loosen this barrier around herself. For now, she needed the cocoon of protection. It was all she had left.
“I promise your children will be safe from my wrath.” Marci picked up a file and glanced over the tab. Tippy Franks. Thirty-eight. Atlanta, Georgia. Wedding planner. She flipped open the file to find a picture of Tippy taped to the inside cover. Dark hair. Thick glasses. Bright, wide smile. Not her type. “Besides, all I’m required to do is set up reservations, right? It’s not like I’m anyone’s boss. They don’t answer to me. All bullshit will be handled by you. For sure you don’t want me to handle drama.” She looked up with an arched brow.
“Absolutely not.” Wendy shook her head. “They will report to you when they have ironed out their plans. All you need to do is square away reservations. Florists, deliveries, to name a few. Nothing you can’t handle from that chair.”
“Perfect. Now stop panicking. I told you, I got this.”
Wendy raced around the table and bear-hugged Marci from behind, chair and all. “I love you so much for doing this. You’re my saving grace right now.”
Marci patted her arm. “Don’t get too happy. The first person who brings drama to my door will be kicked all the way down this mountain and land right on your doorstep.”
“Deal!” Wendy squeezed again and trotted from the room.
Marci turned her attention to the next file.
Derrick Mathers. Photographer. Ohio. Group number three.
Next file.
Kara Blackwell. Caterer. Pennsylvania. Group number six.
Next. Next. And then next, she read through their credentials, what team they would be on, who was the leader, and who was the most experienced. She could almost see who would overtake every part of the contest by simply reading all the great things they had done with their talents.
Her thoughts went back to that long forgotten dream. Some of these people, with the same experience, could have been professionals she’d have liked to hire. People who excelled in their careers. Who had unwavering recommendations and excelled in their careers.
Some of these people could be working for her right now. Making her dreams come true.
Dreams she’d abandoned for a piece of ass.
Marci shook out of her thoughts, determined not to let Ashley in today.
She picked up another file. Tessa Dalton. Wedding planner. Peoria, Arizona.
Marci’s breath staggered. Her hands trembled.
Her town. Her state. Where she’d created a new life for herself and Ashley.
Where she’d bought a house to prove to Ashley that she was serious about staying. Where they’d gotten married.
Where Ashley had ripped her in half.
Marci laid the file down, unable to open it, afraid the fragments of her life would be tucked inside. She took a long sip of coffee, hoping the flavor would calm her unraveling nerves. Ridiculous. She was being ridiculous.
Why? Why did Ashley have to do that? Why did she find it necessary to stab Marci in the back? Why?
Was it too much to ask? Was there even an answer? Did Ashley know why?
Did Marci truly want to know?
The answer wouldn’t change a thing. She’d never go back. She’d never look back. But something deep down inside always came back to that question.
Why.
She slowly picked up the file again and studied the name. She should open it. Get to know the woman who would be spending the next eight weeks getting under her skin. She was being petty. She knew that.
But was it too insane not to want anything to do with Peoria? Or Arizona? Or anyone from there? She left her life behind there. Her shattered life. All that desert heat, her marriage, and the heartbreak, she’d left in her rearview mirror. Now if only she could leave all the images and memories there as well.
Once again, she focused on the file. Tessa. She didn’t recognize the name. Likely she wouldn’t recognize the person either. All she had to do was turn over the cover.
But the longer she stared at the manila folder, the more those angry vibes simmered in her gut.
She mentally encouraged herself to open the file. It was just paper, after all. And the person on the inside was just that. A person. A person who just happened to live in the same state, in the same town, as she once had.
She hated Arizona. It was hot and muggy. Dry and barren.
Yet, she’d never turned around. From the second she’d touched down on that hot summer day to find Ashley waiting with that big smile, she’d never turned around.
What an idiot she’d been.
Tessa’s name stared back at her, daring her to turn the page, to crack open her life, to read all of her accomplishments, and to know exactly where she stood in this game.
Dammit. Not tonight.
With a grunt, Marci tossed the file away without opening it and shoved away from the desk. She didn’t need to know anything about this woman. Not right now, anyway. Not when the memories were threatening.
That little bar was calling her name. She always found just what she was looking for there. And tonight, she needed to find a willing piece of ass so she could grind against it. A woman to make her forget she was damaged goods.
And now that the day was over, it was time to go find the one to make her forget.
An hour later, she scooted onto a stool at the bar and greeted Tina, the owner and quite often the bartender as she liked to get to know the patrons, even those she would likely never see again. “Hiya, lady. How was your week?”
“Tourists are starting to pick up.” Tina scooped ice into a glass, poured in Jim Beam, finished with a splash of pineapple juice, cherry, and a straw, then pushed the drink in front of Marci. “You?”
“Same shit different day.” Marci stirred the drink before she took a sip and moaned as the flavors burst on her tongue. “Delicious. As always. I needed this today.”
That she did. Her hands were still shaking from the flood of memories spurred by a single name on a folder tab.
Arizona. Where she’d transformed her life. Where she’d started a brand new future. Leaving her old dream for a future behind.
If she’d stayed right here, if she’d not run after Ashley, she could be well into her own career by now. It had all been planned so perfectly. Event planners, caterers, photographers, all working for her, taking care of elite clients, each looking for their own personal adventure without the hassle of reservations and phone calls. Who just wanted someone to take care of everything, right down to their meals. And especially someone to keep their identity a secret.
She could have had that. An après-ski, of sorts.
If only she’d refused to back down from her own life goals. If only she hadn’t tripped over her own tongue. If only she’d been stronger.
She wouldn’t be sitting in this bar, all alone, scorned and torn and pissed, and wondering where she’d gone so terribly wrong.
&
nbsp; With a huff, she took another long swallow.
“Bad week?” Tina asked while she towel-dried glasses and stored them away.
“Bad week, month, year, life,” Marci said. “And to add to my own destruction, I moronically volunteered to help Wendy with the contest. I’ll be babysitting a gaggle of grown misfits all fighting for a position at the resort.”
“Ouch. Why would you do a stupid thing like that? You don’t even like people.” Tina giggled and held a glass up to the light for inspection.
Marci knew Tina was only half joking. Truth was, she was pretty transparent since she’d been back. Too obvious. All of it was true. She didn’t like people anymore. Didn’t like meeting strangers. Didn’t like conversation. Once, she used to be the life of the party. Once, she used to smile. Once, she wasn’t so guarded and untrusting. Once.
Now, she was that person. Unapproachable.
“There are a few people I like.” Marci turned around on her stool and scanned the dance floor. “For just a little while, at least.”
Women ground against each other as they moved to the beat while some shot pool in the far corner. A select few lovebirds snuggled and giggled at their high-top tables. If only they knew their fate, they would all walk away now and save the heartache.
Tina gave a low whistle of approval from behind her. “Check out what just walked through the front door. Oh, how I love tourist season.”
Marci followed her gaze and sucked in a breath as she found the woman in question just inside the door.
A beautiful creature. All five foot four of her. Long dark hair spiraled out from under a tan slouchy beanie. A deep shade of red adorned the woman’s full, pouty lips.
Marci watched in awe as the woman took off her coat to display a sheer champagne colored button up shirt. The blouse was open just enough to tease her audience with the deliciousness that lay beneath. Her green gaze raked around the room while Marci was held frozen to her stool.
She’d never experienced such first glance sexual attraction before. Not even with Ashley.
Sucked that almost everyone else around this beauty was experiencing quite the same effect. Two women approached the woman, no doubt filling that pretty mind with only God knew what kind of crap come-on lines.