He walked in and hugged her. His Burberry cologne still hung on her clothes when he released her. His tousled brown hair was in charming disarray. His black flip-flops peeked out from the edges of his frayed jeans, and his baby blue button-down was tucked in only at the front of his jeans, revealing a blue- and black-striped belt. “I’m glad you let her sleep.”
“You want something to drink? Did you get breakfast?” She pulled a granola bar from the cabinet.
“All good. I grabbed something at the airport,” he said, sitting on the edge of the sofa.
Riley walked over and sat in the chair across from him. “How’s Amanda?”
“Amanda’s good. She’s looking forward to seeing Gabby.”
Riley couldn’t help the prick in her gut. She knew Amanda was precious, loved Gabby, had picked up a lot of broken pieces that she had left in Jeremy’s life, but it still pricked her. Jeremy had given her the opportunity to come home. Had forgiven her. But she didn’t. She couldn’t. So this was good. He needed to move on and it was time she did too. “I know. Gabby is looking forward to seeing her.”
“Your mom and dad are expecting her too.”
“I know. Mom called twice yesterday and talked to Gabby, telling her all the big plans she has for them when she gets there. Good luck even getting to see her.” They both laughed.
His face sobered. “You doing okay here, Riley?”
She smiled. His care for her had always run as deep as the blue bloods ran in Charleston. “Yeah, doing real good. You know how good Max has been to me. Gabby is flourishing, and I just can’t tell you how much I appreciate you letting me bring her here. I know this is a sacrifice to all of us. So thank you.”
“The best thing for Gabby is a mom and dad who are whole.”
She nodded and stood. “She’ll want to know you’re here. She needs to get up anyway. Plus, I’m already later than I had planned, and being late isn’t a good idea for me.” She ran her hands across the top of her head and down to the tip of her ponytail as she reached for her bag on the kitchen table. She turned toward him. “I’m glad you’re getting a do-over, Jeremy. You deserve it.”
He stood and walked toward her. “Everyone should get a second chance, Riley. You are a wonderful mother, and you prove that every day. I’m grateful Gabby has you.”
“Ahh . . . stop it.” She laughed, swiping at falling tears. “I’m going to have to get ready all over again if you say anything else nice.”
He laughed too and wrapped her in his arms. She let him hold her there. Those arms were as familiar to her as the dimples in Gabby’s cheeks. Her body had molded a place in them for so many years, but now they felt different. Someone else had carved her own shape there. Riley patted Jeremy’s back and removed herself from his hold. “Go see our angel girl.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Really. Busy day. I’ll meet up with y’all for her recital tonight. Not sure if I can grab dinner, but I will make the recital.”
He patted her arm and headed toward Gabby’s door.
Riley closed the door behind her, took a deep breath, and reminded both her heart and mind to come to terms with the fact that Jeremy would not be part of her future. She knew it was inevitable, and she had never pursued him. But she had not been prepared for the emotions that would come with the arrival of his new future.
She pulled herself together on the car ride and freshened her makeup. As soon as she stepped from the car, Christian was on her heels.
“Hey,” she said as she walked toward the resort. She knew what awaited her this morning and hadn’t planned on starting it with this. She walked quickly, wishing she had seen him when she pulled in because she would have spent more time freshening her makeup in the car, hidden.
He stepped in line beside her. “Everything okay?”
She patted her face, thinking she had covered her surprise pretty well. Apparently not well enough. “Yeah, everything’s good.” She kept walking, shifting her purse and the envelope with the contract from Max to her other hand.
“Well, I just thought when you weren’t home last night that something must have happened.”
She stopped in the middle of the parking lot. “You came by?”
“Yeah, I came by at six thirty like we had planned.”
“Didn’t you get my message?”
He shook his head and stuck his hands inside the pockets of his blue and white seersucker pants. “No, I didn’t get any message.”
“I left a message on your cell that Laine Fulton needed me to go with her to dinner.”
Christian shook his head slowly. “Sorry, I don’t know what happened.”
“I called you as soon as she asked me.”
He shook his head again and shrugged his shoulders. “Crazy. Nothing came through.”
“So you went to my house?”
“I did. The babysitter was there and I told her to tell you I had come by.”
Riley raised an eyebrow. “She didn’t mention it.” Her look softened. “I’m so sorry. Honestly. I did call you.” She started walking slowly toward the resort again.
He followed beside her. “No problem. I figured something had happened. I knew that Southern girls weren’t the stand-you-up kind.”
She reached over and touched his arm, the white button-down crisp beneath her fingers. “Honestly, I would never have done that.”
He laughed and patted her hand; heat rushed through her. “I believe you, Riley. Really.”
Mia was standing in The Nave when they arrived. “Good morning, you two.”
Riley withdrew her hand quickly. “Good morning, Mia.”
Christian tossed up a hand. “Hi, Mia.” He turned his attention back to Riley. “Anyway, it’s no big deal. You called and I didn’t get it. So, lunch today?”
Riley flicked her eyes toward Mia. She had her nose in her portfolio. Riley turned back to Christian. “I’m sorry, Christian. This week just isn’t going to work. Ms. Fulton is expecting me at her beck and call all week. I think it’s best that I make sure she has what she needs.”
“So you’re not just avoiding me.”
Riley had no intention of being that honest. “No, just a new job that I can’t afford to screw up.”
He gave her a smile. “I respect that. Go get ’em, then. And I’ll catch you this week somewhere.”
She returned his smile and watched as he walked down the corridor. She hoped watching men walk away wasn’t a premonition of the rest of her life. And this man—this one she didn’t know what to do with. Not since Jeremy had anyone invoked the feelings that Christian sent blazing through her simply by being near. And now that Jeremy was moving on with his life, she had the opportunity to move on with hers. But that didn’t have to mean with a man. She blinked her eyes twice, let out a deep exhale, and turned her attention back to where it needed to be. Not on men or lunch or dinners, but on her guests. That was why she was here. She turned and headed through the atrium to her office. Mia followed her.
“So you and Mr. Manos have a thing for each other?” Mia’s heavy accent gave her words a dancing cadence.
“No. I do not have a thing for Mr. Manos. He asked me out to dinner. Dinner does not a thing make. And I honestly don’t think this is productive conversation. We’ve got a busy day and I’ve got to get to the Royal Towers to meet Ms. Fulton for breakfast.” She glanced at her watch. “And I barely have enough time to get there.” She put her purse down by the edge of her desk, slipped her phone into the pocket of her dress, and started for the door with the contract in her hand.
“I need you to get these to legal. These are super-important papers. I’ve gone over them thoroughly, so we should be good.”
Mia took the papers from her. “Sure, I’ll be glad to.”
Riley looked down at the envelope in Mia’s hand; both her and Max’s names were on the front. “Thanks. Again, they need to get there first thing this morning,” Riley said, rushing out the door. “
You’ll make sure Mrs. Harris gets to the dolphin excursion?” she asked as she walked out.
Mia followed behind her. “I’ll zip up her wet suit myself.”
She laughed. “And make sure Tamyra knows I’ve reserved a place for her out by the Cain pool.”
“I’ll do it.”
Riley stopped and turned toward Mia. “Thank you. I’m really glad you’re here. I’ll need you this week.”
Mia gave her a warm smile. “It’s my pleasure. I love it. All of it.”
Riley didn’t stop her steady jog until she reached the entrance to the Royal Towers lobby. She could see Laine’s face from there. And it didn’t look happy.
* * *
“It’s five after nine,” Laine said from her seated position in the foyer of the Royal Towers. She sat surrounded by eight massive white stone columns that sat on top of large stone fish, looking like a bad version of Jonah and the whale. Vivid corals and aquamarine colors enhanced by live palm trees that dotted the marble foyer brought the tropics indoors. And Laine Fulton didn’t seem to be enjoying any of it. In fact, by the look of those dark circles under her eyes, Riley was pretty certain that last martini might have done her in.
“I know. I’m sorry I’m late. I had a contract that I had to get out first thing this morning.”
Laine stood. “It’s really not important why. It’s simply that you were. So can we get started?”
Riley felt the hair on the back of her neck bristle. This woman was a chameleon. Last night she wanted company. Today she was a piranha. “Sure. Absolutely. Where would you like to begin?”
“I’d like to start at the far end of the property.”
And with that, Riley turned into tour guide and Laine Fulton turned into the most demanding of tourists.
* * *
Tamyra lifted her head from the pillow as if it held a weight on top of it. She leaned over and looked at the clock. It was a little after nine. She had been sleeping later and later over the last six weeks. A tiny red light was blinking on the bedside phone. She picked up the receiver and tried to figure out how to retrieve her message.
It was an invitation to the pool. A lady named Mia had reserved a place for her. She couldn’t imagine spending an afternoon sitting by a pool. The thought of sitting around with nothing but her thoughts was in no way appealing. She had to do something active. Distraction had become her friend.
That is, until last night. Last night had been different. It was the first time since she’d found out she was sick that she had really forgotten. The mental torment had been silenced, at least until everyone had gotten up to leave, and then those repulsive pills burned like an out-of-control wildfire in her pocket. On top of that, the things that used to be mindless enjoyment—television, books, magazines, the Internet—all seemed a waste of time when you were dying. They seemed frivolous and trite.
When you’re dealing with life-and-death issues, you’re not too concerned with People magazine’s pick for “sexiest person of the year.” No, she cared only about essentials now. And last night showed her that one of those essentials might, in reality, be people. She had spent the last six weeks running from people—all kinds of people, even her family. But now she thought it might be her family she needed most.
One thing she knew she needed right now was food. In spite of all she ate last night, she was starving. Which in and of itself was a good sign, because she hadn’t had an appetite in a while. She walked into the bathroom and pulled her hair up into a clip, piling it on top of her head. She slipped on a little sundress and some flip-flops and stepped into the hallway by the door.
Her cell phone sat in its charger on the foyer table, and it was also blinking red. She looked at it as if it were a bomb about to explode in the middle of her room. No one had this number. This was a new phone she had purchased for outgoing calls only when she had left Savannah. She hadn’t even given the number to her parents. Sure, her mom knew where she was, but that was only because she had been in hiding from her for the last six weeks and didn’t want to put her through any more torment.
She hit a button and the screen popped to life. The caller ID revealed that she had been found. The one person she had been trying to avoid had found her number. And if he could find this phone number, he was very likely to find her. She retrieved the message, and his voice sent fear rising from her gut. “I know this is your phone, Tamyra. I’m glad you’ve had some time away to clear your head. And I’m sure when you get back home, you and I will have a lot to talk about. And trust me, I will be waiting. You can’t run forever.”
The desire to eat was replaced by a wave of panic. For the last two months she had fled that voice. That fear. But in one moment every ounce of it was back with such intensity that she felt like she wanted to crawl out of her skin. She reached for the door handle and jerked it open frantically, half-expecting him to be standing on the other side. She had to tell someone what had happened. What could happen. But she wasn’t even sure whom to tell. Riley? Riley had told her if she needed anything, she could call her. She darted toward the elevator and headed to Riley’s office. A lady stood behind the large console in the office suite. She was talking frantically on a cell phone.
“I’ve got it under control, Mother.” The lanky blonde’s voice reverberated through the lobby. Her blue eyes darted up and caught Tamyra’s. “I’ve got to go.” She shut the phone quickly. “Ms. Larsen?”
Tamyra tried to pull it together. “Yes? How do you know my name?”
“I’m sorry.” She laughed animatedly. “I’m Mia. I work with Riley. We make it our business to know all of our guests. Well, okay, that isn’t completely true.” Her lilting Australian accent lifted as she spoke. “We know as many as we can.”
Tamyra tried to calm the racing of her heart before she spoke. “Yes, you left a message.”
“I did. About the pool.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t think I want to go to the pool today. I’d really just like to see Riley.” She scanned the office desperately. “Is she around?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. She’s out with Ms. Fulton this morning. I’d be more than glad to help you.”
“No . . . no. That’s okay. I just really needed to talk to her. Do you know when she’ll be back?”
“I honestly don’t. I’m not sure what all Ms. Fulton intended for their day. But I assure you, as soon as she comes in, I’ll let her know you wanted to see her.”
“Thanks,” Tamyra said, backing up toward the door. “I’d appreciate that.”
“No problem. And you’re sure there’s nothing I can do for you?”
“No. No. I’m good, thanks.” Tamyra headed back out into the corridor. Her fear followed right along with her.
* * *
Winnie checked herself in the mirror that hung over the long table outside the elevator. Not bad for her age. The red bathing suit was reminiscent of a sixties pinup model with its strapless cut and tiny halter string that wrapped around her neck to keep her girls remotely pointed northward. The red looked smart against her olive skin, and the skirt hid the cellulite on her legs. And the ruche . . . oh, she thanked God for the woman who had created ruche. It ran across the front of the suit and did its best to hide her midsection, the section of her body that was the celebration of both her womanhood and her nightly bowl of ice cream.
Her white sunglasses weren’t quite as stark stuck on top of her white hair. She licked her red-colored lips and smacked them together in front of the mirror. Marilyn Monroe had nothing on her. She may have slept with a president but, hey, Winnie had slept with Sam. Winnie heard the ding of the elevator’s arrival and turned; her monogrammed canvas bag full of books swung with her.
The elevator doors opened and the young woman from dinner last night ran smack-dab into her. She noticed a look of fright in those brooding dark eyes immediately. “Hey, hey . . . ,” she said, reaching out to take Tamyra’s arm as she came off the elevator.
Tamyra stood an entire head and shoulders
above Winnie and looked down at her as she spoke. “Oh, hey, Winnie.”
“What’s wrong, baby? You look almost as white as me. And for you that’s not a good thing.”
She shook her head determinedly as if she were trying to shake something off. “Oh, nothing.”
“You shake your head any harder and you’re going to be in the hospital for shaken baby syndrome. Now, where are you going so frazzled?”
“I’m just going back to my room and—”
Winnie’s hand flew up. “Ehh.” The sound escaped her like the sound of a cicada. “No young woman as beautiful as you is going to be in a breathtaking place like this and live in your room. Go put your bathing suit on.” She swatted her hand in the air toward the hallway.
“Winnie, I don’t want to go to the—”
“I know you don’t. I can see you want to jump out of your skin. I know what that feels like. I felt it for a couple years after my Sam died. The only thing is, I don’t know why someone as young as you would want to do that. But you know what, I promise I won’t ask you why.”
She could see relief wash over the young woman’s face.
“That’s my promise. No questions. You can tell me only what you want me to know. But I’m good company and there’s a gorgeous pool down there. So you and I are going to go spend our day by it. Now go.”
Tamyra stood stoically in front of her.
“Go. I’ll wait right here,” she said, crossing her arms in front of her. She watched as Tamyra’s shoulders eased back down and she finally nodded her head.
“You sure?”
“I’m positive. I’ll sit and read and you can lie there and talk, pump music through your ear canals, or stare out into space. But I’ve learned sometimes it’s just nice to have a body next to you. Plus, we’ll order daiquiris,” she said, raising her eyebrows up and down.
Tamyra’s face relaxed, traces of a smile almost present. “You don’t drink.”
“Who knows. I’m on vacation. Maybe I’ll start.” Winnie gave her a wink. “Now go put that beautiful body in a bathing suit so I can hate myself for the rest of the day.”
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