Christian laughed. “Guess that would be a yes.”
“I could have reached across the table tonight and slapped her. I wanted to. Honest, I did.” Her words sounded more like Gabby’s than her own. She leaned against the side of the bench and took a deep breath, trying to calm her own nerves. Her voice came out calmer when she spoke the next time. “She got drunk tonight. That’s why I’m here. I had to all but tuck her in bed. She drinks all the time. But tonight she was just out of control.”
Christian leaned against the end of the bench. “I’m sorry about that. Those can be difficult, I know. I’ve had a couple. But I’ve figured out pretty quickly that the drinking is just a by-product of something deeper going on. I usually try to get to the bottom of that. I learned half of my job is being a counselor.”
Riley smiled. She pulled her feet back up on the bench and tucked her dress around her legs, then leaned back so she could face him. The candle behind him flickered light against the right side of his face. She felt her tension begin to release. “I know. I don’t know what it is about her, though. She’s not nice sober, either. And she’s intimidating. It’s like I’m this ignorant schoolgirl when she’s around, even though I’m the one giving her the information. But it’s like she thrives on making me feel like an idiot.”
“Anyone that is around you for a moment, Riley, knows you’re not an idiot.”
Riley shifted against the wooden beam, and her foot slid against his knee. She pulled it back quickly, but the effect was already done. “Tell that to me when I’m with her.” She wrapped her arms across her chest. “So what are you doing here so late tonight?”
“Me?” He smiled as he crossed his ankles and folded his arms across his chest. “A guest had a rough day. Just thought I should check to make sure their evening was going better than their day had gone. Not much different from you, I guess.”
“Yes, it’s different. I had dinner with her because I didn’t have a choice.” She cocked her head at him, studying him in the dim light of the evening. “You did. And you chose to take care of your client. And you’re not sitting here lambasting them when they can’t defend themselves. I’m horrible.” She set her chin on top of her arms.
He laughed. “You’re tired. We all have our days.”
“But I shouldn’t. Not with her . . . and not over this.” The last words were spoken more to herself. Hoping he hadn’t heard, she changed the subject. “So what brought you here? This man from Greece coming to Paradise Island.”
No words came for a moment. He simply kept his black eyes on her. Then he finally spoke. “Healing.”
Her foot slipped and brushed his leg again. She crossed them underneath her so it wouldn’t happen again. “What would you need to heal from?”
“A marriage that should have worked but didn’t. I’ve been in Miami for the last ten years. A year after I arrived, I met a woman who stole my heart. Loved her the best I knew how, but sometimes that isn’t enough. After eight years of marriage, she had another plan.”
The pain that still existed in his heart became evident on his face. She knew that look. “What kind of a plan?”
“The I-don’t-want-to-be-married-anymore plan. The this-isn’t-the-life-I-want plan. You name it, she said it.”
“Any children?”
“No, she changed her mind about that after our second year of marriage. That was the first time I realized that we were in trouble.”
“What did you do?”
“Kept hoping. Kept praying. Kept believing for a miracle. That I could love her enough to fill whatever this hole was inside of her. But you can’t. Learned that a little too late, but you can’t fill something that was made for something eternal. So eventually she packed her bags in search of something she thought was ‘out there.’ When all along it was ‘in here,’” he said, tapping his chest, the linen shirt moving beneath his touch.
“I’m sorry, Christian.”
“Me too. Wasn’t in the plan. Mine, anyway.”
“So how’s it going? The healing part.”
He smiled. “Good. Got a great counselor early on and just said, whatever is in me that got me here, I want it out of me.”
“Doesn’t sound like there was anything in you.”
“Yeah, I thought that too. Realized just thinking that was part of the problem. I thought I could be enough. Realized that I tried to play rescuer. Didn’t work too well. Codependency looks a lot like incredible love. Turns out it’s just an excuse for not wanting to confront things that are wrong in your home. So you just avoid them. I avoided confrontation all the way to divorce court. I’d say there was a lot in me to get out. I had completely shut down my voice. Took a while to get it back. That is just as damaging as the person who doesn’t know how to silence theirs.”
“So then, back to the healing part. How’s it going?”
“Can’t say I don’t grieve at times. But I don’t live broken anymore. Found my voice again. Realized I actually did enjoy life and that there was a life out there to live. And right now I’m enjoying this.”
His look unnerved her. Unease washed over her with the warm breeze that flowed through the foyer.
He must have noticed too because he changed the subject quickly. “So where did you take her for dinner tonight?”
“The Bahamian Club.”
“Ooh, good food.”
“I could hardly eat. I’m starving.”
“Who’s got Gabby?”
“Her dad. He came today and took her for some time together.” She looked at her watch, the sorrow of what she missed washing over her again. “They’re on their way to the airport by now.”
He stood and reached out his hand. “Okay then, come on. Let me take you to get something to eat.”
She looked at the hand that was extended to her. She wanted to go. She really did. But she couldn’t. Divorced or not, he wouldn’t understand her stuff. No one would. She put her hand in his and let him help her to her feet. “Thank you again. But honestly, my mind is so tired, I wouldn’t be great company.”
“You just were,” he said, nudging her slightly. “You can just eat. I won’t even make you talk anymore.”
She laughed. “No, really. Thank you.” She leaned down and picked up her shoes, letting them dangle from her fingertips. “I’m just going to go home.”
His eyes didn’t hide his disappointment. “I’ll ask again. I got my voice back, remember.”
She chuckled. “Okay. You can ask again.” As she walked away, she hated herself for being such a coward. But she still knew something he didn’t. And something Laine didn’t. And something she wished she weren’t. But something that, no matter how much she wished it away, would always be a part of who she was.
8
Monday morning . . .
Laine rolled over and tumbled to the floor. Her eyelashes were stuck together and she struggled to open her eyes. When she cracked them apart, the side of the sofa was all she could see. She spat an expletive at it, then jerked the blanket down and wrapped it around her. Two days in a row she had awoken with her head pounding. Two days in a row she had slept on the sofa in a suite that cost an exorbitant amount per night. Two days in a row she had wanted to pull the covers over her head and hide.
She reached up, grabbed the side of the sofa, and pulled her body up. She walked into the bathroom and stared at her haggard image in the mirror. She had made a fool of herself last night in front of Riley. Perfect Riley. Miss “I don’t drink. I don’t cuss. I don’t rat my hair. I’m Sandra Dee” Riley. There was something about that woman that she loathed. She didn’t know what it was, but her niceness couldn’t be as real as she tried to make it seem. Southern or not, there was no way she was that “good.” She was as nauseating as that sweet tea Winnie craved. And if Laine weren’t so ridiculously obsessed with not eating alone, she wouldn’t have Riley around at all. She was going to have to find someone else to eat with. Someone who didn’t make her crazy.
She unplugg
ed her iPhone from the charger that sat on the bathroom counter. She checked it again. Nothing. She knew in her gut he wouldn’t call. She longed in her heart that he would. But she knew she would tell him the same thing, so it was ridiculous that she was obsessing over the fact that he hadn’t. But the calls had at least let her know he was there. Without the calls there was nothing. Books—sure. Money—a lot of it. Fans—everywhere. Happiness—gone. Life—meaningless. It vacated right along with Mitchell.
She popped four ibuprofen and headed out to run, hoping one day she could outrun the hatred she had for herself. Then maybe she could find something worth living for.
* * *
Winnie’s gray walking pants with the pink sequined stripe up the leg and her pink shirt with complementing sequins made her as hard to miss as Dolly Parton’s cleavage. Her round behind moved side to side in rhythm as she greeted the new morning with a brisk walk. She had joined a boot camp class in her neighborhood about a year ago, so her heart was in pretty good shape. Granted, she did more “camping” than “booting,” but she enjoyed the music and the company. Plus, she didn’t feel quite as guilty about what she ate anymore.
She looked out over the ocean, the sight breathtaking. Morning had arrived with elegance and grace, and the song of the ocean could have rivaled a Nashville picking fest. Her angst over seeing Albert yesterday was absorbed by the tranquility of this majestic site. This place was big enough that she could avoid him for the next five days. She looked at a young woman who jogged below her on the beach with headphones on, confirming this generation was incapable of appreciating the music that heaven played. She’d confiscated enough iPods in various sizes and colors to open a pawnshop.
She walked down the concrete walkway, admitting she was thoroughly enjoying herself. She hadn’t realized how much her mind and body had needed a getaway. And that Tamyra. That girl had stolen her heart. Her walls were slowly coming down, and Winnie knew she wasn’t far away from getting to the heart of what that young woman was going through. She had talked her into going with her to dinner last night, and Tamyra had shared a little about her pageant experiences and her family. But Winnie knew that something was incredibly broken in the soul of that young girl. She was just trying to be patient to let her reveal it when she was ready. Taking care of the hearts of young people for years had taught her that every soul has its seasons.
The jogger who had passed her a few moments ago headed back in her direction. It was Laine Fulton. The Laine Fulton. Winnie still couldn’t get over the fact that she had met a celebrity. As Laine was about to pass below her, their eyes connected and Winnie gave her a huge smile and wave. Laine stopped and slipped her earphones out of her ears as she walked up from the beach and onto the sidewalk that ran the perimeter of the Atlantis property.
“Good morning, Miss Winnie. How are you today?”
It was useless to hide her excitement. “I’m having the best time and just loving your book. Sugar, you are so talented. Those stories you tell . . . well, they just rip the heart right out of me. Have me crying like a two-year-old. How is your research going?”
Laine fidgeted. “Good. Yeah, good. A lot to discover around here.”
“They haven’t tried to get you swimming with the dolphins yet, have they? Lord, have mercy, they’ve booked me for that thing again. I didn’t show up yesterday. I told them I’m not a fish. Never wanted to be a fish. Don’t plan on acting like a fish.”
Laine laughed. “I’ll probably have to try it out so I can know how to describe it to my readers. I think I’m headed there tomorrow. I have a private session. You’re welcome to join me if you’d like. Might not be as daunting with a partner.”
Winnie spread her arms out. “Honey child, a wet suit can’t handle all of this.”
“Well, the invitation is open. I’ll tell Riley that there’s no need for her to come since you will be with me. And you can invite that other young woman who joined us too, if you’d like.”
“You’re very kind to include us in your experience. Thank you.”
“Well, I’d better get back to this jog. Got a lot packed into the day.”
Winnie looked at the path ahead of her. The side of the Beach Tower peered out from the other building in front of her. “Ooh, yeah, I need to get back too. Don’t really want to walk down there.”
“Something wrong?”
“You read expressions too?”
Laine laughed. “I watch people all the time. You just look like something unsettled you.”
She tossed her hand behind her. “Just have a few memories down there, that’s all. And not a one of them do I feel like remembering today.”
“Okay then.” Laine turned to go, then stopped. “Um, Winnie, any chance you’re free for dinner tonight? You’re welcome to join me for that, too.”
Winnie cocked her head. She knew this was far more than a friendly invitation. “You don’t like eating alone, huh?”
Laine’s eyes widened. “It was just an invitation. I travel alone all the time.”
Winnie pressed further. “You’re not enjoying Riley’s company?”
“Riley is very professional.”
Winnie raised an eyebrow and gave the woman a nod. “Okay then, since you’re enjoying yourself so much but just want this crazy old fan to have dinner with you tonight and swim with the dolphins with you tomorrow, I will oblige. But just know, sugar, famous author or not, you’re still a woman. And I’m thinking you haven’t found a dining companion you are enjoying yet, so I’ll be glad to be there.”
Laine’s demeanor shifted as she shifted her weight on her feet. “You don’t have to come; I was just offering.”
“Oh no, I’m coming, baby girl. I’m coming. My pleasure. I’ll see you tonight.”
“I’ll have Riley call you with the time and place. Enjoy the rest of your walk.”
Winnie watched as Laine jogged around the bend of the sidewalk. Laine Fulton was proof that neither money nor notoriety afforded companionship. But she’d be her companion, especially if she was buying everything on the menu again. Winnie studied the lean body of Laine as it disappeared up the beach. She had no idea why she attracted women with flawless bodies. Maybe to show them all what they could become. She laughed at the thought. Then she hastened her steps too, putting as much distance as possible between her and the memory of her past.
* * *
“Mr. Takashito, how is everything with your stay?”
“Oh, lovely . . . lovely, Ms. Sinclair.”
Riley patted the arm of the gentleman who stood almost shoulder-to-shoulder with her. “Please let me know if we can get you anything.”
“Will do.”
Riley looked at her watch, grateful that there were no distractions this morning that kept her from being on time. After last night she could have killed Laine, but just talking about it with Christian had soothed some of that angst. And as she stood on her balcony earlier this morning and stared out over the vastness of the ocean, she’d had a talk with God about it too. She figured if He could create something as amazing as those waters in front of her and tell them where to stop so they wouldn’t cover the earth, she could trust Him to help her endure Laine Fulton.
She’d talked with her mom too. Everyone was safe, and Gabby was going to have lunch with them that afternoon. She was sure she’d get an update before the day was over.
Mia rounded the corner, her phone up to her ear, the hem of her green and white dress moving as she walked. Her voice was rushed and tense. “I can only do so much. Honestly, Mom, could you lay off?”
She pulled the conversation to a quick close when her eyes caught Riley’s. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.” She closed the phone and the furrow of her brow loosened as a smile stretched across her flawless face. “Good morning, Riley. Hope last night was better than the first part of your day.”
Riley smiled. “How about, it was just as interesting as my day.”
“Alright then.” Mia’s energy w
as buoyant as they walked down the open corridor of The Cove.
“You okay?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you. Wasn’t eavesdropping, honest, just sounded like a tense conversation.”
Mia swatted her hand. “Oh, it’s nothing. My mother is stressed out over some things and just needed to vent. She doesn’t realize how busy I am.”
Riley stopped and turned to Mia. Mia almost passed her but realized Riley wasn’t following her. She turned and looked at her. “Mia, if you need to tend to something with your family, I want you to know you can take the time to do that. I’ve had you going as frantically as I am.”
“Nonsense, Riley. This is what I came here to do. To work. My mother will be fine. Mothers are always fine.”
Riley laughed. “You never met mine.”
Mia laughed with her. “Now back to work. What do you need today?”
“Well, if you could check on Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds this afternoon. They had some questions about Thursday night’s concert.”
“Sure. I’ll call them this morning.”
“So what’s on your agenda today? Anything you need to tell me?”
“No, just some new guests arriving later and a reception for that larger group that gets in at noon.”
“Sounds good. I can’t be at the reception, though, because of Laine. Can you handle that for me?”
Mia brushed away a long strand of wavy blonde hair that fell across her face as the wind swept through the hall. “Absolutely. Christian and I have already gone over everything this morning, and he is coming too. Then I think he and I are grabbing some lunch before the afternoon heats up.”
Riley felt a slight pang in her chest. “Oh, well, good. It sounds like you’ve gotten everything taken care of.”
“You just take care of Ms. Fulton, and we’ll get through this week.”
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