by Kari Alice
“It looks very good. Thank you, sweetheart,” Ashley said as she held the mug in her hands. Mike’s hand lingered on Ashley’s back.
“Well, it sounded like you two needed something to take the edge off?” Mike asked, his quizzical gaze on Lexi.
Lexi sipped her drink, wanting to feel its calming effects. The warm liquid glided down her throat, followed by the burn of the liquor. She didn’t want to hold on to the agitation, but Corrine was going to be a hard face to forget. She sipped again, welcoming the burn.
“Thanks, Mike. You’re right. I could stand to be a little less edgy tonight.” Lexi perched on the chair, with her legs crossed. She leaned on one side, trying to avoid the muscular soreness that still lingered from the earlier injection.
“What happened?” Mike asked.
Ashley hesitated, and when she was about to answer, Lexi cut her off.
“I was just nervous about my doctor’s appointment, and Caleb is going out of town on business. It’s just a lot at once,” she blurted.
“I see…well, maybe a good meal will take your mind off of that stuff, for a little while anyway.” Mike grinned at Lexi, and his eyes grew wider, as if something had crossed his mind. “I don’t know if this is polite, but I’m going to say it anyway. I really like the idea of you and Caleb. You two just seem right together. Then again, anything would be better than what he had been dating before you…” Mike tried not to laugh, but his feelings were rather transparent. Lexi knew he hadn’t cared for Corrine. “No offense to you, Lexi. You’re great.”
“Thanks, Mike. That’s very sweet,” Lexi said with a smile. Mike’s candor had made her loosen up. She almost felt guilty for not telling him about her encounter with Corrine. It wasn’t that there was any reason not to tell Mike what had happened, or that nothing really had happened other than a chance meeting. For now she just wanted to keep Corrine where she belonged, which was out of her head.
“I’ve got to get back to the kitchen—there’s an office party coming in soon. If there’s anything you two need, just ask for me. I’ve already put in an order that you will both love.” He kissed Ashley on the lips.
Ashley kissed him back. “See you later!”
“Bye, Mike,” Lexi said.
After Mike headed toward the kitchen, Lexi finished her Blitzen despite its hot temperature.
“Why didn’t you want Mike to know about your run-in with Corrine?” Ashley’s words sounded guarded, as she spoke them is a hushed whisper.
“I don’t know really. I just don’t want to give her that power over me. It’s stupid. And it makes me feel stupid,” Lexi said as she looked into her empty mug. A tingling sensation spread over her body, and she was less encumbered than she’d been before the Blitzen. Even her memory was starting to wash Corrine away.
“Don’t feel stupid. She has the ability to make everyone around her feel terrible about themselves. That’s partly why I didn’t want you to meet her. She’s bad mojo.”
Lexi nodded.
“On the bright side, I think that’s our food coming,” Ashley said as she motioned to the food tray.
Mike had outdone himself. First to arrive was a creamy potato soup that had been liberally covered with Vermont white cheddar. A large chunk of sourdough bread came with the soup, for dipping.
Lexi focused only on the soup as she dipped a chunk of her bread into it, but Caleb still arose in her mind. He was going to take her away next weekend, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it. After giving so much attention to Corrine and then to Caleb’s going out of town, her mind glossed over any excitement that she had about going away with Caleb.
“So Caleb wants to take me camping next weekend,” Lexi confided. Any break from talking about Corrine would be a welcome change of subject.
“Why didn’t you say anything before? That’s great! Do you know where you’re going?” Ashley asked breathlessly.
“No. I didn’t ask where, but Caleb said that he’s rented a cabin on a lake and that the cabin has electricity,” Lexi said as she stacked her empty dishes and moved them to the side of the table.
“Well, that’s certainly is good. It’s getting too cold to rough it in the wilderness,” Ashley said, her eyes alight. “Did you ask about the sleeping arrangements? Maybe your birth control shot will come to use then?”
“Ashley! I don’t want to jump to any conclusions just yet,” Lexi said as her cheeks reddened. Outwardly, she tried to remain calm, but this was big. She was already so comfortable with Caleb, and the thought of that connection intensifying made her anxious. What if she did something wrong? Even worse, just how much was it going to hurt?
Mike stopped back by the table. “So how are we doing?” he asked. “What are you two ready to eat next? Steak, baked ziti…or maybe some dessert?” Mike would’ve probably liked to feed them until they popped.
“I don’t know how much more we can handle,” Ashley said, having finished her large crock of soup and sourdough bread. Not to mention a few other appetizers Mike had brought out.
“What about you, Lexi? Is your sweet tooth craving something?” Mike asked as he tucked a loose strand of hair back under the handkerchief that was tied around his head.
The image of Corrine eating lava cake ruined any plans for dessert. “No, Mike. I’m stuffed,” Lexi said.
“Have it your way, ladies. You know how much I love to feed you two.”
“I think we’re about to go home. We’ve got work tomorrow. Are you ready to go, Lexi?” Ashley asked.
“Yes, I think so,” Lexi replied. “Thanks again, Mike. It was terrific.” Lexi took Ashley’s keys and went to warm up the car while Ashley said good-bye to Mike. On her way to the lobby, a wall of photographs caught her eye. There were hundreds of pictures that wallpapered the wall, but out of them all, one in particular stood out. There was Caleb and Corrine, their faces pressed together. Their dark hair seemed continuous, as if they were physically connected. Their eyes seemed to be alive as they peered back at Lexi. If they’d been unhappy together, it wasn’t evident in this photograph. Although the two were no longer an item, they certainly didn’t seem destined for a life apart. Caleb had claimed that there had always been something missing in his relationship with Corrine. However, this visual of them together seemed like a perfect image of two lovers. Lexi stifled her tears as she headed for the door. She wiped at her face and fanned herself to hide all evidence of crying. Ashley would try and comfort her, but all Lexi wanted now was isolation so that she could think it all through. They weren’t together. Caleb was hers now. She needed to let her insecurities go…
***
Caleb groaned and looked at his watch. The conference dragged on. It was already 6:00 p.m. on Friday… If he left now, it’d be well after 9:00 p.m. when he finally got home. Would Lexi be awake? Maybe he could stop by…
“Hey, Caleb,” Frank Andrews said. Frank was an acquaintance Caleb had met at another conference.
“Frank! How are things?” As much as he wanted to get on the road, he had to talk to Frank.
Frank pulled out his phone and slid his finger across the screen. He flashed the image of twin babies in Caleb’s direction. “Kaylee and Jemma. They’re just under two months old.” Frank smiled as he turned the picture around to view it for himself.
Caleb clapped Frank on his shoulder. “That’s great, man. I’m really happy for you.”
“Finally after two rounds of fertility treatments, we were blessed with those two angels.” Frank put his phone back into his pocket. “So how long are you here for? Maybe we could get some dinner together?”
“Sorry. I’m going to be leaving soon. I have a long ride ahead of me tonight.” Dinner would be nice, but nothing could beat being near Lexi. He’d pick up a sandwich on the drive home.
“You not going to the natural antibiotic alternative seminar on Sunday?” Frank worked at a clinic similar to Hale Health.
“What seminar? I didn’t see that on the agenda.” Dr. Hale would lose
his mind if Caleb ditched that seminar. It was one of the older doctor’s primary areas of interest.
Frank gestured to the posters mounted on each side of the hall that boasted the natural antibiotic alternative seminar that was added after the agendas were printed.
Crap! There wasn’t even a conscious choice. He had to stay. Caleb usually delighted in his work, but now it was like a shackle. His face fell. He had to call Dr. Hale. “Well, that changes things… How about I give you a call in about a half hour? I’ll have to stay for that seminar, no doubt.”
Frank disappeared down the hall. The news of Caleb staying seemed to excite him, whereas Caleb’s chest contracted.
“Caleb, how’s the conference?” Dr. Hale asked.
“It’s been fine…” Just spit it out.
“Great!”
“Actually, that’s why I was calling. There’s a workshop on Sunday on antibiotic overuse and natural alternatives.” He hoped that Lexi would understand. It wasn’t an unreasonable expectation, but she wouldn’t like it either. Not after he’d made it a point to tell her he’d be home Friday evening.
“Gee, Caleb. I’d love to get that information. You know how we’re pressed to write a prescription for every sniffle? I’d like to be able to give some new options to patients. Do you think you could stay over the weekend? It’d be so helpful in our practice,” he said, as if there were a real choice in the matter.
It was inevitable and unavoidable. “Of course. When I heard about it, I thought it’d be something you’d want me to attend.” Caleb’s voice sounded flat, but his words were appropriate. Dr. Hale wouldn’t know the inner turmoil, which was just as well.
“Thanks, Caleb. I’ll arrange things with the hotel to extend your stay.”
“Thanks, Walter. See you in a few days.” Two more nights in a strange bed, without the comforts of home. He’d have to call Mike to check on Benjamin. He’d need fresh water and food.
Staying longer hadn’t been his plan. Being without Lexi… Unbearable. If she only knew how vital she was.
7
Separation Anxiety
Lexi dragged herself into work Monday morning. She was still groggy from the weekend and wasn’t ready for reality just yet. Seeing Caleb was a priority, but that wouldn’t be until the evening. She’d shopped with Ashley all day on Saturday, which had been nice and was a necessity—she needed warmer clothes. Now she had more confidence in what she wore, and even in her undergarments. Lexi relinquished most of her own preferences to Ashley, who took her role seriously when it came to dressing Lexi, and Lexi’s clothes were now updated and improved. She wouldn’t freeze this winter.
Being away from Caleb longer than expected had been hard. He was supposed to be back on Friday, but then his plans changed. Apparently the conference went on all weekend, and there were topics that Dr. Hale wanted Caleb to attend.
Depressive thoughts and even physical symptoms affected Lexi from the separation, and she wondered how she would be able to go on if he wasn’t in her life. She’d lost too many people already, and that familiar feeling that accompanied death was always on her mind.
Lexi had gone to work on Friday with the assumption that she would be with Caleb Friday evening, like he’d promised. When he’d called and told her that his trip had been extended, she cried on the phone, hoping he hadn’t picked up on her tears. It was stupid to be so upset over something so inconsequential. Caleb wasn’t at fault—being at the conference was for work, and that was a duty he didn’t take lightly.
When Lexi made it home Friday evening, her eyes were bloodshot and she tried to avoid Ashley. Apparently Caleb had called Mike, who in turn called Ashley. Mike sent over food, and the girls stayed in and watched a scary Johnny Depp movie, which helped distract Lexi. Then on Saturday Ashley insisted that they were going shopping. Lexi couldn’t deny that she needed clothes. It had been getting cooler with each passing day, and her summer wardrobe couldn’t hold out much longer. Sunday had been the hardest though. There wasn’t much to do in Caribou. Ashley invited Lexi to go out with her and Mike; they were going to buy pumpkins and other decorations for the front stoop. Ashley liked decorating for holidays and had scoped out a pumpkin patch about thirty minutes away that she had convinced Mike to take her to. Ashley assured Lexi that it would be fun, and they would stop for lunch and maybe even dinner.
Lexi politely turned down that offer. She didn’t want to spend couple time, when she wasn’t a member of that particular couple. And so she had busied herself with housework and then watched television all evening. Hallmark movies were predictable, but they gave her the assurance of a happy ending that she craved.
Lexi readied her work station. Caleb wouldn’t be at the clinic, but he would be home at some point today. After about an hour of data entry, Lexi strolled to the kitchenette to get a cup of coffee. The water had already been filled in the single-cup brewing system, so she looked through the coffee varieties and settled on a French vanilla coffee pod. A rich feminine laugh carried down the short hall. Lexi’s body quaked as a shiver traveled down her spine. The voice that accompanied the laugh had already become overly familiar. She’d tried to forget that voice, but it was hopeless. Yvette came into the kitchenette, carrying her own empty mug.
“Looks like you beat me to it!” Yvette said in a cheery tone.
“What?” Lexi asked, confused.
“The coffee, silly. That’s okay though. I could use a few minutes away from the front desk,” Yvette said with a smile.
Lexi smiled politely. “Is there someone with Dr. Hale?” Lexi asked in a way she’d hoped sounded casual.
“Oh, yes. A drug rep is with him. You might know her, Corrine Wylie?”
Lexi’s stomach tightened. As her cup finished brewing, she grabbed the sweetener packets and two creams and prepared to go back to her office. “Yes, I know who she is. Well, I’ve got to get back,” Lexi said with a forced smile. She wanted to get back to her office before Corrine left Dr. Hale’s office. Avoidance was the only viable option. Corrine had a booming voice that was both overwhelming and feminine.
“I just got back this morning. I’ve been so exhausted lately, and travel just makes it that much worse.” Every word Corrine said traveled clearly down the hall.
Dr. Hale responded, “Well, I’m glad you’re back then. How is your aunt doing?”
Lexi went to her office, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping. Every sound she heard made her feel antsy. She had the door cracked, even though she usually kept it wide open. High-heeled shoes clicked their way down the hall and sounded too close for comfort. The knock on her door was unfamiliar. Lexi opened the door wider, which revealed Corrine.
“Hello, Corrine,” Lexi said in pseudo politeness. Lexi fixed her expression and hoped it resembled something other than what was felt.
“Hello, yourself. I thought I would stop in and say hi before I left. It would have been rude of me to not say anything after we met the other day,” Corrine said. She stood in a superior posture and wore a low-cut blouse that reveled her ample cleavage. Her skirt came to the tops of her knees but was fitted around her curvaceous body.
“That’s nice of you,” Lexi lied. Lexi’s skin was pale, and her makeup was minimal. Even though her outfit was new and flattering, she knew her overall appearance lacked the effort she normally applied.
“Are you feeling okay? You look sick,” Corrine said.
“No, just tired,” Lexi said. Corrine’s candidness was unwelcome, as was her presence.
“Good, I’m glad you’re well then. I’ve got to get going. I have more stops to make this morning,” Corrine said as she pulled her glossy hair to one side to adjust the briefcase on her shoulder.
“Okay, it was nice seeing you again,” Lexi said. Her stomach audibly growled, which was a compilation of stress and hunger. Lexi placed her hand over her stomach, as if that act alone could muffle any further sounds.
“Oh, before I forget. I left donuts at the front desk. Sounds lik
e you could use one,” Corrine offered as she left.
“Thanks,” Lexi said. Despite her stress level and hunger, she sipped on her coffee, forsaking the donuts. The encounter with Corrine had lengthened the day and further soured her mood. Corrine’s presence in Lexi’s office had somehow made it unconsecrated ground, which now lacked the serenity it once had. She needed distance from her. Corrine was like a circling shark, and Lexi was the chum.
Lexi’s phone buzzed just after she started her SUV. She was about to call Caleb to see if he had gotten back yet, but he beat her to it.
“Caleb!” she answered, unable to hold back her excitement.
“Lexi…I just got home. I’ve got to see you,” he said in a tired voice.
“Okay, well, I’m just leaving work now. Should I come over then?” she asked.
“That would be great. I can’t wait to see you. It feels like we’ve been apart for weeks,” Caleb said as he audibly yawned.
“Do you need me to pick up anything?” she asked, though all she wanted was to get to him as quickly as possible.
“Not unless you want to stop and get something to eat for yourself. I’m not hungry at all.”
“I’m not hungry either. I’ll be over in just a few minutes then.” Food wasn’t on her mind. All she wanted was him.
“Okay, baby, see you soon,” Caleb said.
“Bye.” Lexi swiped End and drove in Caleb’s direction. She didn’t want to waste time getting to him.
Lexi parked her SUV by Caleb’s Lincoln MKC. She let herself inside the house and found Caleb sleeping on the sofa. She put her purse down and slipped off her shoes. She sat down by his sleeping body. He opened his eyes, and a ravenous gaze roamed her face. He pulled her down to meet him, and it was as if his fatigue had vanished. He moved her so that she was laying on her back as he braced himself over her. His mouth was on hers. She tasted the sweetness of him, and her body warmed from Caleb’s heat. He was persistent as a lion after his prey as his mouth devoured hers. He was more out of control than she’d thought possible. A strange metallic taste rested on her tongue, but she was unfazed.