CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE TRILOGY

by Patrice Wilton

  Crystal strutted over to him. “Want company?”

  “No. I want you to stay here and hash things out with your sister.”

  She pouted. “I’d rather get to know you better.”

  “Not now.” He glanced at Leila. “I won’t be back until late.”

  She nodded, wanting desperately to put her arms around him and hold him tight. Whatever had happened between him and his parents was a deep wound that might never heal, and she wanted him to know how much she cared. “Don’t worry.” She tried to convey with her eyes the words she couldn’t say. “We’ll figure out a way to keep your secret.”

  “Do that.” He grabbed his keys and headed toward the door.

  “Wait,” Crystal called. “I could use a ride.” She yawned and stretched, pulling the thin material of her sweater to the breaking point. “I’ve been up since five this morning. I’m going to take your suggestion, Leila, and head over to the Nassau Inn. I need to lie down for an hour or two.”

  “Well, come on then.” Ryan grabbed Crystal’s large bag, avoiding looking at Leila.

  Leila couldn’t stop the two of them without giving away her true feelings for the man. And she and Ryan had enough problems without adding her emotions to the equation.

  But she also knew what her sister was up to. The minute she was alone with Ryan, she was going to come on to him. She was like that with every attractive man she met, married or not. Like a lioness on a hunt. Still, Leila couldn’t argue with her sister, since she was the one who’d suggested Crystal stay at the hotel in the first place. But she didn’t have to like it.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  The door closed behind Uncle Ryan and Aunt Crystal, and Callie peered closely at her mother. “You all right?”

  “Sure. Why shouldn’t I be?”

  Her mother was gnawing on a jagged fingernail without even realizing she was doing it.

  “Well, I know you’re not real fond of your sister and you kind of like Uncle Ryan.” Callie put her hands on her hips, a pose that she hoped conveyed her anger. “And I think she’s going to try to sleep with him tonight.”

  “Callie! She is not. What an awful thing to say. And how would you know about that kind of thing anyway?”

  “I’m not a kid, Mom. I know things.” Why was her mother letting Aunt Crystal run off with Uncle Ryan? Didn’t she care at all? How could she be so blind? Uncle Ryan was like a dream come true, and her mother should fight for him.

  “Why are you glaring at me?” her mother asked. “I couldn’t stop them from leaving, now could I? Especially since I already told Crystal there’s no room for her here.”

  “But Mom, you could have stopped her. I would have.” She narrowed her eyes, giving her mother a speculative look. “Do you think he’ll sleep with her? I mean, she’s beautiful. What guy wouldn’t?”

  Her mother marched into the kitchen and poured herself some more wine, since hers had ended up on the floor. “No, I don’t think so. Ryan wouldn’t do that. He’s got principles. Besides, he’s here to help get you well, not to make out with my sister.”

  “I thought he was into you. He’s always looking at you and smiling a lot. You should go after him. He’s a great guy and you need a husband.”

  Her mother’s cheeks grew pink, and she got busy putting the messy paper towels in the bin. Callie liked that her mom was blushing. It must mean something.

  “I don’t need a husband, honey.” Her mother spoke quietly, as if explaining it to herself. “I’m doing quite well on my own. I should say we’re doing quite well. Grandma helps a lot, and I love my job, and once you get better, we’ll be on easy street.”

  Callie sat on a stool next to the counter and put her chin in her hand. “I liked it when Dad was here, and it’s not the same without him. I know Uncle Ryan isn’t Dad and can’t take his place, but he’s family. I’d rather you marry him than a complete stranger.”

  Her mother smiled. “Don’t worry, I promise not to marry a complete stranger.”

  “You know what I mean. He’s really nice and fun and I think he likes you. Or did, if your sister can keep her claws off him.”

  Her mother laughed. “You really don’t think too highly of her, do you?”

  “No. Do you?”

  “That’s a complicated question. I love her, of course. I just don’t like some of the choices she makes. That’s all.”

  “Like sleeping with Uncle Ryan?”

  “We don’t know that that is her plan.” Her mother drank some wine. “And even if it is, I’m betting she won’t have any luck.”

  “Why don’t you call him on his cell and suggest meeting him for dinner? It’s only half-past-six. I can eat leftovers and go to bed early. You need to go get your man.”

  Her mother threw her head back and laughed heartily. Callie grinned too. “So what do you think?”

  “I think you watch too much TV, young lady.”

  Callie was silent for several minutes. Lately her emotions had been all over the place, kind of like puppies that couldn’t settle. One minute she was up, then the next she was down.

  “Mom? What if this doesn’t work? I’ll be running out of chances.” She spoke slowly, trying to act calm, when in fact, she was anything but. “They won’t want to give me another kidney if my body always rejects them. They’ll save it for somebody else, and I wouldn’t blame them. But I don’t want to die. I’m scared of dying.”

  “Oh, baby. You’re not going to die. I’d never let that happen.”

  Her mother wrapped her arms around her and it felt good to be held. She rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.

  “I know I pretend to be okay with it, and sometimes I am. But now with Uncle Ryan here, I have hope again. And once you start to hope, it raises the stakes. Now I care. A lot.”

  “That’s good, honey. You should care. I want you to care. A lot. Don’t ever stop fighting. Don’t ever give up. Never, ever, ever.”

  “I promise, Mom. You too. I want you to get more out of life than you have now. Whatever it is you want, I want you to fight for it too.”

  Her mother shifted to look down at her. “The only thing I truly want is for you to get well. Then I’ll worry about other things.”

  “Like Ryan?”

  “Yes. Like Ryan.”

  ***

  “I’m really not all that tired, Ryan,” Crystal said, once they were in his rental car. “I just didn’t want to sit around that depressing house. It’s so upsetting being around sick people, especially when it’s a kid and your niece. Don’t you agree?”

  “Uh-huh.” Ryan didn’t take his eyes off the road. “Your empathy is touching. It must be difficult for you.”

  Crystal frowned. “Oh, come on. Don’t be so hard on me. I love that little girl and no one will be happier to see her get well, but I’m just not good with kids or sick people. So sue me.”

  “I’m not throwing stones. I’m no angel either.”

  “Good. I don’t like angels.” She smiled and leaned away so she could check him out better.

  He was definitely hot in a California surfer kind of way. She loved that suntanned look, and the longish hair, the muscular build, and strong thighs. He was wearing cargo shorts, and she noticed how the Australian sun had bleached the hair on his legs. They looked so manly.

  “So. You want to go for a drink? I’m sure the hotel has a bar.” She smiled seductively. “If not, we can find one close by.”

  “I suppose I could do that. But just one. Then I have things to do.”

  She casually dropped her hand next to his thigh, close enough that the back of her fingers brushed his skin. “One drink will certainly put me to sleep, although I do hate to sleep alone.”

  Ryan didn’t answer that. He didn’t push her hand away either, but he gave her no encouragement. Annoyed at his lack of response, she folded her arms under her breasts and stared out the window. A few minutes later they pulled up in front of the hotel. Crystal waltzed into the reception area, leaving
her bags for Ryan and the doorman to deal with.

  She pushed past a couple of businessmen who turned to stare at her, and smiled at the young man behind the desk. “Hi, I’m Crystal Blake. I have a reservation for tonight.”

  “Yes, we’ve got your room all ready, Ms. Blake. I just need your credit card.”

  “I believe my sister took care of the room.”

  “Yes, we have a credit card listed, but this is for incidentals.”

  “Oh, very well.” Crystal dug in her handbag and pulled out her wallet, handing him her credit card. “I would like one of your larger rooms, please. I may be staying for a while.”

  He checked his computer monitor. “We do have a different room available, so that’s no problem.” He handed back her credit card. “We’re happy to have you staying with us, Ms. Blake.”

  She preened. “Thank you. So you know who I am?”

  “Yes.” He smiled back. “You’re Professor Warner’s sister. I’m in her Independent Study group. Just working here part-time.”

  “Really?” Crystal said. “How fascinating. Well, could you please have my luggage sent to my room? My friend and I would like to have a drink in the bar. You do have one, don’t you?”

  The young man pointed the way, and she took Ryan’s arm, still miffed that the silly twit behind the desk knew her sister but not her. She was the one who’d been on TV!

  The dimly lit bar was quiet, not at all like the places she went to in L.A. There she chose lively bars filled with studio people who knew how to party. And although good-looking blondes were a dime a dozen in L.A., she was proud to say that she never lacked for attention. No wonder she’d left New Jersey as soon as she could, and rarely came back. What was there to come back for?

  “I’ll have a Mojita,” she told the waitress. “How about you, Ryan? You want a dirty martini?”

  “No. I’ll take a Foster’s, thanks.” He smiled up at the waitress.

  “Ryan? My God! It is you.”

  The dark-haired woman, who Crystal supposed was pretty in a wholesome, outdoorsy kind of way, gaped at Ryan. “Wow!” she exclaimed. “Blow me away. Imagine seeing you here.”

  Crystal wished a tornado would come and blow this girl away. Who the hell was she, and why was she here, raining on her parade?

  “Toni, my luv, what a nice surprise.” Crystal noticed how his Australian drawl thickened. “What are you doing in a place like this? I thought you were still in Sydney, flying with Quantas.”

  “No, I gave that up a couple of years ago. Decided I wanted to be a marine biologist. I’m studying here, got myself a partial scholarship at Princeton.”

  Jeez, Louise! Did everybody in town go to university? Didn’t anybody become a hairstylist, or florist, or something? Crystal hadn’t bothered with college, and she knew her high school diploma was a joke in this town. Another good reason she’d moved to L.A.

  She smiled through gritted teeth. “Sorry to break in here, but could we please have our drinks?”

  “Uh, yeah.” The cocktail waitress glanced at Crystal, then turned right back to Ryan. “Are you in town for a while? I’d love to do some catching up.”

  He winked at her. “Me too. What time do you get off?”

  Crystal snapped. “Will you please stop chatting long enough to get me a friggin’ drink? I’m tired from traveling, and your catching up can damn well wait.”

  “Sorry. Coming right up.” Toni sashayed off, and Crystal noticed that Ryan didn’t miss the sway of her hips.

  “I guess this means you won’t be coming up to my room after all.” She pouted and ran her fingers up his arm. “You’ll be missing out on a really good time.”

  “I’m sure I will, but that’ll be a pass.”

  “You hooking up with her?” She tilted her head, checking out the other woman. “She’s okay, but not star quality, if you know what I mean.”

  Ryan massaged the back of his neck and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he stared right at her and she could see she’d pissed him off.

  “That is really none of your business,” he answered sharply. “But the answer is no. I’m not interested in hooking up with anyone. Matter of fact, I’m going back home after this drink. I think I’ll be safer there.”

  “Chicken.”

  “No. Just smart.”

  Toni brought their drinks and a bowl of nuts. “I brought these especially for you. Beer nuts. I know how you like them.” She winked and sauntered off, but Crystal noticed she stood with her back to the bar so she could keep her eye on Ryan.

  Ryan took a couple of slugs of his beer, then slammed the glass down.

  “Leaving already?”

  “Yeah. I’m here to get a part of me cut out, not to get laid by you or my old flame.”

  She gave him a teasing smile. “And that’s what you think would happen if you stuck around a little longer?”

  “Maybe, maybe not. But I’m not hanging around to find out.”

  “Leila is a one-man woman. You won’t get anywhere with her.”

  He stood up, looked at her for a long moment. Crystal was afraid she’d gone too far.

  “Leila is a lady. I wouldn’t even attempt to try.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  “Ryan?” Leila stood up when he entered the room. She teetered for a second, surprised that she felt tipsy after her third glass of wine. But then she hadn’t had much dinner. Callie had very little appetite these days, so they had settled on grilled cheese sandwiches.

  “Hi Lei.” He grinned and kissed her cheek. “I couldn’t stay away.”

  Happiness seeped through her at his sweet words, yet she couldn’t help but wonder if he meant them. “I’m glad. Did my sister scare you off?”

  “How did you guess?”

  “Eighteen years of living with her.”

  “She’s a piece of work. But no. It wasn’t just her. I want to be here. I don’t have much longer to be with you and Callie, and this is where I want to be.”

  She slid up to him, put her arms around his waist, and leaned her head against his chest. “I’m glad. We’re going to miss you when you leave.”

  He pushed her away slightly, looking her in the face. “I’ve come to care about you and Callie, and it’s not going to be easy for me either.”

  Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them away. “That’s nice to hear.” She gave him a quick kiss. “But what are we going to do about it?”

  He looked uncomfortable at the question. “What can we do? My life is there and yours is here. Unless, of course, you want to come and live with me.”

  She hadn’t expected that, and she could feel her face grow warm. “Live with… uh… I--I don’t know what to say. That was never in the equation. We never considered this when we slept together.”

  “Look, it’s all right. I just threw it out there. Doesn’t mean anything.” He stepped away from her, as if touching her right now would not be a good idea. “Forget it. It was a stupid idea.”

  She didn’t say anything, because she couldn’t imagine living with Ryan and disrupting her life and Callie’s. Why hadn’t she seen this coming? How could she have allowed herself a romantic fling with her brother-in-law, especially since neither of them were exactly on an even keel? This wasn’t love, she told herself. It was a wild and crazy high, and once they returned to their daily lives, they would forget these feelings they had for each other.

  But what if she didn’t? Could she leave her job, her mother, her life for him?

  “Ryan, let’s not think beyond the next couple of weeks. We have enough to worry about.”

  “I know we do.” He hooked an arm around her shoulders. “I’m starved. Didn’t have any dinner. Did my favorite two ladies eat without me?”

  “We had sandwiches. Want me to make you one?”

  “Sure.” He jerked his head toward the staircase. “What’s Callie up to?”

  “She was feeling tired and went to bed early. Have you noticed that she seems to have less energy n
ow than a few days ago? Or am I worrying too much?”

  “I thought it was the Hampton trip,” he said, frowning. “All the excitement wore her out.”

  “No. I knew she didn’t have a lot of time before she began to fail.” Leila bit her lip and blinked rapidly, fighting tears. “She needs this operation quickly. I’m so glad it’s scheduled for Wednesday.”

  “Me too.”

  ***

  Callie had a bad night, throwing up twice, and she looked so pale and weak in the morning that Leila kept her home from school. Ryan said he would take care of her and waved Leila off to work, saying she needn’t take another day off.

  “Save it until after the surgery,” he told her. “You’ll want to be with Callie, and she’ll need you more than now.”

  Knowing it was true, Leila reluctantly left Callie in bed and put in a full day’s work. She did call Callie when she had a moment, and learned that Crystal had come to the house right after breakfast and was spending her time watching soaps on TV and flirting with Ryan.

  Her mother brought over a chicken pot pie for dinner, and they all gathered around the table, quiet and listless.

  “Have some pot pie, Crystal,” June said, dishing some onto a plate and putting it in front of her youngest daughter. “You can’t just eat that little salad. You’re too skinny as it is.”

  “I’m not.” Crystal picked out the chicken and carrots and pushed the rest aside. “I can’t afford to get fat. No one will hire me.”

  “No one hires you anyway,” her mother said. “You’ve done some walk-ons, bit parts here and there, but you haven’t had a major role in years. So you might as well eat. It’s not exactly like you’re up for an Emmy, dear.”

  Crystal threw her mother an annoyed look. “Not yet, but timing in life is everything, and my times a’coming.”

  “Your ship has already sailed, if you ask me.” Her mother scooped the remainder of the pie from Crystal’s barely touched plate.

  “I didn’t.” Crystal grabbed the bottle of wine and refilled her glass. “Drink up, everyone. Tomorrow is going to be a rough day for us all. We might as well kick up our heels tonight.”