X Marks the Spot

by Opal Carew

  “Your breakfast, sir.” She rolled the cart in and continued to the dining room, then set the table for them.

  He signed the check, with a generous tip, and sent her on her way.

  Abi appeared in the doorway wearing jeans and a soft, sky-blue sweater that draped nicely over her curves. He loved her in that color. It brought out the blue in her eyes.

  “Oh, that’s a lovely table,” she said.

  He glanced at it and realized she was right. From the glittering, stemmed juice glasses to the crystal vase of sunny bright, fresh flowers on the center of the table, the woman had done a nice job making it an inviting setting.

  Abi walked to the table and leaned toward the flowers to breathe in their scent. Yellow roses, purple bearded irises, and hot pink asters. Right from the colors to the choice of flowers, they were perfect for Abi. The smile on her face set his heart alight. The bouquet could have been made to order for her.

  And he wished he had thought to do just that.

  She stood up, staring wistfully at the flowers, then she turned to him and sighed.

  “You know, I didn’t realize how late it is.” She picked up one of the covered plates. “I think I’ll take my breakfast back to my room. I have some things I have to do before the wedding and—”

  But he stepped in front of her as she started to walk in the direction of the connecting door.

  “I don’t think so.”

  * * *

  When faced with Liam’s broad chest, Abi knew her escape plan had failed miserably. He was not going to let her slip away without talking about this.

  She frowned as he took the plate from her and set it back on the table.

  “Sit,” he commanded.

  She sank into the chair he pulled out for her.

  “Liam, please. This is my brother’s wedding day. I’m not up to a conversation like this.”

  He sat down across from her. “You mean a conversation about why I found you waiting in my bed naked? It wasn’t me who started this sequence of events, now was it? I think you owe me the courtesy of discussing it.”

  She pursed her lips, not wanting to admit that she’d thought she was in Del’s bed. Yet knowing she couldn’t let Liam think she’d been after him. Oh, God, she didn’t want to hurt him, but she didn’t want to encourage him, either.

  At her long hesitation, he said, “Abi, I did my best to give you space. I wasn’t even going to come to the wedding because I didn’t want to make it awkward for you, but Kurt specifically asked me to come.”

  “He did?” She shouldn’t be surprised. Kurt had always thought Liam was perfect for her.

  “I agreed, but I arranged a room on a different floor, so you wouldn’t accidentally bump into me.” A half grin spread across his face. “Yet bump into you I did.” His smile grew wicked. “Several times, in fact.”

  Her cheeks heated.

  “And all because you climbed into my bed.” He reached out and took her hand. He held it tenderly, stroking the back lightly with his thumb. “My love, you know I would love nothing more than to reconcile with you.”

  “Liam, please…” she said, shaking her head. She didn’t want to have this conversation with him again.

  “Why won’t you believe me when I tell you I love you?” The sincerity in his warm, brown eyes unnerved her.

  She bit her lip, fighting back the swell of emotion that would have her eyes filling with moisture all too soon.

  “There are so many reasons.” She squeezed his hand. “I think you believe you love me, but as I’ve told you so many times, it’s just a sense of obligation. You asked me to marry you because I was pregnant with your child, then after I lost the baby…”

  But he was already shaking his head. “I told you then and I’ll tell you now, I married you because I was in love with you. The baby was just a wonderful bonus.”

  “We’d only known each other a few months. We were both infatuated with each other, but true love?” She shook her head. “That takes longer. What you feel for me is a sense of obligation. Maybe a need to ensure you don’t fail at something so important to you. Love and family.” She drew her hand away. “But, Liam, you have to let me go.”

  * * *

  Liam had heard this from her countless times before, and he couldn’t seem to break her out of her tidy little belief system that explained why she couldn’t be with him. He knew he’d hurt her after she’d lost the baby. By withdrawing into himself. By grieving so deeply he hadn’t been able to help her with her own grief.

  He’d do anything … anything … to make it up to her.

  But she wouldn’t give him the chance.

  “So why did you climb into my bed last night?”

  He already knew the answer. She’d meant to be with another man. And he was sure that man was Del.

  But he had to hear her say it.

  She stared down at her hands, her teeth nibbling at her lower lip in that adorable way she had.

  “I mean,” he continued, “what am I supposed to think when I find my estranged wife waiting for me naked in my bed?”

  “That I made a mistake?”

  “In judgment or location?”

  Her gaze darted to his.

  “Because if you hadn’t meant to be in my bed, why did you make love to me two”—he rubbed his chin—“or was it three times? Do we count that delightful attention you gave me when we were waiting for room service to arrive?”

  Her eyes flared with annoyance at the same time as her cheeks turned a deeper rose color.

  “I thought it was Del’s bed. Okay? Is that what you want to hear?” Then she bit her lip as if she wished she could take it back. “Oh, God, but don’t tell him. He doesn’t know I … I mean, he and I haven’t been … he doesn’t even know I think that way about him.”

  His eyebrow quirked up. “You really believe that?”

  She stared at him in shock.

  “You made it clear to him in college, before you met me, that you had a thing for him.”

  “But that was a long time ago,” she said.

  “You don’t really think he’s forgotten, do you?”

  “Well, ever since you and I met, he’s been a friend, and only that. Even after you and I separated.”

  “Yes, I know. He was your shoulder to cry on.”

  He couldn’t help the resentment in his voice. Even though he was glad Del had been there for her so she hadn’t felt so alone. Liam wished he had been the one she could have leaned on. But that didn’t mean he was happy about the closeness between the woman he loved and his best friend.

  “Please don’t tell Del.”

  He sucked in a deep breath. “Tell another man that my wife waited in his bed to seduce him? Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  Liam took the cover off her breakfast and poured her a cup of coffee.

  “Go ahead and eat before it gets cold.”

  * * *

  Abi showered and dressed, then grabbed her makeup bag and went down to Claire’s room where Abi, Jaime, and Claire were going to help each other with hair and makeup.

  “Ah, this is great,” Jaime said, settling back in one of the chairs at the round table. “With Dad and Sally taking care of the kids for me, maybe I’ll actually be ready on time.”

  “That was the plan,” Claire said as she picked up an empty cloth tote bag and the ice bucket. “I’m going to grab some sodas from the machine. Any requests?”

  “Surprise us,” Jaime said.

  As soon as the door closed behind Claire, Jaime grinned.

  “So…? How did it go last night?”

  Damn, this was what Abi had been dreading.

  “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth, hoping Jaime would leave it at that.

  But that was a hope doomed to failure.

  Jaime leaned forward. “Honey, you know I’m going to need more than that. I bet he was thrilled to find you in his bed. Was it everything you’d hoped for?”

  “Jaime, I’
m not comfortable talking to you about this.”

  “Because I’m your older sister? Come on. I’m not asking you to tell me all the intimate details”—she grinned—“though if you want to, I’m all ears. I just want to know if you’re happy.”

  As Abi stared at her fingers, Jaime tipped her head.

  “And it’s becoming very clear that you aren’t happy.” She reached out and took Abi’s hand. “Tell me what happened.”

  “I’m not telling you what happened between Del and me. How would you like it if I asked what you and Dave did in bed last night?”

  “Well … last night we had two munchkins in bed with us, so believe me, nothing exciting happened. But last Saturday, after the kids went to sleep…” She grinned. “Dave does this thing with his tongue that—”

  “Oh, my God, stop right there. I do not want to know.”

  Jaime grinned. “You sure? Because if I tell you how he does it, then you could tell Del about it and—”

  Abi covered her ears. “I said stop,” she pleaded.

  Jaime laughed. “Okay.” Then her expression grew serious. “But really, Abi. I want to know. What went wrong?”

  “I really don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Talk about what?” Claire said as she stepped in the room with cans clanking in the cloth bag and the ice bucket in her hand.

  “Nothing,” Abi said.

  “Not nothing.” Jaime turned to Claire. “As you know, I suggested that she make a move on Del. So yesterday I arranged to move Del to the ninth floor and I set Abi up in the connecting room. To make her decision a little easier.”

  “Really? So did you do it, Abi?”

  Abi’s hands clenched into fists.

  “So what words did you not understand when I said I don’t want to talk about it?” Her voice rose in frustration.

  “I’m sorry, Abi,” Claire said. “I’m just surprised, and a little confused.”

  “Because you didn’t think I’d do something like that?” Abi asked, trying to calm her breathing.

  “Well, that, too. But mostly because Kurt told me that Del and Liam switched rooms last night.”

  Jaime’s head swiveled toward Abi, her eyes wide. “You didn’t.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Abi wiped tears from her eyes. The bride was beautiful. The vows were beautiful. Everything was beautiful.

  God, her life sucked.

  But she watched her brother, his face beaming with joy, kiss his new wife. Abi was so happy Kurt had found Suzanne and that the two of them were starting a new life together.

  After the ceremony, they all went outside to the garden where the photographer took pictures of the happy couple and the wedding party. Claire slid her arm around Abi’s waist.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll find your happiness, too. Sometimes it just takes time.” Claire squeezed. “You know, maybe what happened between you and Liam last night was destiny. I really think you two are meant to be together.”

  “Claire, please. I’m mortified it happened and completely embarrassed. I don’t want to think about it.”

  “But the two of you are so right together—”

  “Claire, you don’t know what it was like. You don’t know how much it hurt. When I lost the baby and he abandoned me—”

  Claire pulled her into a hug.

  “He didn’t abandon you, sweetie. He was hurting, too.”

  “I know that,” Abi murmured. “And I feel for him. I do. But I was so alone.”

  Her heart ached at the memory of lying in bed by herself, the emptiness eating away at her. Wanting Liam to hold her. But Liam had spent night after night … month after month … avoiding his own pain by sitting in his den working long into the night.

  “I know how important having a family of his own is to him. But … if he was really in love with me, he would have been there for me.”

  Abi drew away from the comfort of her sister’s hug and plucked a tissue from her clutch bag, then wiped her eyes.

  “As much as I wish it was otherwise,” Abi continued, “he only married me because he wanted the baby. I’m sure he convinced himself he really did love me, but that doesn’t make it true.”

  “Ah, sweetie, I wish you’d come back here to live after it happened. I mean, I know you were trying to make your marriage work after losing the baby, and that’s really good, and it made sense going back to finish your master’s. But we had no idea you were struggling with so much. We thought you and Liam were good and helping each other through the tough time.” Claire squeezed Abi’s hand. “I wish I’d been there for you.”

  “I know. I chose to stay away. I needed the time. And Del was there for support. He was wonderful. He held my hand through the emotional upheaval, always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on … which happened a lot. Especially after the doctor told me I’d never be able to conceive again.”

  Claire’s eyes reflected Abi’s own sadness.

  “And he never took advantage of my vulnerable state.”

  Claire nodded. “Del is a wonderful man. There’s no denying that.”

  Abi pursed her lips. “But you still think Liam is the man for me.”

  Claire shrugged. “Sorry, but yeah. I do.”

  * * *

  Abi sat at the table with Claire, Bill, Jaime, Dave, her two nephews Sam and Ty, and her dad and his wife, Sally, who sat beside Abi. She didn’t know Sally well, since Dad had moved to Denver after they got married to be near her family, but she seemed to be good for him. He was the happiest she’d seen him in the eight years since they’d lost Mom.

  “So, are you seeing anyone?” Sally asked as they ate the main course.

  “Uh … no, I’m not.” Abi reached for a roll and buttered it, then took a bite.

  “Kurt told me that Liam’s here,” her dad said. “How are you handling that?”

  Her cheeks heated. “There’s nothing to handle, Dad. Our separation is amicable.”

  His eyebrows quirked up as he cut through his prime rib. “Have the divorce papers been signed yet?”

  Her stomach tightened. “Not yet.”

  He put down his knife, then turned his pointed gaze on her. “Then it’s not amicable.” He sipped his wine. “You know, sweetie, this has been going on for too long. Do you want me to talk to him for you?”

  Oh, dear God, no.

  “Thanks, Dad, but I’d rather leave it to the lawyers.”

  He spiked his fork through the bite of beef he’d cut off and waved it at her.

  “Clearly the lawyers aren’t helping, otherwise this wouldn’t be dragging on so long. They’re getting rich while they suck you dry.”

  Sally patted his hand. “Henry, I’m sure Abi knows what she’s doing. Sometimes these things just take time.”

  “Like with your ex?” he asked. “If he’d had his way, your divorce would still be going on and you and I still wouldn’t be married. He did everything he could to stop us from being together.”

  Sally squeezed has hand. “But we’re together now.”

  Dad harrumphed, but he took Sally’s hand and kissed it, then turned back to his dinner.

  “And what’s this I hear that Liam offered you a nice settlement—enough that you’d be set for life—and you turned it down?” he asked.

  Abi’s gaze jerked to Claire and she shrugged, with only the tiniest bit of remorse in her eyes.

  “I don’t want his money.”

  “I thought you said it was an amicable divorce,” he said pointedly, being typical stubborn Dad.

  “Dad…”

  “What? Is it wrong for me to want my baby to be taken care of? And that son of a…” He bit back the rest of the sentence. “He’s got more money than he knows what to do with. He can spare a little for you after hurting you the way he did.”

  “I don’t want to be taken care of, and he didn’t…” Ah, damn. She did not want to justify herself to her father, or to anyone else. “Look, forget it.”

  She pushed back her chair an
d stood up.

  “Sweetie, wait. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said, but she grabbed her clutch and turned away.

  Jaime started to get up to follow her, but Abi shook her head and strode across the room, escaping out the double doors to the atrium. A few minutes later, she stepped outside into the courtyard. The sun was low on the horizon, casting long shadows on the slate patio and across the lovely gardens. She sat down on an ornate concrete bench and gazed across the glittering lake.

  Why didn’t everyone who wanted her to reconcile with Liam, or wanted her to push Liam to end it for good … why didn’t they understand how painful this was for her? As much as she wanted this whole divorce to be over … so they could both find closure … it wasn’t because that’s what she really wanted.

  In fact, she wanted nothing more than for the two of them to really have a chance at happiness. But wishing didn’t make it so and with Liam still living in a fantasy world, she had to be the strong one.

  Even though she was tired of being strong. For once, she wished she could just let go and follow her desires. Forget the consequences and do what felt right at the time.

  Like she had last night.

  She shuddered. That had been a complete disaster. It hadn’t been fair of her to give Liam hope.

  But he was a big boy and he could take care of himself. And their little transgression had given her something very special. Being in his arms again had literally been a dream come true. And would lead to many more steamy dreams to fill her lonely nights.

  “Hey, I saw you come out here. You looked upset.”

  She glanced around to see Liam standing a few feet away.

  “I needed some air.”

  He walked toward her and sat on the bench beside her.

  “It looked like you and your dad were having words. Did it have anything to do with me?” he asked, ignoring her explanation.

  She laughed, trying to lighten her mood.

  “Not everything’s about you, you know.”

  He settled back on the bench. “Except when it comes to your unhappiness, it seems.”

  She tipped her head back and nodded. “Yeah, well, signing the divorce papers would go a long way to fixing that.”