The things that man brought out in me, the things he says to me, every time he tells me I’m perfect, I can’t help but think he might want more. But I’m so damn afraid to set myself up for failure. What if I say something and he doesn’t want more?
What if he does?
My heart leaps at that. Maybe I’m not a rebound, and maybe he was using the lessons as an excuse to be with me. Oh, God, do I dare hope? I stand quickly, and my chair nearly falls backward. I need to talk to him, to find out how he feels. If I don’t I could spend the rest of my life regretting it.
I walk toward the bathroom when the suite’s phone begins to ring. Who the hell could that be? I change directions head toward the phone. Perhaps it’s Becca. Then again, we exchanged cell phone numbers, so I can’t see her calling on the landline. I reach for the phone, and put it to my ear.
“Hello.”
A pause and then, “Who is this?”
“Ah, it’s Katee Williams. I think you might have the wrong room.”
Curses come through the line, along with a bit of static. “Where is Luke?”
My heart jumps into my throat. Oh, God, it’s Arianna. How the hell did she get this number? Then again, I guess it wouldn’t be too hard. A call to the switchboard would easily put her through.
“He’s unavailable right now. Can I take a message?” I ask politely.
“What the hell are you doing there with Luke?” she spits out.
“I’m just keeping him company.” What the hell am I supposed to say. Oh, I’ve been having sex with him because you rejected him.
“Of course you are.” She laughs. “It’s not like I have anything to worry about when it comes to you. He told me all you’d ever be to him was his tomboy friend.”
“I…am his friend,” I say as old insecurities come rushing back. Did I really think for one minute that he could want more from me? Maybe I really am just a rebound. Someone to lose himself in as he waits for Ariana to come to her senses.
“Tell him I’ve had enough time to think. I’m ready to walk down the aisle with him.”
The room goes fuzzy around me, and I sink down into the chair. I should feel happy. I want to feel happy. This is what Luke has been wanting to hear, right?
“Are you there?” she asks, her tone cruel and impatient.
“I’m here.”
“Tell him I called. Better yet, don’t. I’ll be at the airport waiting for him. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Okay,” I say, and the other end of the line goes dead.
I sit there for a few minutes, and try to wrap my brain around what just happened. Ari wants Luke back and is going to surprise him at the airport.
I take a fast breath, then another and another until I feel dizzy. I think back to when we first arrived. I told Luke I was sorry that things weren’t the way they were supposed to be. He agreed. Then there was the time I said after one week everything with Ari would be okay, and he said he hoped so. I can’t forget the time his cell phone rang, and I said it might be Ari changing her mind. Once again his quiet response to that was he hoped she did. Oh, Jesus, I never should have come here with him. Sure, we might have won the honeymoon couples game, but that’s only because we go way back. We’re friends, nothing more.
I glance around the room, and the need to flee, to escape the things I’m feeling, pulls at me hard. I jump up, tug on my boots, grab my coat and purse and rush out the door.
My mind is a chaotic mess as I step on the elevator, and the slap of wind when I leave the hotel is a welcome wake-up call. With no idea where I’m going, I walk. Night has fallen over the ski village as I follow the path that leads to the ski hill lounge. I step inside, glance around at all the unfamiliar faces and take a seat at the bar.
The bartender tosses a rag over my shoulder, and glances at me. “What can I get for you?” he asks.
Since I’m going to need something strong to get me thought this, I say, “Bourbon, straight up.”
A familiar guy sits beside me and says, “Make that two.”
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15
Luke