Chapter 17
Had she lost her mind?
After only a month, she was seriously considering a life changing decision. If she wanted to be logical about the situation, which she didn’t, she should say goodbye and go back to Virginia, back to her solitary life. She certainly should not be with a man, and not anywhere near another relationship. Robert had been an ass, and she’d been a fool to think she wanted a life with a man she didn’t love. Just thinking about it made her cringe.
When she’d fled her home only a few weeks ago, she had every intention of escaping her horrifying relationship and crying on her best friend’s shoulder. She’d sworn off men. The very next day, she found herself panting after another one.
Craig.
She couldn’t even breathe normally when she thought of him. He’d opened her eyes. Made her see what life could be. Should be. With love. Oh yes, she was definitely planning to move. And if she had lost her mind, she hoped she never found it. She was perfectly happy staying in her current fantasy.
The man made her melt. Made her toes curl when he kissed her, made her body hum in delight when he touched her. He looked at her as though she was his world and nothing else mattered. Falling into his arms had been the most gripping release she’d ever known.
She loved Craig with her whole heart. His every move, every gesture, proved his love for her.
Giddy. She was just giddy.
And she planned to relish every stinking moment.
The coffee cup in her hands warmed her palms. She blew over the top, watching ripples float over the Columbian brew, before she took a sip.
She never wanted to see Robert again. She needed to call her boss. He’d try to talk her out of it, but she had made her decision. Craig was worth taking the risk.
Her neighbor Sandi was keeping tabs on her apartment. She picked up her phone and punched in Sandi’s number.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Sandi.”
“Kelly! Oh my God. Where are you?”
“I’m still in Charlotte. Why? Is something wrong?”
“Other than your ex beating on my door, absolutely nothing.”
Kelly pinched the bridge of her nose, sorry her neighbor had to put up with him. “Robert has been pestering you?” She heard a crunch that sounded suspiciously like the snap of a carrot. The gabble of Sandi’s speech confirmed she was eating something.
“Yeah. According to the super, he’s been by several times. Our wonderful landlord changed the locks after I told him what the cheating bastard did. He gave some excuse about updating the locks on all the apartments. Robert threatened him, but the super told him his name wasn’t on the lease and he wasn’t getting a key. The jackass pounded on my door. I got a kick out of slamming it in his face.”
“You did?” Kelly laughed.
“I enjoyed telling him you weren’t home yet, and I had no idea when you would be. He thinks I know where you are. I like watching his face screw up in frustration.”
“Sandi, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. He doesn’t bother me. Although, yesterday I thought I might have to call the rescue squad when he turned purple. Like I would bother.”
“You’re so bad.”
“If the guy were gasping for air, I’d shut the door and turn up my stereo so I couldn’t hear him. The weasel.” Another crunch. Sandi loved her carrots. Kelly could image her neighbor waving a carrot in Robert’s face, wielding it like a weapon.
She thought of his fury the night she fled the restaurant. “Sandi. If you’d seen him that night, he was furious. I’ve never been afraid of him, but the look on his face was pure evil. He scared me. Maybe that’s why I left as quickly as I did.”
“Honey, if you think he’s dangerous, don’t come back here. I can ship whatever you need. The super will help. I think he secretly likes you.”
“The guy is twice my age.”
“He’s young at heart. Seriously. There’s no reason for you to come back to Virginia. Not till this blows over.”
“I still have a job. Which is my next phone call.”
“Your boss is a doll. You never told me you worked for such a gorgeous hunk.”
“Thanks for taking him my drives. That helped get me my extended vacation.”
“He’s hot in a suit. Dark brooding brows, but a smile that would melt a girl’s panties.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. He’s married to his work.”
“We’ll see. We have a date this weekend.”
“With my boss?”
“Yeah. When I met him in his office, you weren’t the only topic of conversation,” Sandi said with a sensual teasing voice. Maybe she would be the one to smooth those brooding thick brows.
“Have fun.”
“You can count on it. I’d be happy to collect anything you might need from your office and ship it, along with anything you want from your apartment.”
“That’s really generous.”
“Whatever you need, girlfriend. Until you feel comfortable coming home. As for Robs, don’t worry about him.”
“Hopefully you won’t have to put up with him much longer. He’ll get the hint when someone else moves into my apartment.” She heard a clanking sound.
“Shit.”
“What did you do?”
“Hang on.” Kelly heard running water and a moment later Sandi was back on the line.
“I spilled my coffee. Who’s moving in? Are you moving out or bringing a man with you?”
“Leave it to you to assume I’m moving in another man.”
“Is it the hot guy who’s been holding you in Charlotte? Is he coming here? Oh my God. Oh my God. It is, isn’t it? Wait till Robs gets a load of this.”
Robs?
“Slow down, runaway train. I’m not moving anyone in. I’m moving out.”
Silence.
“Did I actually manage to stun you into silence?”
“Good thing my cup was already sitting on the counter. I would have dropped it with this news. Are you serious?”
“Believe me, I didn’t make this decision lightly.”
“This guy must have really taken your fancy. I’ve got to meet him, so I can see for myself if you’re crazy in love or just plain crazy.”
“The first one.”
“Really?” Sandi’s long sigh came through the line. “I’m so jealous. He must really be something.”
“He is. I’ll tell you all about him when I see you.”
“Pictures. I’d prefer to meet him, and I will, but you’ve got to send me a picture. Email it to me.”
Kelly laughed.
“You didn’t answer me. When are you coming back? Packing up your stuff will be a real challenge not knowing when Robs-y will show up.”
“He would hate hearing you call him that.”
“Already did. Hmm. That might have had something to do with his face turning purple.”
Kelly laughed. Her neighbor was a hoot. She could just imagine the rage on Robert’s face, and the mocking glee on Sandi’s.
“I’ll know more after I call my boss, but you’ll see me soon. I’m quitting my job.”
~ ~ ~
Honey, are you sure you’re not on the rebound?”
Kelly counted to ten to keep from snapping at Gail. Did everyone think she didn’t know her own mind? At least Dennis had faith in her.
“I mean,” Gail continued, “this guy, Richard?”
“Robert.”
“This guy Robert, you were ready to marry him. It must have been quite a shock to find out he was already married.”
That was an understatement. Kelly still couldn’t believe how well he’d kept that important fact hidden. One by one, all her friends were questioning her choices. Yes, she’d run. Yes, she’d sworn off men. No, she was not on the rebound. She thought when she called Gail and asked her to meet for lunch at the Bistro, she’d be excited at the news.
“Believe me, it was. But I’m not on the rebound. You know Craig.”
“Okay, I’ll admit he’s seriously hot,” Gail said. “And I’ve seen the way you two act around each other. I saw the electricity that first night at Jake’s. You guys really hit it off. Still. It’s only been a few weeks. Are you really thinking of moving? Giving up your job?”
It was just a job. One she’d worked hard to achieve. Giving up her position was nothing compared to the idea of spending the rest of her life with Craig.
“Yes. I’ve already contacted my boss. He was willing to extend my leave of absence, but I know what I want.”
“Craig is ridiculously hot, hot enough to make any girl relocate.”
For an instant, Kelly felt a twang of jealousy. “Aren’t you hooked on Pete?” Her voice came out a bit more severe than she’d intended.
“Draw in your claws. Yes, Pete’s the man for me.” Gail stabbed a piece of lettuce. From the expression on her face, Kelly wondered if she were thinking of stabbing some one. Maybe Pete?
“How’s that going, anyway?”
“It’s not.” Gail laid her fork beside her plate and rested her elbows on the table’s edge, linking her fingers. “Just when I think he’s totally in to me, he goes out with the guys.”
“Do you think maybe he’s seeing someone else?”
Gail’s eyes grew haunted. “I don’t know for sure. But if he’s with his friends, they’re out carousing.”
“You know how guys are.” Kelly shrugged, and hoped to ease Gail’s suspicions. “Maybe they just drink and watch football.”
“Yeah, and maybe I’m Cinderella.” Gail lifted her glass and sipped her water.
Kelly carefully placed her fork down. “Look. You’re miserable. Why don’t you just waylay him? Ask him outright?”
“God no.” Gail scrunched her face in horror.
“Why not?”
“Take a chance of driving him away?” Gail hissed.
“How will you ever know if you don’t confront him?”
“We don’t have a contract. I don’t have a ring.” Gail picked up her fork and mauled her lettuce.
Maybe Gail didn’t have a ring, but Kelly knew how much she wanted one. “You don’t need a ring to have a boyfriend who doesn’t date anyone else.”
“We’re not exclusive.”
“Maybe you should be,” Kelly bantered back. “You need to meet this head on. How do you know he wouldn’t choose you?”
“Come on, Kelly. If he was interested, he would have said something before now.”
“He’s interested.” Kelly picked up her fork and speared a cherry tomato, noticing the undisguised hope in her friend’s gaze. “He keeps taking you on dates.”
“They’re not really dates. We just hang out together.”
“Hang out and have sex?”
Gail flinched. “Well, yeah.”
“If the sex is so bad, why do you keep seeing him?”
“Who said the sex was bad? He’s fantastic.”
“Then why the gloomy face?”
“I want more, Kelly. We go out, party with friends. He takes me home, we have sex, and he leaves.”
“I thought you had a handle on that.”
“I . . . I . . .”
“I uh, uh, what? Can’t do without it? Can’t do without him?”
Resentment flashed in Gail’s eyes. “Like you’re not having sex with Craig?”
“Are you really going to compare us?”
“No,” Gail said as she dropped her gaze. “I want what you have with Craig. It’s so obvious you two love each other.”
Feeling compassion for her friend, Kelly reached over and covered Gail’s hand. “You can have that, too. You deserve a man who treats you the way you want. Either you stop seeing Pete altogether, or you tell him what you want.”
“Give him an ultimatum?” Gail asked, horrified. “He’ll leave.”
“Don’t give him an ultimatum. Guys hate that. If you make them choose, they’re going to choose whatever saves their pride.”
“Then what do you mean? What am I supposed to do?” Between Gail’s pleading words and her beseeching expression, Kelly wanted to smack Pete upside the head. Maybe he didn’t show Gail the devotion she deserved, but from what Kelly had seen, the guy felt something. Kelly hoped he cared enough, because she didn’t want Gail to be hurt. If Gail followed Kelly’s advice and things didn’t work out . . .
“What happened to being unavailable?” Gail’s expression turned sheepish. Kelly rushed on. “I thought you were letting his calls go to voice mail.”
“I didn’t want to antagonize him.”
“You said things were better.”
“He was spending more time with his friends. His calls less frequent.”
“So you went back to your old pattern?”
“I love him.”
Kelly tightened her fists in annoyance. “Ever hear of tough love? You’ve got to get tough.”
“Right. That’s what you’ve got going with Craig?” Gail rolled her eyes.
“Craig and I had a rough start. He thought I was with Dennis.”
Gail frowned. “You and Dennis are friends.”
“Craig thought we were more.”
“I thought the same thing once.”
Evidently a lot of people had. But this was about Gail and Pete. “You need to be tough, Gail.”
“I don’t think I can.”
“Why not?”
“What if it backfires? What if I lose him?”
“Then you don’t really have him.” Kelly said softly, and hated the wounded expression her words caused. She didn’t want to be cruel, but Gail deserved to know one way or the other. “Do you want to spend the rest of your life waiting? Years could go by while you’re hung up on a guy who doesn’t want the same thing as you.”
“At least you didn’t say he doesn’t want me.”
“Obviously he does or he wouldn’t be having sex with you. But is that it? Don’t you want a guy who will indulge you? Adore you, put you first, be everything to you?”
“Sounds kind of nice.”
“It is,” Kelly said and knew it was true. She adored Craig and he made her feel special in so many ways. “I don’t know how it happened so fast, but I fell for Craig the instant I saw him. After Robert, I never expected another relationship. At least not so soon.”
She stared at her water glass, remembering her dinner with Craig last night. How he’d held her wine glass to her lips, watching her sip, then turned the goblet and placed his lips just so, sipping from the same spot. The movement seemed intimate and arousing. Even now, she felt a flutter in her belly. Would he always create a longing within?
“He’s the one?” Gail’s question brought Kelly from her musing.
“He’s the one,” she replied with heartfelt sincerity.
“Gee, Kelly. I’m really happy for you.”