Twist of Fate (14 page)

“Kate...”

“This guy is real, whoever he is. Until I find out what went on between us, I can’t rest. I don’t want any surprises.”

“Now it’s time for my two cents.”

“I’ve been waiting.” Kate smiled and saw her friend relax back against the jets.

“Personally, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I’m sure you’ve mistaken your dark man for someone else. After all, you saw him with another woman. Don’t you think he would have spotted you if he was the guy you’re thinking of?”

“Maybe.”

“Honey, I think he’d have radar as far as you’re concerned.”

“You’re probably right.” Kate leaned in to give her friend a hug and then exited the tub. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For bringing me here and showing me a fun time.” Kate snuggled back into the plush hotel robe. “And for making me see how foolish I’m being, again.”

“That’s what friends are for. Hey, what are you doing?”

“I’m calling Sam.”

Jill climbed out, wrapping herself in a robe. “It’s one-thirty in the morning.”

Kate dialed the phone and propped herself on all four pillows. “I need to hear his voice.” Before she had a chance to speak, she passed out.

***

Sam answered the phone, rubbing his eyes to get a better look at the clock next to his bed. “Yeah?”

“Top of the morning, there, Sammy.”

“Jill?” He propped himself on an elbow, wondering if something was wrong. Believing something was, he flung the blankets to the side and jumped to his feet.

“Yup, and boy do I have a bone to pick with you.”

“Aw, Jill, can’t we do this tomorrow?” If there were a real emergency, Jill wouldn’t be taking tone with him. Sam settled back onto the edge of the bed. He’d spoken with Rusty, earlier, who’d let him know Kate’s daughter was safe in the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. Sam knew he should be relieved but with Jill in such a tizzy, relief was far from coming.
Was she really going to lecture him at this hour?

“I can’t wait to--”

“What have you said to her, Jill?” He became more awake and determined to keep her jabs at bay. Jill sounded like they’d had too much to drink, and there was no telling if she let her conscience take over. For all he knew, she’d told Kate everything.

“It’s what she said to me. I can’t believe--”

“What? Did she remember something?” Fear trembled in his throat as he leaned back against the massive headboard.

“You might say that.” Jill was toying with him. He deserved it, so he’d let her say her peace, even if it was before dawn.

“Talk to me.”

“Nope. I’m going to let you squirm awhile, Sammy. I’m so ticked off at you right now,” she ground out in a whisper. “You won’t believe what I’ve been through with her this evening. This should have been you, not me. You should’ve been here, and you should’ve told her the truth.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Yes, I am. And I’m mad as hell.” They’d been friends forever, and she wasn’t holding back. “What’s going to happen if you lose her? Have you thought of that? Huh?”

“I’m not having this discussion. Not now.”

“Oh, but you will. Mark my words.” Jill paused, and Sam thought for a moment she’d hung up. “Before I go, wanna know what’s sad about the whole thing?”

“I’m listening.”

“She’s blaming herself for something that isn’t even her fault.” Jill hung up without another word, leaving Sam lying in bed with a blanket of guilt.

**
*

Kate rolled over with a moan. Sitting up, she placed both palms to her temples. A million hammers were working overtime in her skull, and she had to place a hand on the bedside table to steady herself.

“Jill,” she whispered. “Jill? Are you alive over there?”

“Mmm. Not so loud, o.k.?” Jill rolled to her stomach, holding the pillow over her head. “How are you doing?”

“All right, I guess. The room is now spinning in the opposite direction, so I guess that’s a good thing.” She carefully set herself on the edge of the bed. “What time is checkout, anyway?”

“Who the hell cares?” Jill’s voice was muffled from under the pillow. “Why aren’t you still sleeping?”

“I’m hungry.”

Jill’s messy brown hair and tired face poked out. “You’ve got to be kidding. How can you even think of food?” She clutched her stomach as she rolled back over. “Yuck. I’ll be lucky if I can eat by dinner.”

“Not me. I want some eggs, bacon, waffles, and a very large cup of coffee.”

“Kate, you can stop at any time.”

“Oh, sorry.” Kate sheepishly grinned. “Maybe if you go jump in the shower, you’ll feel better.” She plodded toward the bathroom. “Hey, is there aspirin in here?”

“Why don’t you go jump in the lake?” Jill grumbled.

“What?”

“Umm...I said, I’ve got some in my purse, I think.”

Kate came back with aspirin and a glass of water. She sat gingerly on the bed and flicked on the television. Jill raised herself on her elbow.

“I can’t believe you’re functioning. Right now I’m fighting every urge not to collapse in a heap and sleep the rest of the day. How do you do it?”

“Must be all those years in
Italy
. I drank so much wine, I must be immune.”

When was I in
Italy
? Was it during school? Have Sam and I ever taken trips there?

Jill didn’t comment, so Kate dismissed her thoughts. Things were so muddled this morning. Her mind could be playing more tricks on her. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starved. I’m ordering one of everything they have on the menu.” Kate smiled.

“Whatever.” The bathroom door closed behind a very hung over Jill.

Although her head still throbbed, Kate felt fine. Without warning, a flash of memory came to her. She didn’t dare move as the movie played in her head. She’d never really drunk wine before then. She’d loved the taste but remembered it had gone straight to her head. She was laughing, weaving her way down some cobblestone street, loc
king arms with a man in a suit.

Was it Sam or the dark man?

She squinted, as if it would make the picture clearer. That small gesture was enough to disturb the thought. As quickly as it came, the image vanished.

“Damn.” She shook her head to clear it. “Oh, double damn.” She put both hands to the side of her head to calm the pounding hangover.

“Food. I need food and coffee.” After calling room service, she lay back on the bed thinking of all the things they’d purchased. It wasn’t long before her eyes wandered to the beautiful black dress hanging on the back of the door.

The restaurant. Had she made a complete fool out of herself? She’d wanted to see the dark man’s face up close. She’d felt positive he was the guy. If she hadn’t tripped into the waiter, she may have caught up to the dark man.

“Thank goodness I’ll never see those people again.”

Chasing around after some guy from her imagination couldn’t be healthy. She needed to put all this nonsense behind her. Nothing would stand in the way of her marriage, not this time. She smiled when she thought of getting home to her husband and making up for her one night away.

Ah, yes, she did have some serious making up to do.

“Your turn, smiley.” Jill emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her head. “Uh-oh. What’s going on in that brain of yours? Do I need to be worried?”

“Nothing to worry about at all. I’m all under control after that horrendous night.”

“About that...”

“No, you don’t need to bring it up. I know how foolish I behaved and how crazy the whole thing must have looked. I was obsessed in the most bizarre way. Whatever came over me left in a cab with that beautiful couple, end of subject.” She flashed a quick smile, shrugged, and darted into the bathroom. She didn’t want to lose this newfound courage.

Hours later, Kate followed Jill to the elevator, repeating over and over the importance of forgetting the dark man. Whatever the connection, she had to give it up for the sake of her marriage. Glancing once more at the lavish burgundy wallpaper with its gold accents and beautiful crystal light fixtures, she knew regardless of last night this had been the break she needed.

“Boy, it’s a good thing you thought ahead and had the bell boy take our bags down.” She closed her eyes, taking in a deep cleansing breath then stopped short. Her eyes sprang open. Out of sheer fright, she inhaled slower, deeper. “That smell, I’d know it anywhere.”

Although she couldn’t put a name to the distinct fragrance, she knew without hesitation the deep, spicy scent belonged to him.

As she exhaled, she crossed her arms over her clenching stomach. No, she’d promised herself she would let go of this fantasy. Inhaling once more, she tried to figure out where the scent had come from. If she followed the smell, it might lead her to the man. Putting a hand against the wall for support, she knew she needed to follow Jill, but her legs wouldn’t move. She might never have another chance. Thoughts of the dark man consumed her. She never heard the elevator bell.

“C’mon, Kate. We’ve got to head for home.” Jill called as she stepped through the doors. When Kate didn’t follow, she saw the blur of Jill’s head poking back out. “Kate, what’s going on? I don’t like that look in your eyes.”

“Can you smell it?” Kate called, starting to back down the hall.

“Smell what?” Jill stepped back out of the elevator, letting the doors close behind her. “What is it? You’re really freaking me out.”

“He was here, Jill. The dark man was here, in this hotel, on this floor.” Kate’s eyes traveled from one end of the hall to the other. She lowered her voice when Jill stood beside her. “He could be here in any one of these rooms.”

“Not again.” Jill dropped her purse and coat at Kate’s feet. She put her hands on Kate’s shoulders so they were looking eye to eye. “I thought you were finished with this dark man baloney. What were your exact words? ‘It’s gone now...left in the cab’ oh yeah, let’s not forget, ‘end of subject.’  Does that ring any bells with you?”

“Don’t you smell his cologne?” Jill removed her hands, and both women sniffed the air.

“Sure. I smell some really expensive stuff, smells kind of good, actually.”

“It’s his.”

“Stop it.” The firmness of Jill’s tone made Kate blink. “You don’t know that for sure. You’ll drive yourself crazy if you keep putting yourself through this.”

“Maybe I will, but I know I’m right. He’s here, damn it.” She stomped her foot on the carpet. Then, as if a light bulb went off, she ran back to the room next to theirs. She skimmed her hand down the door, stopping just above the doorknob. “He could have been here, next to us, all night.”

“And if he was? What would you have done?” Jill marched over and pulled Kate away from the door, snapping her back to reality. “Slipped through the adjoining door in your birthday suit – ‘Oh, excuse me but I think we used to have a thing going on so why don’t we fool around now so you won’t have to come back at the wrong time. You see, I want to have a baby with my husband, and I need to get you out of my system.’ ”

Jill’s snotty tone hit its mark, and Kate’s gaze shifted to the floor. “It’s not like that. I may have had an affair with him at one time, but I want to be with Sam. I just have to know what happened.”

“Come off it, Kate. For all you can remember, your dad wore that same cologne.”

Kate turned away to hide the tears from Jill. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m kind of obsessed by this.”

“Kind of? Honey, you are. Let it go. Sam is waiting for you, so let’s get home and forget all about this. I’m sure he missed you.”

“You’re right.” Kate forced a smile, hoping to convince Jill. “It’s not going to be easy to forget it, but I’ll try. I’m always going to wonder.” In her heart she knew she couldn’t let this go until she found the truth.

“There’s nothing wrong with wondering. Besides, it can be good for a relationship.” Jill elbowed her in an attempt to crack a smile.

“What?” Kate tuned back in, not sure what Jill had said.

“Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say anything to hurt you.” Jill’s arms circled her shoulders as she steered her back toward the elevator. “You were looking so strange. I swear, if I hadn’t stopped you, you would have gone knocking on all the doors to see who answered.”

“You’re not that far off base.” Kate tossed her a devilish grin. “I was thinking of inquiring at the front desk.” The elevator opened, and the two women stepped inside.

“You can’t be serious. You don’t even know his name.”

“Maybe if I see it or hear it, it will sound familiar.” She laughed in answer to Jill’s ‘I can’t believe you’ look. “What? You don’t think it’s a good idea?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Why?” The elevator opened into the lobby, which was a flurry of people. As they made their way to the check out desk, Jill signaled the porter to take their bags outside.

“What if you guys were a one-night stand? Maybe he’s gone on with his life. Maybe that other woman is his wife, and you’ll be causing problems if you pop your face back into the picture. Or maybe he doesn’t want to see you again because of your involvement with Sam.” Jill handed over her credit card at the desk. “All I’m saying is, people make mistakes. Stop and think before you act. Save yourself the embarrassment. Remember the waiter?”