Crossroad To Love (Fab Five Series) Page 2

  She walked into the dining room and dropping her keys on the glass-topped table, kicked off her pumps and practically ran straight to the large master bedroom. I have so much to get done before morning, she thought as she sat on the edge of the bed. No time to sit, get up and get moving, she told herself sternly. You can reward yourself with the lavender bath later.

  She began neatly stacking toiletries, underwear, and clothes into her leather suitcase, humming an old familiar tune as she worked. The girls would love this new development in her life when they heard about it. Katy would be analyzing the whole scenario and giving advice.

  She was just about to throw the last bit of clothing into her bag, anticipating that long, hot soak in her big, garden tub, when her cell phone rang. Who could that be?

  She put the phone to her ear and answered softly, “Hello.”

  The man on the other end of the line replied in a husky voice, “Hi, gorgeous. How about taking an old friend to dinner tonight?”

  It was Michael… so let the games begin.

  “What was I thinking, agreeing to go to dinner with him?” Angie said aloud a short time later as she stepped out of the hot, steaming shower. So much for the long soak in the tub she had promised herself earlier.

  She had agreed to meet Michael at the little Italian restaurant down the street from her condo. She told herself it would only be long enough to grab a quick bite and discuss the project. But now that she had time to think about it, she was not so sure it was a good idea, spending time with Michael outside of the office. How was she going to sit through an entire dinner with the man and not let on that he still got to her? That being in the same room with him was enough to set her pulses racing and her senses reeling. She could always duck out early, using the excuse that she had an early flight in the morning. She finished applying jasmine-scented lotion to her long legs and walked to the huge walk-in closet to pick out something to wear.

  “Jeez, you would think I was a teenager going on her first date,” Angie muttered aloud. She finally decided on a pair of comfortable, fashionable jeans and a soft pink sweater. Michael had always liked her in pink. She brushed her long, brown hair until it shone, applied light makeup, grabbed her watch and a silver heart pendant and was out the door. At least she’d had enough wits about her to arrange to meet him at the restaurant, rather than have him pick her up at home. This way, she could leave on her own if things got weird.

  She jumped into the little white sports car and drove to the restaurant. Finding a parking place close to the door, she locked the car and approached the restaurant apprehensively. She was led by the hostess to a table in the corner, where Michael was already seated. What a handsome man he still was. Her heart was thumping so loudly that he had to hear it.

  “Well, hello, you are right on time, lady.” He laughed as he stood and pulled out her chair. “I’m glad you chose this place. I like the atmosphere,” he said as he looked around at the square tables with the red, checkered tablecloths. Each table had a small, flickering candle in the center. The lights were low, and soft music was playing.

  He probably thinks I chose this place because it is romantic, she thought to herself. Actually, she had chosen it because it was close to home and because they had the best spaghetti and meatballs this side of the Mississippi.

  He had already ordered the wine and it was wonderful, of course. Steady, girl, don’t go drinking the wine and forgetting your resolution to only talk business, she reminded herself as she took the first sip.

  “So what do you think of my plans for the expansion so far, Michael?” she asked in a serious tone.

  “From what I’ve had a chance to look at so far, I think you have some wonderful ideas,” he answered with a smile, “but I would have expected no less from you. You have always been at the top of your game when it comes to work.”

  She took another sip of the delicious red wine, as the waiter came to take their order. She suggested the spaghetti and meatballs, of course.

  After they had both ordered, Michael took her hand in his. As he rubbed the back of her hand with his strong, tanned fingers, he said, “Now that we have had our little business discussion, let’s table that until you get back in town next week and catch up on each other’s lives.”

  “Not much to tell about my life. I spend most of my days working, which leaves little time to socialize. This job has been great, but it takes up a tremendous amount of my time, especially now, with all the new plans.” Angie tried to appear nonchalant. “We have a lot of competition in the area, so it keeps me on my toes.”

  “So, there is no new man in your life?”

  She hesitated for a minute. How she would love to tell him that there would never be a new man in her life. That even though they had parted ways all those years ago, no one had ever quite measured up to her first love. Instead, she simply said “No new man in my life. I have no time for men right now.”

  “Ah, spoken like the Angie that I know and love,” he said with a grin.

  “And how about you, Mr. Gray, a wife and two kids waiting for you back home?”

  “Angie, I’m hurt. You actually think I would get married again and not inform you?”

  “Well, it has been almost three years since we last spoke. A lot can happen in three years, you know,” she quipped.

  “No wife and kids waiting for me back home. No girlfriend either. Like you, my new job with this firm has kept me very busy. You’re not the only one leaving town this week, remember. I’m flying out Monday morning to see a client about a restaurant expansion. But don’t worry, my love, I will be back next week when you’re back from your little ‘Fab Four’ vacation to start work on your project with you. Now fill me in on the girls.”

  “They are good, or as far as I know. Katy has finally gotten Alex in college, so maybe we can talk her into moving on finally. It’s been ten years, you know, since the accident. She never remarried. Lizzie’s twins are grown and Marianne is still married to her dreamboat doctor. I hear he is one of the top surgeons in Dallas now.”

  The waiter had brought their salads, so they were quiet for a few minutes as they started their meal.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t have them all come to your resort for a week,” Michael broke the silence.

  “I really needed a week away, as busy as I’ve been. If I had stayed around, I would have gotten called in to the office several times during the week for some crisis or another, I’m sure. It was a good time for me to leave, before we get into the project full force. So we rented a suite at one of the hotels on the north side near the Galleria for the week,” she answered as she buttered her roll.

  “Dallas, huh.” He smiled to himself. “When are you flying out?”

  “I have to be at Moline at nine tomorrow morning to catch my flight,” she answered as the waiter brought the two steaming plates of spaghetti to the table.

  They ate in silence for a while, simply enjoying the delicious food and each other’s company. It seemed so natural to be sharing a meal with Michael.

  When the meal came to an end, he warned her, “I hope you get some rest and have some fun, because we’ll be hard at it first thing Monday morning.”

  “Which reminds me, I really need to get going since I have to leave at the crack of dawn in the morning,” she replied, hating to see the evening end after all.

  “Just let me get the check and I’ll walk you to your car. You were right about the food here. Best spaghetti and meatballs this side of the Mississippi. I think they have my favorite place in Des Moines beat, and that’s saying something.” He chuckled. “I’m glad you agreed to meet me. It was great catching up with you, Angie.” He looked at her tenderly, turning her insides to instant mush.

  Michael signed the credit card receipt, putting his copy in his wallet. As they were walking to the parking lot, he took her hand in his. Angie’s heart jumped. Calm down, he is only holding your hand, she told herself. When they reached her car, he brushed the stubborn t
endril of hair back from her brow, as he had done so often in the past, and leaned over to kiss her gently on the forehead.

  “Have a great trip.” He smiled, and he was gone, leaving her in stunned silence.

  Angie got into the car and hurried out of the parking lot, heading down the street to her condo. Once in the parking garage, she allowed herself to catch her breath. She was shaking like a leaf for the second time that day. This just would not do. She was always in control.

  Oh, good grief, Angie girl, it was nothing, it meant nothing. It was just a friendly kiss. On the forehead, no less. Get a grip! Would she ever get this man out of her system?

  Even after all these years, a few hours, a little conversation, a little kiss, and Angie was a total basket case. She finally forced herself to get out of the car and walk to the elevator. She pushed the button to the fifth floor and stepped out into the silent hallway. Somehow, she made it to her door, unlocked it, and stepped inside. Once inside, she allowed the tears to flow as she collapsed onto the plush carpeting.

  And in an apartment across town, as Michael Gray climbed between the cool linen sheets of his own lonely bed, he thought about the evening he had just spent with his ex. If it’s the last thing I do, she will be in my bed again.

  CHAPTER 3

  Lizzie Hart looked around the bedroom of her suburban Columbus, Ohio home for one last, quick check to make sure she had everything.

  “I’m ready,” she yelled to her husband.

  Rex walked into the bedroom and picked up her bags. He was a fairly handsome man of average height and muscular build. He leaned over to kiss his wife and proceeded toward the stairway, Lizzie following closely behind.

  “If we time this right, Babe, we can have breakfast together before you have to board.”

  “Sounds nice, we so rarely have any time together. You’re always so busy at the agency.”

  “I know. I just wish Colt had decided to come to work for me instead of taking that other job after graduation. That would have freed up my time.”

  “Sweetie, don’t go there. He didn’t want to come right in as the boss’s son. I still think he will eventually come around to your way of thinking.” Lizzie often acted as the buffer between father and son these days. That, and the fact that lately she was suffering somewhat from empty nest syndrome, had not made her a very happy lady the past several months. I need something in my life to keep me busy. Perhaps Katy or their other two friends would have some ideas for her.

  They arrived at the airport and, after checking Liz’s luggage, went in search of a restaurant. Finding one near her gate, they ordered a light breakfast and watched the other passengers walking through the airport. Lizzie took a sip of steaming hot latte and sat back to relax. She looked at Rex and noticed the lines of weariness beginning to show on his face. If only there was a way to help him. I wonder what he would think about me working in the ad agency. As they made pleasant small talk, Lizzie thought more about working with him. It would ease some of the pressure for him and fill her days. I could kill two birds with one stone, as the saying goes. It was not like she did not have experience. Writing had always been her forte and she had helped him in the past with slogans when he was struggling to come up with something. It was something to think about, and this week away would give her the chance to do just that. She would bounce the idea off the girls and see what they thought.

  It was time to go, so Rex walked her to the gate, kissed her goodbye, and watched her walk down the hallway to the plane. Then he walked to the window and watched the plane until it was out of sight.

  Lizzie settled into her seat, buckled her seat belt, and leaned her head back onto the headrest. Thoughts of working side by side with Rex came to mind and she spent most of the flight wondering how she would approach him with the idea when she returned to Columbus next weekend. I will find a way, she thought, smiling for the first time in many months. She sighed as she thought about the week in Dallas with the ‘Fab Four,’ as they had always called themselves, and a bright, new career waiting for her at home to look forward to. What more could she ask for?

  And as Katy, Angie, and Lizzie were making their way to Texas, Marianne Jacobi stood gazing out the window of her home in McKinney. She filled her crystal glass with wine and carried it to the great room. The girls will be arriving this afternoon. I wonder what they will say when I tell them what a cheating bastard Jon has become.

  They would probably be like everyone else and think she was crazy. A friend who worked at the hospital had walked in on him and his slut one day in the lab. Of course she had promptly told Marianne. That had been months ago and Mari had been agonizing over it ever since. She did not know whether to confront him, wait for him to come clean, or ignore it and hope it ended. Dr. Jon Jacobi did not act like anything was going on at all. He certainly was a good actor, she’d give him that.

  She lay down on the gray sectional and fell asleep, not hearing her husband come into the room. He looked at the empty wine glass and sighed. Why is she so unhappy lately? He pulled the soft, blue afghan from the back of the recliner and covered her. Picking up the glass, he carried it to the kitchen, cleaned it, and put it away. He poured the rest of the wine down the drain and disposed of the bottle. After that, he made a pot of strong coffee, poured a mug and carried it into the great room where his wife was still sleeping soundly. Leaning over her, he gently kissed her and said, “Time to wake up, Honey. You have to get ready to go to the hotel and meet the ‘Fabs.’”

  “What?” she answered sleepily as she slowly sat up. She took the mug of coffee from Jon and wondered why he was home in the middle of the day.

  “I came home early to see you before you left for the week,” he explained. “It’s a good thing I did. You might have overslept. Seems you were starting the party a little early, weren’t you?”

  “What… oh, the wine… I was just relaxing a little before it was time to leave.” She finished the coffee and rose from the couch.

  “Stay here, Mari. I’ll get your luggage and load it into the SUV for you. Are you ready?”

  “Yes, everything is ready to go. It’s all in the hallway.”

  “I’ll drive you to the hotel.”

  “I am fine, Jon. And I may need a car. The girls are renting one, but if some of us go different places at different times, we’ll need an extra.”

  “Well, if you’re sure you’re ok.” He sighed as he picked up her bags and walked through the kitchen into the garage. After he had loaded her things, he went back in and poured another cup of coffee for her and one for himself.

  Mari walked into the kitchen. He noticed she had fixed her makeup and hair as he leaned over to kiss her. She edged away from him and took the coffee.

  “You will spend some time with Jordan while I’m gone and make sure he does his homework and all that, right?” She wondered how much time he would actually make for their youngest son during the coming week.

  “You don’t need to worry about a thing. I’ve lightened my schedule this week and will spend some time with Jordan. When he’s home, that is. He’s the busy one around here.”

  “I’d better go. I want to get there early and make sure everything is ready when they all arrive.” Mari set down the mug and turned to get her purse.

  He stopped her, put his arms around her, and said, “Have a good time. Don’t worry about Jordan or me. I think this week with the girls is just what you need, Hon.” He leaned down to kiss her. She returned the kiss, and stepped away with tears in her eyes. She silently walked out the door, leaving her husband standing in the middle of the kitchen with a puzzled look on his face.

  As she sped down the expressway, Mari wondered if the week apart would make them or break them.

  CHAPTER 4

  Katy raced through the gate at O’Hare International airport. She had been running late all morning and had just barely made it in time to catch her flight. She had been thinking about the accident most of the night. She was glad when the s
un had finally made its appearance in the clear Chicago sky that morning and she could concentrate on more pleasant thoughts. It was a chilly, sunshiny Saturday morning, as she settled in and looked out the window of the plane. Just a few more hours and I will be seeing my old friends, she thought.

  She went over the agenda once more in her head. Angie is leaving from Moline, Illinois and Lizzie from Columbus, Ohio. The three of us are meeting in St. Louis and flying on to Dallas together. There we will rent a car and drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport to the Prava Suites hotel, where Marianne has booked a suite for the week. Marianne will be waiting for us there. Since she lives near Dallas, she is going on ahead to the hotel to make sure everything is in order for our stay. It had all been planned meticulously by Lizzie and Marianne down to the last detail. Good old Lizzie, she thought as she began to feel drowsy, her sleepless night catching up with her at last.

  The flight to St. Louis was uneventful, so Katy finally dozed to make up for the agonizing night she had spent remembering the past. Not wanting to start her vacation looking tired and draggy, when she awoke she touched up her makeup and did the best she could to conceal the dark circles under her eyes. She asked the stewardess for a cup of coffee and sat back to enjoy it, deep in thought about her friends. Lizzie had called her last night. Dear, sweet, thoughtful Lizzie. She calls every year on the anniversary of the accident. She knows just what to say to make me feel better. It was wonderful to have such good friends. Something in Lizzie’s voice last night had sounded different though, lonely, perhaps. I really need to find some time to talk with Lizzie alone and see what is going on with her.