The Bride Who Bailed (3 page)

Just then we heard Jake calling from high above us, drawing my name out in a long slow wail.

"I guess I have a few things to take care of first..."

Breakfast was awkward. Jake sat at his table staring at me. I ordered, and sipped my coffee, and tried to look anywhere but at him. Which was a challenge since he was determined not to look anywhere but at me. I set my cup down with a clank that rattled the silverware on my table and sighed. This was just awful.

"Jake," I said, as I approached him, "please go home. There's no reason for you to hang around, we're done and trust me when I tell you that you'll be happier this way."

"I thought you were just the sweetest kid, remember? In junior high, and then in high school, you used to blush whenever I talked to you. I used to dream of when we'd be together."

Calm, Catherine, stay calm, I thought to myself. "Look Jake, you didn't want me, if you had you wouldn't have lied. It's not so much what you did, although seriously, all those bar sluts? But how you did it, you lied to me, over and over. I hate lies. And cheating, I hate that too, and you know it. In fact most women do, so there's a tip for you."

"But..."

"But nothing, this isn't easy for me either. It broke my heart when I knew what you were up to, and then I had to plan the wedding knowing it would never come true. Just go home, ok? Please?"

"No, you know what, I took the time off, I paid my share of the vacation, and I'm taking it. I'm staying. I won't talk to you if you don't want me to, I'll keep my distance, but I'm staying."

Seriously? He was going to stay? He wanted us to honeymoon together, apart? Whatever the hell? Okay, fine, what could I do? I couldn't make him leave.
 

"Great, thanks for cooperating, Jake. I hope you enjoy your vacation," I said and for what was the second time in less than a week I left him gaping after me as I turned on my heel and stalked away.

***************************

The woman at the front desk was very helpful and directed me to Drew's office at the end of the elevated walkway. It was sunny, of course, and the huge windows made his office seem more outside than in. The office was understated elegance, not unlike Drew. I know it's too soon after breaking off my wedding, but Drew makes my head spin, in a good way.

"I wasn't expecting to see you so early, what can I help you with?" He smiled and his eyes swept me up and down. I could feel the warmth from him just looking at me. I really needed to get a grip. No crushing on your temporary boss, Catherine.
 

"Remember when I said I'd consult for you on your IT issues, were you serious?"

"Well, uh, yeah. I mean we should talk about your credentials, not that I don't trust you but..."

"Of course, I have my resume online, if I can borrow your computer, I'll email it to you. I'd like to start as soon as possible if you don't mind. I mean," I sighed "I'd like to stay, and Jake seems to have decided to stay for the week too, which is just awkward, so if I can work this week and next then I can avoid him and maybe enjoy the beach in a week or two when...," I paused to catch my breath, "I'm rambling, aren't I? Sorry." I could feel the blush spreading warmth across my chest and face.

Drew smiled, "Yeah kinda. Here sit down and log on to whatever you need to, my business card there has my email address on it. Just shoot me your resume. Under the circumstances this afternoon should be no problem. Do you want me to move you? I can put you in a staff condo, he won't have access as a guest."

"That would be fantastic! Thank you so much!" I hugged him spontaneously, and then I caught myself and stepped back.
 

"See you later then? I'll stop back after 1, is that ok?"

"That will be fine Cat, thanks, you're helping me out too, I appreciate it."

Sometimes life is stalled, you know? You go through the motions, up in the morning, off to work. See the same people, do the same things, come home, check the mail. Then other times life is flying fast and furious, every day is different, every decision is a new one, everything is changing. Up 'til now every day had been just like every other day. Go to work, come home, make dinner. Rinse and repeat. But not anymore. Ever since I had left Jake, or well... tried to leave him, every moment of my life had been different from every other moment. It's exciting and fun, and terrifying. And exhausting. Walking back in the sunshine I imagined living here, what would happen if I just...didn't go home?

Thinking about it was exhausting. I needed a nap.

Instead I headed back to my room and packed my little bag. I was kind of sorry to leave the deluxe suite, but I'd be more comfortable in a smaller condo, one where Jake couldn't get to me. I didn't have enough clothes for a couple weeks of working though. I hadn't brought much more than a swimsuit and a pair of shorts. So I decided to head for some shopping. There had to be a mall, or something, nearby. People who live in resort towns need clothing too, right?

I stopped in the office and dropped my things with Drew, and let him know the suite was free.
 

He had company, it was the evil stepsister. I heard them before I saw them.

"I'm not kidding, Ash, you need to work this out, I can't keep giving you money."

"Kids are expensive."

"Well, yes they are, but working for a living would help you pay for them."

"Drew...you know I need to stay home with them, I don't believe in being a working mom."

"Look Ash, what you don't believe in is working. Dad didn't leave the trust so you could stay home and play on the beach. I'm sorry their dad is not holding up his end, but the idea with a trust is you don't spend the principle. Or one day, it's...you know...gone. Either way I can't keep giving you money, because, well you know why, we've been through all this."

Oh, good, a family disagreement, perfect timing. I knocked and poked my head in.

"Sorry," I smiled awkwardly, "I just wondered if I could leave this here while I go shopping. I'll have to take a cab, and didn't want to drag my luggage around with me."

"Of course," Drew waved me in, "You saw my sister at the airport, Ashley meet Cat."

"Nice to meet you, sorry to interrupt, I'll just drop this here, if that's ok?"

"You know what? I have some errands to run, I'll go too. Ashley, we're done here. Bye Ash. Kiss the kids for me, ok?"

"That's not necessary, I mean, I appreciate it but..."
 

Drew smiled, and it was like the sun came out. "Nope I'm going, Come on."

Ashley stamped her foot, her face was red ,"I'm leaving then! For real Drew, I'm not kidding, I'm out of here."
 

"Ok, Ash...stay in touch," he said slamming the door behind us. The windows were still rattling but his face was calm. His jaw was working, "She's gonna be the end of me, I swear. She spends money like it's water, claims she has to because of the kids, anyway, here, stand this way," he said, standing next to me, we pressed our backs to the wall.
 

"What? Why?..."

The office door opened and a shoe came flying past.

"That's why, looks like she's taking this well..."

"Let's stop here."

I looked up at the Bargain Outlet Mall sign, "Thanks, I'll run in and just find a few things...

"No, you know what? I'd like to come too, do you mind?"

"Well, no, it could take a while if I don't find just what I'm looking for..."

"I know, but it's been a stressful morning, I think seeing you save 75% on a designer top might just make my day."

"Oh, really...?" I looked him square in the eye, and ran my finger gently across my bottom lip while I said it.
 

He laughed, "Well, there's always room for another way to make my day..." and he waggled his eyebrows at me.
 

Butterflies, his smile gave me butterflies. My own fault for flirting. I told the butterflies in my stomach that they were going to have to shut the hell up, mostly because fooling around with my new (temporary, but still) boss, would be an excellent idea. And of course by excellent I mean freaking terrible. The only way to improve on a month when I ducked out of my own wedding, would be to fool around with this guy. Still, he made me feel giddy, it was fun to be with him and I was definitely planning on enjoying our time together.

Launching myself from the seat of his tiny convertible I stopped and waited for him to join me, then we walked together to the first store. It was weird, he wanted to shop with me. Ok, I could do this. Should I show him stuff, ask his opinion? What could it hurt?

"This," he said, pulling a pink dress off the rack.
 

"No," I put it back.

"This then," a top this time, also pink.

"I don't do pink."

"You should, it compliments your coloring."

I just stared at him. My mom always said that too. About pink I mean. He sounded like he knew what he was talking about and I was ignoring him. I was being rude. I didn't mean to be, I sorta hate pink, but could he and my mom both be wrong? Well, yeah, they could, but it wouldn't hurt to humor him.

"I'm humoring you," I said, to make sure I made my point. "This is not going to look good on me," I flounced into the dressing room and dragged the top over my head, and returned to the sales floor without so much as combing my hair just to show him how wrong he was.

Drew was already charming the sales woman, together they were collecting clothing for me, as if I was some sort of pet project.

"Ahem," I cleared my throat.

Together they turned, and stopped talking. I knew it, it was awful.

"Stunning, I knew it would be."

"He's quite right, dear, it's lovely," said the clerk.
 

"I...wait, what?" I turned to look in the mirror, and my pale complexion was kinda glowy, I had to admit. Shrugging my shoulders in mock defeat, I took the clothing, in colors I would never wear, into the dressing room to try on. There was more pink, some turquoise, a lavender, totally not my thing. And yet, the colors were somehow perfect on me.
 

"How did you do that?" I asked him as I paid.

"What? Pick clothes?" he laughed "it's kind of a secret, but my first love, career-wise, was film. I loved everything about it, taking pictures, making movies, and I learned a lot when I filmed people. I learned about color and complexion and what works and what doesn't. That kinda thing sticks. Like the colors in the suites at the hotel, pale blues, pinks, mauves, most people look good in those colors in the evening. And that's when the romance happens at a resort, right?"

"Well that's just, huh. Who'd have thought? I'm sorry I doubted you."

"You're gracious in defeat," he laughed, "join me for lunch?"

"Sure, as long as it's seafood, I haven't had any yet."

"Excellent, back in the car you go then, I know just the place."

Drew drove through town, off the main drag and past the edge of the touristy part until we got to a restaurant that looked more like a shack, decorated by a big sign proclaiming "The Seasoned Sole". We walked in and found our own seats at a an old beat up formica table. The place was sparkling clean, the wood scrubbed and polished, the silverware shiny. We were approached by a woman whose gray hair was scraped back into a neat bun, she had an apron layered over her jeans and tee-shirt.

"Drew! It's been ages," she said as she threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Aggie, I know, it's been too long. It's great to see you. This is my friend Cat, Cat meet Aggie, the best cook on the Panhandle."

"Well, it's nice to meet you...is this who's been keeping you busy?"

"Ah, no, no," Drew laughed, "she's new in town and I'm showing her around."

"Still nice to meet you sweetheart, have a seat, and we'll bring you lunch."

"We don't get to order here, Aggie will send out what's best today. What would you like to drink? I suggest sweet tea, that's what everyone drinks down here."

"Well, sweet tea then," I said and Drew went to the bar.
 

Lunch was delightful, gulf shrimp, oysters and fried mullet, finished off with key lime pie.
 

"I'm stuffed, I don't think I can move."

"That's not an option, c'mon, we're going to the beach." He took my hand, and I tensed. I didn't mean to. The heat our hands together made scared me a bit. I had just ducked out of my own wedding and...

"Hey, relax, it's no big deal. You're on vacation, lighten up. I'm not getting all serious with you, just wanted to hold your hand." Gently, he turned my face to his, "Just for fun, ok?"

"Yeah, ok." I let go of a breath I didn't know I'd been holding, and took his hand. It felt good, strong, warm. I liked holding it, and I was going to practice not taking everything so seriously. We walked to the water's edge, and soon the awkwardness fell away again and we were laughing and chatting.

"So, tell me, how do you like paradise?"

"Well except for Jake following me down here, it really is beautiful. Thank you for showing me around today, I'm sure you had better things to do."

"You're welcome, but I'm selfish, I did it for me too you know."

"Thanks..." his hand tightened on mine as we walked and he stopped suddenly, his outstretched arm reeled me back in and I stumbled in the sand. He caught me by the waist and his touch made the butterflies in my stomach duck and swirl. I was suddenly breathless, a little bit dizzy. Warmth was spreading from between my legs upward and I could feel it breaking out as a blush across my chest and inflaming my cheeks.
 

I reached up to touch his face and he brought his lips to mine and I melted right into him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tightly while his tongue gently danced along my lips. Inch by inch I could feel myself relaxing into his kiss, and idly I wondered what I had done to deserve this. Something good. He ran his hands up and down my back, and everywhere he touched I felt sparks of pleasure, and desire. The warmth was spreading over me, licking along my nerves where he touched me, and I arched my back to press toward him. My breasts were becoming sensitive to the touch, and my nipples ached to feel him graze his fingertips across them.