“David broke up with her in high school. He hasn’t seen her in years.” Lauren turned to David. “Were you drunk? Is that what happened? I know you don’t normally drink, but that’s the only explanation that makes any sense.”
Lauren’s response shouldn’t have surprised Christy, but it did. She could feel David tense beside her.
“I married Christy because I love her.” David’s voice resonated with a steely-edged control. “I’ve loved her since high school.”
Though Christy didn’t believe him for a second, she had to admit his words sounded sincere. And she marveled at how easily the lie slid from his lips.
Lauren’s gaze shifted from David to Christy, her look clearly disbelieving.
“We’re very happy for both of you.” Karen’s sweet voice filled the silence. “Aren’t we, honey?”
Blake hesitated, then nodded. “Very happy.”
“I’m not going to be able to stay for dinner after all.” In one fluid movement Lauren grabbed her purse and shoved back her chair. Without another word, she headed toward the door.
Though the woman hadn’t been her friend in years, they’d once been close and Christy could feel her pain.
“Go and talk to her, David,” Christy said softly, keeping her voice so low only he could hear. “You owe her that much.”
David hesitated for only a second before rising. “I’ll be right back.”
Christy’s gaze followed him until he was out of sight. When she turned back, she found three pairs of curious eyes fixed upon her. Smiling brightly, she picked up the menu and glanced around the table. “Are we ready to order yet? I’m starving.”
“Lauren, wait.” David finally caught up with her on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her off to the side. “We need to talk.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little late for that?” Her gaze dropped to his hand gripping her arm.
He released his hold. “Lauren, cut me some slack. We’ve been friends too long to let this come between us.”
She tilted her head and stared at him for a long moment. “You don’t get it, do you? You’re married. We can’t be friends. We can’t be anything anymore.”
Two tears slipped down her cheeks. She hurriedly brushed them away with the back of her hand.
David’s heart twisted. He liked Lauren. His grandfather used to say they were like two peas in a pod. They had the same likes and dislikes, they ran in the same social circle. They had been friends for years.
Though he’d never been physically attracted to Lauren, he cared for her. And he knew she would have been a good wife to him.
He drew a ragged breath.
“Why did you marry her, David?” Lauren’s sad gaze lingered on his face. “And don’t tell me you love her, because I know you don’t.”
Of course he didn’t love Christy. He barely knew her. But she was his wife, at least for now. He owed her his loyalty.
Lauren took his hand in hers. “Everyone makes mistakes. You can get a divorce. I’ll wait—”
“David?” Christy’s strained voice sounded behind him. “I’m really sorry to interrupt, but your grandfather insisted I come and get you. He’s ready to order.”
David turned slowly, wondering how much she’d overheard. Even though he’d done nothing wrong, guilt sluiced through him.
“I need to go.” David lightly touched Lauren’s shoulder. “Will you be okay?”
Lauren stared at him for a long moment. Her gaze darted briefly to Christy before returning to him. “Maybe we can have dinner when you get back to St. Louis?”
She looked so unhappy that David reached up and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Just because he was married didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends. “I’d like that.”
Lauren leaned forward and brushed her lips across his cheek. “Remember what I said.”
Christy stood silently at his side while Lauren got into the cab. They watched her drive off before turning to go inside. David reached for the door handle, but Christy got there first. Jerking the door open, she slipped inside, not bothering to hold it for him. Though he wasn’t sure exactly what he’d done, David had the uneasy feeling he’d just messed up again.
David laced his fingers behind his head and watched his wife brush her hair.
Tomorrow morning she’d be on her way back to Chicago and he’d be headed home to St. Louis. Though there was still so much they needed to discuss, they’d barely talked since dinner. Christy had spent most of the evening either on the phone or in front of her laptop.
“Did you get your schedule figured out?” David had the distinct feeling he wasn’t the only one with a full calendar.
“I still have a few phone calls to make in the morning.” Christy sat on the edge of the bed, the brush flowing through her hair with long sweeping strokes. “I’m trying to free my schedule up for the next month. That way we can spend some time together.”
Together. Like last night, he thought.
David sat up straighter and let his gaze linger on Christy. Her blond hair shone like spun gold in the lamplight. And though the shorts and T-shirt she was wearing were more comfortable than sexy, he couldn’t stop the feelings of longing that surged through him like a raging river.
He flashed her a suggestive smile.
She didn’t seem to notice.
David decided to try the direct approach. “Christy, what do you say we—”
“So, do you think getting together with your old girlfriend is a good idea?” Christy’s brush stopped midstroke as if the question had suddenly occurred to her, though he had no doubt it had been on her mind since dinner.
She lifted her gaze, waiting for his response.
David forced a smile and tried to keep a reasonable tone. “I don’t see a problem.”
“Nothing good can come of it.”
“I’m a grown man, Christy.” His own mixed feelings about meeting Lauren caused him to speak more harshly than he’d intended. “I’ll have dinner with who I want.”
To his surprise, Christy merely raised a brow. “I didn’t say not to go. I asked if you thought it was a good idea. Lauren is hurting right now.”
He couldn’t believe it. She’d encouraged him to go to Lauren. Now she was acting as if he was the one pursuing her. “You think talking to me will hurt her more?”
“It could.” Christy shrugged and resumed brushing her hair. “But then, you know her better than I do.”
Her voice was nonchalant, but her fingers had the brush in a death grip.
David took a deep breath and released it, reminding himself that no one said being married was easy. He moved across the room and sat down next to Christy, taking the brush from her hand. “Let me do that.”
He ran the horsehair bristles slowly through her hair, the silken strands soft against his skin. “This is a difficult situation, Christy. I want to do the right thing, for all of us.”
“If only we knew what that was,” Christy said with a heavy sigh.
“We’ll figure it out.”