Splendor (Inevitable #2) (41 page)

“I actually just had a massage over the long weekend,” recalled Tessa wistfully. “My first ever. It was really amazing, something I could get used to.”

Sasha nodded. “It’s a good addiction to have. Maybe we can set up an appointment for you sometime. Take it easy in class, okay? I’ll see you soon.”

It didn’t surprise Tessa that her teacher was also a massage therapist. During class, Sasha made a point of going around to as many students as possible and making adjustments to their bodies while in poses. Tessa could tell by the knowledgeable way in which Sasha touched her that she was extremely familiar with human anatomy, and her touch was both skillful and soothing. Tessa wondered anew if Ian already had a massage therapist he saw on a regular basis, and made a mental note to suggest that they could possibly use Sasha’s services if he didn’t.

She felt relaxed and less uncomfortable at the end of the class, a sensation that remained with her during the bus ride home. It was only as she opened her mail box that the all too familiar feeling that something bad was about to happen returned.

The thick manila envelope bore the return address of a local law firm, and Tessa almost dropped the packet in revulsion. She postponed opening the envelope for as long as possible, and didn’t even mention its arrival to Ian when they spoke on the phone late that night. With the eight hour time difference between San Francisco and London, it was already very early in the morning for him and well past normal bedtime for her. Still, she gladly gave up the extra sleep in order to hear his voice, to listen to him recount what had happened the day before, and to have him tell her how much he loved and missed her. Determined to remain positive, Tessa didn’t mention her painful period or how many times during the last day and a half she’d had to fight off the depression that threatened to engulf her in its darkness.

But once their conversation ended, she stared for long minutes at the offending envelope, knowing she’d never be able to sleep until she opened it.

She’d known without even looking at the return address that the envelope contained the divorce papers. She didn’t get a lot of mail in general, and certainly nothing as thick and official looking as this packet. Sighing, Tessa slid the papers out of their envelope and took a quick glance at the top page.

Well, it was over. Officially so, even though her marriage to Peter had in all honesty never really begun. They had been best friends, roommates, confidantes, but never lovers or partners, not in the true sense of the word. Now that she knew what it truly felt like to be in love, to experience sexual fulfillment, and, yes, to finally feel like a woman, Tessa could accept her seven years with Peter for what they had really been – a means to an end; a safe haven for her; and a dysfunctional mess that should never have been permitted to go on for as long as it had.

Still, she cried for a while, because it was never really easy to let go of something that had been part of your life for so many years. And then, she pulled up her email account on the rather ancient old laptop Peter had scrounged up for her way back in high school, and began to compose the letter she ought to have sent him weeks ago.

Dear Peter,

It’s been a few weeks since we were in touch and a lot has happened during that time. First, though, the divorce papers arrived today so I guess it’s really official – we’re no longer married. I just finished having a good cry over it but I can honestly say – finally – that you did the right thing by making this happen – for both of us.

There’s – well, I’ve met someone, Peter. I know you always wanted that for me, but I still can’t help feeling a little bit guilty about it. He’s a wonderful man, treats me like a princess, and I’m going to be moving in with him soon. As you know, the lease on this place is up pretty soon so I guess the timing is working out well.

He’s older than I am by quite a bit, but it’s not for the financial or emotional security that I’m with him. I’m honestly, completely, and ridiculously in love with him, and I hope you’ll be happy for me. I told him everything – about my mom, the whole mess I was in when you saved me, and about us. He’s not only been good to me but good for me as well, and I’m hoping he’ll be the one to slay the rest of the dragons, the few that you didn’t already kill for me.

I hope you know how much I still love you, Peter, and how much I always will. You were there for me in my darkest times, and I will never, ever forget that. I hope we can continue to be the best of friends, and that you will keep in close touch. And, most of all, I hope that someday you can finally find the peace that you need so badly – that you’ll meet someone who will slay all of your dragons.

With much love,

Tess

Wiping away her tears, she dragged herself into the bathroom and got ready for bed, hoping that between her emotional state and her physical condition that she would sleep soundly. As she started to shut down her laptop, she was astounded to see a new message had popped up, and even more surprised to note that it was from Peter. He never replied to her emails so quickly, and she surmised he must have been online when her message had been delivered to him.

Hey, Tess,

What you are doing up so late? I’m the insomniac, remember? But in all seriousness – yes, I knew the divorce was going to be final today and was thinking of you the whole time. Guess I was just too much of a coward to email you first.

I can’t tell you how happy I am to hear you’ve found someone, Tess. You deserve to have normal, healthy relationship, and to be loved and adored more than anyone else in the world. I’m just sorry I couldn’t be the man to give you that kind of love, because I know I’ll never meet anyone half as wonderful as you.

Would I be wrong in guessing that this new, older man in your life is your boss? I might be going out on a limb here but I remember that Christmas party you dragged me to a couple of years back. I never told you this, didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, but I saw the way he kept watching you all night and giving me the evil eye (just kidding!) If it is him, I think you’ve made a very wise choice. He’ll take good care of you, Tess, give you all the things I never could. Oh, I’m not talking about stuff like cars or houses or clothes. I know you don’t give a shit about any of that. The things I’m talking about are romance and normal sex and maybe having a baby one day. I always wanted those things for you and I’m glad you’re finally going to have them.

One last thing, because I’m starting to lose it here myself. I’ve begun therapy, Tess. Once a week I Skype with someone in the States, someone who specializes in my sort of issues. And while I’ve got a long, long way to go, I’m hopeful that one day I’ll be able to slay my own damned dragons.

I love you, too, Tess and we will always be best friends. Take care and be happy, and please do keep in touch.

Love,

Peter

She was crying again as she finished reading his message, but this time they were tears of joy.

***

Two Weeks Later

By his calculations, he’d been awake for more than twenty-four hours, given the time zone difference and the number of hours he’d been either waiting in airports or actually in flight. Ian was exhausted, especially since he’d had precious little sleep on the very long flight home from London. Since he had changed his flight at practically the last minute, there hadn’t been any seats available in either first or business class, and he’d been forced to fly coach. For a man of his height and bulk, falling asleep in the restricted space had been all but impossible, especially when coupled with the crying child in the seat behind him and the very chatty couple in front of him. He’d considered the wisdom of taking this last minute flight a dozen times over during the rather hellish journey, but each time he questioned his decision he didn’t regret it. How could he, when it meant he would see his beloved Tessa that much sooner than planned?

Wanting to surprise her with his early arrival, he hadn’t told her about his change in plans. He’d made up some excuse for why he wouldn’t be able to call her as usual this evening, and she sweetly hadn’t questioned him further. But now that his flight – the departure having been delayed by more than two bloody hours due to heavy fog at Heathrow – had finally landed, he was making a beeline to her apartment, so that he could sweep her up and take her home with him. He knew she wouldn’t mind being woken at this late hour, even though she would have to get up early for work in the morning. And he’d already written off the possibility of actually having sex with her, since his own exhaustion would probably impair his ability to perform, even given their long separation and how damned much he’d missed her.

A quick glance at his phone showed that it was actually already morning, half past midnight to be exact. As he exited the plane and walked towards baggage claim, he hit the speed dial for Tessa’s cell phone. He knew she kept it by her bedside to use as an alarm, and was therefore concerned when it went to voicemail after several rings. Frowning, he tried it three more times in quick succession with the same result.

As he located the number for her landline, he tried not to panic, telling himself that perhaps she’d simply forgotten to charge her cell phone. But when the landline also went to voicemail repeated times, he couldn’t control his agitation, and the dreadful feeling that something was wrong. After all, didn’t Tessa always claim that bad things happened to her on Wednesdays? And though it was barely the next day, this was in fact that very day of the week.

Ian was relieved and grateful to find Simon waiting just outside of the terminal, and left the luggage for his chauffeur to handle as he got inside the car. He tried both of Tessa’s numbers again, and this time didn’t even attempt to control his panic.

“Something’s very wrong,” he told Simon as the older man slid behind the wheel. “Tessa isn’t answering either of her phones. She hasn’t been in touch with you, has she?”

Simon shook his head as he pulled away from the terminal. “No, sir. Haven’t seen or heard from the young lady since the day you left town. When did you speak with her last?”

“Last night. A text or two earlier today. Or was it yesterday? I’m so bloody mixed up with these damned time zones that I don’t even know what day it is. Christ, Simon, where is she? Why isn’t she answering the phone?” Ian raked a hand through his already rumpled hair.

“I’m headed directly to Miss Lockwood’s place now, sir,” assured Simon calmly. “Would you like me to call my contact at the police department during the drive – just to see if they’re aware of anything – ah, amiss in her area?”

Ian closed his eyes, not wanting to imagine any one of a dozen horrible things that could have happened to Tessa – being robbed, raped, stabbed, God knew what else in that questionable neighborhood she lived in. “Yes, please, Simon. And thanks, mate.”

While Simon made his call, Ian tried like hell not to overreact. There could be a perfectly logical explanation as to why Tessa wasn’t answering either of her phone lines. There could be a power failure in the area, which would account for why her landline wasn’t working, and why she hadn’t been able to charge her cell phone. Or maybe there had been some sort of gas or water main leak in the neighborhood, and all of the residents had had to be evacuated temporarily. Or just perhaps –

“Sir.” Simon’s voice intruded on his thoughts and then Ian was listening in horror at what his chauffeur was very reluctantly telling him. “I’m afraid Miss Lockwood’s apartment building – well, there’s been a fire, Mr. Gregson.”

***

The scene surrounding the two block radius near Tessa’s apartment building was utter and complete chaos. Ian pushed his way past barricades, completely ignoring the shouts of the police officers who had undoubtedly been told to keep all but essential personnel out of the area. He didn’t give a flying fuck if a dozen strong men tried to make him leave – no one was going to prevent him from finding Tessa.

He and Simon had smelled the thick, acrid smoke in the air blocks away, could see the flashing lights and beacons of all the emergency vehicles. Simon had been able to obtain some additional information from his contact at the police department – the man evidently was both a neighbor and a fishing crony – but the data hadn’t helped ease Ian’s fears in the least. There were no casualties reported, at least not yet, but several residents of the building had been taken to the hospital. Initial reports indicated that the fire had started on the uppermost floor of the building – the fifth – while Tessa’s unit was on the second. It was that bit of news that gave Ian the most hope that she’d found her way out of the building unharmed, but nothing was going to fully appease him until he found her.

A task which was going to be a near impossibility from the looks of it. There were emergency vehicles parked haphazardly all along the street – fire trucks, police cars, ambulances – and dozens of people running to and fro, shouting at each other, with no one person seemingly in charge of controlling the scene. The fire was still burning, filling the air with thick black smoke, and the heat from the flames was stifling.

A young Asian policewoman made a rather feeble attempt to get Ian to vacate the area. “Sir, you really can’t be here, I’m afraid,” she told him, trying to sound authoritative. “Emergency personnel only. You’ll have to leave this area at once.”

He shook his head. “Not until I find someone. I’m looking for a young woman, mid-twenties, tall, blonde hair. Have you seen anyone fitting that description?”

“Sir, I really have to insist – ”

“Please.” He turned the full measure of his charm on the pretty young policewoman. “Please, officer, I’m desperate to find her. Do you have any idea where they took the people who had to be evacuated?”

The policewoman hesitated before giving a slight nod. “I’m not positive, but I thought I overheard someone saying they were taking the residents into the Chinese restaurant down the street. You can check there, but then you’ve really got to leave.”

Ian gave her a dazzling smile. “Thank you, officer. I truly appreciate it.”