The Lake House (23 page)

Heather sat up and looked at her friend. “He what?”

“He’s coming tonight. Didn’t you know?”

“No.” Heather had given him her address on the contracts she signed, but she hadn’t told him that she’d contacted Steven and invited him to the party.

“What’s the problem? He’s still your agent, right?”

“Yes, but I went behind his back to invite the television producer. He’s going to think that I want to break ties completely, and I don’t. I just couldn’t face him tonight. We haven’t dealt with the breakup or had closure. He must be pissed to know that I invited Steven behind his back.”

“Since when did you get a backbone?” Gina laughed as she put her arm around Heather’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you. I might have to make you an honorary Italian after all. It’s about time you told Charlie to shove it up his arse.”

“Seriously?”

“Look, Charlie’s been ruling your life for six years. This is a wake-up call for him. The fact that he didn’t tell me that you broke up says he’s thinking about what he needs to do to get you back. Maybe he’s coming tonight to make amends.”

Maybe Gina was right and Charlie was willing to make some changes now that he’d lost her. But was that what she wanted? “There’s one more problem,” Heather said.

“What?”

Heather stood, moved Gina to the window, and pointed to the beach. “That.”

“You have a few older neighbors who like to sit on the beach in bathing suits. So?”

“Not a few. All.”

Gina’s head fell back as she burst into laughter. “You moved into a retirement community. Did you know when you bought the house?”

“What do you think?” Heather said. “I met this young, gorgeous guy when I looked at the place.”

“Naughty girl. You bought a house because of some nice booty and instead got Grandpa as a neighbor. Shame, shame. That’s what you get for thinking with your hormones.” Gina continued to giggle.

“I didn’t buy the house because of the guy, and I’m glad you find this so funny.” Heather told her about the blue book she’d found on her railing that morning. The cover read
Nagog Community Rules and Regulations.
A bookmark, imprinted with a cross, marked a page: “Quiet hours: 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.”

“The party doesn’t start till six, and Steven isn’t coming until after eight thirty. I’m supposed to show him the fun, confident Solo Female Traveler. How am I going to do that when quiet hours start at nine?”

“Oh, lighten up.” Gina looked out the window. “From what I can see, I don’t think your neighbors will be able to hear anything. You need to relax. It’s going to be okay.”

—

Paper lanterns swung in the breeze as people stood around the lawn with margarita glasses and beer bottles, talking and laughing, while music played in the background. For the most part, the party was a success, but Steven still hadn’t arrived.

Molly waved as she walked along the street with Sarah, Joseph, Bill and Carl, and Agatha on her scooter. Heather smiled and returned the gesture. When she’d realized her neighbors’ ages,
Heather had decided not to invite them to the party, thinking they wouldn’t want to come. Now she realized how rude she’d been.

Molly walked toward the house, motioning for the others to follow. Heather’s guests turned and watched as the older woman embraced Heather in a hug. “We don’t want to interrupt, but I just wanted to tell you that the food smells wonderful and the decorations look great.” Molly held her at arm’s length. “And that blue dress looks stunning on you.”

“Thank you,” Heather said. “And thank you for all your help this week. My house wouldn’t have been ready if it weren’t for you.”

“That’s what neighbors do,” Molly said. “You’ve met everyone.” She gestured to the rest of the group.

“For the most part.” Heather extended her hand toward the woman who wore the crucifix. “But we haven’t met yet. I’ve seen you around, but I haven’t gotten the chance to say, ‘hello.’ ”

“This is Sarah Dragone, Carl’s wife,” Molly said as she guided Sarah in front of her.

“It’s quite the gathering,” Sarah said as she looked at the groups of people.

“It’s just some friends and coworkers. There’s plenty of food. You’re more than welcome to make a plate. We have stuffed peppers—”

“Peppers give me gas,” Agatha said. “I’ll be rolled in a ball all night. I’m in enough pain from my prolapsed bladder.” She turned to Sarah. “Did I tell you that the doctor wants me to have surgery again? They had to sew it back three times. I tell you, those babies are worth it, but it’s hell on the body. I told them just close up that hoochy-coo. It’s not like I’m going to use it anymore.”

Heather’s eyes widened. Bill, Carl, and Joseph moved toward a group of Gina’s male friends.

“I assume you saw the rule book I left you on your railing. I hope you know that we won’t tolerate music or loud noise after nine,” Sarah said, her face pinched.

She’d hoped they’d give her a little leeway tonight. “I promise we’ll keep it down.”

Victoria walked up behind Heather. “Don’t worry about it. Have fun. This is your first party in your new home.” She placed her arm around Molly’s shoulder. “Why don’t we let this young woman enjoy her friends? Bill, ready to go?”

Heather moved over to the group where the men were now engaged in a conversation about volleyball. “It’s all in the motion. You have to swing through and not up, then the ball will go straight down,” Bill said.

“Well, first they’d have to be able to jump. They don’t look like they can get up too high,” Carl razzed the guys. “In my day, men didn’t have a problem getting over the net. We worked hard and stayed in shape.”

“He’s selling you a bunch of baloney,” Bill said. “He was always too short to hit on anything higher than a woman’s net.”

“I think your wives are walking away without you,” Heather said, trying to move the men along. “Would you like some food before you go?”

“Thank you, Heather, but we’ve already eaten,” Bill said.

Joseph put his hand on Heather’s shoulder. “I put wood in the fire pit. Bonfires are a tradition at Nagog parties, and since you’re now a resident, I thought I’d pass the torch to you.”

“Thank you. That’s sweet,” Heather said.

“Have fun,” he said as the men walked away.

“What did he want?” Gina asked. “Are we in trouble from the grannies for being too loud?”

Gina’s breath smelled like tequila and she passed Heather a margarita.

“No, he was being nice.”

“Well that’s cool. See? Living with ten grandparents won’t be so bad.” She giggled until she almost fell down. “Think about it, for your birthday and Christmas, you’ll get at least ten bucks if each one gives you a check for a dollar.”

“Funny,” Heather said as she looked to the road, and then at her watch. It was almost 8:30, the time she’d given Steven. Her nerves made her feel like she’d drunk six cups of coffee. Charlie hadn’t shown yet either, and she wondered if he’d decided to stay away.

As darkness came and alcohol loosened inhibitions, her guests began to dance. Heather had almost given up on Steven when lights finally flashed onto the road. Her heart jumped. She walked to the silver Mercedes as Steven stepped from the car.

“There’s my hot new star.” He came up and kissed her on both cheeks. “Where’s your man? Let me get the business talk out of the way so I can enjoy the party. I know Charlie will want to discuss our ideas for a travel show.”

“I’m not certain he’s coming tonight,” Heather said. “And I didn’t invite you to talk business. It’s a night to celebrate with good friends, food, and my associates.” Heather knew she lied, but he didn’t have to know. Tonight she’d show him a fun, confident woman, no matter how much her hands were shaking.

“Well, then, get me a drink,” he said, looking Heather up and down.

“What’s your pleasure?” she asked.

“Ah, that’s a dangerous question to a man when you look this good, but a beer will do just fine,” he said.

Heather grabbed a bottle from the table on the deck, hiding
her flushed cheeks. She handed him the beer. “Are you ready to dance? Or do you first need alcohol to be as smooth as you were that night at the Bay Towers?” she challenged.

“I don’t know. I’m seeing a whole new side to you,” he said. “I might not be able to keep up.”

She put her drink down and grabbed his hand. “Let’s find out.”

The music pulsed through Heather’s body. Sweaty bodies bumped against her as she moved to the beat. Steven knew how to dance and she found herself smiling. The alcohol from her first drink began to take effect and the buzz released her worry. She leaned on Steven, his nose brushing against her cheek. His mouth came close to hers and she turned her head away.

“So sexy,” he whispered.

She stepped back. “You, sir, are dangerous.”

“It’s just a dance,” he whispered in her ear. “Charlie’s not here. What’s the problem?” He pulled her to him.

She leaned her head back and laughed. It felt good to flirt and to be in control. “I think I’ll check on the rest of my guests while I let you cool off.” She stepped back and winked at him.

“Point taken, but you can’t blame a guy for trying when a woman is as gorgeous as you.”

Heather turned and flashed him a smile as she walked to the back porch. She opened the screen door and made her way into the kitchen. She was smiling until she saw Charlie at the table.

“How long have you been here?” she asked, walking toward him.

“Long enough.” He glared at her.

“Why didn’t you come find me?”

“Didn’t look like I was missed. In fact, I wasn’t even invited,” he said.

“Charlie, you haven’t returned any of my calls or acknowledged that I sent you the representation contract. How was I supposed to invite you?”

“You changed the direct deposit on your check and wiped out your savings account. I looked up your credit cards online. You spent five thousand dollars on stuff for this place,” he said.

Heather bit her lip. “That’s none of your business. You only own fifteen percent of my rights, and as long as you get that, my finances aren’t your concern any longer.”

Charlie paced. “What do you know about finances? Without me you’d still be a broke waitress. You wouldn’t be traveling the world.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Heather yelled. “But if you haven’t noticed,
I
write the columns.”

Someone turned up the music outside and she realized her guests could hear them fighting. Charlie loomed over her. “You almost ended up homeless last time you dealt with finances. Or don’t you remember?”

“How could I forget? You never stop bringing it up.”

“I don’t know you anymore.”

Heather looked into his eyes. “Maybe because you don’t bother to listen.”

A muscle in his cheek twitched. “Here we go. All the ways I’ve failed you. When have I not been there? I helped you out of debt. I gave you a place to live. I built your career. What do you want, Heather?”

“To be happy.”

“Funny, I thought we were.” He stared at her, his jaw locked with tension.

She didn’t know how to explain it to him. Why couldn’t he
see that she needed more than an agent—she needed a soft place to land and a man who loved her enough to pick her up at the damn airport.

He looked out the window. “So you used me to get your column. Are you going to sleep with Steven for a television show?”

“How could you even think that?”

“I don’t know, Heather. You go behind my back and invite him to a party at your new house, and from what I saw of the two of you dancing, it looks like you’re acting like a whore.”

Anger brewed, and she turned away in an attempt to calm down. She walked through the living room and onto the deck to avoid a bigger scene. The music blared in the front yard and everyone was dancing. For a moment she thought about her neighbors and how she needed to turn down the volume.

Then Charlie was behind her, forcing her to face him. His hands clamped onto her biceps. “All I’ve done is care about your needs. You have your dream job. You travel the world. You wear nice clothes. I bought you a diamond and asked you to marry me. Oh, that’s right . . . you cared so much you took it off and left it on my bureau when you moved out.” His hands gripped harder and she yelped with pain as he pulled her to him, his lips close to her ear. “But with how bad you are in bed, I doubt Steven will keep you for long. I’m done, Heather. Maybe
I
want something more.”

“Charlie. You’re hurting me.” Tears welled in her eyes.

Gina ran onto the deck and pushed Charlie away. “What the hell are you doing?”

Charlie shot her a look of disgust and walked away. Heather looked down at the red marks on her arms, then glanced toward the yard. Her guests had turned away, pretending they hadn’t witnessed the scene. From Sarah and Carl’s home she saw curtains
close. Had they been privy to the fight too? She felt naked, like she stood in the middle of a three-ring circus with the spotlights pointed right at her inadequacies.

Her body vibrated like a jackhammer breaking concrete. Her biceps ached as if she’d been stoned. Gina gently took her arm and led her into the house. She sat Heather on the couch and went to the kitchen. When she returned, she placed a shot of tequila in Heather’s hand.

“I’m going to send everyone home, and then I’ll come back,” Gina said.

Heather tilted her head back and downed the drink. “Gina, wait.” Heather stopped her friend before she could end the party. She couldn’t hide now, or all Steven would remember would be the fight. If this was the way Charlie was going to act, their work relationship needed to end, and she would need Steven even more. “I’m fine. I’ll be out there in a minute.”

“You sure?” Gina asked with a look of concern.

Heather nodded. Her career was what was important now.