Beauty from Pain(62)

Lovedale restaurants aren’t formal, but I decide to change for dinner. All I find in the closet are trousers and dress shirts. No jeans or T-shirts. That’s the problem with not having a permanent home. I never know what I need where.


I go to my favorite restaurant in Lovedale and I’m escorted toward the back of the restaurant. I’m seated at one of the tables I’ve shared with Audrey many times during our month-long relationship over three years ago. I’m scanning the wine selection when my phone rings. It’s Jim. Perfect. I hope he has good news for me.


“Jack McLachlan.”


“Mr. McLachlan, I’m calling you with some good news. It appears that Miss Bagshaw is still living in Lovedale. I have her current address and phone number. Would you like me to email those to you?”


“Email the address but call off her number to me now.”


“55-7031-3210.”


“Great work. You’ll have your money, along with the extra thousand, in your account tonight.”


“Thank you, Mr. McLachlan. As always, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”


Yes, it’s been a five-thousand-dollar pleasure.


I immediately dial Audrey’s number and it goes to voicemail. I was Drake Connelly to her three years ago, but she discovered my true identity so there’s no reason in pretending to be anyone but myself. “Audrey, it’s Jack McLachlan. I need to see you as soon as possible. Please, call me at this number.”


I order a merlot and the lasagna and I’m finishing when my phone rings. I see Audrey’s number and I’m happy she has returned my call so soon. Maybe she’ll agree to meet me tonight. “Hello, Audrey.”


“Hello, Jack. Long time, no see. How have you been?”


“I’m very good. And you?”


“I’ve been better, but I think you know that already.”


“I want to see you.”


“Oh, so now you want to see me. Am I supposed to come running because the great and all-mighty Jack McLachlan has changed his mind?”


I tell her huskily, “Don’t be that way, Audrey.”


She hesitates but we both already know she’ll agree. “Okay. Where do you want to meet?”


“The usual place. I’ll text you the room number.”


“How long?”


I’m not far from the hotel, but I want to finish dinner. I’m not that anxious to see her. “An hour.”


After I end the call, I flag my server. “I’ll need another merlot.” And then probably another for what I’m about to do.


Three glasses of wine later, I check into the Hotel Armand and text Audrey with the room number. I’m there less than ten minutes when I hear her knock on the door.


I open the door and she’s wearing a black trench coat with extremely high heels. She has traded her long, fiery hair for a medium-length cut with blunt bangs. I hate it.


“Hello, Jack.”


“Hello, Audrey.” I open the door wider. “Please, come in.”


“Thank you.”


She grazes her finger across my chest as she walks through the door.


“Please, have a seat.” I walk over to the wet bar. “Would you care for a drink? A bourbon, perhaps? Seems like I recall that being your favorite.”


“You remember well.”


I pour her drink and then take it to her where she is sitting on the bed. She holds it up to me. “A toast?”


“What should we toast to?”


“To reunions.”


I sit next to her and tip the edge of my glass to hers. “To reunions.”


We sip the bourbon and then she gets up and places her glass on the table. She unties the waist of her coat and opens it to reveal her naked body underneath. She walks over and stands between my knees. “I’ve missed you so much, Jack.”


She leans forward to kiss me and I stop her by placing a finger over her lips. “I didn’t ask you here for that.”


She tries to climb onto the bed to straddle me and I catch her by her waist. “I can change your mind, Jack. You know I can.”


“No. I’m afraid you can’t.”