Chapter Eleven

 

Melissa positioned her head against the car seat so she could see the scenery as they drove the short distance to the luau. Darius rested his hand on her thigh, just below the hem of her mini dress.

Everything was perfect. The thought seemed foreign to her. After the turmoil of the last two years, she believed Darius, the prodigal husband, had returned to their marriage. She was ready to run into his open arms, repair their relationship, and live the dream she’d imagined for them.

There was one nagging thought that wouldn’t release her. Darius was known for his propensity to stand his ground until he got his way. To him, winning was everything and his singing career was the one thing driving him for the last two years. So, what was different now? Was he giving up something or was she? Would he resent her if he never saw his name in the credits of the silver screen?

“Are you happy, Darius?”

Before answering, he searched her face, as if she’d spoken in a different language. “Of course I am. Why do you ask?”

“Well, we’ve gone from point A to point B and I’m not sure what’s different. Have we settled anything?” She put her hand on top of his and gave him a gentle squeeze.

“I needed to make some changes. I understand that. But just so we’re on the same page, I don’t care if my fans know we’re married. I want you beside me. I’ll wind up the tour just about the time you complete the school year and I want you there with me.”

“You make it sound so simple and easy. Why did we agonize over it and almost let it tear us apart?”

She could see him searching for an answer, but he didn’t respond.

She said, “I don’t know. It wasn’t that I minded standing beside you and not being identified as your wife, but you were always gone. Lately, I spent weeks, sometimes months, without seeing you. I don’t think we can have a marriage if our main form of communication is a late night call between shows. We stopped making our marriage a priority. Once we started pretending we weren’t married in public, we forgot to reinforce our vows at home.” She was as guilty as he was. She’d allowed her resentment to chafe at their bond until there was hardly enough to hold them together.

“Now, we know better. Let’s not make the same mistakes again.” He kissed her forehead.

“I promise.” She rubbed her hand along his arm.

“Give me a chance, you’ll see.”

She nodded.

He turned his upper body to face her. “So, let me ask you. Are you happy?”

Without hesitating, she responded, “In this moment, my feet aren’t on the ground. I feel like my fairy godmother has turned the pumpkin into this Town Car and my sandals into crystal slippers and my husband into my prince. I’m a little afraid delving too deep might cause the magic to disappear.”

He pressed his lips to hers.

The car slowed at the entrance of the hotel, where the luau was taking place. She cracked the window to allow the island music to drift into the quiet interior.

“Are you ready to have a good time?” Darius asked as the car pulled to a stop.

Clint opened the door and they slid out.

“I am. Let’s do it.”

An attendant appeared and escorted them to a table near the stage and just right of the long buffet.

They took their seats at the private table and she leaned against his shoulder. The hustle and bustle of the day had drained her energy and sitting for few moments felt relaxing. Having these days with Darius’s undivided attention was like being tucked safely in a cocoon.

“This is nice.” He swayed with the music.

The smell of roasted pig and grilled meat woke up her stomach and her mouth started to water. She turned to the table laden with food.

“I haven’t eaten since we left home this morning. I’m starving. Can we eat now?” she asked Darius as she pushed away from the table, tipping over the folding chair.

He grabbed her chair before it hit the ground. “We have premium tickets. If you want to eat, then my baby eats.”

He escorted her a short distance to the forming line, several heads turned in their direction. Melissa guessed some of the patrons recognized Darius but were much too well-mannered to charge him for pictures or autographs. For a few days, she didn’t want to share her husband. She’d just gotten him back and wanted to relish the tenderness blossoming between them.

Over dinner, the ugly two years fell away. They could have been the starry-eyed twenty-year-olds on their honeymoon, unaware of all the pitfalls waiting to send them tumbling towards divorce.

Her head snapped up. She hadn’t told Darius a thing about her trip to the lawyer. A small prickle of perspiration dotted her back as a sense of uneasiness claimed her. Every time she started to bring it up, she hesitated, not wanting to end the idyllic atmosphere surrounding them. They were having such a good time. She didn’t want to taint it with the reality of how close they had actually come to the edge. Maybe in a few years, when they could think back to the rocky times and laugh about their stupidity, she would tell him about her trip to seek legal counsel about their marriage. For certain, she’d call the attorney when they returned home and ask him to burn the papers.

“Do you want something to drink?” Darius asked, bringing her thoughts back to the festivities.

“Yes, I want a pineapple drop. They’re very popular here.”

The intensity of Darius’s stare caught her off guard. “Have I told you how lucky I am to be married to you?” He kissed her and walked away without waiting for a reply.

She kept her eyes on him as he maneuvered across the large lawn to the bar. The loose-fitting shirt did nothing to conceal his well-developed body. She returned her attention to her plate while contemplating all the wicked things she could do to him when they returned to their villa.

A tall man with dark shades slipped into Darius’s seat.

“Excuse me, but—” she started.

“I’m not going to stay long. I happened to notice you from across the way. We used to work together, your first year at the university. Don’t you remember me? Rob.” He lifted his sunglasses to reveal his green eyes. But the slight bend in his nose and the blond ponytail couldn’t be mistaken.

“Rob!” she squealed. “I can’t believe I’ve run into someone I know this far from home. How are you?” She hugged him.

“I’m good. You look great.” He held her hand while observing her body.

“Where are you now?” she asked.

“Believe it or not, I just completed my medical residency in North Carolina. This is a vacation of sorts for me. A celebration.”

“Well, congratulations. I knew you’d do it.” She hugged him again. “Where’s Charlotte?” Melissa tried to peer around him.

“Unfortunately, my marriage didn’t last. She hated my residency. I was never home and we drifted apart. She drifted right into the arms of someone else.” His eyes clouded over, revealing no emotion.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It happens. She’s happier now and so am I. How about you?”

Darius interrupted their conversation by clearing his throat. He held a drink in each hand. Rob jumped up from the seat.

“Darius, this is Rob. We used to work together before he abandoned the young minds for medicine.” Melissa made the uncomfortable introductions. Darius’s lips formed a tight line. Was there a tiny, green twinkle of jealousy in his eye?

Darius placed the glasses on the table and reached for Rob’s hand. “Nice to meet you, man. So, how long ago was this?”

“It’s been—”

“About four years now. I can’t believe I ran into her.” Rob continued to smile without taking his eyes off he, as if he didn’t notice the daggers Darius shot at him.

Two weeks ago, maybe Rob’s attention would have been welcome, but now, his presence made her stomach bubble. A thin slice of tension surrounded the three of them.

“Hey, you’re Darius Bello.” Rob glanced at her. “I didn’t know you were married to this Darius. You never said.” He looked from Darius, then back to her.

“I try to keep a low profile at the University. There aren’t many people who know.” She shrugged.

“Your secret is safe with me.” He grinned.

“Rob, it’s so good to see you. Again, congratulations.” She gripped his arm and took her seat.

“Okay. Good to see you too.” Rob lingered for a moment before dodging diners with full plates as he walked away.

“So, what was that all about?” Darius asked when Rob was out of earshot.

“Nothing. Just a friend. I can’t believe I came all the way here and ran into someone who knows me.”

“The way he was gawking at you, it seemed like he knew you really well. From the way he was staring, I thought he could see through your dress.”

“Are you a little bit jealous, Darius?” She gave his shoulder a playful bump. “Now, you know how I feel.”

He lifted a brow but continued to frown.

She tipped her glass against his and took a sip. “Cheers.”