CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The sound of the wedding march being played on a grand piano drifted faintly through the hotel lobby. It was two hours until the ceremony and preparations were in full swing, with caterers rushing to and fro and a band rehearsal taking place in the lounge.
Val nearly collided with a florist delivery on her way out of the elevator. Her heels darted deftly to the side, as she searched the crowd of formally-attired guests for a certain lean build and dark hair.
Knocking on Riley’s door–repeatedly and with great energy–had proved futile that morning. Which meant he either wasn’t there or simply wasn’t interested in accepting her apology.
She hoped it was the former, though last night’s trick with the lamp told her otherwise. She had hurt him and, in a strange way, it made her frantic to think she had done so. In her mind, the hurt upon Riley's face when he witnessed her kiss had taken a different form.
Was it possible that he was disappointed by the thought that she had feelings for someone else? It seemed incredible, given how little time they had known each other. Even the gentleness in his voice that night on the dance floor, the kiss they shared, might only have been another attempt to make her feel attractive.
Someone touched her arm and Val turned to confront a smiling Heather. Still dressed in her casual clothes, she carried a large bouquet of roses that suggested the groom had been on an errand of his own amidst the wedding chaos.
Her free arm pulled Val into a quick hug. “It was you, wasn't it?” she asked.
Val hesitated. Then she nodded. "It was," she said. "I'm sorry. You deserved the chance to answer back then."
Heather's smile softened a little. "Maybe if you hadn't done it, we wouldn't be here," she said. "I think I owe you a thank-you for that one."
Heather’s attention was drawn away by someone frantically waving her towards the elevator. A bridesmaid, judging from the shortened tulle dress with matching gloves.
“See you at the ceremony!” Heather promised. All but jumping up and down as the elevator doors slid shut on her excitement.
Val glanced inside the lounge, seeing only a handful of patrons scattered throughout the bar and seating area. The dining area and ballrooms were cordoned off for wedding preparations, ruling out the only other likely places.
Back upstairs, she paused to rap on his door again. Her ear pressed to the wood, as she strained to hear any faint movement beyond.
He had a right to avoid her, to stay mad forever if he chose. A fact that thoroughly depressed her, a sigh escaping her lips as she unlocked her own room.
Stepping inside, her foot slid against something lying just across the threshold. A piece of paper was folded into a square, the name Valarie printed in perfectly symmetrical handwriting.
Something made her hesitate to unfold it, her eyes studying the letters with quiet dread.
“Dear Val,
Don’t read this if you’ve already decided to make things work with Jason. Because if you’re happy, then you don’t need to ruin it by reading about someone else’s problem (and I know how you feel about those).
If you’re still reading though, think about this:
I love you.
This isn’t a lie, I promise, though you shouldn’t need ample proof of that. I’ve been kidding myself to think I wanted to help you win over this crowd or win anyone else’s heart. Even if it started out that way, it didn’t last because I’ve done everything I could to sabotage your romance and make people think I'm the luckiest boyfriend on the planet.
You’re probably feeling sorry for me right now, and kind of worried that I’m an obsessed stalker. Don’t be–I’ve already left.”
“What?” She gasped, her heart seeming to stop. Eyes scanning the last part with a sense of urgency.
“I want you to know that I’m not bitter about that last conversation in the lounge. What you said hurt, but only because it was partly true. Music is my passion, not software, and you helped me see that.
What I said to you was true also. Some things can't be avoided, no matter how we try. Like my being attracted to someone as great as you.
As of Monday, I’m going to be as courageous as you and pursue my destiny. I’m handing in my resignation at Solar Systems–they can keep the big client, all I want is a radio booth.”
That was it.
Except for the pain that filled her chest, the sense of longing she couldn’t deny a second longer. The letter fluttered to the floor as Val turned and ran down the hall.
*****
“Checked out? But when?”
Val leaned across the reception desk, straining for a view of the computer screen. As the hostess stroked fingers over a keyboard to reveal a list of names and times. “Mr. Cohen departed fifteen minutes ago.”
Then there was still time to catch him, perhaps, if she knew where to look. “Did he mention anything…leave any message behind? An address for lost items, maybe?”
A stupid sounding question, the clerk making it plain she felt so too. Her expression was pinched as she said, “No message. If it helps, he asked for walking directions to the nearest bus stop.”
He didn’t take the car? Of course he didn’t. The keys were still in her bag, which, thankfully, hung from her shoulder at this moment.
“Where is the bus stop?” Val demanded. Clinging to the desk as a pair of newly arrived customers tried to inch her aside.
“Three miles,” the desk clerk informed her dryly. “On South Eighty.”
Val ran through the parking lot as swiftly as her high heels allowed. Glancing wildly round for the rented Mercury Marquis as she turned in half-circles. It seemed ages since she parked it, her memory leading her down two wrong rows.
Until she spotted it–right behind the loading zone. A florist van and two catering trucks blocking the path to freedom.
They would have to move. Immediately.
She turned blindly in the direction of the hotel, nearly colliding with a tall figure in a tuxedo. The groom’s hands reached to study her with a touch that held neither the brusqueness nor tenderness of the last few days.
His mouth formed a sheepish smile as he spoke. “Just the person I’m looking for. To apologize that is. You really saved me, Val. Really. Until I talked to you, I didn't realize how much I loved her.”
“I’m glad. Really glad," she answered. She couldn't disguise her flustered feelings, even in front of Jason's warmth. “But Jason, I have to go somewhere right now. It’s an emergency and I can’t get my car out–”
“Take mine,” he offered, in a tone that suggested her problem was the simplest in the world. Automatically feeling for the keys before absently snapping his fingers. “I forgot–the best man has it. He just left to pick up my parents at the airport.”
Despair flooded her, along with a feeling the universe was against her. Fate and destiny saved one relationship, only to squash another to even the score.
“Great,” she moaned, burying her face in despair. “Riley’s gone and now I can't even tell him…” She paused. "I can't even tell him how I truly feel," she finished.
“Listen,” said Jason, digging through his pockets, “I can’t get you a car but you’re welcome to take the bike. If you know how to handle it, that is.”
Val stared at the keys he plopped in her hand. Her eyes following his motion to a nearby parking space, where a green motorbike gleamed in the sun. Sleek and sporty, with a “Just Married” sign and tin cans affixed to the back.
Drive a motorbike? In heels and a formal dress?
“Ever ride one?” he asked, doubt lacing his voice.
She nodded. “A few times. My dad owned one for awhile.”
As in two months, in which Val had gone for a spin a handful of times, squealing for most of the duration. And that was just riding in the back yard.
Glancing from the keys to the bike, Val sucked in a breath. “Does it come with a helmet?”