Crossroad to Love (Fab Five Series)

chapter 5

Marianne stepped into the luxurious suite at the Prava. Everything was perfect, the hotel had followed her instruction to the letter. This was going to be one big week-long slumber party with her best friends, just like the old days. She was so glad Lizzie had thought of it. She made sure there were soft drinks in the fridge, wine, coffee, and snacks. She had ordered a box of expensive chocolates and had fresh-cut flowers sitting in a ceramic floral vase on the gleaming cherry desk. They had all been chocoholics in the old days. The girls are going to love this place. Preparing for their arrival had given her something to do to get her mind off her troubles. She could not wait to see the ‘Fab Four’ again. She was determined to have a good time this week, and face her problems next week, when a decision would finally have to be made.

She had to decide whether to confront Jon, wait for him to confront her, or to pretend nothing was wrong and hope the affair ended soon. He had been so attentive that morning. His kiss had started out quite passionately, in fact. If she had not pulled away, it might have gone further. Has he ended it with the other woman? He had told Mari not to worry about him and Jordan. He was planning a guy’s night out with Jordan. He was acting like everything was normal in their household, like nothing was going on. Jon was acting like the perfect husband that everyone thought him to be. Could she actually get her hopes up that it was a mere fling and that Jon had come to his senses? Or could he be that good an actor, and was waiting until after her week with her friends to lower the boom and tell her he was leaving her for the young lab tech? Marianne was more confused than ever. She cracked open a bottle of her favorite red wine from the bottles she had stocked the liquor cabinet with, poured it into one of the crystal glasses she found, and sat down on the comfortable burnt orange sofa to enjoy it while she waited for Ang, Liz, and Kate to arrive. I might as well start the party early, she thought to herself. It will relax me before they all get here.

I wonder what they will want to do first. Lizzie had brainstormed the idea of the trip but since they had decided on Dallas, Marianne had volunteered to take care of the entertainment arrangements. There is always shopping at the Galleria. They would love that. The symphony isn’t too far from here, either. She would just play it by ear and see if they were more interested in gallivanting around town or staying in and visiting most of the time. She poured another glass of wine and sank back against the oversized pillows on the couch. The girls should be arriving within the hour.

Meanwhile, in St. Louis, Angie stepped off the plane, walked to the main area of the airport and looked around to see which direction she needed to go to meet Lizzie and Katy when her cell rang. She did not recognize the number, but touched the screen and said, “Hello, this is Angela.”

“My, my, aren’t we formal this morning?” It was Michael! “Take a girl to dinner at a romantic restaurant and she goes from Angie to Angela overnight. Bad for the male ego, Angie, darling.”

“Sorry, Michael, I didn’t recognize the number, thought it might be business.”

Apology accepted. I take it you made your flight on time.”

“Yes, I just landed in St. Louis to meet Lizzie and Katy. We are flying on to Dallas together from here and I need to meet them soon. We wanted to have lunch before our flight leaves. So to what do I owe the honor of this call?” Her heart was racing.

“Well, business, in a way. I forgot to get the name of the hotel you’ll be staying at in Dallas in case I need to get a hold of you about the project while you are gone.”

“Can’t you just call my cell?”

“Well, Miss Prim and Proper, yes, I can call your cell obviously. But I like to have a second number just in case.”

Guess he thought I was being just a little bit sarcastic, Angie thought to herself as she grinned.

“I don’t really have the number handy, but I can give you the name of the hotel. It’s the Prava on the north side of Dallas.”

“Okay, got it. You have a good week now. And thanks for the info.” With that, he hung up, leaving Angie to wonder what that call was really about.

He certainly cut the conversation short after he had gotten the information he wanted, short and sweet. Oh, well, I don’t have time to worry about that now, she thought as she put her cell back in her bag and looked around for the place she had planned to meet Lizzie and Katy. She got her bearings and rushed to meet them. They were both already there when she arrived.

After hugs all around, Katy said, “We were beginning to worry about you. What delayed you?”

Should I tell them? Why not, it will be good for a laugh.

“I had a phone call just as I was getting off the plane. It was a business associate. His name is Michael Gray.”