Page 38 of Pity Present
She answers easily. “I want someone that I enjoy spending time with. You know, a man who can zipline as well as carry on an interesting conversation.” Oh yeah, she’s talking about me.
Hoping to lessen her interest, I ask, “Is his career important to you?”
She looks thoughtful. “I hadn’t really considered that. Isuppose if he makes enough money to pay for his life, that’s all that matters.”
“Yeah, but you want to make sure he’s going to be capable of more than mere survival, don’t you?”
“I guess. But dreams are important, too.” She takes hold of my arm and squeezes it. “Like your dream of being a novelist. I think that’s cool.”
“Ifit happens,” I tell her. “What if I’m destined to do nothing more than make coffee for the rest of my life?” I hated this assignment when I got it, but I’m starting to really resent Gillian. I don’t want to give women the wrong impression as to why I’m here. Yet the long and short of it is, that’s the only impression I can give them if I’m to maintain anonymity so I can write about them.
Unaware of the conflict coursing through me, Krista suggests, “You could always start your own business and become the boss.” Releasing my arm, she adds, “I just teach kindergarten. It’s not like I’m destined to be the head of a Fortune 500 company.”
“That’s a refreshing attitude,” I tell her while turning left and walking out the double doors that lead to the outside spa area. The jacuzzi has been built against a rugged rock backdrop that gives the illusion it’s a natural hot spring in the mountains.
After dropping my robe on a nearby chair, I follow the narrow path that leads toward the entrance. Krista does the same. With her arms wrapped around herself, she shivers. “It’s freezing out here!”
“Which is part of the fun. Have you ever done the ice dunk?”
“A hot tub dunk is more my speed.”
“Let’s do this,” I say while submerging myself in water that feels like it’s practically boiling. The frigid outside air has a way of making the heat feel much more intense than it really is.
By the time Krista gets in, I spot two other couples approaching who had the same idea we did. One of them is Molly’s ex, Kyle. He’s with a woman I haven’t met yet. The other duo is Olivia, of all people, along with the guy I teased Molly about getting together with. I think his name was Ronald.
As soon as they’re within greeting distance, I call out, “Welcome!” Krista looks less than pleased by the interruption.
Kyle says, “Hey, Blake.” He gestures toward the woman with him. “This is Heather.” That signals the start of introductions being made all around.
Everyone seems nice enough except for Olivia who appears to have taken offense at my very existence. “It’s you.” Her tone is full of loathing. Glancing at Krista, she adds, “I see you’ve met someone more to your liking.”
Olivia doesn’t seem to possess a governor in her brain that keeps unpleasant thoughts from pouring out of her mouth. Krista looks nervous, as I think we all are, so I tell Krista, “Olivia is a pet psychic. Isn’t that interesting?”
“It is!” Krista sounds genuinely intrigued. Turning to Olivia, she adds, “What a fascinating job.” Olivia grunts in response.
Turning my attention to Kyle, I say, “It looks like you’re enjoying yourself.” The woman he’s with is average height with dark hair and blue eyes. It occurs to me that Kyle might have a type.
While the rest of the group gets to know each other, Kyle leans toward me and asks, “Have you seen Molly?”
“We went zip-lining today,” I tell him.
“Did she talk about me?”
“Um, no. Were you expecting her to?”
He shrugs. “I guess not. I just can’t stop thinking about her.”
“Kyle.” I say his name with a cautionary tone. “It might be best if you did.”
“You don’t think it’s possible she’ll give me a second chance?”
“You left her for another woman. What do you think?”
He hems and haws for a moment, before saying, “It’s just that we already know each other and we get along …”
“You left her,” I remind him.
“Are you interested in her for yourself?” he wants to know.
