They settled on the first café they came upon—just her luck, another favorite. How could it be with so many places on the beach to choose from? As the brief feeling of bliss was replaced by melancholy, they found a shady table hidden in a corner. But she couldn’t hide from the memories.
An unexpected text from Steven Joseph brought the glow back to her face.
“Good news?” Alicia asked, setting down her menu.
“My attorney in New York said he’s brought in someone to help with the divorce. They want to get Logan served before he goes to prison.”
“That's great! So why do you sound so weird?”
Kristen lifted Alex onto her lap and began feeding him. It was a good question; one she couldn’t provide an honest answer for. Alicia sat back, her thick dark curls shimmering in the sun, her pretty, tanned face enthusiastic and vibrant.
Kristen acknowledged her with a sad smile, then sighed. “I guess I wanted him to be settled in at prison first. It sounds ridiculous, I know. How can anyone get used to being locked in a cage?”
“I'm sure Jake will be thrilled.” Alicia returned the smile.
Why hadn't that crossed her mind? Her smile died. “If I see him to tell him, maybe...”
The waitress brought their drinks and took the lunch orders, bringing a temporary pause to their conversation. Kristen burped Alex, felt his diaper to see how he was doing, and returned him to the stroller. Lost in thought, her sights roamed to the street, taking in the array of tourists and locals wandering by. When she turned back, something in Alicia's eyes and the way her body clamped up chilled her to the bone. Before she could open her mouth, she heard his voice behind her.
“Krissy! You finally came back to life!”
Her hands tightened instinctively on the stroller. Then she froze. She didn't have to see his face to know who it was. “Logan, what the hell do you want?”
He bent down next to her snickering. “Aw shit! He still looks the same. Too bad he doesn't look anything like you.”
Without tilting her head, her eyes flashed upon him. “Get lost Logan, before I call the manager!”
Alicia could see she was about to have a meltdown. “Logan, can’t you tell she doesn't want to talk to you? Are you blind or just deaf?” Standing up, Alicia held onto the table, her contempt uncontrollable.
Logan couldn’t suppress the heat rising to his face. “Who the fuck asked you?”
“Don’t talk to her like that!” Kristen’s eyes were on fire. Alicia shot a stunned look at her.
Unfazed, Logan fluffed it off with a broad grin. “What—I'm just talking to my lovely wife. What’s wrong with that?”
A moment later he sat next to Kristen, his expression changing to one of sincere compassion. Alicia grunted, returning to her seat after Kristen gave a reassuring nod.
We’re out in public, in a high traffic area. What could he possibly do? Unconvinced, Kristen remained on high alert, refusing to lift her protective shield from the baby.
After some hesitation, she found the courage to look him square in the eyes, astonished to discover the arrogance gone. Logan smiled, certain her relaxed body ensured her surrender. Satisfied, he placed his hand on hers. Letting out a loud gasp, she pried it away.
The sparkle in his eyes intensified as he slid closer to her ear, then died away as he whispered, “I know why you've been avoiding me, Krissy. I told you I was sorry. I got too wasted. It was a big mistake.”
“I didn’t even bother to read your texts, Logan.”
His shudder vibrated into her body, but she continued ignoring those eyes that tore into her flesh and the lump in her throat that threatened to choke her. With one quick jerk of her head, she moved back, before his scent became intoxicating. This time nothing he will do or say is going to affect me and make me forgive him!
“Yes, it was a big mistake! But I don't want to talk about it now. What are you doing here anyway?” Peeking over at Alicia’s sickened face, she hoped she wouldn’t lose control and vomit all over the table.
The waitress brought their salads and asked if Logan would be joining them. Her tight grip on the table slackened when he declined.
“I just finished a business meeting and was about to leave when I spotted you. It must be my lucky day. Let me make it up to you while I can.”
Repulsed, she responded by frowning. Is this meeting really just a coincidence? Or is there no limit to his madness? Since the roofie incident she couldn’t stop fretting over whether or not he was a co-conspirator. Either way, the mere fact he considered Nick a friend, sickened her.
“Have you spoken to the lawyer?” Logan sat back, his eyes never leaving he face.
She flinched, taken off guard. Which one is he talking about? He doesn’t know about the divorce yet, so it must be Micky.
“He left me a message about your plea hearing next week. You accepted it then?” Even though she knew he had, she needed to hear it from his mouth.
Although he tried to hide it, her words hit a nerve, bringing a twitch to his face. She picked up on it and subconsciously brought her hand to her chest, unnerved by the stabbing twinge it provoked.
“Yep. Guess I'll be going in pretty soon, but more than likely, not for long.”
A dark shadow fell over his face as he leaned over to press his lips to her cheek. Sensing her body tautening he purposely held them there longer than necessary, while she held her breath. Finally breaking contact, he gave her a seductive look, glanced at Alex, and started strolling away.
“Let's talk Krissy, we don't have much time.” Against her will, she tipped her head to watch him leave, disregarding the glare of Alicia’s combative eyes.
Kristen numbly whisked away a lock of hair that had fallen across her face. They finished their food in silence, the waiter cleared the table and strode off. Alicia cleared her throat, eyeballing Kristen once again.
“I’m going to tell Steven to have the divorce expedited.”
For a minute the impulsive decision stunned her as much as it did Alicia, but her determination was evident and there was no going back. Once Jake saw a copy, hopefully he’d be convinced of her love for him. Then she could lure him back home.
* * *
The damper Logan put on the afternoon, compelled them to cut it short right after lunch. Every time she allowed Logan into her head, she wanted to kill herself. Or better yet, him, for introducing Nick and all the ensuing misery into her life. For that horrible night in New York that she longed to forget and everything else he lured her into. But the most powerful reason of all, for making her fall in love with him in the first place.
Thank God, he’ll be locked up and out of my life. Now all I have to do is snuff out my feelings for him permanently, get Jake back and everything will be perfect.
By the time they returned to the house and put Alex down, the uneasiness had let up. The time was ripe for Kristen to get everything off of her chest and Alicia wasn’t willing to leave until she did.
“What did he do this time Kris? I have a feeling it's really bad.”
Kristen pondered her question. How much should I reveal? More criticism and judgment will send me over the edge.
But once she started, every detail came pouring out of her like raging rapids. Muted by revulsion and disbelief, Alicia’s mouth hung open. The intensity of her reaction dispirited Kristen even more.