Catch My Breath (20 page)

Time, the abstract wonder that it was, taunted me with its clever little mind games. One minute it crawled, the next it sprinted. The only time I applauded it was at the airport when I said goodbye to Alastair. It came to a dead stop.

My bossy, enigmatic Englishman kept me trapped in his embrace for an eternity. When he finally let go, he gave me one gentle order: to alert him if Nathan stirred up any problems. Not wanting to bother him with that nonsense, I nodded to appease his request, but had no real intention of following through. He had his own pressures to deal with; he didn’t need mine.

I finished out the work week on a mediocre note. On Saturday, all hell broke loose.

“This is crazy," Stephanie lambasted me as she paced through her living room. “You can’t go to London.”

“I’m sorry, did I ask your permission?”

“Be smart. Take a step back and really think about this.”

"I've thought about it. I'm going." I folded my arms, glaring at her. “He offered to fly you out, too. Darren will be there.”

Stephanie muttered something under her breath. Her harsh reaction to my decision was unexpected and unwelcome.

“I have a bad feeling about it.”

“It’s a garden party, not a rave,” I refuted. “Why is this such a problem?”

“You really want to know?” she asked, focusing a laser stare at my head.

“Yeah.”

“Since the night you passed out drunk, you haven’t told me one thing about what’s going on with him. Nothing. This isn’t like you. I get that you clam up about the other one, but please don’t keep me in the dark about Alastair. I don’t want to see you fall into the same traps.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

She sighed. “You said it yourself in Scotland. This is how it started with Nathan. You fell hard for him and look what happened. You were so lost in your desperation to please him that you ignored his shitty side. You made excuses for him. I saw how he treated you. You weren’t his girlfriend, you were his trophy.”

I shook with rage, clenching my teeth so fiercely it set off jackhammers in my head.

“I am not that weak, Stephanie,” I yelled. “You have no idea what being with him was like. He knew everything I did. Everything. What was I supposed to do? He’s the senator’s son. It’s not like I could make a clean break.”

“But you did make a clean break,” she countered. “What really happened?”

I swallowed back my anger. How had this turned into a fight about Nathan? Why was he still controlling my goddam life?

“I’m done with this conversation,” I said, grabbing my keys to leave.

“That’s it, Lia. Avoid the problem. Start dating another controlling man. That will solve everything.”

Her words stung me, stopping me in mid-stride.

“This was supposed to be a fun surprise for you,” I said, shaking. “Why are you doing this?”

“Don’t you dare turn this on me. Of course I’d love to go and see Darren. That’s not the problem. Alastair isn’t even the problem. It’s you, Lia. You’re shutting me out. You have been since January.”

Dropping my keys to the floor, I cracked. All the hyper emotional craziness I’d been through the past few weeks finally took their toll. I couldn’t hold the tsunami behind my weakened barrier anymore. Stephanie’s eyes overflowed as she watched me crumble in the middle of her living room.

I make
him
feel? Look what he’s done to me.

“You’re right,” I sniffled. “You’re right.”

She ran over and yanked me into a bear hug.

“Don’t lose yourself again,” she pleaded. “I can’t take seeing you go through that with another guy.” She broke our embrace, holding me by the arms. “When I first met you, I was so impressed by how self-assured you were with everything. Especially with your career. I couldn’t be bothered with all those needy, high maintenance personalities. You’re like a breath of fresh air. You don’t put up with anyone’s shit, mostly mine.”

I laughed, although it sounded more like a seal calling out in distress.

“All those great things about you are the reasons why Nathan wanted you. I always assumed he was threatened by your strong personality and that’s why he used charm and seduction to wear you down. You’re human, Lia. You have a weakness for sultry guys who like to assert themselves. I’m not surprised. I’d never peg you to end up with a wishy-washy dude who yessed you to death.”

“Ugh, I’ve become the wishy-washy one,” I lamented, wiping my eyes.

“No, you haven’t. You just have a huge soft spot for really hot guys who have control issues.”

“Have I thanked you recently for being my friend and kicking my ass when it’s needed?”

She snorted. “Don’t thank me. Just, you know, put yourself first this time. Summon that brazen chick I met on City Walk who tore a new hole in some guy’s ass because he thought grabbing your boob was the cool way to hit on a girl.”

“I forgot about that guy.” I wrinkled my nose. “What a douche.”

“Ah, there she is,” Stephanie squealed and hugged me again. “Come on. Grab a water or something and tell me all about that hot fucking kiss in the photo.”

* * *

MONDAY

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Press Release

I’m sitting at my desk, staring at a press release about some guy who is the new CEO of Holden World Media. Do you know him? He sounds persnickety.

Lia x

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Hmm

He’s actually rather posh. I hear he drives a sexy little car and has a thing for American girls who trip over carpets.

Yours,

Alastair x

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Re: Hmm

Is that so? Sounds like he thinks quite highly of himself.

How was your weekend?

Lia x

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Mundane

It was boring. Filled with meetings and boardrooms and old men in ties. I’ve only just arrived back in Glasgow this morning. Want to come over for dessert?

Yours,

Alastair x

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Tempting

I am hungry…

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject:

They don’t feed you at work? Or do they, and you’ve been banned as a result of your voracious appetite?

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Smart-Ass

This must be that British humor I keep hearing so much about.

That’s enough out of you. I have to concentrate on my show. Isn’t it late over there? Or are you up taking over the world one media outlet at a time?

Lia x

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Saucy

I'm fairly certain you meant to say
humour
.

I’m not interested in taking over the whole world. Just yours.

Alastair x

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Not So Fast

Sticking an extra 'u' in the word only makes it look funny. It doesn't make *you* funny.

I won’t be conquered that easily. Stop emailing me. I need to finish these scripts. Talk to you tomorrow.

Lia x

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Good Night

Don’t work too hard. Please message me when you get home so I know you’ve arrived safely.

Yours,

Alastair x

TUESDAY

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Morning

I’m assuming since I never heard from you last night that you fell asleep at work. Good morning, Amelia Grace.

Yours,

Alastair x

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Comfy

For your information, I’m snuggled in my bed. I’d never sleep on that hard desk. No need to worry. Good morning, Alastair Reid.

Lia x

Sent by my DROID

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Jealous

You've just made it very difficult for me to concentrate on this very important conference call. All I can picture is you curled up under the blankets.

Yours,

Alastair xx

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Don’t Blame Me

Focus, please. I’m off to run a few errands. I’ll talk to you later.

Lia x

Sent by my DROID

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: I Can’t See You

I'm watching your live news stream online. Feel free to pop in front of the camera and wave hello.

Yours,

Alastair x

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Not A Good Show

Did you happen to catch the colorful language our meteorologist used in his toss back to the desk? Wait. Shouldn't you be watching YOUR station? What you're doing is against CEO protocol.

Lia x

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Protocol Expert

Well, Amelia Grace, you of all people should know that keeping a close eye on the competition is rather important. After observing your station's blatant disregard for language on live television (frowned upon by your FCC), I will be more than happy to instruct my employees not to follow down that path of destruction.

ARH xx

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Muppet

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Cheeky

I see your use of British slang is stuck on words you’ve already used. Need a lesson?

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: No Lesson Required

Don’t get your knickers in a twist. I know more than you think.

Lia x

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Alastair Holden

Subject: Disappointed

Knickers? The girl who knows fun British slang doesn’t know that guys don’t wear knickers?

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Relax

Don’t be such a big girl’s blouse.

Lia x

WEDNESDAY

To: Alastair Holden

From: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Hi

Hey. I was just having some lunch at my desk and wanted to check in with you. I hope you’re not offended by the big girl’s blouse comment. (Sorry) Also, I was just wondering what time we need to be at the airport tomorrow. You haven’t told me when the plane takes off.

Lia x

To: Amelia Meyers <
[email protected]
>

From: Simone Turcotte

Subject: FW: Flight Info - Meyers/Tempe - Orlando

Hello Amelia,

Mr. Holden asked me to forward you the flight information for Thursday evening. He’s been tied up in meetings all day and sends his apologies for not doing this himself.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

Simone Turcotte

Executive Assistant to Alastair Holden

Holden World Media

——Forwarded Message——

To: Holden, Alastair <
[email protected]
>

From: Grimes, Kevin <
[email protected]
>

Subject: Flight Info - Meyers/Tempe - Orlando

Depart (MCO) 02.JUNE.11

20:25

Arrive (LHR) 03.JUNE.11

11:50

Depart (LHR) 07.JUNE.11

14:10

Arrive (MCO) 07.JUNE.11

18:35

PASSENGER: Meyers, Amelia G.

D.O.B. 15.SEPT.1983

PASSPORT: USA

PASSENGER: Tempe, Stephanie A.

D.O.B. 10.AUGUST.1981

PASSPORT: USA

I’ll be flying to Orlando Wednesday. You can reach me by mobile if the itinerary changes.

Kevin

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

"Mom is going to be so jealous that you got to see the wedding pictures before her." Dayna scrolled through hundreds of proofs on her computer. "Too bad, right?" She laughed and threw an arm around my shoulders.

"I think this one is my favorite." I pointed to a photo of us in the courtyard. It was candid; not posed. Dayna had her hands on her hips, laughing. I was holding both bouquets and smiling at her. The background was dominated by the castle.