The Trouble With Snowmen (15 page)

Chapter 31

Larry woke in his own bed in his house in The Woodlands. Since he had things he needed to check on, and it was closer than the apartment, he’d decided to come home last night after the horror fest.

He used the bathroom and then went to the kitchen to make his coffee. The industrial kitchen had stainless steel appliances and countertops, which he didn’t use much, except for the microwave. He wondered if Haley cooked. She did offer to make his breakfast, he thought with a grin. Something he looked forward to learning about her.

He stepped out onto his deck where he enjoyed most of his mornings, sitting next to the pool with his laptop, reading his email. But as he did this today, it felt wrong. He took a sip of his coffee, staring out into the yard instead of his laptop. After a spell out on the road, usually the best thing in the world was getting back home, his sanctuary he’d built a few years ago. He had bought two acres and put his house smack dab in the middle. The perimeter had six-foot fences, and if he could have gotten away with it, it would’ve had a moat with alligators.

His house wasn’t a mansion, but it was comfortable and about double the size of the multiplex. A nice portion were guest quarters. He’d planned on inviting his family to stay but somehow had never gotten around to it. His mom, dad, and two older sisters and their families lived in Austin, and it was just easier to visit them. He could leave when he wanted to and didn’t have to kick anyone out when he’d had enough of people.

So what the hell was the matter with him now? This was his time to relax, his ritual that he loved. Now he felt kind of lonely. He missed Haley. The past couple of weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions. And now he couldn’t imagine his life the way it had been before. He wanted her there, beside him, drinking coffee, relaxing by the pool, talking and laughing the way they had yesterday. She was so easy-going and had even opened up about her phobias like they’d known each other for years. And that was how he felt around her, like he could share his secrets, his desires, his fears. He’d never felt so comfortable around anyone in his life.

Larry felt like he had gone for a swim as he trudged sluggishly back inside the house, coffee cold, thinking about having to leave on tour in a couple of days. He needed to go pack, one of the reasons he’d decided to come home last night. He’d figured he would get all of his packing finished today, make some calls, check over his tour schedule, and then make an appearance at Brenda’s party. After that, his schedule would be clear, and he would be able to spend the rest of the evening with Haley.

He picked up his phone to call her. He would let her know his plans. Besides, he wanted to hear all about the séance he’d hated to miss. Had they seen his ghost? Were they able to help her? He also couldn’t wait to hear Haley’s voice. And he did, but only because his call had gone to voice mail.

As he hung up, he thought about how wonderful it would be to have her on tour with him.

“What was that?” He shook his head. How could he ask her to stop everything to be with him? True, she didn’t have a job to hold her back. But she did plan on going with Maximilian. She absolutely looked good in clothes . . . and out of them. Even though it could be really great for her, he felt himself lose steam again.

No telling when they would get to see each other again if they went their separate ways. He would be on tour for six months, and Haley had no idea how long she’d be gone. He didn’t want to be without her that long. He wondered if she would even consider coming with him instead. She could be his photographer.

He walked into his cozy living room with a fireplace that he never used and snapped on the television. Was he actually thinking about asking a woman to be with him all the time? What happened to his solitude that he loved so much? He actually knew the answer. It left as soon as he’d met Haley. He’d never been with a woman who he thought would even entertain such a notion of leaving everything behind on a whim or even been with a woman who he would want to be with all the time.

He wanted that more than anything. He wanted Haley with him all the time! Being with Haley was unlike anything he had ever had with any other woman: a mix of desire, comfort, connection, lust, and . . . love.
Love
. There, he’d thought it. A word that hadn’t meant much to him before Haley. Sure, he had thrown it around as dialogue, putting words in his character’s mouths that didn’t translate to a feeling in his brain. Love. That had to be what he felt for Haley because there was no other way to explain how miserable yet perfect she made him feel.

He was ready to give Haley his heart. Why not ask if she’d run away with him for a few months? He smiled. Yes, he was so ready for this new exciting adventure in his life. He couldn’t wait to see Haley so he could ask her.

Chapter 32

On Haley’s way to work, she dug into her purse for her phone. She wanted to check and see if Larry had called. “Crap.” In her haste to get to work, she’d forgotten it.

She’d woken up late because she stayed up late, finishing up the photos she had started before she got lost in Larry, and then she helped Maximilian, and then they had the séance.

Staying up late had been worth it though. She had slipped the picture of Regina and Scott at their party, when Regina had looked so happy, under Regina’s door before she went on to bed. Haley’s going-away present for Regina.

It made Haley think about the conversation she had with Larry about her being a full-time photographer. She wondered why she’d never thought of it before. Because she needed money, that was why. But now, after talking to her mom about everything, she really did feel like she could do and be whoever she wanted to be, even if that meant wife, mommy, and part-time photographer.

She’d taken a quick shower that morning, dressed, and was out the door in fifteen minutes. Her hair was up in a wet bun and no makeup, but at least she brushed her teeth. She had no phone, and she was pretty sure it wouldn’t have mattered because she had no idea where it was, therefore, it most likely wasn’t even charged.

“Brenda is going to kill me,” she said as she drove into the parking garage located far away from her office because it was late and everything closer to the building was full. She had to run five blocks, and by the time she made it inside the elevator, her feet were dead.

She ran down the hall, barefoot, to her office and sat behind her desk. She looked at her desk clock, nine-thirty. Wow. Really late! She waited for Brenda to come out of her office, which was right behind her desk, to re-fire her. However, after ten minutes and no boss, Haley became curious.

She inched her way around in her swivel chair, and then moved that way and this way, trying to see through the glass office door.

“Haley!”

Haley almost fell out of her chair. Brenda stood there with her hands on her hips. “Looking for someone?”

“I, uhh.” Haley sat back up in her seat. “Good morning?”

Brenda actually smiled. “It is, isn’t it? I’m sorry I’m late, but I had a very long, tiring night. If you know what I mean.” Brenda winked at her and then went inside her office.

“Whew.” Haley relaxed. What luck! Brenda had gotten to work late too and in a good mood because she’d gotten lucky. Awe-some.

The day went well, pleasant even, for the first time ever.

Brenda reminded Haley, a couple of times, not to forget the party and not to be late. Seven sharp. Brenda liked her parties. She had one about once a month.

Haley had started working at Kickers at the same time she’d started here, so that meant she worked most evenings and on the weekends and hadn’t been able to attend many of Brenda’s parties. At least this time, she would be able to go, which Haley thought was good, since she felt that this was a new beginning. Brenda seemed to be making an effort to be friendly. All things considered, Haley believed she’d made the right decision to stay.

Despite the pleasantness of the day, by the end of it, all she wanted was to go home and spend time with Larry. So as soon as she got home, she went straight to Larry’s apartment. At least she had an excuse. She had to find her phone. She knocked and peeked in, but it seemed empty. She let herself in and, sure enough, her phone was dead on the couch. So it goes.

If he got home before her dinner at Brenda’s, Haley would invite him to be her date. But just in case he didn’t come home until after she’d left, she jotted down a note and left it on his desk. So now, hopefully, he’d either join her at Brenda’s or be waiting on her when she got home later tonight.

She went back to her apartment and put her phone on the charger and then began to get ready. Brenda had said casual. She wondered what Brenda’s
casual
meant. Well, boots and jeans were her casual.

Haley finished getting ready by taking her hair out of the bun and let the waves fall where they may, mussing them with her fingers and giving them a little spritz of hairspray. She put a dab of makeup on her cheeks and lips and was out the door.

As she drove toward Brenda’s apartment, she fantasized about what it would be like if she were Larry’s wife and they were invited to parties all the time. She wondered what he preferred more, a fancy dinner party or having a quiet night at home with a movie. She guessed the latter but looked forward to finding out. She looked forward to discovering everything about Larry.

Chapter 33

Brenda greeted Haley with, “Don’t you look so country pretty.”

“Thank you.” Haley wondered how Brenda had had time to get her hair swept up in a perfect up-do. She was also confused by Brenda’s strapless, maroon cocktail dress. “I thought you said casual . . .”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s your party, you should be comfortable.”

The apartment seemed different now. The mood, the lighting, even the smell had changed. The scent of Brenda’s perfume, of her office at work, surrounded Haley. She had no doubt as to whose apartment she stood in now. “Am I early? You said seven, right?”

Brenda sashayed over to the couch Haley had spent the night on and sat down on the edge. “Sure. Sit, sit down. I’m so glad you came.”

Haley sat down on the spot close to the one Brenda patted. Brenda’s stare was so intense, Haley looked away. It felt weird. Awkward.

“Thanks for inviting me.”

“Something about you has changed,” Brenda said. “There’s this glow.”

There is now, Haley thought, as she felt her cheeks flush. Stupid cheeks.

“So something
has
changed. You look like a woman in love. Are you in love with someone, Haley?”

“I, uh . . .” Haley felt blindsided. What a strange direction to take the conversation.

“You’re scared of me.”

Haley glanced at Brenda, not sure if that had been a question or not. She stopped wringing her hands when she realized that was what she was doing. She didn’t have to answer one way or another because Brenda kept talking.

“I guess I can’t blame you. I mean, you see me at work, but I’m different when I’m not there. I have to be tough for that business, you know. If I want to be taken seriously, I have to be a bitch.”

“Right.”

Brenda eyebrows crinkled inward. “I was hoping we could become friends, but I guess I’m not very good at this.” She stood up and put her hand on her chest. “I didn’t mean to pry. I don’t have many friends who are women. I’m sorry. I guess I crossed the line. I thought that this was what girlfriends do, talk about their love lives.”

It would be so wonderful if she could get along with her boss. They were close to the same age, and Brenda and Larry were good friends.
Maybe I’m the one being rude
. Brenda had put herself out there, trying to be friendly. “No, no, you’re fine. I’m sorry. I’m just a little surprised. I mean, you’re my . . . I’m not used to . . . yes, well, I don’t know about love.”

Brenda sat down. “No?” She shook her head. “I read people pretty well, it’s kind of my job, and by the looks of you, I’d say you were.”

Haley shrugged and smiled. This was all too new not to be awkward. Why just the other day, Brenda had called her an incompetent slut.

“Is it someone I know? It’s not that new intern, Becker, is it? He’s hot. If you don’t claim him, I might.” And she laughed. “Well, is it him?”

Haley shook her head.

“Don’t keep me in suspense. Who is it?”

It popped into Haley’s mind that this might be a test to see if she would tell the truth. Obviously, Brenda had talked to Larry because Brenda had given her job back because of him. She felt a little thrill as she wondered if Larry had told Brenda that they were in love. So was Brenda just seeing if she could be truthful? “Larry,” Haley whispered. “Larry White.”

“There now, was that so hard to admit?” Brenda stood up and walked over to a small tray on wheels that had been made into a mini bar. She opened up a glass carafe. “Does he love you?”

“We haven’t got that far.” Despite her attempts to stay neutral, that happy feeling took over her entire body, and she felt her smile build and she couldn’t hold it back once it had escaped. “But I think so. I think maybe that’s why he talked to you on my behalf. See, I was supposed to go with my friend, Maximilian, to Dallas because he’s going to be on that new designer reality show,
Catwalk Wars
, and I was going to be his model. If he wins, I was going to get $50,000! I think Larry wanted me to stay to see what this is. And that’s why I accepted the job back, not that I don’t like it. It’s just that what I and Larry have is magical. There’s no putting a price on that. You know. I’m sorry, I’m going on and on.”

Brenda brought a glass of what looked like whiskey to Haley.

“Isn’t that perfect,” Brenda said and then hit her glass against Haley’s. “Here’s to love.” She gulped the drink down before Haley had a chance to put her glass to her lips.

Brenda gave Haley that crazed expression again. Not her normal, squinty-eyed, where-is-my-report expression either. Brenda held her gaze, steady, unblinking, like she was trying to read Haley’s mind. A staring contest, one which Brenda won easily. Haley looked to the floor. Something was off. Thankfully, the doorbell rang.

Haley recognized the lawyers from the office as they arrived with their wives and husbands. They all wore black tie outfits, jewels, and fancy hair-dos. She steadied her breathing as she was introduced, or more like announced as each person entered the apartment. “You remember my secretary, Haley Monroe.” Everyone politely shook her hand and told her how cute she looked.

After a few minutes, Brenda wrapped her arm in Haley’s as she pulled, walked, and talked. “Hey, I need some help in the kitchen. Would you mind?”

They had made it to the kitchen entrance when Haley asked, “What do you mean?”

“I don’t have anyone to serve the hors d'oeuvres. It would mean so much to me if you could help me out. The person who was supposed to show up flaked, and I don’t have anyone else. I couldn’t very well ask any of my guests. Please, Haley, I will be forever in your debt.”

Haley shrugged, wanting to say, “You said I was the guest of honor.” But then she thought that if she’d been at Regina’s and Regina had asked her to help, she wouldn’t have been all indignant about it. That’s
what friends did. They helped each other out in jams. She would kind of be like her co-host. “Okay, sure.”

“Here.” Brenda went inside the kitchen and opened a pantry door, handing Haley an apron. “I wouldn’t want anything to get on your sweet little outfit.”

Was that a sneer?

A lady, the caterer, worked in the kitchen. She bounced around in a hurry and didn’t even glance at Haley, just handed her a tray and told her to get it out to the guests.

Haley had the tray in her hand, all filled with yucky caviar on little wheat crackers. She rounded the corner and stopped when she heard Larry’s name.

“We had such a wonderful time at the Marriott last night,” Brenda said. “But Larry is what I call a snowman. Y’all know the type. They romance you for a while and then as soon as you say anything that might make them think you want a long term relationship, they melt.”

The tray began to shake in Haley’s hands, but she held on to it for dear life.

Brenda continued. “Last night, I didn’t care because it was magical.” Her eyes cut to Haley. “Oh Haley, don’t just stand there, bring those over to my guests.”

Haley’s legs obeyed but her head had begun to swoon.

“Haley knows Larry. Don’t you, Haley? They have such a funny story about how they met. Why don’t you tell us?”

Everyone looked at Haley agreeing, amused, and waiting to hear her interesting story. “Yes,” they were saying, “Tell us.”

Haley’s head reacted with a slight spin. Tell them their funny story? Brenda had been talking about
her
Larry. Did she say they spent the night together at the Marriott? Last night? Earlier Brenda had said something about how she’d had an exhausting evening, insinuating she’d had a hot night of sex. Had she meant with Larry?

“The funny story,” Brenda urged. “We’re all waiting to hear.” Brenda took the tray from Haley and set it on the table.

“We met at a séance,” Haley whispered.

As Haley thought about the next part of the story, she was pretty sure it would make her look like an idiot. And she was pretty sure that was the outcome Brenda expected. “That’s how we met. That’s it.”

“She’s so shy,” Brenda said. “Isn’t she adorable? It’s okay, I’ll tell the rest. You see, Haley’s boyfriend dumped her and so Haley decided to go find someone to have sex with, kind of like revenge sex. And the person she targeted just so happened to be Larry White.”

The guests really liked the story now. “Oh my,” they were saying. And, “Wow, are you serious?”

Haley tried to take deep breaths without anyone knowing, especially Brenda. Had Larry told Brenda everything? Had they been laughing behind her back the whole time? Was this payback for the snowman thing?

“Yes,” Brenda said. “But she didn’t know who Larry was, and that’s not the best part. Get this, he thought she was a prostitute, because she acted like such a slut. That didn’t stop him because he happened to be writing a book about a hooker and needed to study one for his book.” Brenda winked. “
Research
is what he called it.”

The crowd loved this part of the story. They laughed and made inaudible comments.

Haley tried to tune it all out. She wanted to burst out in tears, but she didn’t, she wouldn’t. She felt it bubbling at her mouth though, and her throat burned from the tension of holding everything in.

“In the end, poor Haley here had fallen victim to the terminal bachelor.”

Haley cringed inside but kept it together when Brenda actually rubbed her arm.

“The poor thing fell in love and thinks he loves her too. I’ve known Larry for years and years and, well, let’s just say he’s good for a lot of things but not a long term relationship.”

This part got some sympathy. Everyone wore concerned faces. “Oh no,” they said.

Haley could no longer control her emotions, her eyes were closed, and hot tears rolled down her face.

This caused everyone to really pour on the “You poor dear,” and “That bastard.”

The doorbell rang, and Brenda finally left her side to go open the door.

In walked Larry White.

Everyone stopped talking, turned, and looked at him, forgetting “the poor Haley”, and treated Larry like the celebrity he was.

Haley stared at him through her tears and through the crowd.

Larry looked expensive, sophisticated, and totally out of her league. This was his crowd, and he seemed very much at home here at Brenda’s. He wore an obviously tailored, fitted black suit, a gray shirt, and a shiny gray tie. His hair was slicked back, and he carried a bottle of wine. “Am I late?” he asked with a gleaming smile, as if he stepped out of one of those spy movies.

He glanced around, shaking this one and that one’s hand, and then he spotted her. At first he frowned and cocked his head to the side, and then his eyes widened before a wide smile unzipped across his lips.

He made his way toward her, even though the other guests still greeted him.

Haley’s body shook, and she didn’t know how much longer she would be able to stand upright.

“Haley,” he said once he stood right in front of her, and his smile faded. “What’s wrong? What are you doing here? Why are you wearing an apron? Are you crying?”

She crawled within herself and wanted to crawl out of the apartment. Larry’s voice sounded muffled. He did seem concerned, though, like it was all a surprise to him. More deception? What kind of game was this? All she knew for sure was that she didn’t want to look at him. She didn’t want to be there. She had to get out of there now! She headed toward the door.

Larry stopped Haley by stepping in front of her, holding her arms and making her look at him. “Haley? What’s going on? I tried to call you. Did Brenda say something to you?”

Did she say something to her? What? Had he now got the picture that he’d been found out? That the game was over? The anger began to seep over the hurt. “Did you sleep with her?” she whispered. The room had gone quiet. Everyone had heard, but she didn’t care anymore. She’d been humiliated to her fullest already.

Larry’s eyebrows were scrunch tight together, and he licked his lips. “I don’t know what’s going on?” He turned from her.

What was he doing? Searching for his lover, Brenda?

“Did you?” she insisted, feeling almost drunk with despair.

Larry looked back at her, his face already screaming the answer, and her tears still streamed, fast and furious, down her face.

Larry’s gaze shifted to the floor. “When?”

Haley yanked away and then pushed her way through the black-ties and diamonds as fast as she could.

Larry called after her, and as much as she wanted to stop and have him catch up to say, “No, Brenda’s a lying bitch,” she wasn’t positive that was the truth, and she couldn’t handle any more truth right now.