The Ultimate Betrayal (16 page)

“She is going to pee her pants when you tell her that you plan on taking me to the islands and you booked a flight tomorrow to arrive at Rosario at half past noon.” Joy laughed.

“Do you think Sophia will really get to rest while taking her nap?” Rachel asked.

Joy shrugged. “Doubtful. This whole thing is really taking an emotional toll on her. She’s going to need a real vacation once this is finished. I might have to call her boss and fill her in on what’s happening so that she arranges for someone to complete the semester for Sophia.”

“Are you ready to have some fun?” Rachel asked.

“You bet your sweet ass, I am. And you do have a sweet ass, I might add,” Joy quipped.

“I’m ignoring that comment. You have to be quiet. No snickering or anything because I’m going to put the call on speaker, okay?”

“Sure, sure. No problem,” Joy responded.

“Oh,
lookee
here, missed call from Lara.” Rachel laughed.

Rachel pushed the button on her favorites list to call Lara.

“Hi, babe, how’s New York?” Rachel asked.

Joy made a face and Rachel shook her finger in warning.

“Lonely without you,” Lara responded.

Joy stuck her finger in her mouth and pantomimed the universal gagging sign.

Rachel slapped her hand across her mouth to keep from laughing and managed to squeak out, “Hey, listen, I was talking to Joy and she mentioned she’d always wanted to visit the San Juan Islands, so I made us a reservation on the eleven o’clock float plane tomorrow. Remember, I wanted to visit there anyway. You didn’t seem very excited about the location, so I thought I would take advantage of Joy’s interest in going to the islands. That way, we can go wherever you want after you get back. It sounded like you might want to take a trip overseas.”

Rachel could hear the strain in Lara’s voice as she carefully responded.

“That’s kind of a long way to go for a short weekend. I didn’t mean to suggest that Rosario wouldn’t be a good place for us to visit together. I’d like us to make that trip since Rosario is a romantic getaway place that’s more suited to couples. Why don’t you cancel and I’ll make reservations for us to go there in a few weeks after I get this emergency taken care of?” Lara countered.

“Nonsense. I know a lot of friends at work that go to the islands to just hang out and relax. I heard Rosario has an amazing spa. Hey listen, I
gotta
go, Joy is going to be here any minute now. Don’t work too hard, baby. Love
ya
, bye.” Rachel pressed the end button before Lara had a chance to respond and offer another counter argument.

Joy rolled in the bed in a fit of giggles. “I’ll bet she’s looking for a way to get to Victoria as soon as they wake up tomorrow.”

“Right about now she’s pacing and trying to decide whether it’s in her best interest to call me back and try to convince me to cancel, or to make other arrangements for her romantic getaway with Sophia. I sure wish I were a fly on the wall to witness her angst. Just in case she makes an attempt to call, I’m turning off my phone. Let her wonder what we’re doing tonight,” Rachel stated.

“Do you think she’ll check to see if you made the reservations?” Joy asked.

“No, she wouldn’t have any reason to believe I didn’t.”

“You know, I’m
kinda
glad we’re going to Victoria tomorrow instead. I really have wanted to make a trip there. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the city. Although, Rosario sounds like a lot of fun, as well. Maybe another time. Are you interested in heading to the Wild Rose tonight?” Joy asked.

“No, I want to get a good night’s rest. This tormenting thing is exhausting.” Rachel giggled.

“Maybe I’ll give Bonnie a call. She was a lot of fun.”

“Go right ahead, but make sure you’re ready to go at ten tomorrow and I’m not responsible for whatever state you’re in. However, if you hurl in that floatplane, I’ll kick your ass when we touch down. They’re nothing more than a tiny little sardine can with wings and the smell will cause a sympathy response from me. I refuse to puke right along with you when I haven’t been out carousing the night before,” Rachel warned.

“Spoilsport. Fine, I’ll limit my alcohol intake to two drinks. I don’t need alcohol to have a good time. Sex, yes. Alcohol, no.” Joy smirked.

“Ten o’clock, Joy and you better be ready to go.”

“I seem to recall that you are the chronically late type, not me,” Joy retorted.

“Good point. I better set my alarm for an hour earlier. Call me at eight to make sure I’m up.”

“Oh, honey, if I’m up at eight, I’ll be too pre-occupied to call you. Bonnie works the night shift, so morning is likely to be a particularly active time for us. If I remember correctly, she wears that sexy just fucked look in the morning quite well. That’s a bit too hard for me to resist.” Joy smirked.

“I guess I’ll have to set my watch, phone,
and
tablet. I’ll put them each in a different place so I won’t be tempted to just go back to sleep after I turn one off.” Rachel stood up and waved at Joy as she left the suite. “See you tomorrow,
sexapotamus
.”

†

Lara paced on the deck as Sophia slept. Immediately after Rachel ended the call, Lara considered her options. If she called Rachel back, she might piss her off and add to her problem. Lara wondered about the uncanny timing of Rachel’s call. Leaving so shortly after just arriving at Rosario would be difficult. How would she explain to Sophia why they were leaving so soon? She needed to come up with something quick.
Think, think, think.

She looked in at her wife who had just rolled to face the opposite side. It seemed like she was having a hard time getting to sleep. Was it possible she’d heard her on the phone just now? Lara discarded that notion. The glass door separating her from the room was heavy and Lara was speaking in a low tone. Maybe her pacing was disruptive. Lara sat down in one of the chairs to ponder her dilemma.

Lara snapped her fingers. A mix up with one of the rooms—that would be a good reason. The luxurious honeymoon suite had been double booked. If they insisted on staying, they would most likely ruin the young couple’s wedding. Lara would explain to Sophia that she didn’t have the heart to do that to them, so she made alternate arrangements for them to visit Victoria several days earlier than the original plans. She would tell Sophia that they could come back after the young couple left.

Lara sneaked into the room and exited to find a private location to make the alternate arrangements for the rest of their romantic getaway. She didn’t want to take the chance that Sophia would wake up while she was on the phone. Besides she needed the excuse that while she was out making arrangements for dinner and a visit to the spa, she had learned about the resort’s dilemma.

It’s a good thing I have my travel agent on speed dial.

Lara walked outside and found a private spot on the grounds. A young male deer walked close to her, seeking a tasty treat. She’d heard that the deer were so tame they’d take a slice of apple out of your hand or even from your mouth if you strategically placed it there for them to nibble it away—not that she could ever see herself kneeling on the ground with an apple slice in her mouth waiting for the deer to approach. Rachel might, she thought. Sophia might even do that because she loved animals. Maybe she would take Sophia here again, just to see her joy while interacting with the deer.

“Sorry little one, you picked the wrong person to beg from.”

She turned away and selected the button on her phone to connect with her travel agent.

“Hello
Marlo
, I need your assistance. No, the accommodations at Rosario are fine, but I’d like to get a flight out first thing tomorrow morning for Victoria. Please make arrangements for a suite at the Empress. Perhaps we can make it in time for high tea. We’ll stay in Victoria for the rest of the time and keep our flight back the same. Thanks,
Marlo
, you’re a doll.”

With the new travel plans set, Lara relaxed and began to enjoy her walk around the grounds. She planned to arrange a private dinner in the suite, make love to her wife, and then head out first thing tomorrow to continue the quick vacation without any possible drama. Life was good again. Problem solved. Every problem in Lara’s mind had a simple solution. The trick was not to panic and find that solution every time. She was a natural problem solver.

†

Sophia strained to hear Lara talking to Rachel. She began to smile as it appeared as though their plan was right on track. She couldn’t let Sophia see her grinning from ear to ear, so she’d turned away. Lara had been pacing, which was a sure sign of agitation. Sophia wondered what lie she would tell to get them away from Rosario and heading to Victoria a few days early.

She really needed to sleep a little bit. Despite the knowledge that everything had gone just as planned, her emotions were raw and sleep evaded her. Concentrating on slowing her breathing and taking deep even breaths, she finally fell into a light sleep.

Sophia heard the door open and realized that she had managed to get a few hours rest. She turned to look at her wife and noticed the smug look on her face.

“Well, good morning, sleepy head? Did you have a nice nap?” Lara asked.

“I did. Thanks for letting me sleep. Sorry to leave you on your own. Did you explore the resort and make dinner or spa reservations for us? I could use a nice massage.”

Lara approached and sat on the edge of the bed. “I know this isn’t going to be the best news, but I just couldn’t ruin that young couple’s wedding. Unfortunately, the resort double booked this room and they don’t have anything else available. I hope you don’t mind going to Victoria a few days early. The resort has a nice atmosphere and we could have had some relaxing spa treatments and enjoyed walking around the grounds, but Victoria will have a lot more to offer us anyway. You’re not disappointed, are you?” Lara asked.

Sophia sat up in bed. “Well, I could have used a few more days of rest and relaxation, but if I understand correctly, this room was booked to newlyweds. I agree, we shouldn’t disturb their honeymoon. Marriages should always start out without any hiccups. Too often, they come later without warning. You owe me a spa day in Victoria, though.”

“Deal. I’ve arranged for the chef to prepare a special meal for us—to be delivered and served right in our suite. I plan on doting on you for the next ten days until you have to return to New York.” Lara stroked the side of Sophia’s face. “You’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I love you.”

“Oh, you sweet talker. I still feel bad about leaving Joy all alone. I did drag her across the country to keep me company while you were working. Maybe I should call her up and have her meet us in Victoria. Knowing her, she’ll have convinced that married woman to come along. Joy can be very persuasive when she turns on the charm. I’ll try not to judge her too harshly or the married woman. I know I don’t ever have all the details. Maybe this woman is preparing to get divorced or something.”

Lara frowned. “I wouldn’t encourage her or support her carousing with a married woman. Someone always gets hurt in that scenario. Let’s not talk about Joy and her oversexed libido,” Lara snapped.

“You seem tense, hon. Joy’s escapades have never bothered you in the past. I know you’ve seen her flirt with married women before and it never seemed to concern you. What’s going on?” Sophia asked.

“I just think that marriage is sacrosanct and should always be revered as something special.”

Oh, that’s rich
. Sophia did everything in her power to remain neutral with her response. “
Mmm
hmm. I suppose you’re right.”

Sophia pulled the covers away and slipped out of bed.

“Hey, where are you going?” Lara asked.

“Just because we’re having dinner in the suite doesn’t mean I shouldn’t get dressed up in some sexy evening wear. Let me take a shower and get ready. I promise you won’t be disappointed,” Sophia vowed.

“I never am,” Lara responded.

Sophia made a hasty retreat into the bathroom. She needed to collect herself and avoid revealing the revulsion she felt toward her wife at this moment. If they were giving out Oscars for her performance as the loving, faithful, wife, Lara would win hands down. The bile in her throat threatened to make an appearance all over the lovely marble tiled bathroom vanity.

Sophia thought losing it again might solve her present dilemma. She could feign having a twenty-four hour flu bug and that would surely get her out of a romantic evening with her wife. However, that might also wreck the plans to meet up with Rachel and Joy in Victoria. She’d have to think of something else.