Page 32 of About Last Night

Manny erupted into a fit of coughing but when he turned to face Janine, she could see he wasn't choking at all—he was laughing.

Oblivious to their exchange, Maureen crossed her arms. "Does Derek cut hair? Because I could use a trim."

Manny rolled his eyes at Janine over the stereotypical comment, then turned back to Maureen. "Guests aren't supposed to be in each other's quarters."

Maureen stepped back into her room and harrumphed at Manny. "Probably want him for yourself." Then she closed the door with a bang.

Manny gave Janine a pointed look. "Explain."

She took a tray from him and walked it inside, then glanced at the bathroom door to make sure Derek was out of earshot. "Maureen is a sales rep who calls on the clinic where I work. She knows a lot of the same people I do. I had to think of something to keep the gossip down, so… I told her Derek is gay."

"Looks like it backfired," Manny observed. "She's determined to convert the man."

One lie led to another, she realized. She set the tray on the writing desk, feeling perilously close to tears. She was having a nervous breakdown, she was certain.

"Hey, come on now, it's not that bad," Manny soothed.

"You see what a predicament I'm in here. No one can know I'm sharing a room with Derek."

"I'm sure all this will be over soon. As long as you and Mr. Stillman agree to keep it quiet, who will be the wiser?"

"You're right," she said, sniffing. "It's just that I don't know how much more I can take."

"Is he overbearing?"

"Oh, no," she said, waving off his concern. How could she explain her raging feelings about a man she barely knew to a man she barely knew? "It's the close quarters, no privacy—you know."

Manny studied her face, then gave her hand a comforting pat. "Janine, emotions run high during a crisis, and people can behave in ways that are out of character."

"You think?"

He nodded. "You have a lot on your mind, with the wedding and all."

Janine sighed. "I guess we'll have to call it off."

He angled his head. "You mean postpone it, don't you?"

She straightened her shoulders. "Yes. Of course. Postpone it."

"Is there anything I can do to make this situation more bearable?"

"I need clothes and toiletries... and a cot would be nice."

He opened the desk drawer and removed a sheet of stationery and a pen. "We're completely out of cots but write down whatever else you need, and I'll see what I can confiscate from the gift shops."

"Thank you," she whispered, then jotted down a dozen or so items.

He gave her a brief wink before he left.

Janine glanced toward the bathroom door. What was she going to say to Derek about the kiss? How was she going to explain that she was so overcome with lust that she was willing to indulge in a few hours of unfettered sex, despite being on the verge of exchanging vows with a friend of his? What must hethink of her? Probably no worse than she thought of herself, she decided, and walked to the bathroom door. Perhaps the words would come if she didn't have to talk to him face-to-face.

Janine rapped lightly on the door. "Derek? Derek, I'm so sorry for what just happened. The kiss was my fault, and I can't give you a good excuse, because I have no excuse." She sighed and leaned her cheek against the door. "Please know that I do love Steve, despite the abominable way I've behaved. If you feel compelled to tell him what happened, I'll understand and I'll accept full responsibility." She closed her eyes. "Thank goodness we stopped when we did."

When the silence on the other side of the door stretched on, she rapped again. "Derek?" No answer. "Derek?" she asked louder. Making a fist, she knocked harder. "Derek, answer me to let me know you're okay." Fingers of panic curled low in her stomach. What if he had grown more ill? What if he'd passed out and hit his head when he fell?

She turned the doorknob, relieved when it gave easily. After cracking the door open, she called his name again, but he didn't respond. Her heart pounded as she inched the door wider, but she didn't see his reflection in the mirror. Janine opened the door and stepped into the bathroom. The shower curtain was pushed back, just as she'd left it—he wasn't there. In fact, the huge mass of man was nowhere to be found.

Chapter 10

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