Page 68 of This Loving Feeling (Mirror Lake)

CHAPTER 15

Sam looked around nervously at the sprawling stone terrace of the Mirror Lake Art Museum, all set for tonight’s donor dinner. Long tables were set with crisp white cloths, and tall floral arrangements dramatically dotted each one with exotic orange blooms. Twinkle lights flickered in the trees and a mild breeze made the balmy night just cool enough. The band was setting up beyond the terrace, under a tent near a wooden dance floor that had been laid down on the grass. Everything was perfect.

Only nothing felt perfect.

It had nothing to do with the fact that she was hobbling around in her Aircast, which looked ridiculous with her sparkly dress, but oh, well. The pain was almost gone now. Or the fact that ominous clouds were slowly moving in from the west, threatening to rain out her event. The weather app on her phone warned of showers after eleven. Hopefully it would hold off until then.

She’d tried to talk to Harris last night. Really tried. But the Red Sox were playing. And he kept getting texts. Finally they’d gotten to talking and he’d told her how proud he was of all she’d done for the theater, and she’d appreciated that, she really had.

Until he’d said, “So thank God this project is almost done and you can take a break from the philanthropy for now. At least, until my mother comes up with another high-profile project for you to get involved with.”

“You know,” she’d said, “it might have started out with your mom urging me to get involved, but it’s become personal. I’m not giving up until we get the renovation funds raised.”

Harris had sighed heavily. “I admire a good cause but personally, I’d abandon that ship before it sinks. Frankly, you may save the theater from the wrecking ball for now but that thing is going to be a money sink for generations to come. I think Mike McGuiness was right. Condos would look great in that location, with the waterfalls in the back. And young people are into downtown living now. If the money doesn’t go through, maybe we should pursue that.”

“If you really believe that, why did you tell thatLive at Fivereporter the other week that the Palace was a great jewel that should be preserved at all cost?”

He shrugged his handsome shoulders. Except at the moment, his perfectly chiseled features seemed hardened. Jaded, somehow. Were they always that way, or had she just noticed? “I’m a politician, Sam. I have to build public trust by talking the talk. My parents are supporting this project because of my future political career and because of you. Even they’ve said this is a plain case of pouring money down the drain.”

“Your parents don’t believe in what we’re doing either?”

“Honey, it’s kept you busy and they love that they can help you. But they realize just like I do that you’ve got to do a certain amount of schmoozing to get people on your side. I’m building my name, and for that reason it’s been a good thing. A great thing.”

“I—I love that theater,” she whispered.

“You’ve always been an idealist, honey, and that’s what I love about you. Good thing this project’s almost over and we’ll be moving soon. You’re getting way too emotionally attached. Let someone else take this over from now on.”

“Harris, I have to tell you something.”

“Oh, will you cut that out?”

She startled until she realized he was exclaiming about the game.

“They walked another one. Unbelievable.” He took a pull on his beer and glanced at her. “Sure, babe, what is it?”

Suddenly there, in the bottom of the seventh, amid the resounding crack of a bat in the background, she realized the truth. She didn’t love Harris. No matter how desperately she wanted a stable, traditional guy with whom she could create the kind of family she always dreamed of having. She deserved more than his inattention, his impatience, his taking for granted she would always be there waiting without question while he traveled and did whatever else he wanted. “I can’t—”

“Oh my God, can you believe that call?” Harris jumped out of his seat, waving his arms at the TV. “Come on ump, he was out. Is there no justice in the world?”

The words wedged in her throat. Tears stung her eyes as the truth hit her full force between the eyes.

Harris was worked up about the game. Showing more passion, it seemed, than he’d ever be able to muster with her. Not for the first time, Sam suspected that Harris was with her for the same reasons she was with him—they looked great on paper together. The rising political star and the docile, conformist art teacher who would enable him to reach his dreams without letting too many of her own get in the way. She quietly left the room, threw her toothbrush into her purse, and told Harris she was going to Jess’s. A man crisis, she’d said. She needed a friend. It was true, only not for Jess.

Now, across the Art Museum lawn, Harris strolled to greet her. He looked dapper and swoon-worthy in a black tux, making his brilliant blue eyes stand out even more, but he failed to make her heart race. One of the black-and-white uniformed wait staff eyed him appreciatively as she passed by with a tray of champagne. Harris winked at the girl and took two glasses, handing one to Sam.

“I sure hope Jess’s man problems are resolved, because I’m looking forward to seeing you later.”

“Harris, we have to talk.” There, she’d said it. It might be unfair to dump everything on him now, before the event, but he was finally front and center and listening. She had to at least warn him of what was coming.

He kissed her cheek. “Okay, sweetie, anything you say. I’ve missed you.”

A pang went through her. She hated hurting him. She hated being the one to hurt anybody. No matter what happened, he’d been a major part of her life for six years.

“Maybe we can leave a little early,” she said. “It’s important.”

“Okay.” Two vertical lines creased his perfect forehead but she didn’t hurry to soothe him, tell himNothing to worry aboutorI can’t wait to see you later, either. As if sensing something was up, he reached out to squeeze her hand. Ironic that she finally had his attention. Too bad it was too late. He looked at her intently. “I love you, babe,” he said as he left to take his seat.

Oh, stab my heart. Breaking up with him was going to suck, but it felt right. For the first time in a long time, she felt more peaceful. Resolved. And she couldn’t wait to tell Lukas. She was ready to take a risk. Ready to approach Lukas with an open heart. If their feelings for each other were real, they would find a way, wouldn’t they?

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