Page 49 of Love From the Ashes

I opened my eyes. “I guess I dozed off. Are you done with the rehearsal?”

“Yes, we finished a few minutes ago. Are you all right?”

“I’m a little exhausted from the drive and our flight. Sorry.”

“No need to be sorry. Here, let me help you up.” Reid reached down and took my hand, helping me to my feet. “Everyone’s gone to the dining room for dinner. We need to join them.”

“In that case, lead the way.” I took Reid’s arm and walked with him back to the hotel.

When we entered the building, an employee directed us down a corridor to a medium-sized dining room with white wainscotting and walls decorated with an assortment of small, brightly colored china plates. I immediately understood why the sign outside the door said this was the China Room. Looking around, I could see the floor had the same terracotta tile I’d seen in the lounge, and another set of Italian-style French doors led to a garden in the center of the villa.

Maddie and Ginny motioned us toward their table, which sat eight. Ryan and Samantha had joined them, along with Ryan’s sister, Kate, and a gentleman I hadn’t noticed before. Reid helped me with my chair, and we took our seats.

“Sofie, it’s so nice to meet you,” Samantha said, giving me a sincere smile. “This is my husband-to-be, Ryan. You’ve already met his sister, Kate, and the man next to you is my baby brother, Derek. Ryan’s parents and grandparents will be here in the morning.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet all of you,” I said, glancing around the table. I’d already figured out that it was Samantha and Ryan sitting there since I’d seen their photos on the internet. Plus, I’d seen Samantha in the courtyard when she’d come to Morgan Systems to have lunch with Reid.

“Would you like a white or red wine?” a waiter said. He was standing at my elbow, looking down at me with a bottle of wine in each hand.

“Neither one, thank you.”

“No wine?” Reid gave me a puzzled look. “You don’t feel well, do you?”

“I’m just tired. I’d love water if you could pour me a glass, though.”

“Sure.” Reid reached for the crystal pitcher on the table and filled my water glass.

I smiled at him and took a sip. Desperately trying to avoid any discussion regarding my health, I turned toward Samantha and listened to her chat with the group.

A waiter brought our mixed green salads with crumbled cheese and candied walnuts to the table while Reid buttered me a roll and set it on my plate. I nibbled at my food as I continued to listen to the conversations flowing back and forth. Reid seemed to be enjoying himself, becoming the center of attention from time to time.

After finishing our salads, our waiter brought us the main course. I had preordered the slow-roasted chicken breast, while Reid had chosen the steelhead trout. I had just taken a bite of my chicken when the smell of Reid’s fish wafted to my nose. My stomach instantly lurched. Panicking, I frantically glanced around the room, looking for a sign to the restrooms. I could feel my face flush as I grabbed my napkin and brought it to my mouth while I fought to keep from throwing up.

“Sofie?” Reid said, giving me an odd look as he tried to figure out what was happening.

“Excuse me,” I muttered beneath my napkin as I dashed from the table. With no time to run to the restrooms in the hotel lobby, I bolted out the side door and into the garden, plopping down on a bench illuminated by a decorative lantern as I puked into a bed of flowers.

Reid was suddenly behind me on the bench, rubbing my back with one hand while he pulled my hair back from my face with the other.

Finished emptying what little there was in my stomach into the flowerbed, I turned to the employee rushing toward us. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t get to a bathroom in time.” Feeling mortified by the spectacle I’d made of myself, I brushed a tear from my cheek.

The employee put his hand up and apologetically backed away, apparently recognizing my distress.

I turned to Reid, tears now trailing down my cheeks.

“Come here,” he said quietly, pulling me into his arms. “What’s going on with you? Are you sick?”

“You’re going to hate me when I tell you.” A small sob escaped me while I buried my face in his chest.

Reid gently grabbed my shoulders and held me away from him so he could look at my face. “Nothing is that bad. What is it?”

“I’m so sorry. I swear I am. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Please don’t be mad at me.”

Reid’s body tensed, and he straightened his back. The muscles in his jaw tightened. “Who is he?”

“Who is who?” My head was swirling with confusion.

“The guy you’re going to tell me you slept with, that’s who.” Reid’s voice was low and harsh, his face like stone.

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