Page 24 of What Matters Most

Her frustration mounted with every second. Standing on the balcony that overlooked the pool area, she noted again that there wasn’t anyone around. A gentle breeze stirred the evening air and contained a freshness that often follows a storm. The first night she’d arrived and met Philip, they had gone for a swim. And the pool had been fantastic.

Laps would help, and with the heavy tourist crowds that filled the pool during the day, it would be impossible to do them in the morning. Besides, if she tired herself out, she might be able to sleep.

Determined now, she located a fresh suit in the bottom of her suitcase and hurriedly undressed. Tomorrow would be filled with avoiding Philip, but she didn’t want to think about that now.

The water was refreshingly cool as she dived in and broke the surface twenty feet later. Her arms carried her to the far side, and the first lap was accomplished with a drive born of remorse. There wasn’t anyone to blame for this but herself. She’d known almost from the beginning what Philip was. He hadn’t tried to disguise it.

Her shoulders heaving as she struggled for breath ten long laps later, Carla stood in the shallow end and brushed the hair from her face.

“I didn’t think you’d be able to stay away,” Philip said, standing beside her. “I couldn’t, either.”

Five

Carla froze, her hands in her hair. Philip was right. When she’d come to the pool, the thought had played in the back of her mind that he would be there, too. For all her self-proclaimed righteousness, she didn’t want their time together to end with an argument.

The worst part was that she’d overreacted, and like an immature child, she’d run away for the second time. It was a wonder he hadn’t given up on her. “I’m sorry about tonight,” she murmured in a voice that was quivery and soft. “But when I realized how you’d gotten that scar, I panicked.”

Philip turned her around so that they faced each other, standing waist deep in the pool’s aqua-blue water. “You don’t need to explain. I know.”

The moon’s gentle radiance revealed a thin film of moisture glistening on his torso. Carla longed to touch him. “Turn around,” she requested softly, and when he did, she slid her arms around his waist, just below the water line, and pressed her cheek against the curve of his spine. Almost shyly, she lifted her head as her fingers located the scar on his back, and she bent down and kissed it gently. The next time, Philip might not be so fortunate; such a blade could end his life. The thought was sobering, and a chill raced up Carla’s arms.

“We agreed to a week,” Philip reminded her as he twisted around and looped his arms over her shoulders. “This vacation is for us. Our lives, our jobs, our friends are in Washington State. But we’re here. Nothing’s going to spoil what we have for the remainder of the week.” He said it with a determination she couldn’t deny.

Nothing will ruin it, Carla’s heart responded. Everything was already ruined, her head shouted.

They swam for an hour, making excuses to touch each other, kissing when the time seemed right. And it often seemed right.

The night had been well spent when they made arrangements to meet again in the morning. Silently, Carla climbed into the bed across from her sleeping friend. A glance at her watch told her it was after two. This time she had no trouble falling into a restful slumber.

—

The early-morning sounds of Nancy brushing her teeth and dressing woke Carla when the sun was barely up. Struggling to a sitting position, Carla raised her arms high above her head and yawned. “What time is it?”

“Six,” Nancy whispered. “Eduardo and I are flying to Puerto Vallarta. I probably won’t be back until late tonight.”

Carla nodded and settled back into her bed, hugging the thick pillow.

“And before I forget, I have an invitation for you and…your friend.”

“Philip,” Carla supplied.

“Right.” Nancy laughed lightly. “Who says my head isn’t in the clouds? Anyway, you’re both invited to dinner with Eduardo and me Saturday evening.”

Carla’s eyes remained closed, and she nuzzled the covers over her shoulder. “Sounds nice, I’ll mention it to Philip.” Her lashes fluttered open. “That’s our last day here.”

“It’s really going by quickly, isn’t it?” The sad note in Nancy’s voice couldn’t be disguised. “We’ve got only three more days.”

“Three days,” Carla repeated sleepily.

“But you have to admit, this has been our best vacation.”

And our worst, Carla mused. Every year she hoped to have a holiday fling. But not next year. Her heart couldn’t take this. Of course, not everyone would affect her the way Philip had, but she wasn’t keen to have her hopes dashed every year.

“By the way, did you hear the gossip that was going around the hotel yesterday?” Nancy didn’t wait for Carla’s answer. “Some crazy American was standing by the pool, serenading a girl with love songs. Apparently, she’s staying at the hotel.”

For the third time that morning, Carla’s eyes opened. A faint color began an ascent up her neck to her cheeks. “Some crazy American?”

“Right, an American. Isn’t that the most incredibly romantic thing you’ve ever heard? Women would kill for a man like that.”

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