The Hourglass (13 page)

“Brooke, no,” Lucas adamantly insisted. “I mean, we said no work. That’d be work, you’re going to get all involved in this shoot and talk layout. And this is our last day,” he whined as he pulled me away. Over my shoulder I heard Kat’s camera shutter start up again as she got back to work, and I agreed Lucas was right.

Our flight home was long, and by the time we landed, it was only five in the evening thanks to the time change. Lucas dropped me off at my apartment and helped me in before quickly dashing back out the door, promising to call later.

Curling up onto the couch, I pulled a blanket over me and flipped on the television to fill my time. Channel after channel of shows with hard core romance stories about Mr. Perfect, and all I could notice in each one was the best friend. I wanted things with Savannah to be fixed, but we had both let them get so out of hand I wasn’t sure how to even begin to repair things. I stood and moved to grab my phone from my purse, figuring I’d shoot a text to Lucas thanking him for a great weekend. But on digging around in my bag, I turned up nothing. Crap! My phone was still in his glove box.

Restless I paced my living area, feeling suddenly cut off from the world and alone. I needed to go for a run to clear my head and get myself back on Denver time. After throwing on my workout clothes and running shoes, I grabbed my iPod and headed down the stairs stretching my upper muscles as I went.

The trail was bustling with all the joggers getting in their runs after work. After plugging in my ear buds; I selected my running playlist and stretched out my legs before taking off on a steady pace. Sole to gravel, I let my thoughts and troubles drift away with each stride. I was finding my inner peace, just as the biggest cause of my stress came bouncing toward me. With a deep breath I continued jogging in her direction, staring at her until her eyes found mine, and then I smiled.

She slowed her pace, and Savannah and I met in the middle, for the first time in weeks without snarling, growling, or attempting to claw each other’s eyes out.

“Brooke,” she greeted tersely. “I see you’re back in town.”

“I am, just got back in. I couldn’t just sit, and I didn’t want to go to sleep early,” I rambled on, feeling the distance between us.

“You always hated traveling for that reason,” Savannah mumbled wistfully with a small smirk.

“Savannah, I miss us. I don’t get how we got here, I mean I know how. But… I just hate it.” I blinked back the tears forming in my eyes; refusing to be weak in front of Savannah. “You gave us your blessing, and then just couldn’t stand by while I was happy with a man. You had to go and ruin everything, destroy us.” The tears were beating on the storm door begging to be released, and I knew I had to get out of there. With a firm shake of my head I pushed them back once more. “I just never thought you would hurt me like this, that you would betray me.”

As I stared at Savannah’s face, she just looked blank, completely void of emotion. “Look I’ve got to go get my cell and make sure I don’t have any missed calls. I’ll see you at work I guess.” I took off again, pouring everything into my run until my muscles burned like the fires of hell. After unlocking my apartment door, I fell into my home and turned into a giant puddle of tears as soon as I latched the deadbolt.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Savannah

I WOKE UP
the next morning exhausted. All I could think about was seeing Brooke running in the park the previous day. I missed my best friend, but I knew by the conversation from yesterday she was still hurting way too much to repair things. I couldn't bear to tell her about Luke and me just yet. I needed to do something to show her I valued our friendship without pushing our relationship in her face.

Swinging by Starbucks, I picked up my usual and ordered a Chai Tea for Brooke. I figured I'd start with a small gesture and we'd go from there. Walking silently into Brooke’s office while she was on a telephone call, I leaned over her desk, setting the tea down with a smile. Her reaction was blank, I couldn’t tell if she was going to drink it or chuck it across the room at me. Heading for the door, I peered over my shoulder just as she smiled at me, mouthing the words. “Thank you.” A grin crept over my face as I made my way toward my office. It didn’t fix it all but it was a step in the right direction, one step closer to having my best friend back.

As usual, the day was filled with nothing but chaos. I’d hoped that Brooke would come down and talk to me, but she was just as busy as me, running around like a chicken with her head cut off. The day was almost over when we unexpectedly met in the bathroom.

As I stepped out of the stall, I came face to face with her where she stood washing her hands.

“Hey,” she said softly, “Thanks for the tea this morning.”

Breathing in a heavy sigh I studied my best friend through the mirror. “You’re welcome, I’m glad you liked it.” I leaned over the sink and turned on the faucet to wash my hands. An awkward silence ensued as we both stood there staring at each other in the mirror. Deciding there was no way she was going to be the first one to break the silence I piped up, “So, I was thinking we could grab drinks sometime this week?”

Her face lit up, but quickly faltered. “I, umm, I don’t know. This weekend is crazy busy. Tomorrow is my last day in the office because I’m taking off Thursday and Friday for the big move.”

Hurt by her excuse, I swiped a paper towel, dried my hands and made my way to the door. “Yeah, no big deal, forget I even asked.” I had tried to extend an olive branch, but it seemed like Brooke wasn’t ready to latch on, and who could blame her, I’d been just as terrible to her as she’d been to me.

The rest of the week came and went in the blink of an eye, only allowing me one more uncomfortable run in with Brooke before she was out of the office for the remainder of the weekend.

Mid-afternoon Friday, Luke surprised me by coming down to my office. “Hey babe,” he whispered, pulling me out of my chair and into a frenzy of kisses. “What do you say we get out of here early? I’ve got a surprise for you.” Squealing with excitement, I grabbed my things and waved goodbye to my assistant as Luke pulled me toward the elevator. We jumped in his car, and he headed straight for the airport.

“Luke, where are we going?” I asked anxiously.

As the two of us sat down in our first class seats he pulled me into a tight embrace, swiftly kissing my lips before whispering into my ear. “Somewhere I’ll get to watch you prance around in a tiny bikini all weekend.”

Stepping off the plane, my nose was assaulted with the smell of saltwater as I let the warmth envelop me. “Sunny California, I’ve missed you so.”

Luke hooked an arm around my waist and pulled me to the town car that was awaiting us. We spent all Saturday lounging on the beach, sipping colorful drinks with fruit and umbrellas as decorations. The sun was beginning to set and Luke was off getting another round of drinks when my phone rang. “Hello,” I answered.

“Savannah, what the hell? Is your phone broken?” Kat asked with frustration growing in her voice.

“I don’t think so, what’s up?”

Kat huffed into the phone, “I’ve been calling you all week, but for some reason I kept getting your voicemail. Listen, is Brooke still dating that Luke guy or does she have a new man?”

Shrugging my shoulders I responded, “I’m not sure if she has a new boyfriend or not, we aren’t exactly back on speaking terms just yet. But I know for a fact she isn’t dating Luke, why? What’s going on?”

Kat answered quickly, “Well I was in the middle of a shoot on Monday, and I noticed Brooke strolling through Central Park. She was with a guy, and I could have sworn this man was the spitting image of Luke. But who knows, they were far away, so I could have just been seeing things. Are you sure they weren’t on a trip together?”

Shaking my head, I cut Kat off as I watched Luke approach me. “No, you were definitely seeing things. Listen Kat, I’ve got to run, I’ll call you later.”

Luke sat on the edge of his lounge chair. “I thought we agreed to no phones.”

Smiling up at him, he handed me my fruity drink. “We agreed to no work. That was just Kat.” The frozen wetness chilled my throat as I took a sip and I noticed Luke’s body flinch at the sound of her name. “You okay?” I asked, curious as to why he was suddenly on edge.

“Yeah, I’m fine, let’s just turn the phones off. This weekend is all about you and me.” Pulling the phone out of my hand he pressed the power button and then slid it into my beach tote.

Overthinking the conversation I’d just had with Kat I decided I’d do my best to find out exactly what Luke was up to while he was away on business. “Where did you say you were last weekend?”

His expression faltered for a split second, and then a smile spread across his face. “I wasn’t where I should have been, that’s for sure.”

My heart stopped for a split second. Sitting up straight I glared into his eyes. “And where should you have been?” I demanded from him. Climbing onto my chair with me Luke pulled me into a tight embrace then nipped the lobe of my ear with his teeth, trailing his fingers between my exposed cleavage. “In Denver, between your legs. But instead I was in St. Louis for a conference.”

Tossing Kat’s suspicions aside I lounged back in my chair, curled up in Luke’s body and watched the beautiful California sunset, drinking a delicious cocktail with my even more delicious man by my side. Sunday was spent lounging by the private patio, where Luke and I managed to christen every ounce of the pool from the shallow end, all the way to the deep end.

As we collapsed into our first class seats, I sighed and drew my legs up to my chest then rested my head against the window.

Luke lifted my hand and placed a light kiss on top of it. “As soon as this bad boy takes off I want you to meet me in the lavatory. There’s no one else I'd rather join the mile high club with than you.”

Wrinkling my nose I shook my head. “I don’t think so. You aren’t getting into these pants anywhere near a public restroom. That’s just bad hygiene.”

Leaning his head against mine, he said, “Oh come on, babe, live a little.”

Shaking my head I gave him a light push to get him off of me. “Luke, that’s gross, you don’t know what’s gone on in those bathrooms.”

Laughing lightly he amended, “That’s why we have to be the first ones in.”

Rolling my eyes I relaxed as the plane prepared for its take off.

Twenty minutes later the fasten seatbelt light turned off and Luke stood. Coming in close to me, he whispered, “Count to fifty and then come knock three times.”

Sighing, I grinned as he made his way into the bathroom.
How can this man talk me into doing anything he wants?
After counting to fifty, I got up and discreetly made my way toward the bathroom, knocking three times as he had instructed.

Before I knew it Luke opened the door and pulled me into the tiny bathroom. Pressed up against his body he began kissing me, hiking my maxi skirt up my legs. “How in the world do you think this is going to go down?” I asked laughing quietly.

“Just hold on” he said, lifting me up onto the tiny sink. Before I could get another word out Luke went in for the kill, giving me the answer to my question.

Two minutes later, I was adjusting my outfit and slipping out of the bathroom first, hurrying to my seat before we were caught by one of the many flight attendants. A moment later, Luke made his way back and sat next to me with a huge grin on his face. “You’re a freak,” I whispered into his neck as I lightly placed a kiss under his ear.

Slinking his arm around me, he pulled me closer to him and kissed my head. “That’s why you love me.”

Nodding my head in agreement, I snuggled up under Luke’s arm and drifted off to sleep for the remainder of the flight.

Monday morning arrived before I knew it, and I was back to the grind at the office. I was in the middle of reviewing emails as a phone call came into my direct line. “Savannah Prescott, how may I help you?”

Kat’s voice rang through the phone. “Are you in front of your computer?”

Laughing I responded, “You did call my office phone. Of course I’m in front of my computer, what’s up?”

Kat hesitated before speaking again. “Check your email, I just sent you something. I don’t think you’re going to be a happy camper.”

Opening her email, I saw five pictures attached, labeled BL. Clicking on the first photo I felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Clicking to the next was even worse. By the time I made it to the fifth picture I was filled with rage. “That son of a bitch has been playing us this entire time!” I yelled into my phone.

Kat sighed. “I’m sorry, girl, but I told you it looked just like him, and by your reaction you just confirmed my suspicions were correct.”

Furious, I cut the call short. “Thanks for the pictures, I’ve got to run.” After I hung up on her, I clicked through each photo again, examining them more closely. As I continued to click through them over and over again my entire body fumed with anger.

Taking in a deep breath I tried to compose myself, and once I was as calm as I was possibly going to get, I stood and went straight to Brooke’s office. Shutting the door behind me I sat across from her. “We need to talk. It’s about Luke.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Brooke

“SAVANNAH, NO, PLEASE,”
I begged in desperation. I didn’t want to go through all of this again, I physically couldn’t. “I love you, and I hope we can find our way back to being friends, but don’t drag Lucas into this. He is so sweet and caring; he has stood by me through all of this turmoil between us. Literally the perfect gentleman.”

Savannah fell into a fit of hysterics, leaving me sitting there baffled. I stood and walked over to her, concerned she was having a mental break or something. “Sav, are you okay?” I asked.

“Brooke…” Savannah began gasping for air. “He’s playing us.”

“What?” I asked confused by her accusation. “No. No, he wouldn’t.” But despite my vehement protest, I read the sincerity in my friend’s eyes.

“Brooke,” she implored, her voice more serious this time. “He has been with both of us these last few weeks, pitting us against each other, and sleeping with both of us.”