I clapped my hand over my mouth. Oh my God, I hadn't used that phrase in so long. Suddenly, that weekend, the feel of that weekend, came flowing back. I let it wash over me, not just remembering, but also feeling the things I had felt for Carson back then. Oh God, I couldn't do this. I stood up and grabbed my purse and my jacket, stopping at my secretary's desk on the way out and telling her that I was going home sick. I had been working there for almost six months and I'd never called in sick or left early. I knew no one would doubt me.
"Feel better!" the secretary, Amy, called behind me, sounding worried.
I just raised my hand up and waved behind me. I had no doubt that I looked truly ill.
**********
Carson
After Grace left, I went up to see Leland to update him about the detective's questioning. I didn't mention Grace.
Dylan was working on hacking into some databases that may or may not pan out in helping Josh's case. He was also still trying to get a lead on Bakos that would give us enough time to move in on him. Josh would enter his plea in a day or two and then we could figure out bail. It was just a waiting game at this point.
I sat downstairs in the security room, watching the tables for a while, and then I texted Leland and told him that I was leaving a little early with a headache. It wasn't a lie. I had been sitting down there thinking of Grace the whole damn time. My head was splitting.
Still, I made time to go upstairs to the forty-fifth floor to check on the girls. This was something Grace couldn't know about. I was looking forward to catching up and telling her where my life had gone, but I knew I couldn't be completely honest with her. Especially not about the girls. That was something she wouldn't like, and something she might be required to report.
A half an hour later, I drove my truck home and as soon as I slammed the door behind me, I went to the kitchen and took a couple Advil. I took a long, hot shower and when I got out, I felt better.
Seeing Grace today still had me reeling. She was about the last person I'd have ever expected to walk into my office. And yet there she had been, standing in front of me like a dream, looking more beautiful than I remembered her. And I had done a lot of remembering when it came to Grace Hamilton.
I pulled on jeans and a long-sleeved, black shirt and grabbed my phone. I had forgotten to check in with Dylan before I left and so I called him.
He answered on the second ring, "Hey man."
"Hey, Dylan, I left a little early. Did you get all the paperwork squared away?"
"Mostly, I’m hoping it will be by tonight. I'm just waiting on a few things."
"Okay, cool. Just wanted to check in."
"Okay, you all right?"
"Yeah." I hesitated and Dylan remained quiet. "Hey Dylan, you remember that girl I met in Vegas five years ago or so? The one–"
"Yeah. Pussy Voodoo?"
I chuckled. "Yeah."
"What about her?"
"She walked into my office today. She's the prosecutor on Josh's case."
"You're shittin' me."
"No. I’m not. What are the odds, right? Shit."
"Geez, man. That's either really bad luck or really good luck. I don't know. Shit's pretty complicated right now. You still interested?"
I sighed. "Interested? Doesn't matter anyway. She's engaged."
Dylan paused. "Well, engaged ain't married."
"Huh. I'm taking her to dinner tonight. Just to catch up."
"That sounds interested, Carson. Be careful."
"I will. I will. Thanks, Dylan."
"All right. I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay, I'll be in early. I'm meeting the dignitaries from Saudi Arabia." It was part of my job as head of security to secure high-priced items that Trilogy guests brought with them.
"Oh, right, okay, I'll see you then."
We hung up and I looked at the clock. It was ten to seven. I grabbed my jacket and my keys and headed for the door.
CHAPTER 24
Grace
I was just finishing blow-drying my hair when my cell rang. It was Abby.
"You're going to die when I tell you who I'm going to dinner with, Abby," I whispered into the phone.
"Are you answering your phone from an underground bunker?"
"What? No."
"Then why are you whispering like that?"
I whispered into the phone again, "I don't know. Maybe a hear-no-evil thing?"
"Oh God. The last time you sounded like this, you were spending a weekend in Vegas with a p**n star."
I laughed nervously. "Well, funny you should mention that actually."
I heard a shriek come from the other end of the line and held the phone away from my ear, grimacing.
"Jesus, Abby," I said, raising my voice to regular volume. "Are you trying to bust my ear drum?"
"Tell me you are not going to spend the weekend with another p**n star, Grace."
I laughed. It felt good. I needed the relaxation a little laughter brought. I had taken a long, hot bath when I got home, but I was still strung up as tight as a bow over the thought of going to dinner with Carson. Not to mention the fact that I still hadn't told Alex about my evening plans. He was still with some clients and I'd only heard from him via text.
"Yeah, no." I cleared my throat. "I am, however, going to dinner with the p**n star." I was whispering again.