Tessa's Escape to Athena's Ground(86)

                “Well, then we’ll have to find him. Even if the explanation doesn’t fix things you owe it to yourself and him to try.”

                “I could call him.”

                Tessa fished out her phone and dialed. David’s phone rang, unanswered. Her expression went from scared-hopeful to just plain scared. “I don’t know where he went or how to get in touch with him.”

                “Maybe the staff downstairs put him in a cab. Maybe someone knows where he’s staying.” Russell patted her hand. “Are you okay while I go downstairs and see what I can find out?”

                Tessa nodded and Russell practically ran out the door. Ten minutes later, he returned. “Had some luck,” he said, sitting in the chair next to Tessa. “David was really upset when he got to the lobby desk.”

                “And you call that luck?” Tessa felt like poking him with the stiletto heel that tripped her.

                “Of sorts. He told the desk clerk that he had intended to book a room here, but that his plans had changed. The clerk knew David had come to see a lady guest, because he asked for your room number when he first arrived, and he was carrying roses.”



                             Tessa’s lip began to quiver and the only way to stop from crying again was to bite it.

                “The clerk didn’t give out your room number; instead he had staff deliver the flowers. But it would have been easy for David to follow the roses to your door. Anyway, when David left, the clerk felt bad for him. Gave David a recommendation, even called the other hotel to confirm they had rooms available.”

                “Where’s David?”

                “The Randal. A boutique hotel about ten minutes from here.”

                Tessa stood up. “So take me there.”

                “Tessa, it’s your call. I’ll drive you to the Randal whenever you like. But I suggest you think this through. It’s,” he looked at his watch, “nine o’clock. David’s spent hours in an airplane, probably hasn’t eaten a proper meal, and just had a huge, unpleasant shock. He’s not going anywhere tonight, especially if he doesn’t suspect you’ll come looking for him. Let him lick his wounds tonight, eh? While he’s doing that, you figure out how to explain what he saw in a way that he’ll understand, and maybe forgive. Then tomorrow morning, before he’s up and out, I’ll drive you over to the Randal. You can wait in the lobby and catch him when he leaves his room.”

                “What if he won’t listen to me?”

                “He might not. You need to be prepared for that.”

                “I know not every guy would react the same, but if it were you, what would work best?”

                “You’re right, not every guy’s the same. What might work with me might not do a damn thing for David.”

                “Tell me anyway.”

                Russell thought a moment. “I’m not sure a night of licking my wounds would give me enough emotional distance; to be able to constructively talk with a woman I cared about who’d disappointed me in the way David was disappointed, that would take a little time. I’d probably be more receptive to an initial communication that was less threatening, less intimate.”

                “He’s not taking calls. A note?”

                Russell nodded. “Maybe. A note or an email could be read in private. Slowly and without any need to control emotions.”