Sharing Space (The Complete Series) (42 page)

I nodded in agreement. “You did well.”

“
We
did. Wine?” He lifted the bottle in the middle of the table and raised it over my empty wine glass.

“I’ll stick to water.” I said, taking a sip from my glass.

“Chloe, listen, I know you’ve been avoiding me. Did I do something?”

If I could have crawled inside my purse, I would have. That’s how much I didn’t want to have this conversation, but there was no escape. I looked at Michael, handsome in a black suit and crisp white shirt. On paper, this is the kind of guy everyone would expect me to be with. He was successful, smart, attractive, and respectful. And I felt absolutely nothing for him.

“You didn’t do anything, Michael. Truly.”

“Is it the roommate?”

Yes. Except he’s not just the roommate, he’s the man I love. The man I tossed away over something stupid, over fear and uncertainty.
I’d known from the first night I brought Patrick to this very restaurant that I was going to fall in love with him. Perhaps I already had. I looked over at the table at which we’d sat on our first date. There was another couple there now, an interracial couple, and they looked so in love. I didn’t know if their parents disapproved, or if he’d screwed up, or if she’d ever pushed him away, but it didn’t matter because there was so much love between them. Wasn’t that what matters most?

I knew one thing was an absolute: Patrick was going to be in my life forever. So what the hell was I doing?

“Dumb shit phase.”

“What? Chloe, what did you say?”

I snapped out of it and realized everyone at the table was staring at me. Michael asked again, “What did you say?”

I looked to Myra sitting on the other side of me. “I’m ready to get out of the dumb shit phase.”

She studied my face for a moment as only a best friend can, scrutinizing me, checking to see if I was sure. Finally she smiled. “I don’t know what the hell took your ass so long.”

I leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ve got to go,” I said. Then I said it louder. “I’ve got to go.”

“Go? Where are you going, Chloe? Is everything okay?” Michael looked alarmed, but I had no time to explain politely.

“I’m sorry, Michael. Yes. It’s the roommate.”

I blew a kiss to Crystal, grabbed my purse, and ran out of the restaurant.

***  

I only walked two blocks before I was able to hail a taxi. While I walked I used my phone to look up flight information. I told the driver to take me to LaGuardia Airport and then pulled out my iPhone again to make a reservation on the next plane leaving for Los Angeles. It was a good thing I was already sitting down when it came time to enter my credit card information. Last minute flights clear across the country are not cheap. I just told myself over and over again that love was worth it.

Well, it damn well better be.

Going through security was relatively quick. All I had was my small purse filled with my I.D., credit cards, breath mints, and lip gloss. I was taking traveling light to a whole new level. Once I made it to the gate and confirmed that I still had time before boarding, I used the extra time to pick up items I’d need; I bought a large canvas bag, snacks for the plane, a crossword puzzle book, a charger for my phone, and then sought out a pharmacy for toiletries. I found everything I needed save one, but I knew I’d be able to pick it up once I landed.

While I waited to board I debated whether I should call Patrick. To play it safe, I decided to, but got his voicemail.

“Uh, it’s me. Chloe. I’m not giving up on us. I just want you to know that.” I ended the call and rolled my eyes.
It’s me. Chloe.
Of course he’ll know it’s me. By the time the gate agent announced it was time to board I was sure I’d be turned away for suspicious behavior. I was nervous, in shock that I was actually boarding a plane to Los Angeles on a whim. Not how I saw my day ending when I woke up that morning.

Once we were in the air, I accepted a blanket from the flight attendant, kicked off my heels, and drifted off to sleep. I dreamt that I arrived at Patrick’s hotel to find he’d already gone and no one would tell me where. I’d also lost my purse and had no money to get home. I was sitting outside of Patrick’s hotel, crying in the street, when Lawrence appeared. Then I made myself wake up because fuck that. I spent the rest of the flight trying to concentrate on crossword puzzles and sipping ginger ale to quiet my nervous stomach.

Once we landed it took me only ten minutes to navigate my way out of the airport and into a taxi. Even though it was after ten in the evening, traffic was still heavy. As if reading my mind the driver gave me an apologetic smile in the rearview mirror.

“Not much further. First time in Los Angeles?” He was an older gentleman with a bald head and snow-white mustache. He looked like he should be home tucking in grandchildren instead of driving a cab.

“Yes it is.” I said politely.

“No luggage?”

“It was kind of a last minute decision.”

He smiled knowingly. “Ah. Love.”

I didn’t disagree.

*** 

“Ma’am, we can’t let you up without Mr. Murphy’s permission and he’s still not answering his phone.”

The hotel desk clerk was working my first and last nerve, even though she was simply doing her job. I tried to remind myself it wasn’t her fault I decided to fly out to Los Angeles without any planning, or that the hotel Patrick was staying in had higher security than the Pentagon. It wasn’t her fault you couldn’t enter the elevator bank without a room keycard. And it damn sure wasn’t her fault Patrick wasn’t answering his cell phone or the phone in his room.

I sighed and shifted my bag to the other shoulder. I glanced around the lavish lobby. “Would it be okay if I waited over there?” I pointed towards the crimson sofas across the lobby.

The clerk, a middle-aged woman with a pointy nose and serious receding hairline, pinched her lips together like she’d tasted something sour. “Fans aren’t permitted to loiter in the lobby. You’ll have to wait outside with the rest.” She cast a disapproving glance at a small circle of girls standing around outside the hotel. They were dressed like they were waiting to get into a nightclub.

“Oh, I’m not a groupie fan person. I told you, I’m his girlfriend and I just flew in to surprise him.”

She had the nerve to rise up on her toes and peer over the counter to see if I had luggage.

“Okay, how about this? Can I have a room?”

She sniffed and pressed a few buttons on the keyboard in front of her. “We have a single available.”

“I’ll take it.” I was reaching into my bag for my wallet when she told me the cost per night.

As I slid my credit card across the counter, it wept.

The hotel room was, hands down, the nicest one I’d ever been in. I kicked off my heels and my toes rejoiced as they sank into the lush carpet. Once my body hit the bed I considered calling it a night, right there in my cocktail dress. But since I still didn’t know where Patrick was, that wasn’t an option. I had a brief moment of panic when I considered that he could have already flown home. The clerk had said he wasn’t answering his phone, not that he had checked out. She definitely made it sound like he was still a guest. She was a bit of witch, but surely she wouldn’t have let me book a room knowing he wasn’t here. Would she?

If she thinks you’re a crazy groupie, she just might do that to you, Chloe.

If I couldn’t reach Patrick, I needed to speak to someone who could at least confirm he was still in Los Angeles. His agent was in New York, but that didn’t matter because I didn’t have her number. There was no way I would call his parents this late. The only person whose number I had, who would definitely know if Patrick was still in town, was the last person I ever wanted to talk to again. I retrieved my cell phone and noticed the battery was getting low. At least it wouldn’t be a long call, I reasoned, then pressed the name in my contacts list.

Kelly Kennedy answered on the second ring. “Helloooo?” There was loud music and chatter in the background.

“Hi Kelly, it’s Chloe. I was wondering if you’d seen Patrick. I haven’t been able to reach him.”

She giggled loudly. “Hold on.” There was movement and then the sound of a door opening and closing. When she got back on the line the background noise was considerably dimmer. “Are we really going to do this?”

“Do what, Kelly?” I was ready to kick my own ass for calling this woman.

“Don’t play games. You want to gloat. You want me to apologize. I’ll make it easy for you. Yes, I’m sorry I tried to fuck your boyfriend and he was too much of a loser to take advantage. If he thinks you’re gonna look better on his arm, help his career… well, good luck with that.”

She was obviously drunk and itching for a fight. Even though she was being six shades of trifling at the moment, I refused to give her one iota of satisfaction. She’d tried to sleep with Patrick and he shot her down. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

“So, Kelly, is that a no? You don’t know where Patrick is?” I smirked. She would not have me go off on her. There was nothing to gain from that. I’d already won.

“Oh, he’s here at the party. Don’t worry; Mr. Wet Blanket will be back in your arms in a few days. You’re welcome to him.”

And then she hung up.

I still didn’t know why Patrick wasn’t answering his phone, but at least I knew he was in town and he’d be coming back to the hotel. I’d left him messages. He’d call me when he could and then I could surprise him.

*** 

I awoke the next morning with no idea where I was or why I was naked. Then it came back to me. I took a shower under a showerhead that felt like being massaged by the hands of tiny angels and then passed out completely naked. I couldn’t keep that dress or underwear on another moment.

I checked my phone and noticed a voicemail from Patrick. I’d slept right through his call.

Hey, it’s me. Are you okay? I got your messages and now I’m worried. Call me back before I call your whole family and make a fool of myself. I’m going to the gym in the morning, but then I’m free all day.
He paused.
Okay. I... okay. Talk to you later.

My heart broke. The uncertainty in his voice killed me. I’d done that, and I was going to fix it. But I couldn’t do anything naked. I brushed my teeth and cringed as I slipped back into last night’s dress. I did a Google search and found a nearby shopping center with a Target Superstore. This was perfect because I knew it would have a pharmacy. It wasn’t where I usually shopped for clothes, but it would have to do. Considering how much I’d already spent on this impromptu trip, I wasn’t in any position to be hitting up Rodeo Drive.

I quickly walked across the lobby, hoping I didn’t look like a hooker leaving a job. Thankfully there was a different clerk on duty at the registration desk. There was a line of taxis waiting in the circular drive outside the main entrance. I got in one and asked to be taken to the shopping center.

Two hours later I was back in my room sorting through my purchases: a few sundresses, three bra and panty sets, sandals, flip-flops, more toiletries, and a travel bag I could use as a carry-on for the trip home. I took another shower and changed into fresh underwear, one of my new dresses, and the sandals. Then I called Patrick.

“Hey! Chloe, what is going on? Is everything okay?” I cringed at the panic in his voice.

“I’m fine. Where are you?”

“Just leaving the hotel gym. Where are you?”

I grabbed my key card and left the room. Dodging his question, I asked, “Have a good workout?”