Betrayed

Rhode Island

Janice and her boyfriend were picking me up from the airport. Though Sam was a very nice good looking guy he was also very intimidating. His sharp dark eyes were always watching and analyzing the surroundings. I understood that he was a private investigator, but it made me wary to be around him. It was only when we were at Janice's apartment that he seemed to let his guard down and became warm and open, especially when Janice was around. I totally understood why she was into him. He was the typical tall, dark and handsome guy women sought out.

"How long have you two been together now?" I asked when he left to get food for supper.

"About a year, but we've known each other since we were kids," she said with a smile.

"Does he live here with you?" I asked, curious about their living arrangements.

"Oh no!" she laughed. "Sam is far too independent to have a live-in girlfriend," she said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"Well he likes things a certain way, he's a little stuck in his ways sometimes, but this works the best for us. We each have our own place but he usually spends half the week here. It's not like we are going to have kids, so we can afford to live like this."

"You're okay with this?" I asked, incredulous.

"Totally okay with it!" she assured me with a great big smile. She filled me in on her diner and the people that helped her run it and that she hoped to one day own it, though she wasn't sure the family would sell it to her. We caught each other up while waiting for Sam to return with the food we had ordered.

"I wonder what's taking him so long," Janice said after a while, pacing up and down the living room and peeking out the window. "You must be starving Harper, sorry about that" she said.

"Actually I'm fine."

"I have to work tomorrow morning, but if you want to come have a look around, I'm sure Peter wouldn't mind giving you a tour of the place. He will probably talk your ear off too" she said, amused.

"Oh, I talked to Peter the other day when I called you didn't I?"

"Yes, he's always at the diner, he's Sam's little brother"

"Sounds exciting, I wouldn't mind that at all," I said enthusiastically.

"Jan, I'm back" Sam called as he entered. He looked around the apartment and when his eyes met with Janice's, a smile erupted on his face, nearly making me melt and wishing I had that sort of relationship with someone. Janice made her way over to the door to help bring in the food.

"What took you so long? Harper nearly died of starvation" she said chastising Sam. I gave her a deathly glare.

"Stop projecting your feelings onto me" I teased.

"Sorry ladies, Pastiche was fucking busy" he shook his head in disbelif.

"You got dessert too?" she exclaimed, giddy as a little kid as she carefully took the pastry box into the kitchen.

"Thought you ladies might enjoy some Torta di Cioccolata" he said with a mischievous grin. Clearly he knew all of Janice's weak spots. I smiled at their open affection for each other and went into the kitchen to help them set up the various take out containers. Sam and Janice gave me their undivided attention as I spoke about my experience with my recent surgery, both of them were incredibly empathetic but I played down how afraid I was throughout the whole ordeal.

"My biggest regret through all this though," I began, "was that I had to drag Remi through it all." I said. A sob involuntarily escaped my throat as I recalled our last conversation. I immediately regretted having brought Remi up, especially in front of Sam whom I didn't really know that well.