Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 38

Elizabeth sat on the window seat, contemplating the photo of Jasper Jacks and Brenda Barrett which she had attached to her sketch pad. Jax asked her to use the photo as a guide for the portrait he had commissioned her to paint. They look so happy and in love in the photo, Liz thought. Almost as happy as Lucky and me, she chuckled to herself.

She glanced at the grandfather clock which stood in the foyer by the front door. Dawn should be there soon, but maybe she'd have enough time to sketch an outline. Her pencil was poised to begin when the doorbell rang. Then again, maybe not she thought as she closed her sketch pad and sauntered to the front door.

A quick look into the peephole told her that her friend had arrived and with her usual exuberance, Elizabeth opened the door. She laughed when she saw the expression on Dawn's face. "Did I scare ya?" Liz asked with a smile.

"No!" Dawn said, grinning. When Liz stepped aside to let her pass, Dawn walked in, headed straight for the sofa, and plopped down. Her brown leather purse landed next to her feet as she rested her head against the back of the sofa. Covering her eyes with her hand, she released a long sigh.

"What's wrong with you?" Liz asked, as she sat in the rocking chair, amused by the drama as it unfolded before her eyes.

"Where should I begin?" Dawn asked, smiling as she removed her hand so that she could look at Liz.

Liz saw the strain in Dawn's eyes and quickly moved from the rocking chair to sit beside Dawn. With a frown, she asked, "What's wrong? I thought you sounded weird when I called you earlier. Is everything okay? How's Wyndemere?"

"Wyndemere is okay. It'll take some getting used to. The long halls. The dark shadows. The nights with Nikky," she added with a faraway smile.

"Okay, I can see it's not Wyndemere," Liz said, amused by the lascivious gleam that came across Dawn's face when she spoke of her Nikky. "I know something is up. Did you have a fight or something?"

"Well, I guess you could call it that," Dawn said, a frown wrinkling her forehead. She sat up straight and looked Liz dead in the eye as she asked, "What do you know about Robin Scorpio?"

"You got into a fight with Robin?" Liz asked.

"In a way. She was there when you called. She's the reason why I probably sounded weird."

"What do you mean 'in a way'? Don't tell me you two were battling over Nikolas," Liz said, laughing softly at the very idea of Dawn having to battle anyone over Nikolas. No woman would ever stand a chance with her when it came to him, especially not Robin Scorpio.

"Why did you say that?" Dawn asked as her frowned increased and worry clouded her eyes. "Is there something I should know?"

"No! Of course not," Liz reassured her. Liz thought for a moment as she began to vaguely recall a few things about her sister, Sarah, Nikolas, and Robin. "Um...well, maybe there is a little something."

"Tell me!" Dawn said.

~*~

"I'm surprised you were able to meet with me," Robin said as Nikolas joined her. They were at the Outback. Robin had impulsively called Nikolas to see if he and Dawn could join her for lunch. She could care less if Dawn came, but she wanted Nikolas to think that she cared. In order for her plan to work, she had to get back in his good graces even if it meant being nice to the wife who was nowhere close to being good enough for him.

"Why? Did you think Dawn would forbid it?" Nikolas asked with a smile as he thought of his wife.

"No, not necessarily that. I just thought... Well, it is obvious that she doesn't really like me," Robin said. When she saw his expression darken, she quickly added, "Not that she doesn't have a reason for feeling that way. I acted horribly. I hope she can forgive me."