Betrayal

Chapter 12

Ali

I'm careful to drive exactly on the speed limit. I check my mirrors for cops and watch my surroundings like a hawk. The last thing I need is to be pulled over. Especially right now.

There's a pit in my stomach.

It was so easy to get Dominic's car. I told him I wanted to go to Sag Harbor to look at gifts for his birthday. It made him quite happy and it made me feel guilty. But only in that moment. As soon as I got into the car all I could think about was Warren.

Lola wanted to come with me. It was difficult to come up with any sort of an excuse so I just told her I wanted to be alone. It's not unusual for me to say that to her. She didn't protest and only hugged me goodbye. Somehow that made me feel more guilty than the conversation with Dominic did.

When I woke up this morning there was a text message on my phone from Warren. It told me exactly where to meet him and at what time. A restaurant called Page Sag Harbor at one o'clock. I've wondered how he got my phone number and plan to ask him if I can muster the courage.

It's twelve thirty now. I'm going to get there early. My GPS tells me I'm going to arrive at twelve forty-five. I don't know this area at all and was more than surprised to discover his home is only fifteen minutes away from this town. I had expected it to be further than that for some reason.

The ocean keeps distracting me as I drive. It's hard not to be distracted by it despite my attempts to stay completely and totally focused on the road. This area is like a dream world to me. Out of my realm. It's certainly the most beautiful place I've ever been.

Sag Harbor is what I imagine a small town would be like. It seems out of place. The restaurant is beautiful from the outside. Rows of windows and a long black and white awning. The tables outside are filled with people. And even more people are walking past with shopping bags.

I parallel park in one of the few empty spots down the street from the restaurant. It's exactly twelve forty-five. I shut the car off and close my eyes, lean my head back against the headrest, and take slow breaths.

It begins to get hot in here quickly. I look down at myself and take stock of what I'm wearing. A black cropped shirt, jean shorts, and black Birkenstocks. I hope he'll think I look attractive like this. I dressed this way on purpose just in the hopes that he would.

I'm trying to mentally prepare myself to see him. I got a glimpse of him in the hallway this morning in his swim trunks, but I don't think he saw me. I'd peeked out of the bedroom door just as he was going into his bedroom.

At a few minutes to one, I get out of the car. I wait for a handful of cars to pass before I walk across the street. It's just as crowded inside as it is outside. I look over the tables I can see as I go to the hostess desk, but don't see him anywhere.

"Do you have a reservation, Miss?"

"I'm meeting someone, "I say quietly. "Warren Sallow."

I whisper his name. He nods and motions for me to follow him. We go toward the back of the restaurant. Every table has a crisp, white tablecloth and black, wooden chairs. It's a beautiful restaurant.

I stop walking when I see him. He's sitting at a table for two. A menu is opened in front of him. He's wearing his glasses and a full gray suit that looks immaculate on him. His hair is a dark, graying, curled, and wild mess on top of his head. It almost looks out of place with the rest of him. I like that he just lets it go and doesn't try to tame it.

He looks up and his eyes catch mine. As I begin to walk to him on shaky legs he's standing up. I stop when I reach him and he stares down at me, looks my face over, down the entirety of my body, then pulls out my chair. As I sit down he pushes it in and I can smell his cologne. It makes me sigh and shudder.