Broken Resolutions

Chapter Six

 In the master bedroom, Craig locks the door behind him, crosses the room, sits on the bed, and hurriedly dials the number.

He counts each ring. Four. Five. Six. Seven. What is taking her so long? He can feel a burning in his stomach. He feels slightly nauseated.

Amber’s first thought is to run to the bathroom, but she suddenly realizes she doesn’t know where it is. Instead, she runs through the foyer and enters the first room she sees, which happens to be the library. Closing the double doors behind her, she flings herself down onto the leather couch near the door. The room is dark. She does not bother turning on the light, just places her head in her hands and weeps. This was supposed to be such a special night, a magical night. Max was going to introduce her to his friends for the first time. And his ex-wife was even going to be there. They would be a couple, and it would be official. 

And Hannah Heart! She was in the home of Hannah Heart—practically her very favorite writer, although she hadn’t been very friendly so far. But there are a lot of people here. And Rita, she has been so mean. What a fool she has been in thinking Rita would be any different. But Max had said Rita was looking forward to meeting her. Maybe she should never have come to this party. Maybe she should go home now. She wonders where her coat is.

One of the doors opens, startling her. 

“Hey,” Andrew closes the door behind him.

Amber sniffles and wipes her eyes. “I didn’t know where the bathroom was.”

“Are you okay?” Andrew sits down on the couch.

 “Yeah. I’m fine. I guess I shouldn’t have come tonight.” She sniffles again.

“No. Don’t say that. Of course you should have.” He places a protective arm around her. “We were all looking forward to meeting you.”

She wipes at her eyes again. “Yeah, sure. Especially Rita.”

“Don’t listen to her. Put yourself in her place for a minute. You’re young. You’re beautiful. You come here tonight looking absolutely gorgeous…”

“In my tacky mall dress.”

“You and I both know that’s not true.” He pulls her toward him briefly in a brotherly fashion. “You look beautiful. She’s no competition. She can’t deal with that.”

“Why would she even see me like that? She was the one who left Max. She didn’t want him anymore. Why would she care if he met me?”

Andrew tried not to smile. So that’s what Max told her—that Rita left him first. Amber had no clue that she was the other woman. “I wouldn’t worry about it. She’s just jealous.”

“I don’t even like this dress. Max picked it out. I told him I thought it was too short.”

“No, no. It’s not too short. It’d be a crime to cover up such a body. An absolute felony.”

Amber tenses.

With his free hand, Andrew reaches over and wipes an errant tear from her cheek. “Don’t cry. I hate to see a beautiful woman cry.”

What about an ugly woman, Amber thinks to herself. She pulls away slightly.

“I’m not sure that even Max realizes how beautiful you are,” he tells her. “When you ran out of the room, I was waiting for him to follow you, but he didn’t. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t stand to see you so hurt.”

Amber looks toward the door. Andrew’s hand is still firmly on her shoulder. What is it with men, she thinks. Why do they all think they’re so damned irresistible? Do I have EASY tattooed across my forehead? I shouldn’t have worn this dress, she thinks.