Strange Encounter

Chapter 12

Two weeks had passed. A few text messages was all she received from him. Her sense of loss was beyond tears. She was unemployed and alone.

Sally came over to get her out of her apartment. This was worse than Robbie. At least she had a job to throw herself into; now all she did was clean and bake. Sally gained 10 pounds with all the chocolate chip cookies Riley made.

"We are going out tonight so get dressed."

Those were almost the same words Sally used the night she met William. Just thinking of him made her eyes tear up. Shouldn't she be all cried out by now? "Have you heard from Benedict?"

Sally didn't have the heart to tell Riley that Benedict never left. He stayed behind and she was happy but her best friend was miserable. Benedict told Sally that after William left Riley, they all went to the airport. Peter, William and Lucinda. Riley didn't need to know that part. Sally shrugged her shoulders. "Get dressed Riley."

"I'd rather not."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you thought this was up for discussion. Get in that shower or I'll put you in there myself."

Riley was shocked at this forceful side of Sally. She was always a little pushy but never this insistent. Sally stomped her foot and pointed to the bathroom. Riley turned and walked into the bathroom. "And don't take too long."

"Yes, Captain." Riley shouted from the bathroom.

Sally wanted to give Riley a clue about tonight's events but Benedict swore her to secrecy. Her orders were to get Riley ready for a surprise.

After 15 minutes, Riley was ready. She was wearing her favorite red dress with a low cut front. She left her hair down, the way William liked it. Again the tears clouded her vision but she brushed them aside. Tonight she would forget about him and have fun.

Sally was texting when she turned to Riley. "You look stunning. I'm going downstairs to get a cab. I'll be right back." Sally practically ran out of the apartment.

Riley grabbed her purse and keys. Looking at her phone, she was disappointed that she had no new messages. She hadn't heard anything from him since yesterday. Someone knocked on her door.

"That was quick," she said opening the door, staring at 2 dozen red roses. Her heart skipped a beat. William peered from above the roses. She squealed and jumped into his arms. He carried her inside, closing the door with his foot.

"I missed you darling," he said in between kisses. He put her down on the floor.

She swatted his chest as she took the flowers from him. "Where the hell have you been?"

He chuckled. That's his girl. Hot and cold. He wouldn't have her any other way. "London like I said."

"I hadn't heard from you in 24 hours," she yelled from the kitchen.

He sat on the sofa. "I wanted to surprise you and I knew if I rang you, I would accidentally say something to make you suspicious. You are very astute."

She came out of the kitchen. "Don't try to butter me up. I'm angry with you."

He smiled. "I can tell. It took so long because I had a lot of loose ends to tie up." He gave her a devilish look.

Her mind went to the night he tied her up and she blushed. "Um. Unfortunately, I was on my way out."

"I know. I arranged it," he smiled.

She squinted her eyes in suspicion. "You arranged it? You mean to tell me you were in contact with Sally and not me?" Her voice was getting louder with each word.