Overcoming The Lie

Chapter 9

As the cab arrived at Paul's hotel, Addison could not stop shaking. She had no idea why she was nervous, it wasn't like Paul pressured her into going or that he had any expectations. Maybe it was how soon all this was happening after Mark, or maybe it was because she was starting to have some real feelings for Paul. Whatever it was, Addison nearly turned back, but as she was about to ask the driver to take her back to her hotel, the cab had stopped moving and the driver called out they were there. It was too late now, she committed, she thought. She rearranged her cover-up, stepped out of the cab and walked over to the front desk.

"Hi, I am here visiting a friend here. He told me to meet him by the pool bar."

"Of course, ma'am. Walk down this hallway here, take a right at the end, and when you spot the palm trees, you are there. The pool is just on the other side of the trees and the bar will be on the far-left corner."

"Thank you so much, have a good evening."

"You as well, ma'am. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you."

Addison followed his directions and soon found the pool. She stopped for a minute, scanning the area, looking for the bar and Paul. She found them both, as Paul was sitting at the bar with a drink in his hand, back turned away from her. As she took a deep breath and started her walk to him, he turned around and spotted her. He quickly smiled and waved her over to him. Any doubts or second-guesses she may have had disappeared as Paul smiled at her, replaced with only light and happiness.

"I didn't know if you would come. I mean, I hoped you would, but I didn't want to get my hopes up."

"Honestly, I wasn't sure I was going to come either. But then I thought, you are a really nice man who made me smile and laugh, and someone who I wanted to spend more time with."

"That makes me so happy, I am glad you are here, Addison. So, can I get you a drink?"

"I would love a martini, thank you."

"One martini coming up, I will be right back." As Paul waded over to the bar, Addison slipped out of her coverup and shorts and sunk comfortably into the water of the pool. The pool itself was outside, surrounded by palm trees, making it feel like a secluded oasis retreat. It was already dark outside, but the courtyard was lit up by the fairy lights strung up across the courtyard. There was also the quiet sound of 80's pop music playing. A couple minutes later, Paul made his way back to Addison, carrying a martini in one hand and a local beer in the other.

"Thank you. So how does this horse ride compare to your last experience, any better?"

"Much better. But I am not sure if that is because I wasn't thrown off a horse this time, or because of the beautiful woman keeping me company." Paul smiled shyly. He was constantly taken aback that this amazing woman chose to spend time with him. After his fiancée, Paul was not sure he would find someone who he could laugh effortlessly with or talk to with no awkward silences or dead-end conversations. Addison was something special and he was so happy she decided to meet him tonight.

"Well, aren't you the smooth talker. For the record, I am glad your horse did not throw you off, it definitely would have put a damper in the evening."

"That's for sure. Now, how long are you here in Arizona for? I know you said you come here to get away and clear your head."

"I don't really have a set date I have to be back in LA. I transferred my critical patients to other doctors, and I will be keeping up with all of them. Now Marli might go crazy if I am gone too long. So, in other words, my calendar is open. What about you, how long are you here?"

"My only set plans as of right now are to drive out to the Grand Canyon National Park next week and camp for a few days exploring the area. I have more items on my bucket list, but I am open to whatever happens. Knowing I am alive and healthy leaves me grateful and ready for anything and everything that may come my way. Take us for example, I never planned on meeting someone who I could connect with so quickly and deeply, but here we are. I am sorry if that was too forward."