Lake Como by Anita Hughes Read Free Book Online Page A

she’d found someone who made her happy. Kendra would plan a small soiree, possibly in the store. Peter was a minor celebrity and her clients would be impressed by Hallie and Peter’s engagement.
    Hallie dabbed water on the stain and checked her hair and lip gloss. She pictured flickering candles and stained-glass windows. She imagined Peter slipping the ring on her finger. She could hear his vows, like the ones she listened to all summer.
    Peter would promise to make her eggs sunny-side up, and to be there for her every day. Hallie would say “I do” and the guests would smile and clap. They’d leave the church in a white Bentley, sipping champagne and peering out the window. It was going to be a gorgeous wedding and they were going to be a golden couple.
    Hallie walked back to the table and saw a tall man leaning against the banquette. He had red hair and freckles and he was punching Peter on the shoulder.
    “Hallie, this is Rex Meany. He was a couple of years ahead of me at Stanford. He was a brilliant math major with a brain like Einstein.”
    “Seems like you’re the smart one.” Rex winked at Peter approvingly. “Yesterday I saw you at lunch with that ravishing brunette and tonight you’re at dinner with a classy blonde. I should quit finance and become a journalist.”
    Hallie froze. She looked from Rex to Peter. She slid into the banquette, her heart beating fiercely.
    “Hallie is my fiancée,” Peter explained. “We got engaged this evening.”
    “In that case, you better give me the brunette’s phone number.” Rex pounded Peter on the back. “I haven’t seen Peter in years. Obviously I’ve been hanging out in the wrong places.”
    “I’d like to go,” Hallie said quietly.
    “I don’t want to interrupt the celebration.” Rex shook Peter’s hand. “Congratulations, send me an invitation to the wedding.”
    Hallie watched Rex walk to the bar. She glanced at Peter, but it was as if she was peering down a tunnel. His face came in and out of focus and his voice seemed far away.
    “Hallie,” Peter repeated. “Did you hear me?”
    “Hear what?” Hallie tried to concentrate on Peter’s mouth.
    “I met Kendra for lunch to show her your ring.” Peter rested his elbows on the table.
    “My ring.” Hallie glanced at her finger as if she’d forgotten she was wearing it. “Why would you want to show her my ring?”
    “She works with you, she knows your taste.” Peter was almost shouting.
    “I can hear you,” Hallie murmured. “I don’t quite understand.”
    “I met Kendra at Perry’s on Union Street,” Peter said in a rush. “I needed a woman’s perspective. I wanted to make sure I chose the perfect ring.”
    Hallie blinked. “Don’t they have women at the jewelry store? Aren’t there such things as salesgirls?”
    “I needed to ask someone who knew you and could keep a secret. The ring is really important to me,” Peter pleaded. “You’re going to wear it forever.”
    “I don’t think I am.” Hallie wriggled it off her finger and dropped it on the table. “Maybe you and Kendra are a better match. You’re both really good at keeping secrets.”
    “Hallie, stop.” Peter grabbed her hand. “I love you. I want to marry you.”
    “And you’re both excellent liars.” Hallie stood up. She slipped out of the booth and ran to the door.
    “You have to believe me.” Peter followed her outside. “I can’t live without you.”
    Peter grabbed her and squeezed her shoulders. He pulled her face to his and kissed her hard on the mouth. Hallie tasted wine and sorbet. She felt his chest shielding her from the fog.
    “I don’t know what to believe.” Hallie pulled away and ran down the street.
    “Wait!” Peter called desperately. “I have to pay the bill.”
    Hallie ran until Peter’s voice was swallowed up by the fog and she could only hear her heels clicking on the sidewalk.
    *   *   *
    Hallie ran four blocks before she realized she didn’t know where she was