Rising Tides by Maria Rachel Hooley Read Free Book Online

is pleased, and we can go home tomorrow.”  His fingers brushed through the huge stack of ties and finally selected a paisley print; he didn’t even glance at me.
    “Another job well-done,” I replied, pulling a black cocktail dress out of the closet.  “Debra’s been an asset to this deal, no doubt.”
    Gary’s fingers stopped moving.  He clenched his jaw in response.  “Of course she’s been an asset.”  He pulled out a white shirt and tugged the plastic wrap from around it.  “I didn’t think you’d mind if I asked her to dine with us.” Instead of looking at me, he put it on and focused on draping the tie around the collar.
    I hung the dress on the hanger on the back of the door.  “No, I don’t mind.”  Closing the door, I turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature.  Steam billowed from the stall, quickly fogging the mirror.  Reaching out, I tested the water.  I’d always preferred hot showers to lukewarm ones.  Satisfied, I stepped into the stream and let it wash away everything.
    I closed my eyes. The water to sprayed my face, stealing my breath, leaving a burning tingle across my face.  I lingered in that embrace for precious seconds, absorbing the warmth.  In that stolen moment, I realized I wasn’t going back home with Gary, not tomorrow and not ever.  I stepped back, washed my body and hair, and rinsed before stepping out and blow-drying my long hair.
    After we’d finished getting ready, Gary and I met Debra in the hotel lobby.  “How are you doing?” she asked, patting my shoulder with her manicured fingernails.
    “Great,” I replied with enthusiasm I didn’t feel.  I shrugged away from her hand, watching the diamond tennis bracelet sparkle in he chandelier light.  I wondered if Gary had given it to her.  “I’ve never felt better.”  I painted a smile on my face as we walked through the parking garage to the rental car.
    Always the gentleman, Gary opened my door and waited until I had seated myself before closing it.  He offered Debra the same courtesy before slipping behind the wheel and driving us to the restaurant.  The three of us stared out opposite windows, as though the passing lights had lured us from each other, and conversation didn’t resume until we’d been were seated inside Francesco’s Eatery.  Then Gary said to Debra, “That was a fine job you did this week.  I could never have closed the deal without you.”
    The waiter had seated us beside a window, and as I looked outside, I saw moonlight gleaming off the ocean.  In that second, I wanted to be back at the beach house, far away from Gary and Debra.  I closed my eyes and thought of Tyler’s face, his laugh, his hands.
    “..do much,”  Debra said as I opened my eyes and focused back on the conversation.  She looked down at her lap as she unfolded a scarlet napkin and laid it across her lap.  “I’ll just be glad to get back home.”
    Gary’s hand touched my thigh with a soft, reassuring pat, as if I had spoken, not his mistress.  “Yeah, I think we all know that feeling.”
    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gary staring at me.  I didn’t have to face him to know his expression.  After four years of marriage, I knew his lips would be slightly pursed.  His eyebrows would tug downward slightly, frowning without emotion.  He would blink a few times, waiting for me to respond, and when I didn’t, he’d find some other words to say.
    “Have you spoken to your mother about Aaron?” he asked as his hand dropped away from my leg.
    Nodding, Debra replied, “He’s doing fine.  He misses me and says he has lots of neat pictures for me to hang on the bulletin board at work.”  She tilted her head back and brushed her shoulder-length hair over her shoulders.
    “I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you,” I said, sipping my wine.  Not that you’re completely unwelcome here.  Gary always likes to see you.
    Gary stared at my hand, the one holding the glass.  “Should you