Matter of Choice Read online

  “Triston.” She pulled the band from her hair and tossed the strands free in the breeze. “Don’t … I’m not … I’m not ‘honey’”

  His eyes shifted away, jaw tensing for a mere moment, then reached out to cup her chin in his hands, pushing a few stray strands away from her cheeks with his thumbs. “What’s wrong?”

  “I left him tonight.” She eased her head away from his grasp and tucked the hair behind her ears. “Greg doesn’t even know yet. Or maybe he does by now.” She shrugged, still twisting the rose in her fingers. It was easier to concentrate on the flower than his face. “All I took were some clothes and necessities. He can have everything else, as long as I can keep this hotel. Everything else, I just don’t care.” A grimace pulled at her features, rambling was not what was practiced script for this conversation.

  She sounded like such as whiner. A needy, pitiful whiner. Where was the fiddle, it would complete the picture so well.

  Triston’s strong arms reached out to pull her in, crushing her against the strength of his body. “He wasn’t home?”

  Shannon’s head shook against his chest. “No.” Being held felt good. It felt so good. “I left him a note. Dear Jane kinda thing.”

  “Only it was a Dear John kinda thing, huh?”

  She laughed softly. “Don’t hear of those so often.” She pushed away. Although she could have stayed there the rest of the night, or as long as it took. She wondered, for a moment, if she was that needy, and drew in a breath. That was something she’d never been, she didn’t plan on starting now. “So I’ve been standing here, waiting for the sun to drop beyond the river, trying to see my next move. A lawyer I guess. Need papers filed and served.” She frowned, toeing the pebbles at her feet. “I’m on foreign grounds here.”

  “Afraid I can’t help you there. Never been married and all, well, you know that.” He pinched her chin gently between a thumb and forefinger. “But, what I can do is take you out for dinner, show you a good time.”

  She shook her head. “Triston, I can’t do that. For one, I’m not about to show my face in public with another man and have everyone think … what they would think. Secondly, I’m not ready for your idea of a good time.”

  Triston laughed. “Shy, I have to say, I’ve always loved that sass of yours.” He sighed. “Listen, I’m not talking about anything sexual. I’m talking dinner, a walk along that river of yours, or maybe a dinner cruise. I’ve heard they’re really great. As for what anyone else thinks, who cares? I don’t remember you ever being the kind of woman who based her living on everyone else’s presumptions. And after all he’s done, you going out to dinner and relaxing is far less than what you deserve.” He nodded his head upward. “Let everyone think what they want. Come out with me. Relax. Enjoy life for a little bit.”

  Shannon looked past him at the river, mind turning over the possibilities. Her voice sounded a million miles away as she spoke, her heart and mind conflicted. “It’s early in the season for a dinner cruise, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had dinner out.”

  “Then let’s do it. You go to your room, I’ll go to mine. We’ll get dressed and I’ll meet you in what, thirty minutes?”

  Shannon smiled. “Okay. But the dinner and that’s it. Nothing afterwards Triston. Agreed?”

  He nudged her shoulder. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Shy. You’re acting more desperate than I am.”

  He turned towards the Grande and Shannon watched as he headed inside, looking over his shoulder with a sly wink before disappearing around the corner. She loosely pinched her lips, looked down at the young rose. Dinner. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a nice dinner out. And it wasn’t a date.

  She wondered if she’d be able to explain that to her pounding heart.

  *

  Shannon examined herself in the bathroom mirror, fidgeting with her hair which, despite being shifted about, still hung gracefully over her shoulders. Eyebrows plucked, light russet eye shadow and black eyeliner, a hint of blush and pearl pink lipstick. She traced the edges of her lips with a pinkie finger, and, satisfied she didn’t look like a clown, took a step backward. Her hand hovered over the diamond eternity necklace she’d used to decorate the sweetheart necklace of her pretty and not-too-sexy silk cocktail dress. Was it too much? Lips pulled tight into consideration as she reached down to the feel the matching bracelet dropping against her wrist. The pieces dressed up the cocktail dress so nicely, and the only ones she’d taken from the jewelry box at the house, yet maybe the price tag was too obvious. Rubbing the bracelet, she closed her eyes. This was ridiculous. Why was she so nervous?

  “This isn’t a real date Shy… Shannon.” The heat surged from the nape of her neck as Triston’s nickname slipped across her lips so comfortably. She sighed. That couldn’t be good.

  The alarm clock on the nightstand next to the bed caught her eye and she struggled with its revelation. Only three minutes before she was supposed to meet him in the lobby. She had definitely gotten ready in record time. That couldn’t be good either. Too eager. Being eager wasn’t good at all.

  Her fingers tugged at the latch of the bracelet, and she laid it at the foot of the bed. Necklace, no bracelet. Good compromise. She picked up the matching chained purse and draped it over a shoulder. As she headed towards the door, she had to admit, good or not, she was looking forward to the evening.

  *

  Heads turned as Shannon stepped out of the elevator, and she fought the urge not to turn around and make a hasty retreat. It was business as usual: guests coming and going from the restaurant to dinner, leaving and coming from the hotel from their nightly excursions, relaxing in the alcoves with family and friends. Everyone knew who she was, and she couldn’t help wonder what they thought of her formal attire. Stiffening her chest, she returned the smile of a passing couple and held her head up. Tonight, she wasn’t just the boss, the hotel manager. Tonight, she was one of the guests and she was heading out for an evening. There was nothing wrong with that.

  Triston stood near the front entry, gaze fixed on her. His lips curled into a coy, slanted smile, and he nodded as their eyes met, then headed out the door to the parking lot. Tucking her hair behind an ear, she scanned the lobby, narrowed her eyes and smiled. Respect for her wishes, and no scene. The tension carried in both shoulders eased enough for her to breath, and she started towards the door.

  She’d made it halfway across the lobby and heard Naomi shout her name.

  Shannon turned with a flush of pink tingeing her cheeks. So much for sneaking out unnoticed. “Yes, Naomi?”

  “Ms. Winters, I’m sorry for interrupting you - it looks like you’re on your way out - but I have a list of ten rooms for the banquet tomorrow night, and was wondering if there was anything special I needed to do with them. I know you usually assign these types of events.”

  Shannon felt like a deer in headlights. The banquet totally slipped her mind, and she hadn’t attended to many of the details. Looking into Naomi’s expectant eyes, she wondered if she should cancel the evening with Triston and look into the progress her teams had made. Lips sucked tight over her teeth, she smiled at the front desk clerk. “Try to keep them all on the third floor, away from other families, especially those with young children. Are there any security officers or secret service accompanying the guests?”

  Naomi scanned the paper in her hands. “I don’t think so. It doesn’t specify …”

  “Let me take a look.” She took the list from Naomi’s hands and glanced down at the mostly familiar names. “Looks like a couple of secret service members.” She pointed to two names she knew well. “Senator Johnson travels with his family, and Mr. Grossman is their detail. Also, Ms. Tipton details for Mr. Coswell. Put these two rooms next to one another,” she pointed to Johnson and Grossman, “and these two rooms next to one another.

  “Also, Johnson’s family likes to have apple juice and fruit punch available in their refrigerator, along with his chocolate milk, 2%. And for both details, m
ake sure there is extra water waiting for them.”

  Naomi nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Ms. Winters. You look beautiful, by the way.”

  Shannon nodded, trying to ignore the currency of nerves coursing from head to toe. “Thank you, Naomi. Now don’t worry about these, do the best you can, and be courteous of all the guests. You’ll do fine. It’s probably about time I start allowing you to appoint these more complex room assignments.” She paused, hating how shaky her voice sounded, then smiled at her employee, hoping it provided distraction. “I’ll be back in a little while, but you’ll probably be gone for the day. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a note or voicemail, and I’ll look into it, okay?”

  She nodded again. “Have a nice evening.”

  “Thank you again, Naomi.”

  The nagging beckoned again for her to return to the office, and Shannon swallowed hard. Trusting her employees and enjoying a night out was not such an inappropriate thing.

  *

  Scanning eyes found Triston leaning casually against a yellow convertible with its top down. Shannon held a breath, her heart thrilled at the sight of him. Dressed in black suit pants and jacket, a white cotton collarless shirt underneath, he looked formal, yet casual and entirely too sexy. His face lit up and Shannon gulped as he angled in her direction. The memories of everything she fell in love with at the ripe age of seventeen rushed her. She gulped. It wasn’t all memories from long ago begging attention. How had everything about Triston get better over time?

  She strolled to his side as casually as jellied legs allowed. “I’m sorry it took me so long, I had to attend to some details. And thank you for not making this too obvious. I don’t want to have to explain anything just yet. I still have so much to work out for myself.” She softly gulped. The roller coaster in her stomach was taking unfamiliar and uncomfortable plunges into long forgotten depths.

  He reached and rubbed her elbow as she drew near enough to stand before him. “Shy, I’m not trying to make a spectacle out of our … relationship.” He laughed. “And don’t roll your eyes and give me that look. What else can I call it?”

  Shannon shook her head, hands planted firm on her hips. “A friendship is about as far as I’ll go. We had an agreement, remember?”

  He grinned. “I’m not arguing semantics. Come on.” He led her around the car to the passenger side and opened the door, motioning to the black leather seat waiting to be occupied. “I made a couple of phone calls earlier, and have some reservations for us. All you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy.”

  She smiled as she eased into the car. “Do you know where you’re going? I can help with directions.”

  “Not needed. And besides, I think it’d be nice for you to have a pleasant surprise for a change.”

  The flutters returned. “You’re hopeless, Triston.” Starved for affection, that’s all. Everyone has a cliché in their life, this is mine. The sensation passed, fragile composure settling in. Her tongue ran over her lips. Justification, that’s all it took.

  He chuckled and closed the door. She flashed a quick look over the backseat as he trotted around the rear bumper, and glanced up at the sky. Greg didn’t like convertibles and, although they could have easily afforded a high end vehicle, Shannon had never ridden in one. She imagined the feeling of racing through the open air. The image of Triston running fingers through her hair as it rode the breeze danced before her mind’s eye. Her hands shot up and wrapped the strands in a ponytail.

  “Are you okay? You look a little flushed?”

  He plugged the key into the ignition, eyes lit with concern. She watched helplessly, insides melting, as his hand drifted over her cheek.

  “Shy? Do you feel okay? We can hold off if you’re not feeling well.”

  “No, I’m fine.” Clearing her throat, she shifted focus out the side window, watching people come and go, thankful none paid attention to her or the fool she was making of herself. “I’ll give you one thing. You definitely keep the car a whole lot cleaner than when we were in high school.”

  “See? Some things do change.” He backed out of space and headed onto Oceanview Trail.

  “I suppose so. But some things are harder to change than others.”

  He groaned theatrically. “Just let me prove it to you, Shy. You’ll be surprised. Pleasantly. I promise.”

  “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, okay? I’m still married, in some form, and right now I’m here only as a tour guide, dinner and friend.”

  Triston smiled, squeezing the steering wheel, eyes fixated on the road ahead. “Yes, ma’am. By the way, if it’s not too out of bounds, or even if it is - I don’t care - I want to say, before we go anywhere, you’re beautiful. You take my breath away.”

  She tried to answer, to thank him, to say anything resembling coherent speech, but all she could muster was a smile and nod.

  He nodded and head north along the shore. Shannon watched the blue of the sky whisked with thin clouds race by, birds soared and dipped alongside the river, and she thrilled at the crisp air playing in her hair just as she imagined moments ago. Laying her head against the headrest, she closed her eyes, elated as the silent motor of the engine raced them across the stretch upriver, the feeling of flight so easily imagined.

  Triston’s cologne rode the breeze to her nostrils, clipping her wings as she crashed back into the moment. Opening her eyes, she looked over at him to spy the smile etched on his lips. Clove and nutmeg, hints of other scents, she fought against the tremors it shot through every pore of her being.

  “I think this is the happiest I’ve seen you since I arrived.”

  She sighed. “I think it is the happiest I’ve been in years.” She bit her lip and turned back to the river. Revelations like that could get her in trouble.

  He reached across the seat to touch her hand. “You’ve done some amazing things, Shy. I always knew you would. But what you’ve accomplished, it’s really impressive.”

  Staring down at his fingers, she wondered what it would be like to feel them hold her, and squeezed her eyelids together, chasing the thought away. Keep it light, keep it light.

  “That’s quite a line, Triston.” She forced a chuckle. “I guess I should say thank you."

  His hands tightened on the steering wheel and he sighed. “I know I hurt you, Shy, but can you lay off the judgments. Give me a chance, will you?”

  She smiled, and looked out the window. The flutters were gone, the threatening flames extinguished. Success was sweet. She pushed a couple of stray strands away from her eyes before regarding him again.

  Maybe giving him a chance to be a friend wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  Chapter Sixteen

  They turned into a bistro restaurant set high above the Hudson, famous for seafood and hard to come by reservations. Shannon had dined a time or two before, and the food was exquisite. The exterior was as she recalled - the gray octagonal building perched high above the waters below, with a circling white patio and three hundred sixty degree views. The rising terrain, hinting of the lead into the Adirondacks in the distance, decorated the area with a rich splendor of trees, grasses and rising slopes providing the northern, southern, and western views, the river and its banks below to the east. The last time she ate there, it was summer, three years ago, with Greg and another couple. Good memories. Ones she was surprised meant very little to her. That was then, this was now, and a new set of choices were about to be made.

  A near empty parking lot boded well, though a bit unusual to her best recollection, but Shannon found herself sucking in a breath as she reached for the door handle. Whatever this dinner was, it still felt like a date, and the word left a strange taste in her mouth. Sweet, bitter, enticing.

  She felt a brush against her shoulder and turned to see Triston smiling. “Please, allow me.”

  He jumped out of the car, trotting alongside the hood to her door, and removed the barrier between them with a hand waiting.

  She smiled and rested her f
ingers in the expectant palm. “This is beginning to dangerously resemble a date.” With the word hanging in the air, her mind relaxed. It was said, and now could be refuted, adjusted as needed.

  She stepped out of the car, and pressed against the gleaming metal when Triston didn’t allow her passage. “We have rules, sir.”

  “Yes, we do. And my favorite rule is to treat you like the lady you are.”

  She shook her head, and waited until he widened the berth and generously dropped her hand. No misconstrued appearances. As they drew near the front door, she glanced at his grinning face. He looked like a school boy escorting the class beauty. They were neither, and the expression made her laugh. “What am I going to do with you?”

  His lips tilted into a lopsided smile. “There are so many wonderful ways I could answer that, but, you know, we have these rules, and …”

  Before she had time to consider the rules, or appearances, or what anyone might say, she reached out and playfully punched his shoulder. He roared with laughter and opened to the restaurant. “After you, my lady.”

  “Not quite, Triston. Not quite.”

  Inside, the décor was tastefully done in blue and green hues, touched off by blond oak, a leather sofa and striped straight back chairs. No fishermen nets hanging from the walls, no plastic lobsters or seaside signage. Just simple pastel paintings depicting seashore scenes of lazy days gazing at tides coming in, and romantic evenings walking barefoot in the sand. Hardwood floors expertly shined completed the seaside feel of the restaurant, the soft instrumental music filtered through hidden speakers inviting. Patronage was low, the bar to the left vacant, and as far as Shannon could see, so was the restaurant. Strange, but then, it was also the middle of the afternoon. It’d been so long since her last visit, she realized she knew nothing of their customer patterns.

  Shannon eased into an armchair as Triston checked in and joined her, reclining comfortably with a foot resting on his knee in a nearby sofa. She was just about to thank him for bringing her when a waitress passed by and did a double take. Shannon shuddered. Maybe the girl knew her, or Greg. No, probably not, she didn’t recognize her. Yet, she couldn’t swallow the unease tickling her tongue.