A Weekend Getaway Read Online Free Page B

it.
    “What a great birthday that
was,” Parker said. “Or so my friends told me. My memory was slightly affected.”
He smiled and ordered another round.
    This time the amber liquid
burned her a little less. How much damage was this doing to her hips?
    After several shots, Beth’s
worries floated away. She forgot about her speech. She forgot about her diet
and she forgot about her neglectful boyfriend. She was young and in love all
over again, and best of all, Parker didn’t once mention Ivy.
    “It’s going to be so great to
see the old gang tomorrow,” he said.
    A funny memory came to her and she
dared to clasp his hand as if she needed his full attention. “Remember that
Halloween party when Bill dressed like Mrs. Doubtfire?”
      “When the cops came and he lost his
earring in their backseat?” He didn’t pull away, but let her touch linger.
    Was there something going on
between her and Parker? “Thank goodness the officers let him off with a warning
to keep the noise down.”
    “That’s because they were
laughing too hard to write a ticket.” He grinned. “Bill threw great parties.”
      “That’s because he majored in theater. He
had such an interesting mix of colorful friends.” Embarrassed at her boldness,
she removed her hand from his. “I wonder what Bill’s up to these days.” She stirred
the straw in her nearly empty glass, eyeing him.
      “Probably married with a couple of kids.”
His voice sounded flat.
    She didn’t know what to say. Between
the alcohol and the nostalgia, she completely lost track of time. All she knew
was she didn’t want this night to end.
    Parker mumbled something. It
sounded like, “Lucky guy.”
    “What?”
    “Bill. If he’s happily married
with 2.5 kids, he’s a lucky guy.” Parker leaned forward and looked deep into
her eyes. “If I could go back and do it all over again. . .” His words slurred
a bit. “I should’ve picked you.”

 
    CHAPTER
TWO
    “What?” Beth must’ve heard him
wrong. The band was too freaking loud.
    Parker’s head bobbed a little,
his eyelids drooped. “Back in the day. I never should’ve gone out with Ivy.
Definitely shouldn’t have married her. You. . . you
would’ve been the smart choice.”
    Her heart ricocheted inside her
chest. “Don’t be silly.” She pushed his shoulder playfully, the alcohol dulling
her inhibitions. Why did it take you
sixteen years to realize this?
    “I’m serious. Things didn’t work
out the way I’d hoped. Why couldn’t I see that Ivy and I weren’t a good match?”
    “Because she was beautiful.” And I was not. “When you’re young, looks
are all that matter.”
    He shrugged.
    “You two would’ve had cute
children.” Regret choked her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
    “It’s all right. I married her
when she told me she was pregnant.”
    Acid mixed with the alcohol in
her gut. She didn’t want to hear this.
    Oblivious to Beth’s queasy
stomach, he continued talking. “I thought it was the right thing to do. And then
she had a miscarriage.” He gulped the amber liquid in his glass. “After that, I
suggested we adopt some kids. I wanted to teach them to work and play hard. . . and to give to those less fortunate.”
    She took some deep breaths to
maintain her composure. In, out. In, out. “I remember you were going to join
the Peace Corps. Did you ever do that?”
    “No. Ivy wouldn’t have liked
being left alone and she wouldn’t have wanted to go, either. Besides, I’m busy
with my business here in the states. I give a lot to charity, though.” His
focus seemed to float into the distance. “Life never turns out quite the way
you pictured it, does it?”
    Why was he all sad? He’d gone on
while Beth had made sacrifices. She’d suffered from her own secret. Silently
counting the Christmases, the birthdays, and the milestones all in her head.
Wondering if she’d made the right choice.
    “Last call!” shouted the
bartender.
    She reached