Marlene’s heels clicked against the floor as she left the room, and once the sound faded Ellie sank into her chair and welcomed the silence. She studied her reflection in the mirror then lifted her hand to her lips. Swollen. Still swollen from Luke’s mouth crushing them.
God, would she ever be able to understand that infuriating man? Every time she came into contact with Luke, whether they were bickering or kissing, her body felt like a Mack truck had hit it. No other man got to her like that. Irritated the hell out of her and made her crazy with lust at the same time.
How could he just walk out on her last night? Since he’d come to town, it had become almost a habit—kissing her, touching her, and then hurrying off like a dog with his tail between his legs. But scampering away after giving her the best sex of her life? That was unacceptable. Not to mention insensitive.
What was the matter with that man? She’d just revealed her ballet career was over, she’d given her body to him, and he’d left. He’d left.
A part of her still couldn’t believe she’d told him the truth. Well, some of the truth, anyway, since she’d refrained from mentioning the hysterectomy. But telling him about that…well, it wasn’t an option.
Every time she thought about their conversation up on that Ferris wheel her chest tightened with disappointment. But damn it, why did she feel that way? She and Luke weren’t a couple. They never would be. He didn’t want to settle down, especially with his best friend’s sister.
And besides, how could she get involved with someone when she didn’t even know who the hell she was anymore? The accident had taken so much from her. Her career. Her fiancé. Her ability to have children. Who exactly was she, without all those things?
Definitely not the same person she’d been before she lost them, that’s for sure.
“You shouldn’t have come in tonight.”
The sound of Vivian’s brisk voice broke through her troubling thoughts, quickly bringing on a new set of troubled thoughts. Ellie still hadn’t questioned Viv about the dark-haired younger man Marlene’s cousin had spotted her with, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that it had been Luke. She hadn’t bought Luke’s explanation about his conversation with Viv last night—the two of them looked too serious to be discussing a carnival—but Ellie hadn’t wanted to push him then. She’d been too focused on turning up the heat and turning Luke on.
Well, she’d turned him on, all right.
And he’d rushed off like a coward.
“Why shouldn’t I have come in?” Ellie asked with a glance to Viv’s reflection in the vanity mirror.
As usual, her boss looked absolutely gorgeous in her work attire—a pale-blue silk shirt, tan slacks, and three-inch heels. But the look on her face wasn’t the usual one of excitement and encouragement she normally wore before a show. Right now she just came across as weary.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since our talk yesterday,” Vivian replied.
“What about it?”
“I think giving you this job at the club might have been a mistake.”
A wave of panic crept up her throat as she saw the serious look in her boss’s eyes. Was she firing her? Her panic doubled at the thought. She couldn’t lose this job. It was all she had left, the only thing that made living in San Valdez worthwhile. And Vivian. She couldn’t lose her either. These past two months, Viv had been her saving grace, the one person she could count on.
“What are you saying?”
“Yesterday I realized you’re here to escape. To hide. And, honey, I think you’re hiding away for the wrong reasons.”
“I’m not hiding away.”
“Yes, you are. Your jerk of an ex fed you a line of bull about your life being over, and you bought it. I’m beginning to think…” Vivian took a breath. “That your brother and Luke are right, that you should be at home.”
Alarm spilled over her. No, not Vivian too. She should’ve never told her boss the real story behind the car accident.
“Ellie, I can’t stand by and watch you waste your life away.”
“How am I wasting my life away?” she protested. “And what does that say about you? You live here too.”
Vivian smiled softly. “Honey, I may be forty-four, but I had some life. I raised an amazing kid, worked my ass off and took a few trips to Vegas that one day I’ll tell you about. I chose to retire here, to run this club and enjoy the relaxation this small town has to offer. But you, you’re still young. You have the rest of your life ahead of you. Don’t waste it away here.”
“I like it here.” She swallowed back a lump of pain, knowing deep down that there was some truth in her words. She did love San Valdez, but a part of her missed her life in San Francisco. Her condo. Her friends. Even her annoying brother.