Crossroad to Love (Fab Five Series)

chapter 21

Thursday morning arrived and the four girls woke to another sunshiny, autumn Texas day. They were out the door early for their day at the spa. They needed to be finished in time for Lizzie to get to the airport and pick up Rex.

It’ll be nice to see Rex again, Katy thought. Funny, how the guys seemed to always end up being a part of their reunions. And this year, Katy would have a guy too, at least for a little while. She wondered how that situation would turn out. All she could do now was hope for the best.

“This is just what I needed,” Marianne remarked to Lizzie, who lay on the massage table next to hers.

“I know just what you mean. This is the life, isn’t it?” Lizzie replied.

After their massages, they headed into another area for their facials and then on to the nail techs for their pedicures and manicures. They were enjoying their time together immensely and hated to see it come to an end. It was such a shame they had all settled in different states after college and marriages took place. Jobs have moved us, but luckily we’ve always been able to remain close, Katy mused as she lay on the massage table. They all knew it would be coming to an end in a few days, as each of them returned to their lives in different cities. Of course, Katy would be getting together soon with Angie to work on the designs for the hotel, and Lizzie would be working on the O’Grady account so she would be coming back to Dallas and would get together with Marianne while there. So will I, Katy hoped.

The foursome stopped in a small cafe after the spa visit for a quick lunch before Lizzie left for the airport.

“You know, we really need to plan to get together again soon. We shouldn’t wait so long next time,” Marianne mentioned as she thought about the week coming to an end. The girls had ordered salads again, even Lizzie.

“I agree. Maybe we should include the guys, since they seem to want to be a part of our reunions.” Angie laughed. “And since we have guys to include,” she added with a giggle.

“Maybe…” Katy answered.

“I’m sorry. I’m so happy that I forgot that you still have unresolved issues with your guy. Please forgive me.”

“It’s quite all right, Angie. If it’s meant for Ryan and me to work out our problems, then we will. If not, then it was fun for the short time I’ve gotten to know him.”

“Glad to hear you are being so realistic about this, Katy. I have been a bit worried about this whole Ryan thing,” Lizzie admitted.

“Now, Lizzie, stop playing the mama role with me. Save that for Cara and her love life. I’m a big girl and I can handle whatever happens. I’m not quite as fragile as you all think I am. You all think that when it comes to my own issues, I’m a marshmallow,” Katy good-naturedly admonished her friend.

They all laughed at the mere thought of Katy as a marshmallow and finished the rest of the meal with pleasant conversation. They headed back to the room to decide what they were going to wear to dinner. Soon it was time for Lizzie to leave. She was still a little nervous about facing Rex for the first time since she had pulled the O’Grady incident. Over the phone, he had been fine, but he may be saving up for when he saw her in person. She would find out soon enough. It was almost time for his plane to land at Love Field. He would be arriving at a different airport than the girl’s flight since he had not been able to get a flight into DFW at the time he needed.

Lizzie wanted to allow herself plenty of time to arrive. She made it with time to spare and found the appropriate gate to await Rex’s arrival. According to the schedule posted above her head, his flight was running on schedule, so he should be arriving any minute now. A few minutes later she saw him coming toward her with a smile on his face. That was a good sign. They kissed hello and headed to collect his baggage.

After they were settled in the rental car and back on the expressway, he finally spoke. “So what made you decide to do this ad all by yourself, Lizzie?”

She took a deep breath and responded, “It just seemed like the thing to do at the time. We were talking, and Chloe, one of the owners, mentioned that they were looking for an interior designer and that they needed to find a new ad agency. How ironic that Katy was planning to start up a design business and we own an ad agency. I offered to bring her some ideas the next day when Katy met with her to show her some designs. Katy and I both stayed up all night working, while Marianne and Angie made coffee and offered opinions. Then when I met with the O’Gradys, they liked my general concept, and working together, we came up with something that we were all pleased with. It all just sort of happened rather quickly.”

“I have to admit I was more than a little surprised and skeptical when you called. I’m anxious to see your ideas. Not that I don’t believe for a minute that they are good. I just wasn’t expecting you to do something like that. You really are amazing, you know, Kid.”

“Thank you, Rex. I worried about what you would think, but it all seems to be working out. I will be on pins and needles until you see my ideas.”

“If the O’Gradys are satisfied, that’s all that really matters. They’re the client, not me.”

“I still want your opinion of my work. If I’m going to be working in the agency, you need to see what I can do just like you would any prospective employee. By the way, I booked you a room at the Prava. Michael has a room there and so does Jon.”

“Jon? Doesn’t he live near Dallas?”

“It’s a long story, which I’ll explain to you before we get to the hotel. He booked the room last night. Today is his day off, so I’m sure he will go back home after dinner tonight. Remember when you called yesterday and I had to cut you short?”

“Yes, you said something was going on.”

Lizzie proceeded to fill Rex in on all that was happening in the lives of her three friends as he listened in awe.

“I just want you to be in the loop before you see the girls, or any of the guys, for that matter.”

“It sounds like it has been an eventful week for all of you. But I would expect no less from the ‘Fab Four.’ Some things never change.” Rex laughed as he leaned over and gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek. “Any chance we can sneak into that room of mine for an hour or so before you go back to the girls? I have missed you, Lizzie girl.”

“I think that can be arranged.” She laughed as she reached over and touched his hand. It seemed like they had had so little time together in recent months, she welcomed a chance to steal away for an hour with him, even if it meant taking some time away from her friends. They were all busy and probably would not even notice what time she got back from the airport anyway. Katy was worrying about tonight. Marianne was lost in her thoughts about Jon. And Angie had her head in the clouds thinking about a wedding in the not-so-distant future. They would never miss her. And she and Rex so needed this time together.

They returned to the hotel, got Rex checked in and snuck up the stairs so the girls would not see that they had returned already.

“This is just like in college, sneaking around the dorms,” Lizzie remembered fondly.

“Sneaking always did make it more exciting.” Rex winked at Lizzie.

He unlocked the door of his suite, set his bags on the floor and took his wife in his arms.

A few hours later, as Lizzie was preparing to return to her friends, Rex surprised her, “I have a surprise for you. I arranged to take a few days off from the agency. I figured while we’re both out here, we should make a mini vacation out of it, after the other girls head back home. Finish your visit with them and then we’ll take a little detour on the way home and stop somewhere for a few days. We haven’t had time for a vacation in a while. It will be good for us. Don’t you agree?”

Lizzie was touched. “Rex, I think it’s a great idea. Are you sure you can be gone from the agency?”

“I worked long hours while you’ve been gone to get caught up. I’m ready for the break. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity. Especially if you’re going to start working after we get back home. There will be trips back and forth to Dallas involved in this new account of yours, you know. We’re going to be very busy.”

“It’s settled then. Mini vacation it is. I really better get back to the girls so I can get ready for dinner. Meet us in the lobby at seven.” Lizzie went into the bathroom to make herself presentable to meet the girls, and left Rex with a long and lingering kiss.

“To remember me by until you see me again,” she laughed.

“As if I could forget you after this afternoon. See you at seven, Sexy.” He smiled as she let herself out of the suite. What a woman my wife is. Taking the bull by the horns and doing the ads for the O’Gradys like that. She is wonderful, in every way.

Lizzie smiled to herself as she headed back to the suite to get ready for the evening’s festivities. The time alone with her husband had been just what they both needed. Perhaps her going to work in the agency would free up some time for him and they could spend more time together like the past few hours.

When Lizzie entered the suite, Angie was sitting on the couch. “Hi, I’m waiting for my turn in the bathroom. How did it go with Rex?”

Lizzie blushed slightly as she said, “It went well. Unless he just absolutely hates my work after he sees my ideas and we meet with the O’Gradys, I’m officially on the payroll. And he suggested that after you all go back home, we take a little mini vacation on our way home. That was music to my ears, since he’s been working so much lately.”

“Sounds like things are working out, then. Gone for quite a while, weren’t you, Lizzie?” Angie teased.

“Hush now, Angie,” Lizzie teased back with a smile.

Katy and Marianne entered the room. “Got the man off the plane ok, I guess?” Marianne asked.

“Yes, got him off the plane and settled into his room. I told him to meet us in the lobby at seven. I also filled him in on all that has been happening around here this week.”

“Wow, I bet that took a little time.” Katy laughed.

“You notice she was gone for quite a while,” Angie teased wickedly.

Lizzie blushed as the others just shook their heads.

“You both look fantastic. I guess we had better be getting ready too. Come on, Angie. You can have the shower first.” Lizzie laughed, happy to change the subject.

The two of them headed into the other room to take turns getting ready. Soon, the four friends were ready to go. They all looked stunning once again as they prepared to leave for the restaurant.

They were all looking forward to the evening except Katy. Oh, she was looking forward to the dinner and spending time with Ryan and her friends, but she was not looking forward to what would happen after dinner when she had to tell Ryan the truth about her identity. She hoped she could make it through dinner without appearing as nervous as she felt.

Heading into the lobby, they noticed that Michael, Jon, and Rex were all together seated in the lobby talking. It was good to see the three of them catching up and smiling.

As the girls walked up to them, Michael let out a slow whistle. “What do you think, men? Are we escorting the four most gorgeous women in Dallas tonight, or what?”

The other two men heartily agreed.

“You flirt!” Angie teasingly smacked Michael on the arm.

Jon looked at Marianne and smiled. “You look good, Baby. May I take your arm and escort you to your waiting chariot?”

She took his arm and smiled back at him. “You certainly may, kind sir.”

Rex looked at Katy and Lizzie and remarked, “Looking at them now, you would never know that those four have had a bad week, would you?” He linked arms with his wife.

“I’m anxious for you to meet Ryan. I want to know what you think of him, Rex,” Katy said as she took Rex’s other arm.

“I’m looking forward to it, Katy, my dear,” he answered her with a kindly smile.

The men had decided that Jon would drive the Lincoln, since all seven of them could ride in it comfortably.

The ride to the restaurant was pleasant and enjoyable. The evening is starting well, Katy thought. But how will it end?