"And when you didn't come back to the hotel last night, I thought you might be with her. We’d argued, and then I saw the photo and headline in the paper this morning…”
I force myself to look in his eyes, certain I’ll detect any lie he might speak.
He sighs. “I know my actions with her have been confusing for you this weekend. They’ve been confusing for me as well. But despite what she wants, nothing has happened between us. I stayed at her villa that first night, but it’s a big place. I limited our interaction to reminiscing, I promise.”
He pauses, waiting for my response before he continues.
Whatever happened the first time he stayed the night at her villa was before we had our magic moments together.
Before we sat in the golden sunlight and watched Oscar slowly cross the dirt path. Before we gorged on delicious French pastry and sang a silly turtle song, then tore down our barriers and truly connected, just Sam and Bix.
But if he continued to run to Valentina after all that... I nod, urging him on. We’ve got to get through this.
"I did accompany Valentina to her villa again last night," he says quietly. "I was angry at you, Bix—outraged to see you interacting with Carlos. My nerves, my heightened emotions where you’re concerned, I?—"
"So you spent the night with her again."
"We had a drink,” he protests. “Talked. She wanted more than that, but I told her it wasn’t going to happen between us, once and for all.”
I nod for him to continue.
“Once I calmed down, I knew I needed my sleep. I was just about to come back to the hotel when Sterling called and said there was a road obstruction on the way to Nimes. He said he’d arranged for a helicopter to take me over last night to avoid stress in the morning."
"But why didn't you tell me? Why didn’t Milo tell me?"
"It was late. I told them not to bother you," he says with a shrug. "I’m sorry. I realize now that you were worried. I wasn’t thinking clearly. Like I said, I was angry about Carlos."
"Carlos," I say bitterly. "You were right to be wary, to forbid me to see him."
"Why?” Slayer is on guard in an instant. “What happened? Tell me!"
I didn't mean to tell Slayer ever. But I can't keep it to myself now. So I try to keep my voice steady as I recall the terrifying events of this morning.
"It was a mistake," I say, my voice trembling. "But you must see why I had to take that chance. At the moment, I saw it as the only way for me to achieve what is no longer possible for Lola and Hilary. I was angry and frustrated too. Not making good decisions. I see that now."
"I'll kill him!" he roars.
"No. There are better ways of handling this and making sure he never attacks a woman again.” I put my hand on his arm. “But we need to focus on your performance now.
Slayer pulls me close, hugging me so tightly I might break. "I'm sorry that happened, Bix," he says.
"I'm angry that I wasn't there to protect you. That must have been horrifying. It infuriates me to even imagine it." He sighs in a way that seems to come from his soul. “This day… I’ve waited so long for it, and so far it’s just filled with horrors.”
We stand together for a long time, and I feel the salt of his tears stinging my cheek. I'm not sure if they're for Mrs. Tyson or my attack—probably everything combined. There’s a small sofa in the corner of the room. “Come. Let’s sit together.”
Once we’re settled, I take his hand.
“I know you’re grieving. One thing I’ve learned from Hilary’s death is that just because a person isn’t here physically doesn’t mean they’re not with you.”
Slayer casts his dark eyes on me, nodding slightly.
“A little more than a year ago, Hilary and I were on Fifth Avenue. She was too impatient to wait for the light to change.Seconds after she stepped into the street, a speeding car struck her down.” I pause. “I rushed to her, but she was already dead.”
He stays quiet. I go on.
“I knelt by her on the asphalt. Pedestrians who’d witnessed what happened formed a human barrier around us until the police and ambulance arrived.” I blink back tears.
“And in that short time, I saw her spirit lift out of her body. She rose the way she got out of bed in the morning—with a grin and burst of energy. Then she stood before me with that playful smile of hers, like it was all a game.”
