Page 8 of The Present

4

Pulling himself out of the Olympic-sized pool on the 5th floor of his apartment building, Hal shook the water out of his eyes and slid onto the blue-tiled edging. He’d missed swimming while he’d been away in Aspen. He wasn’t into skiing, and the hotel’s pool hadn’t been available, so he’d had to suffer with simple jogging for exercise for the three days he’d been there. He’d have to grin and bear it again this upcoming week as well. Perhaps he’d get his secretary to find him a different hotel, one with a working pool.

“Damn.” Zoe’s last day had been the day he’d left for Aspen this past week. Quit to have and raise her baby. A novel decision in his world, where women insisted they could do both. He had no doubt the super-efficient Zoe could have handled both realms with ease, but she’d been adamant when she’d handed in her notice. He couldn’t blame her, in a way, but that meant he’d have to grab someone else’s assistant to bridge the gap until he could begin interviews for the position. God knew how long HR would take to set those up.

At least he didn’t have to think about that today. He hopped up from the pool, grabbed his terrycloth robe, and headed to the elevator. Today was Christmas Eve. He didn’t need to think about work at all today or tomorrow, although he probably would at some point. Too much going on with the merger at headquarters in Aspen to be able to avoid work completely. However, he would be seeing Tess for dinner this evening. Something to look forward to very much.

Hal entered the elevator which already contained an older neighbor who lived on his floor. “Good morning, Mrs. Lawson. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you, Hal.” She beamed at him. He’d helped her carry packages on several occasions and she seemed to think that made him a hero. “Swimming again, I see.”

“Yes, and glad to be back at it. Is your family coming for the holidays or are you going to them?” She had a daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren in Memphis.

“We couldn’t decide, so we let the children choose.” She paused and then broke out into a grin. “We’re going to Disney World.” Mrs. Lawson’s eyes sparkled. “I bet you’re too young to remember those commercials.”

“I bet you’re right.”

The elevator doors opened with a quiet “ding” and Hal pushed the button to hold it while Mrs. Lawson exited. He followed her into the hallway. “When do you leave?”

“First thing in the morning. We’ll meet in Orlando and spend the whole week in the sun.” The older lady shivered despite her fur coat. “I can’t wait.” She eyed him. “And what are you doing for Christmas?”

“Well, this year my family met together at Thanksgiving, so we do Christmas on our own. But” he hurried on as her expressive face told him she might try to insist he join her family, “I am having dinner with a beautiful woman and taking her to the movies tomorrow.” He threw her his brightest smile. “You can’t tell me that’s not a wonderful way to celebrate.”

She looked him up and down. “With someone other than Miss Avery, perhaps.”

On the tip of his tongue to say, “It’s not Miss Avery, oh, well, it was Miss Avery, but—” however, that seemed like way too much information for his neighbor to grasp. So, he simply smiled and said, “Perhaps. You never know.”

She waved to him as she disappeared into her apartment, and Hal continued down the polished marble hallway to his apartment, more thoughtful than before.

His Christmas plans had been completely derailed last night with Janice’s treachery. Well, that might be too strong a word for it. He’d been truthful with Tess. His relationship with her sister had had its share of attraction and the sex had been good. Good enough, at least. But Janice hadn’t been much more than an office fling if he looked at it dispassionately. And the plans they’d made hadn’t been much more than what he’d now planned with Tess. Except for the parts of the weekend that would have been devoted to screwing their brains out. That, he could almost guarantee, would not happen with Tess.

Not that he wouldn’t want it to happen. Even though she was the total opposite of Janice in appearance, she was still a beautiful woman. One he would love to go to bed with.

Just not yet.

That thought brought him up short as he pushed his key into the lock. But he’d actually meant it last night when he’d told her he wouldn’t have asked her to sleep with him just to get back at Janice. As much as he’d wanted to enrage Janice at that moment, he’d never have done it at the expense of hurting someone like Tess. Someone who was, well, innocent.

He shook himself and stepped into his apartment and headed straight for the shower. After a long while just standing under the stinging needlepoints of hot water, he quickly lathered himself, rinsed and stepped in front of the large vanity mirror. Instead of his reflection, he encountered a fog shrouded mirror. Taking up a towel, he cleared a spot so he could see himself and addressed his slightly red-tinged face.

“You need to stop being a little bitch and go confront the real one.” He frowned at himself. “Tell her off for involving Tess, call her a coward for not breaking it off herself, and…” Hal peered deeply into the mirror, his face hardening. “Get your fuckin’ herringbone back!”

* * *

Hal pressed the doorbell for the second time. Janice was a creature of habit. It was doubtful she’d gone out on Christmas Eve. With no family, save Tess who she certainly wouldn’t want to see, she had no one to visit unless she was out with his replacement, Kevin. Even that was unlikely this early in the day. She hadn’t spent the night with the guy, so at best she might see him tonight. Not that Hal cared.

He pressed the bell a third time.

At least, he couldn’t quite admit he minded being dumped so unceremoniously.

He’d raised his fist to pound on the door when it jerked open revealing a disheveled Janice. Apparently, he’d woken her up. He grinned. “Merry Christmas, Janice. Can I come in?”

She blinked, trying to focus. “Hal? What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to get my coat, if you don’t mind.” The woman looked hung over, although she’d been sober when she threw him and Tess out at two in the morning. Had she started drinking after they left?

“Um, sure. Come on in.” Janice squinted at the light from the hallway but stood to the side as he strode into the apartment. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t up yet. Your coat is there.” She pointed to the chair where Tess had laid it last night. “Can I get you something to drink?”

Hal stared warily at her as she headed into the kitchen, then reemerged moments later with a bottle of water in hand.