Part 13 (1/2)

”So you had s.e.x with a guy you'd only known a couple of days?” Chi's statement was one more of admiration than admonishment. ”I have to say, I'm kind of proud of you right now. I mean, when you decide to let go, you do it in a big way. But I'm super glad he didn't turn out to be an axe murderer.”

Me, too. ”I may not be the best detective in the world, you guys, but I do have good sense when it comes to judging people. I still don't know a d.a.m.n thing about the guy, but my heart tells me he was a good man. Even though he left in the middle of the night and didn't say goodbye.”

Again there was silence.

”What? No lectures?” The words came out snappish, but she couldn't help feeling defensive. ”You guys are the ones who find fault with every man I meet.”

”Did you have a good time?” That was Makala again, but there was no judgment in her voice.

”Uh, you know I did. I can honestly say it was the time of my life. I was happier than I've ever been.”

”Well, good for you,” Makala said. ”There's nothing wrong with stepping out of your comfort zone. You've been through h.e.l.l this last year and a half. It's okay that you acted out and did something a little wild. We've all been so worried about you.”

Mar started giggling. ”So you're saying it's a good thing I had s.e.x with a stranger at a remote island resort, even though I'm not sure I know his name? Have you guys been replaced by pod people?”

They laughed, too.

”Yes, that's what we're saying,” Katie teased. ”Makala's right. You've been so tied up in knots trying to learn the business, and doing a d.a.m.n fine job I might add, and you haven't even taken the time to process what happened with your mom.

”You took care of your dad and set up his house so that it runs like clockwork. You arranged it so that someone was there to make sure he ate, and that he had clean s.h.i.+rts. By the way, Mrs. Hopkins has been calling with daily updates, and your dad's doing fine. I went over there to make sure, and she made chocolate chip pancakes. The best ones I've ever had. That woman should have a show on the Food Network.”

Mrs. Hopkins had been a G.o.dsend. Mar's dad was a successful businessman, but he'd taken her mother's death hard. Since Mar was busy trying to keep SIA afloat, she'd hired Mrs. H. to help with the domestic side of things.

Thinking about her dad brought another tear to her eye. What's with all the crying? It was like she'd been saving up or something. She reached for a tissue. ”Thanks for checking on him. I appreciate it.”

”No worries,” Katie said. ”And Mar, we don't say it enough, but you've kept this place running, too. You're here eighteen hours a day handling research and coordinating who does what. We've all had front row seats to the awesomeness that is you.”

This time Mar snorted. ”I think I need that T-s.h.i.+rt.”

”I'll get you one made,” Chi said. And she probably would. ”So since your dream man is gone, are you coming home?”

Mar chewed on her lip again. ”I'm thinking about it. I have to leave here. It feels weird now, but I'm not ready to come home yet. I promise wherever I go, I'll let you know. And from now on I'll keep my phone close by.”

”Good girl,” Chi said. ”Take your time. You don't need to be back until the end of the month.”

She was really lucky to have such amazing friends. ”Thanks. I heart you guys, you know that, right?”

”Right back at you, chickie,” Chi said. ”Don't forget to call and let us know where you land.”

”I won't,” Mar promised.

They said their goodbyes.

”They're right. I needed this. I had a good time, and I met a terrific guy. He lied. A lot. But was fun. So definitely no regrets.”

Determined to be strong, she called to arrange for a car to take her back to Bangkok. There was still the danger of the mob guys, so she'd have the driver take her straight to the airport. The shopping would have to wait for another time. The hotel in Bangkok would s.h.i.+p her clothing back to Austin. That way she could travel light, and pick things up as she went.

Once she arrived at the airport, she'd see wherever the next flight was going, and she'd buy a ticket.

Back in the bathroom, she pulled her hair up in a ponytail, and brushed her teeth. Throwing her toiletries in her backpack as she did.

She followed with her clothes, wadding them into b.a.l.l.s and stuffing them in. In less than five minutes she had everything ready to go, and wore her favorite jeans and a T-s.h.i.+rt. The only thing that wouldn't fit was her laptop. She decided she'd have to carry it by hand to the car.

Then she realized it was gone. Jackson had taken her laptop.

And her heart.

Fine. Whatever. I'll buy a new one. I can now add thief to the list of mysterious things about Jackson. Dammit, I never did ask about that tattoo.

Sticking her phone in her hip pocket, she walked to the door. Turning to check the room one last time, she didn't see the intruder, who slapped a hand over her mouth as Mar screamed for her life.

17.

SOMEONE HAD GRABBED Mar in the doorway and her fight-or-flight instincts kicked in. Without even thinking about it she s.h.i.+fted her weight, twisted and was about to bring her elbow up to the intruder's chin when she heard, ”Mar, it's me. Sorry I startled you. I'm going to take my hand off your mouth now. No one is trying to hurt you. I didn't want you to scream, that's all.” Jackson moved his hand away from her mouth.

She stared at him, hard, her heart lodged in her throat. She took a deep breath, and backed away from him. ”What are you doing here? I thought you left.” It didn't make sense that Jackson stood in her doorway. For the last half hour she'd tried to convince herself that she'd never see him again.

But he was there, the handsome b.a.s.t.a.r.d, in his jeans and tight black T-s.h.i.+rt.

I despise him.

Hah. Not hardly.

Mar could take a lot, but the last thing she needed was to face him. The fury from earlier returned. ”Did you forget something? Maybe you needed to take my phone, since you already had my computer?”

He had the good grace to look ashamed. ”I did leave, and I borrowed your computer. I have every intention of returning it to you. That's the absolute truth. But I'm back for a very good reason. Our friends from Bangkok have arrived. I need to get you out of here and on a plane so you'll be safe.”

Jackson pushed through the door and shut it.

Mar's hands went to her hips. ”Jackson. How do I know this isn't another one of your games? And I'm not going anywhere until you at least tell me your name. I mean it. It p.i.s.ses me off that I've been calling you Jackson all this time and I don't even know if that's your real name.”

She didn't think it possible that she could want someone so much and at the same time be angrier than she'd ever been. To keep from throwing something at him she sat down on the bed and folded her hands on her lap.

”I'm sitting here until you answer my question.” Her chin jutted out. ”My G.o.d. You stole my computer, and who knows what you did to my e-mails. And what about those messages at the front desk? How did you keep those from me?”

The shock on his face was priceless. He hadn't expected her to fight back.

”Mar, there are two men out there who will kill us. We don't have time for explanations.” Jackson moved toward her.

”Do not come near me. You are more than welcome to run away again. You did a good job of it an hour ago. I don't know why you came back or what it is you want now, but I'd prefer if you left immediately.” Liar.

Mar turned away from him and became intensely interested in one of the paintings on the wall. Unlike Jackson, she wasn't a very good liar, but she didn't want him to see that even though he'd betrayed her, she was having a hard time keeping her hands off him.